Raton (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Vegas: scorpions, schools, DMV)

[hopeful transplant]

Hopefully we will be relocating to Raton. Can anyone tell me how life in general is in Raton? I know it's a pretty sleepy town, but curious about grocery stores, main retail stores, etc. We are in a small community in Central CA. and are used to snakes, etc. but not sure about the centipedes i'm reading about. Any info would be great. Thanks

[Towanda]

Hi hopeful transplant:

Welcome to the City-Data New Mexico forum! This is the place to meet others who have relocated and to get your questions answered!

I don't know if we have any members here who live in Raton.

I have been through there many times in the past when we used to come down into New Mexico through the Raton Pass from Colorado. It is a very beautiful area.

Yes, Raton is quite small ... however, just over the pass into Colorado is Trinidad, which is a decent sized town with all the services you will need that you can't find in Raton. Trinidad was always our stopping place on our drive, and we have stayed overnight there many times. There are several restraurants there that we have gone to, and you will have stores there for shopping.

Good luck on your moving plans .. and I hope you will get some people here with more knowledge of Raton to answer your questions.

[hopeful transplant]

Towanda - thanks for the info. We will know in a few days if we will be moving or not. Thanks again,

[Towanda]

Keep us informed!

[catman]

The drive over the pass from Raton to Trinidad and back might be rather exciting in winter. I rather like Raton, though. Last time I was there, it hadn't become too touristy.

[Idunn]

Not sure about grocery stores in Raton, NM, although my impression that those there probably dated. There is a K-Mart. On a daily basis you'll likely find that most services you need are present, if not perhaps the selection you might like.

Just over Raton Pass in Colorado, Trinidad will offer a few more options, although in size it is roughly equivalent to Raton. There is, however, a Wal-Mart there. Although generally an easy and short trip between these two towns, know that in inclement weather Raton Pass can be difficult, and at times even closed.

So even though on I-25, Raton is a long ways (Trinidad excepted) from anywhere else of any size. Pueblo, CO the closest. Santa Fe, NM to the south. Las Vegas, NM doesn't count as it is about the same size as Raton.

Part of the charm, or at least why you would want to live there or not. My impression is that it is somewhat sleepy. It is possible to walk into the DMV and be the only patron there; for anyone accustomed to large cities this probably incomprehensible, if welcome in the event. Not sure about the flavor of local politics, but Raton is small enough you'll probably often be on a first name basis. One issue you may deal with, and quite common across New Mexico, would be water. Probably a good place if you want to step a decade or two back, in some respects.

[Towanda]

Here are the populations, according to City-Data Forum:

Raton: 7,282

Trinidad, CO: 9,078

Las Vegas, NM: 14,565

[Idunn]

Wouldn't have guessed that big a population difference between Raton, NM and Las Vegas, NM. But aside from the schools, don't recall the services in Las Vegas that would make it worth the drive from Raton. Nice health food store, though.

[hopeful transplant]

Thanks for the info everybody. We currently live about 40 miles from the nearest town, so that part isn't a big deal. Growing up in Canada, I've been in my share of snow, and have to admit, I really hate driving in it anymore. I definetly have to get a 4x4 sounds like. I really love the feel of small towns, so it sounds like Raton will be right up our alley. What about the water? Lack of? Smelly? How about the nasty critters? ie: centipedes, scorpions, spiders...I can deal with the snakes if they stay outside! We've used 'Snake Stopper' powder and it has been great keeping them at bay........they don't like to cross that line.

[mortimer]

catman warns:

> The drive over the pass from Raton to Trinidad and back might be rather exciting in winter.

There are probably a total of 5-10 times a year that the pass is difficult.

It is a US highway, so the Highway Dept is always on top of it.

You're right though, if you just have to go to Trinidad and you don't check the weather leaving Raton, you might be spending the night either in Trinidad or in a ditch by the highway.

If you can wait one day at the most, it will be cleared off and ready for you the next.

I went over it once during snow. It was dumping in Denver. We crawled all the way to just past Colorado Springs. It was clear all the way through Pueblo and Trinidad, but it started getting dicy as soon as it started to climb up the pass. It was totally nasty for most of the way up.

As soon as we crested the top of the pass, it started to clear up and was completely sunny all the way from the outside of Raton into Albuquerque.