How about Springer NM (Las Vegas, Raton: HOA, hotel, home builders)

[Just Lookin]

Our neighbors moved there and of course they would love it if we would move there also. I thought I would ask some of you what you thought of it.

WE are retired but have our son and grandson living with us. He would need to work. He is into Heavy Equipment. Construction. I was also looking at Angel Fire. Would that be a good place.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[catman]

Angel Fire, being a resort and tourist mecca, would be more expensive. But the surroundings are splendid. Springer is more like a typical little town.

[BrianH]

Springer is a small town with some good people in it. I like to eat at the Brown when I get time, good breakfast! Not sure what construction is like there though. Angel Fire is a tourist mecca as pointed out, but too cold at nite for me. I did see a beautiful house for $275,000 in Lake Verde in Angel Fire which I would buy except for the HOA that you buy into.

[GregW]

AFAK - heavy equipment operators should be able to get work anywhere. That skill is not easy to learn and really good operators and mechanics are scarce. Your son should get a copy of the local news papers and check the market.

[Just Lookin]

Thank you for your replies. That helps a lot. Yes I have heard good people live there.
Heavy Equipment jobs in California are dead right now. He has sat for about 5 months. Not good.

[Towanda]

I have been through Springer many times, and it is a nice little town. Very quiet, and quite rural. Not any cities close by. But if country life is what you are looking for, Springer might be just right for you.

[Devin Bent]

Springer seems like a nice little town with a great old hotel with a surprisingly good restaurant, but not much else. I sort of doubt that there would be much construction going on -- the supply of buildings seems adequate to demand.

Is there some place in commuting distance that has jobs? IDK. You might also look at the newspapers for surrounding towns.

Angel Fire would ordinarily have construction going on -- but I have read that the second home market is pretty dead these days. Angel Fire -- which attracts a lot of people from Texas -- might be an exception. Again, I would second GregW's suggestion of the newspapers.

Also you might contact the New Mexico Association of Home Builders. They should know where there is building going on.

[DOUBLE H]

Springer is a cool little town, been through dozens of times myself. Towanda is right, there is not much for jobs. The only possibility I could think of is the truck stop they put in about 10 miles north of town. It has been there 3, maybe 4 years. Don't know if they have an on site mechanic there. One thing about Raton to Springer. Snowstorm wise, it can really get with it in the winter and early spring. If you had a 1 ton truck and a snow blade you can make a few bucks, or maybe the highway department could be hiring by chance.

[in_the_gloaming]

There is a big mountain south of Springer on I-25, between Springer and Las Vegas N.M. Can't tell you much about Springer. I went to sleep in a rest stop near there on my way back to Denver about 11 years ago. Nice area though.

[Just Lookin]

One thing about Raton to Springer. Snowstorm wise, it can really get with it in the winter.
Yike, I wouldn't like that. My friend said she was snowed in last year but that it wasn't like that all the time. I don't know now. One thing great about a forum. Thanks