Probably moving to outskirts of Thoreau and NEED ADVICE! (Albuquerque: crime, day care)

[vortexdesign]

Hi there,
My family and I are currently living in Youngstown, Ohio. We live in a horrible neighborhood with drive-bys, hookers and drug dealers, etc. We've been wanting to move out but it hasn't been in our means. Last week though, a relative offered to let us stay, for free, at her place in Thoreau since she is moving away and will just be abandoning it. It is on 10 acres, in the middle of nowhere, with two small trailers. I know it will be a BIG change and i've already gotten allot of info from my relative but would really like some input from other locals.

For instance, does anyone know what the quality of the local special education program is like? How accepting would the locals be of a young child with moderate autism? Is the weather as nice as it sounds really (no summer days over 90 and snowy winters)? Can you grow a vegetable garden? Would it be a nice place to raise a family? Are the locals nice? Is it green or barren and brown? What is the state of medical care? What are the chances of getting clients for my freelance web design business within say a 45 mile radius? What is the state of day care? Is there any?

I know we would have to drive to Gallup or Grants to do our shopping and see doctors and such. I know we would get snowed in for about a month in the winter. I know the climate is dry. I know Thoreau is supposed to have a good flea market. I don't really know much beyond that though.

Anyway, if anyone can help us make a better informed decision I would really appreciate it. Any tidbit is useful. Thanks a bunch in advance!

[Idunn]

Well, I've only driven past there but suspect Thoreau, NM may not meet all your parameters. Not easily. Not to say you shouldn't live there, but a certain, uhm, due caution.

There may not be a special education program. Not in Grants, NM. Not in Gallup, NM. Or if there is mostly in name only. Grants of course closer for your basic needs. Gallup definitely larger, with a better possibility of such things. But it could be you'd have to go as far as Albuquerque, NM for something like that.

That may apply for web design as well. New Mexico is a relatively poor state, economically, and the area you are considering is not one of the wealthier. Gallup is the county seat of McKinley County, traditionally one of the more depressed areas in the nation. Grants, as the county seat of Cibola County, offers a smaller market, and a county probably not significantly different. You might have to locate clients in Albuquerque.

On the other hand, you might like the weather. Climatically a lot different from Ohio. Dry, with little humidity. Lots of sun, even in winter. It may exceed 100 at times but likely highs more in the 80s and 90s. The nights will be cool, even in summer. During the day you will notice a distinct difference in temperature if stepping from direct sun to shade. While it does snow there, usually not to a great degree. Winter is relatively brief and mild there, at least in comparison to some other places. It will get cold, certainly below freezing at night, and perhaps that at times during the day. But not uncommon to spend a winter day out in the sun dressed lightly.

If you have access via a halfway decent road you will likely never be snowed in. However, I-40 west of Albuquerque is invariably closed for brief periods in winter due occasional storms. At these times, due semi-trucks, wind and all the rest, you wouldn't even want to be on the interstate. But generally, aside from all the trucks, the drive into Albuquerque is a fairly easy and pleasant one.

Particularly if you are residing on 10 acres of land, I doubt you will witness any drive-by shootings from home. In general it is a safe area and, particularly in comparison, you may feel fabulous. Nevertheless a certain circumspection. Certain areas of Gallup are sketchy and probably best avoided. Grants should generally be okay. Although notice you are adjacent a busy interstate highway, and that a double edged sword. Your mix of neighbors will surely be different. Basically a mix of Native American, Hispanic and Caucasian. It can be a charming blend at times, at others really weird. Best to stay out of some of the local politics until you are more familiar with what is going on. A lot below the surface.

New Mexico enjoys a lot of fabulous scenery. Wide open spaces and mountains. Not at all what you are used to. Many of the more popular areas a long drive from where you'll be, but you still have some local options. One nice drive would be to take I-40 west to Gallup, thence south on NM 602. Then a fair distance south turn left, heading east, on NM 53, through Ramah, NM. This route will eventually loop back to take you into Grants. Some beautiful desert scenery, and a little mountain driving.

Another would be to take NM 117 from I-40, just a bit east of Grants. This in the direction of Quemado, NM. This will take you past some interesting old lava fields and El Malpais National Monument.

You are also relatively close to the often interesting Navajo Nation. Gallup being just on the edge of this Nation. The nearby town of Window Rock, AZ is the capitol of the Navajo Nation. Of some interest, if you haven't been there.

New Mexico is a large, often thinly populated, state. Much of it worth seeing. But it will take a lot of driving.

So about Thoreau? In a relatively short time you may decide it was either the biggest mistake you ever made or, yeah, maybe I could hang out here for awhile. Become too comfortable with that and you may become like many another who adopted New Mexico as home. Or was it the other way around?

[bigduly]

Plus you might encounter skinwalkers at night. I would go to either Gallup or Grants.

[Pintada Kid]

I use to go to the Flea Markets in Thoreau on Saturadays and meet the Locals mostly Native Americans. I always carry some Change in my Pocket so i dont have to Reach for my Wallet around some of the Convenience stores or even at the Flea Market. Some Indians might ask you for money for gas or food but you never know when they might come in Handy for Directions or even give you some good Advice. I never met any bad indians and the little kids are so cute and the Teenagers are very Respectful. My impression of Indians is their Shy and they dont talk much and talking about a Sense of Humor once you get to know them. I would think the City people would be bored with Thoreau but i never saw any crime or trouble there. Ohh there was a fight at the Flea Market at Thoreau and one indian was on the Ground and the other indian was kicking the one that was down and you could hear the Indian Women telling the Guy on Top Kick Him Again. OHH the Ice caves and Inscription rock and Mount Taylor, Sky City and the Sky City Casino are close by and Crownpoint is north of Thoreau. The Flea Market at Gallup is Huge and the Indian Jewelry is Breathtaking and you can get some good Deals. pintada kid at webtv.net

[nightwishfan]

Originally Posted by vortexdesign

Hi there,
My family and I are currently living in Youngstown, Ohio. We live in a horrible neighborhood with drive-bys, hookers and drug dealers, etc. We've been wanting to move out but it hasn't been in our means. Last week though, a relative offered to let us stay, for free, at her place in Thoreau since she is moving away and will just be abandoning it. It is on 10 acres, in the middle of nowhere, with two small trailers. I know it will be a BIG change and i've already gotten allot of info from my relative but would really like some input from other locals.

For instance, does anyone know what the quality of the local special education program is like? How accepting would the locals be of a young child with moderate autism? Is the weather as nice as it sounds really (no summer days over 90 and snowy winters)? Can you grow a vegetable garden? Would it be a nice place to raise a family? Are the locals nice? Is it green or barren and brown? What is the state of medical care? What are the chances of getting clients for my freelance web design business within say a 45 mile radius? What is the state of day care? Is there any?

I know we would have to drive to Gallup or Grants to do our shopping and see doctors and such. I know we would get snowed in for about a month in the winter. I know the climate is dry. I know Thoreau is supposed to have a good flea market. I don't really know much beyond that though.

Anyway, if anyone can help us make a better informed decision I would really appreciate it. Any tidbit is useful. Thanks a bunch in advance!

Just sent you a PM

[john4355]

I don't know many specifics about Thoreau, but I did grow up in the area, so I can answer some of your questions (even though I don't live there any more).
There is a special education program in Grants (my mom used to substitute teach in it), but you should contact the school district for specifics. The weather is pretty nice. It does get cold in the winters, but luckily the winters are short. You'll probably never get snowed in: New Mexico is very dry.
The growing season is pretty short due to how cold it gets at night, but with irrigation you can have a vegetable garden. We grew things like corn, rubarb, watermelons, quash, and apples in our sandy backyard.
If you're gonna be living on the outskirts of Thoreau, you'll probably have mostly Navajo neighbors. The Navajo are for the most part very friendly, good people. Thoreau is right on the edge of the reservation.
http://www.mttna.org/clint/Navajo_Map.jpg
Coming from Ohio, the area is going to look very barren. Fortunately, there are forested mountains you can drive to just minutes away that are all public land. Make sure and look for some photos, its pretty, but not in a very green way.
You could probably figure out the total population within a 45 mile radius (inluding Grants and Gallup its probably not that much). There's day care in Grants. I'm not sure about Thoreau. Be aware that the population of Gallup triples every weekend because alcohol isn't sold on the reservation, so its best to avoid going then.
If you are truly looking for a quiet place to live, this is one of them. The thing I miss most about living there was having so many places to go hiking and camping (and see very few other people). The climate was also pretty nice too.
Hope this helps you.

[milesthedog]

Hi,

I don't know a lot specifically about Thoreau, but I live in the general area and can tell you some about the locals. I have worked for a school for children with special needs on the Navajo Reservation nearby ("nearby" is relative out here! I laugh when I contrast it with Ohio. For one of my jobs, I covered territory the distance between Cincinnati and Toledo, and never passed a single fast food restaurant or store other than a gas station/convenience store!). Anyway, I find that the general region and Navajo people specifically are greatly welcoming to people of all different abilities. Our school exists because originally remote public schools lacked the OT/PT services to meet special needs. Much of that has changed over the past 2 decades, and far more of the kids are now in the public school system. I have watched the transition, and while I see people in general embrace people with special needs, I know that school-aged children still can be emotionally hard on others in school here. Sometimes racial differences among the kids out here are barriers as well; it is subtle. Ask about the racial composition of the school district.

As far as moving to the area, expect that you're life will be 180 degrees different than before. Finding clients within 45 miles... my immediate response was "Is there anything within 45 miles of Thoreau????" I don't think so... Grants and Gallup are pretty small towns and they don't strike me as having many residents seeking Web Design, but you may find a market in Albuquerque and the distance is all relevant.

The land is absolute Holy Ground. There is no doubt
Thoreau is near Continental Divide, and does get a significant amount of snow.
The desert appears barren for about the first year when you are used to Ohio crayola green grass and trees, but currently with the Monsoon rains daily (and accompanying mud!) the sage and shrubs are so incredibly green it looks like carpeting... just not quite crayola. Gardens are possible; earth boxes wok when it's dry; currently it's raining daily. Nature here is amazing and powerful; if you are grounded in priorities other than capitalism and can float with life as it comes, it is a great place. If you're into time constraints and have issues, for example, with people being late, it's not the right place for you. Openness that mainstream America may just not be optimal is essential out here.
Medical care in Gallup is good; most specialist referrals are in Albuquerque. I don't know much about Grants.
Good luck deciding, and if you decide "no", please ask your Aunt to consider selling me her land! I love it here!