socorro NM (Albuquerque, Alamogordo, Silver City: apartment, houses, property taxes)

[keeperk]

Catman, thanks for your latest reply.
My experience has been when Texans call they are most respectful and polite.
You've proved that true.
I do miss Tx. but I sure don't miss the traffic and the weather! Haven't been back there in 15 years now. I was a pro on the freeways. Sure don't think I could get on one there now!

[catman]

keeperk: Thanks for the kind words. Believe me, you wouldn't want to get on a freeway around here these days! I avoid them in Dallas whenever possible. Toll roads are the coming thing now. I've gotta get out of this place, to paraphrase Eric Burdon.

So, to get to Albuquerque from Magdalena, does one have to drive back through Socorro, or is there a decent back way? It doesn't look like it.

[GregW]

IIRC Rt 60 from Socorro to Madgalena is the back way. Unless you use an airplane.

[Zoidberg]

Not sure why you'd want to avoid Socorro.. after driving for that long with that little to do and see, and nary even a place to stop, it's good to have a way station.

When entering Socorro from the north, you can take Exit 147 instead of 150 to avoid the main drag (well, most of it) and drive the 1/2 mile back northward to where 60 meets it.

[catman]

I just wondered if there was a more direct way to Albuquerque from Magdalena. I don't think there is. It's not a big deal. I have no wish to avoid Socorro! I wish I were there right now.

My three favorite places to move to in NM at this point are Socorro, Alamogordo, and Moriarty. I'm going to try to come out in September and have a look. Alamo is the only one I've spent any time in before.

[keeperk]

Catman,
There is a backway to Magdalena from Alb. but can't say it's a decent backway.
Better have a good map with county roads if you try it, do it early in the day, not if it's been raining and take an SUV with meaty tires.

HWY 6 out of Los Lunas heading west a little ways there is a road that heads south and connects to FS 123. It's dirt road boonies all the way. I've not tried it, but some of my lot owners have. They say it's ok if it's not raining.

Also for a country drive, out of Bernardo past the RV park on the westside, there is a county road, again in the boonies, same as above, I think county road 12.
It will take you thru Riley, then on down to Mag. Have tried that one. It was ok. After once, it was enough.
It's is a backway, don't try it unless you're prepared to spend the night in the boonies in case you break down.
Little or no cell phone access, little or no neighbors, easy to get lost.
Also there is a dry river that will run if it's raining. If so, you'll have to go back.

Had some folks recently came to my office, they told me of their adventure out there for 2 days lost! They had just found Mag and stopped in.
As they described where they had been I followed it on my map, good greif they were driving circles and on the indian reservations.
They sure didn't want to do that again!

[catman]

Thanks for the information and advice. I think I'll forget about back roads unless I get a death wish, or at least a dirt-capable motorcycle.

[InTheDesert]

I've got a built up Jeep Wagoneer for sale right now

[6 FOOT 3]

I agree with Zoidberg about being glad to see Socorro when coming into it from the north when i head to Alamo on the weekends as the drive is real boring. I also like taking the interstate-25 and U.S.380 from San Antonio to Carrizozo as my cell phone works the whole way and there is shoulders for flat tires and lots of cars/people if you need assistance. I hate taking the back way to Alamo to Moriarity to Estancia to Corona to Carrizozo as its a very deserted drive for car problems and my cell doesn't work out there.

Anyway thats my 5 cents worth ....

[catman]

I've taken US 380 all the way from Denton, TX to Carrizozo several times. It's a great route. I think I've been as far as San Antonio (NM!) once. The lava flows just west of Carrizozo are amazing.