Chama (Santa Fe, Anthony: rent, house, elementary school)

[tortugo]

Hey
We are displaced New Mexicans living in CA. We are starting to look at retirement property near Heron Lake. An bod got any recent info on the area. We heard it is really growing. We will be visiting my son in June so we'll be in the area. Whats going on Chama?
Tortugo

[GregW]

I think they are still shoveling snow in Chama.

[Vinegaroon]

You heard Chama is growing? I don't know, I would not be looking for a Starbucks to open up there anytime real soon.

[Devin Bent]

The last time I saw it -- summer 07 -- I thought it was a cute little town, nicely restored, with some people moving in. I don't think there was enough going on that I would choose to live there -- but that's a matter of taste. You can get a latte -- at least in the summer.

They got a lot of snow this past winter and the average is about eight feet --
http:// CHAMA, NEW MEXICO - Climate Summary --

That is a lot compared to most places in New Mexico. Santa Fe -- which many New Mexicans think is an ice box -- gets less than two feet.

Somebody will probably build a new grocery there and let's hope they put a stronger andor sloping roof.

People are offering acreage up that way. Read the fine print.

I suspect that the local economy is very dependent upon that subsidized scenic railroad.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Beautiful area, love it and love it. Of course, I go in the Fall when it absolutely beautiful. Property seems high to me but if your selling in California it may not seem high. I've been looking down the road 512 where I would have a view of the cliffs.

People in town are friendly but I've been to places on the outskirts and people were not. I wanted to take a brush up course in the weaving shop the clerk was wonderful but the teacher didn't want to give me the time of day. Of course the grocery store is a problem to me. I loved that store last year. Though it was more reasonable than the big Super Walmart I go to in my area. We always rent cabins at Corbins for the month of September and do take the train ride which is fun. The Grocery Store is a big issue to me. If I knew for sure it was being rebuilt would help in my decision of the area. We are somewhat isolationist (sp) which I think you might have to be lliving there. Plus we will not need to work, I am sure there is no jobs what so ever. It would be a retirement place.

[Vinegaroon]

I think the Chama area is a great retirement place for you. You sound like you will not be bothered by a bit of isolation and lack of modern conveniences. The only thing that I see as a major negative regarding the Chama area is it is really frickin cold up there, and mucho snow. If I want that, I'll retire in North Dakota.

[tortugo]

We are from rural NM (I went to elementary school in La Union, NM a suburb of Anthony....thats rural) I speak Spanish (NM style) fluently and am really hispanic at heart. The local Nortenos have never been fond og Anglos and the Land Grant issues in TA didn't help. I can actually remember Reyes Tiarina occupying the court house in Tierra Amirilla over the land grant disputes. I was just wondering if it was really growing like I had heard. As far as the snow...thats why the fishing is so good. We'll probably spend a good part of the winter in Mexico.
Thanks everyone,
Tortugo and Rana

[tortugo]

Oh yeah
I have heard they are already rebuilding the market and I owned a sheet metal shop in Santa Fe and hated it...it's like living in CA. I'll do all right in Chama as long as I get rid on my CA lisence plates before we go there.
Tortugo

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by tortugo

We are from rural NM (I went to elementary school in La Union, NM a suburb of Anthony....thats rural) I speak Spanish (NM style) fluently and am really hispanic at heart. The local Nortenos have never been fond og Anglos and the Land Grant issues in TA didn't help. I can actually remember Reyes Tiarina occupying the court house in Tierra Amirilla over the land grant disputes. I was just wondering if it was really growing like I had heard. As far as the snow...thats why the fishing is so good. We'll probably spend a good part of the winter in Mexico.
Thanks everyone,
Tortugo and Rana

It does seem a good fit. While the snow is a lot for New Mexico, many people live with that much snow and enjoy it. I loved northern Vermont until family responsibilities brought me here.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Well the grocery store is flat, I heard. So maybe they will rebuild. It was such a cute and nice grocery store. I felt it was not pricey at all. Need that grocery store in order to survive in chama.