Possible move (Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe: transplants, rent to own, lawyers)

[twotribes]

Hello all, I'm new here and just want to get familiar a bit w/ personal views and input from New Mexico natives. There is a very strong possibility I'll be moving there in the next 2 -2. 5 years. I'm from Virginia and don't know much at all about N.M. Anything, and I do mean ANYTHING that anyone can share about that state will be most appreciated. I've been onling looking up info on the different cultures, education depts., wildlife, sporting possiblities (hunting and fishing, etc.), popular foods, etc., etc., on and on, but would like to touch base w/ someone LIVE and not rely completely on printed info. Know what I mean? So, if you have the time and info to share, I would truly appreciate it. Take care. Be well.

[songinthewind7]

Do you know where you want to live in NM?
That would help answer some of your questions.
I live in the mountains and enjoy living here, being around nature and wildlife.
People do hunt and fish here also.
What part of Va. are you moving from out of curiousity? I lived in different parts of Va.
Ask away and you'll get the answers you want.

[loborick]

Browse these forums. You want to know a lot and there is a lot of info here. Good luck. If you have any specific questions, post them and someone will answer. But your inquiry was too general.

[Idunn]

Coming from Virginia you may wonder if you've moved to a different country. In fact many of those back home will probably believe you have; New Mexico finally added USA to their license plates to remind others it IS part of the US. In some respects it isn't.

Weather for one. To a large degree life is defined by water, or lack thereof. Even the mountains will be far drier than anything experienced on the East Coast. The rivers more your idea of a small creek. But in consequence there is an abundance of sun. Rarely, if ever, a day when you will not see him some, and usually quite prominent. Generally northern New Mexico is higher and cooler than southern areas of the state, although elevation is also a key factor.

New Mexico has the largest Hispanic population in the US and also, possibly, the largest Native American as well. Combine that with a good measure of Anglos and the result is, to say the least, an interesting alchemy of tradition, perspective and social mores. Sometimes volatile, although it seems one of the strongest common bonds is a love of the land and sense of place. Not to mention a certain spice.

Probably near impossible to live in New Mexico and not have a strong sense that you are. Although one could live within Albuquerque, NM and have a perfectly urban existence (if not pedestrian like New York). Or but a short distance removed you might visit ancient pueblos, isolated and by tradition still without any modern utility, including electricity. And discover that some people by preference can, and still do, live in such circumstances.

You'll not mistake it for Virginia.

[desert sun]

NM has the Spanish,Mexican,Anglo and Native American influence and they all blend together.


Eastern New Mexico- is more like West Texas than New Mexico and affiliates more with them also.Its flat,semi arid,more green,farms,dairys,cowboy culture,windy,tornadoes and some even have that Texan twang in their speech. It has more African Americans and more of a Mexican culture .

Central NM- Albuquerque is the city of NM but still feels like a small city, its desert on the west side and mountains on the east side. Small towns on the edge of the city.

Up north has very strong hispanic roots and some small Spanish villages,mostly Spanish culture.Taos and Santa Fe are touristy and expensive and have lots of out-of-staters and Los Alamos is home to the labs. Its rural and lots of Indian reservations. Forest and higher up in elevations. Ski is popular up there.

Souther NM is desert,lower in elevation and hotter,its only city down south is Las Cruces home to New Mexico State Univ. The Southern part of the state is bordered by Mexico and Texas. The landscape is more brown with large desert plants and some palm trees.

Western NM-I dont know too much about, there is some forest and the 4 corners where UT,NM,AZ and CO meet. Some forest,mesas,red bluffs, kinda like eastern AZ.


all areas will have their good and bad spots and like someone mentioned there still are places where people live in shacks with no elec,sewers,water. Poverty is in all sides of the state.
OFF THE GRID: Life On The Mesa Trailer

[twotribes]

thanks to all of you. its been a great help. and laborick, u r so right. my post was much to generalized and i've been searching the post here, and as u said, there is a LOT of info here. i'm somewhat new at the entire forum thing and am learning. i look forward to seeing more from all of you, and i wish u all the very best. take care. be well.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by twotribes

Hello all, I'm new here and just want to get familiar a bit w/ personal views and input from New Mexico natives. There is a very strong possibility I'll be moving there in the next 2 -2. 5 years. I'm from Virginia and don't know much at all about N.M. Anything, and I do mean ANYTHING that anyone can share about that state will be most appreciated. I've been onling looking up info on the different cultures, education depts., wildlife, sporting possiblities (hunting and fishing, etc.), popular foods, etc., etc., on and on, but would like to touch base w/ someone LIVE and not rely completely on printed info. Know what I mean? So, if you have the time and info to share, I would truly appreciate it. Take care. Be well.

New Mexico is a beautiful state with scenery that changes quite dramatically in a 2-3 hour drive. It's quite different than a state like Virginia. Some people won't like it here some will see it and never want to leave. You can't always easily predict who will go which way. If you like wide open spaces more than crowded cities with a lot of action, then you might like NM.

[rybert]

A complaint I often here from transplants is NMs lack of fishing/boating opportunities. However, they all really enjoy the Elk.

[Pintada Kid]

New Mexico is over half mountains and forests and the Gila Wilderness in southern N.M. near Silver City is bigger then several eastern States. The Lowest elevation in N.M. is probably around 3 or 4 thousand feet. The northern and some parts of the center of N.M. are Spanish Grant Lands and the Spanish are very Protective of their Grant Lands since over the years they have lost over half of them to Imposed Taxes, Bad Surveyors, Wealthy Landowners, Shady Lawyers etc. My Suggestion is rent or rent to own in the center of N.M. where youre close to where the Action is like Albuquerque and Santa Fe and explore N.M. from there because New Mexico has Wonderful people and lots to see including the Best Fresh Air and Beautiful Sunsets in the World. We have a Few Rivers and Lakes everywhere. I suggest visiting Santa Rosa, New Mexico if you like to fish the lakes are everywhere and the Biggest Swimming Pool in the World is the Park Lake. Santa Rosa has the Rio Pecos and several lakes for boating nearby and the Blue Hole. P.S. the best Mexican Food Restaurants are in Santa Rosa, N.M. My favorite are the Red Beef Enchilada with two eggs over Medium and a Tortilla or Sopalpillas at the Comet Drive Inn. el pintada kid

[TiaDalma]

Welcome to the New Mexico forum

Don't give up on learning from the group here about NM. Many work and can't check everyday, to answer questions, but they do eventually get here and help out

It's not my Home yet, tho I've been to NM many times since I was a kid.
One suggestion I can give right now is to read the NM archived pages from this forum. Even if only a few a day. You'll glean much helpful and interesting information about All of NM. It will help you too to ask questions that will pertain to yourself and what you'd like in a new life in NM.

And yes there are alot of 'gadgets' to this Forum form {city-data's program}, I've been part of only a few others in the past and they were not as 'complex', for lack of better word. I personally look at puters as a necessary evil anyway {and I hate typing taboot } LOL
I'm still learning about the workings myself :P
I'll get the hang of all of it soon You too, if you stick with it.

Try to, without getting 'personal', give as much information in your questions as you can. And preferences in life.
That will help others to zero in, to help.

And IF you have never been to New Mexico {and you've got the 2 years} before a move; my strong advice is to, Get There!

There is a "Spirit" in New Mexico, and it captures many during a visit, all your senses are affected; some, it never let's us go
You fall in love with the State of NM.

{and Yes there are other who don't care for the state, but I'd say that is Not the norm}

If you could, divide the state into say- quarters, each of the state is different. Yet are obviously New Mexico.

Many of us have subscribed to the New Mexico magazine {I have off and on- 30 or so years, since it 'began', I think}. I've had several NM Benchmark Map book. It's a huge help. Even has GPS grids, topographic maps etc.. Call the state Tourist Dept. and ask for a packet.
There are many Links for much info. through-out the Postings here. Glean what you need
The state Mag is on line too: nmmagazine.com tho I love my hard-copies

It has, city to country, agriculture to Hollywood, wonderful rich history to the new Spaceport coming, and on and on....

It's a most Unique state, and other than Japan....my Most favorite, loved, place on Earth
{well...I 'might' throw in Hawai'i a bit in there too, LOL }

Welcome!


Tia Dalma