Clovis here we come..... EEEK? (Albuquerque, Roswell: for sale by owner, real estate, rentals)

[lisdol]

Hi Fickle!

My husband is assigned to Kirtland AFB in ABQ, and we will be here another couple of yrs or so. We love New Mexico. With spec ops moving in to Cannon, there is a possibility he might get assigned there, so we have talked about the pros and cons of the whole family moving there vs. us staying in our home east of ABQ since at that unit he would be gone an average of 7-10 mos per yr, every year, and we like where we live now and would love to retire here.

The first thing I would do is look at Portales and see what it is like there, because in my life experience, the areas around universities are far more interesting (in a good way) and "nicer" than the areas around military bases. I have not looked closely enough at that area to see if it holds true there, but its what I would do first. I would also probably find out what areas the university professors live, and look at the schools in those areas. Just because logic (in my head) dictates if you are a professor, you value education, and will either live where the schools are good or you will work to improve the educational environment for your children.

I wish I could give you more information on the area, but all I can do is tell you where I would look first. It could be that everyone that works at ENMU lives in Clovis and the area around it is yucky. I hope someone can give you more insight.

Everywhere you go there is something to take advantage of - it might not be your ideal, but its not for forever. I believe in Clovis/Portales, it would be the abundant sunshine (maybe take up gardening in a raised bed) and the small town/rural area.

We'd like to get an assignment to Germany. There is one staff position for dh's career field at Ramstein and it would be tremendous fortune if it came available at the exact same time they were giving him his next set of orders. How did you like it there?

[desert sun]

What part of the city would you not want to live in?--

------I wouldnt want to live in Clovis at all, the town is ugly,but I would want to live around east side of town,around the mall or around the hospital area, or in Texico which is 8miles from Clovis and sits on the Texas border,Portales is better than Clovis,it has more of that small town type community feel,the same old guys day after day go into Mcdonalds and have their coffee and chat,its a very slow paced life and the look of the town is nicer than Clovis. Both towns have some nice brick houses with green grass.

What part of town is the safest?
-----There is crime almost everywhere in Clovis except for the east side of town it has less and is alot more nicer.Thats what I think.


Anyone have anything to say about Cannon Air Force base? As in is it old and falling apart, how is the BX, commissary etc---

--------I havent been on the base in about 10 years maybe,I remember it as kinda old and small, and I liked the commisary,its probably better looking than the rest of Clovis is.



Also (way off topic) we are looking forward to ,at some point, dipping down into Mexico for some shopping etc.. When I am looking around the net for the closest town in Mexico that has great shopping.. I am having trouble finding what I am looking for.. any suggestions?

------Juarez will be the closest town(over 1 million people) and about 5 1/2 hours away.They have everything there but alot of violence especially now with the drug problems they are having,kidnappings,robberies and murder are all up, so be careful there.

I have heard about hail, wind, and tornadoes (My husband is a weather guy) I am curious about how often things that this happen there. Would you suggest that we buy a house with a garage (to protect our cars etc)
I realize that it doesn't happen every weekend etc.. but you would know better than I if it is worth getting a garage

------of course a garage would be good,the wind kicks up alot and the tornadoes usually only touch down out in the country.

Also does the city have a "lights out" policy.. as in Some of the smaller towns I have lived in have these rules/laws about having to be quiet after 10 pm. Not that we are trying to start up a rock and roll band.. however we would love to be able to have a cook out and not have to cut it short due to time etc.

-----I have never heard of this,We use to cruise the streets up to about 11pm and after midnight there were still people out and about.

[Boxkicker]

"------of course a garage would be good,the wind kicks up alot and the tornadoes usually only touch down out in the country."

Tell that to Downtown Atlanta.....


"--------I havent been on the base in about 10 years maybe,I remember it as kinda old and small, and I liked the commisary,its probably better looking than the rest of Clovis is."

This sums up the whole posting as a person who is living in the past and doesn't know what actually is there.


"-----There is crime almost everywhere in Clovis except for the east side of town it has less and is alot more nicer.Thats what I think."

Wow...never been a crime on the east side???? Do tell...

[Fickle]

Lisdol, Germany is AWESOME! I lived here as a child (Army Brat) and then we were very fortunate to get an assignment here. Its just so wonderful here, no really.. you would be thrilled to live here. HOWEVER the Euro is very strong and the COLA isnt cutting it, add in the gas prices (on base) 4.30 a gallon its hard to cope with being here financially.

If you do get stationed over here make sure you live off base. Living on base is like living in Chernobyl. haha The homes here are awesome. You will be amazed with how large and nice the houses are here, and your landlord will expect to be invited over for any cook outs you have.. its so interesting

Make sure you travel a lot! Oh ... we found out the hard way .. NEVER EVER EVER EVER DRIVE IN PARIS.. take a train.

Good luck and thank you!

Desert Sun.. Thank you so much for your input! I am sure I will be asking for more of it.

[desert sun]

Originally Posted by Boxkicker

"------of course a garage would be good,the wind kicks up alot and the tornadoes usually only touch down out in the country."

Tell that to Downtown Atlanta.....


"--------I havent been on the base in about 10 years maybe,I remember it as kinda old and small, and I liked the commisary,its probably better looking than the rest of Clovis is."

This sums up the whole posting as a person who is living in the past and doesn't know what actually is there.


"-----There is crime almost everywhere in Clovis except for the east side of town it has less and is alot more nicer.Thats what I think."

Wow...never been a crime on the east side???? Do tell...

How does this sum up a whole posting of a person living in the past and dosent know what is there? I guess cause its been a whole 5 years ago that I lived in Portales and I visit about 3 times a year since my family lives there, I think I know what is going on, I was just there last month.
It has been about 10 years since I have been on base and guess what, the place dosent change that much from what Ive been told.Clovis is the kind of town that dont like change.

but do tell me how I am living in the past


you didnt read what I wrote very well, Moderator cut: deleted personal attack I said the eastside of town has LESS crime and is nicer

Moderator cut: deleted personal attack, have you ever been to Clovis, Moderator cut: Deleted: personal attack

[6 FOOT 3]

Originally Posted by clairz

Hi, Fickle. Welcome to City-Data.

You will be fine in Clovis, just come with a positive attitude. We've been here a year (via ME, CT, Canada, WA, CA, and NH) and are liking it very much. You can't beat the nice sunshine, big sky, lovely houses, the relaxed pace, and friendly people.

Use the search feature for this forum to find my attempts to beat back the negative naysayers who like to complain. See my blog for lots more Clovis info and photos (especially the earlier entries), and go to YouTube and check out the "My Clovis" videos that I have posted there.

Is it Santa Fe? Nope.

Are snakes crawling around everywhere? Maybe. Will they crawl around you? Nope. I've seen one (dead) since I've been here.

Will your daughter be bored in school here? Nope, not unless she wants to be. I volunteer at an elementary school and love the kids and staff.

Have most of those people expressing negative opinions actually ever lived in Clovis and given it a chance? Maybe not.

Will you be treated nicely by the friendliest people you'll ever meet? Will you be amazed by the beautiful flowers you can grow here? Will you be happy to have nice dry air and to leave behind sweaty old humidity? Will you love going for months at a time without using either heat or A/C? Yep, yep, yep, and yep.

Think about it. You have a chance to live in awesome New Mexico. This part might be a little bit more like Texas than New Mexico, but rejoice! You get to try out two states for the price of one.

And while you're here, you can sample a wonderful part of southwestern life--chuck wagon cookoffs, rodeos, and real cowboy culture. You'll be in a place full of history, both recent and ancient, with lots of things for you to learn about.

Or, you can listen to those grumpy old miserable people who say Ewww.

~clairz

Hey Clair ....have you ever thought about working for the Chamber of Commerce there as you so positive about Clovis and Eastern New Mexico as surely you'd be one heck of an asset to them .

[Boxkicker]

Fickle....

All I can tell you...every location is what you make of it. Plus, I have been stationed in places that other people whine about (Baton Rouge--too muggy, Phoenix--too hot, San Diego--too expensive, Chicago--too cold, Long Beach--too much crime)...but you know what....I served my country and I cared more about the job than the place I lived. If I was doing my job and my Sailors were taken care of, then my home was where I relaxed.

I am tired of big city life and ready for a change back to small town, slow paced life. You might enjoy that as well.

As I got older, I cared less and less about what there was in the infrastructure of a place and more about what my house could provide as a respet.

If nothing else, Clovis might suit you well...you can't really tell until you make up your own mind. But remember, you are stuck because Uncle Sam said so, so might as well make the most of it.

I am leaving in the morning on a flight from San Diego to Lubbock...gonna enjoy my week of leave and relaxation in beautiful Clovis.

[New West 2020]

Just 12 miles south of the base is Portales, which is a prettier, friendlier and smaller version of Clovis. The local school system is much safer (no crime or criminals), and they are making great strides in gifted learning, having recently won state awards in reading. The Portales grade level schools are excellent, Junior High is very good, and high school fine. All buildings are new or rebuilt, and the city does not have a "bad" school, everyone in the same grade goes to the same school. This makes the cross-cultural learning experience much better, and lowers the racial tension. Portales people just seem to get along better with each other. People tend to know each other, and that is really a nice thing.

One major thing that sets Portales apart from Clovis (other than being a lot prettier and friendlier) is the university - ENMU offers lots of family-friendly cultural and educational opportunities, such as the area's only true Child Development Center - right on campus and cheap! They have a great after school program which is a real boost to gifted kids.

The other nice thing about Portales is that it is closer to the mountains in Ruidoso and to Lubbock, where everyone shops for the "big city" stuff. Its 90 minutes from Portales to Lubbock, door-to-door.

[desert sun]

Originally Posted by New West 2020

Just 12 miles south of the base is Portales, which is a prettier, friendlier and smaller version of Clovis. The local school system is much safer (no crime or criminals), and they are making great strides in gifted learning, having recently won state awards in reading. The Portales grade level schools are excellent, Junior High is very good, and high school fine. All buildings are new or rebuilt, and the city does not have a "bad" school, everyone in the same grade goes to the same school. This makes the cross-cultural learning experience much better, and lowers the racial tension. Portales people just seem to get along better with each other. People tend to know each other, and that is really a nice thing.

One major thing that sets Portales apart from Clovis (other than being a lot prettier and friendlier) is the university - ENMU offers lots of family-friendly cultural and educational opportunities, such as the area's only true Child Development Center - right on campus and cheap! They have a great after school program which is a real boost to gifted kids.

The other nice thing about Portales is that it is closer to the mountains in Ruidoso and to Lubbock, where everyone shops for the "big city" stuff. Its 90 minutes from Portales to Lubbock, door-to-door.

this is so true, I believe Portales is alot more prettier than Clovis, Clovis seems more dirty looking, If it were me I would rather my kids go to school in Portales just like I did and my sister also goes to Portales public schools and she likes it. Portales people seem to get along more than Clovis people in my opinion, Portales is about 12 miles from the base so easy commute and a great alternative for Clovis.

[Fickle]

Ok

Now..where in Portales is the nicer place to live? As in I would rather live in a nice home without any views of a trailer park. (not that trailers are bad.. I am wanting to sell this house at some point etc) Online I am having troubles finding a lot of nice homes in Portales, then when I do the next home for sale is a ratty looking mobile home. Worries me

Also.. I would rather not have to drive far to get to a store or w/e...

Just please remember that I mean no disrespect.. I am just nervous and have never been there before.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for your advice and comments, you haven't a clue how much better I am feeling about this move now.

Gawd I feel so picky after reading my post .. haha