Where in new mexico?? (Albuquerque, Las Cruces: rent to own, buying a home, buying)

[James1975]

Hello All: Well, we're looking at relocating for a second time. We're orginally from Central California, so heat doesn't bother us. We currently live in Northern Minnesota and we're tired of the COLD.

Ideally we're looking for a decent place to retire that has warm/hot summers and mild winters, someplace close to civilization, near a recreational lake, and close to a college for our son.

Any ideas/suggestions?

[TigerLily24]

I would look in the southern part of the state - Las Cruces, Alamogordo, etc.
There is boating at Elephant Butte, near Truth or Consequences.

Here are some links that might be helpful:

http://www.nmsu.edu/

Elephant Butte

Dream Towns

[James1975]

Originally Posted by TigerLily24

I would look in the southern part of the state - Las Cruces, Alamogordo, etc.
There is boating at Elephant Butte, near Truth or Consequences.

Here are some links that might be helpful:

http://www.nmsu.edu/

Elephant Butte

Dream Towns

Have you been to any other areas of the state? I'm sure you're biased to Souther NM since it looks like you're living there.

[TigerLily24]

Originally Posted by James1975

Have you been to any other areas of the state? I'm sure you're biased to Southern NM since it looks like you're living there.

I have, and if cost or winter weather was not a consideration, I would be in Taos.
The entire state is wonderful and really does offer something for everybody.
I, however, didn't want to deal with snow and I don't mind 100 degree days in the summer. I also didn't want to be 'house-poor.'

Fortunately for me, I fell in love with Las Cruces. I think the Organ Mts. are the most beautiful mountains in the state

[James1975]

Originally Posted by TigerLily24

I have, and if cost or winter weather was not a consideration, I would be in Taos.
The entire state is wonderful and really does offer something for everybody.
I, however, didn't want to deal with snow and I don't mind 100 degree days in the summer. I also didn't want to be 'house-poor.'

Fortunately for me, I fell in love with Las Cruces. I think the Organ Mts. are the most beautiful mountains in the state

Elephant Butte is a couple hours from Las Cruces, is that the closest lake? Also, Elephant Butte is small. Man, the lake looks nice but I'm not sure about the location.

I also do not want anymore snow.......trust me, although snow is not my problem right now, -20 degrees is.

[Towanda]

James - You might consider Albuquerque:

~~warm/hot summers

~~mild winters

~~nice sized city with all the amenities but a small-town friendly feel

~~Cochiti Lake is not too far to the north (but you will find New Mexico lakes unlike the lakes of other states - they are nice but not awesome in my opinion ... this is a desert state)

~~home of the University of New Mexico

~~neat scenery - the Sandia Mountains dominate the view and are spectacular

~~close to the mountain areas of northern NM

[James1975]

Originally Posted by Towanda

James - You might consider Albuquerque:

~~warm/hot summers

~~mild winters

~~nice sized city with all the amenities but a small-town friendly feel

~~Cochiti Lake is not too far to the north (but you will find New Mexico lakes unlike the lakes of other states - they are nice but not awesome in my opinion ... this is a desert state)

~~home of the University of New Mexico

~~neat scenery - the Sandia Mountains dominate the view and are spectacular

~~close to the mountain areas of northern NM

You know, I hear pros and cons about Burqe. I'm looking at it seriously. What lakes are CLOSE to it?

[TigerLily24]

Originally Posted by James1975

Elephant Butte is a couple hours from Las Cruces, is that the closest lake? Also, Elephant Butte is small. Man, the lake looks nice but I'm not sure about the location.

Yes, that is the closest, and it's actually only about an hour drive - straight up I-25 where the speed limit is 75 once you are outside city limits.
Of course, we don't have anything, lake-wise, to compare to what you must be used to in Minnesota It is the desert after all.

Originally Posted by James1975

I also do not want anymore snow.......trust me, although snow is not my problem right now, -20 degrees is.

-20 we don't get. It was 19 here in LC yesterday, early AM, but, it warmed up to the low 60s. Similar weather today.

I agree with Towanda, Albuquerque has much to offer as well, but, it is too much city for me (lots of traffic, etc.)

You just have to come visit and see what (where) feels right for you and your family.

[James1975]

Originally Posted by TigerLily24

Yes, that is the closest, and it's actually only about an hour drive - straight up I-25 where the speed limit is 75 once you are outside city limits.
Of course, we don't have anything, lake-wise, to compare to what you must be used to in Minnesota It is the desert after all.




-20 we don't get. It was 19 here in LC yesterday, early AM, but, it warmed up to the low 60s. Similar weather today.

I agree with Towanda, Albuquerque has much to offer as well, but, it is too much city for me (lots of traffic, etc.)

You just have to come visit and see what (where) feels right for you and your family.

Thanks for all of your help and replies.

[Pintada Kid]

My Advice to people is that New Mexico is such a Big State that just coming here and buying a home and land just anywhere before checking the whole State is a Mistake. Sure its Desert and the Southern Half is HOT in the SUMMER but nice in the WINTER almost snow free but i would rent or rent to own for about a month or two and explore from the center of N.M. in the East Mountain area where your close to Albuquerque and Santa Fe and Northern N.M. and the whole state because each place will seem better then the Last. And as for the Weather sure the center of N.M. gets cold at times and lots of snow and wind but in between are the nice Indian Summers that come along with warm days so its not like your in Alaska although it might feel like it at times since Most of N.M. is very High Desert and Mountains and Mesas and over half of N.M. is forests and mountains and high elevation but i feel we have the Best Fresh air in the World and i would like to see it populate with good people and not big industries that pollute the water and air. I like southern N.M. but summers are unbearable and its so far from my favorite places like Albuquerque and Santa Fe. and i dont like the air out there but the people are very Friendly. As for Lakes in N.M. they are everywhere and a few Rivers also. The City of Natural Lakes is in New Mexico. Santa Rosa New Mexico el pintada kid