Considering moving to: Silver City, Edgewood, Datil area. (Las Cruces, Rio Rancho: extended stay, real estate)

[Hunter Wold]

Just traveled from Abq. to Show Low to Red River>Eagle Nest>Angel Fire>Pecos>Edgewood...

Liked Eagel Nest, but v.cold winters...
Liked Angel Fire, but, ditto.
L.V. >forget it....
Edgewood>looked at property/house overpriced...nice country
Pecos>small, ??
Magdalena> ok, I was raised in a small town...
Datil> good prices, water could be deep...

Did not get to Silver City....

Soon to retire, plan is buy 100 acres +- and build cinder block, or log
with Solar Power....

I guess those that can relate to this I would appreciate suggestions, points of view, etc.
I was raised in Az., but nothing available reasonaably...

Just looking for peace...and can have my privacy...and my wife with arthritis does feel better down there as I do..
oh, moving from the NW...

comments appreciated.
HW

[Crackerjack]

If it was me, I'd seriously consider Silver City. It has more sunshine then most anywhere else which is good for solar power and it is high up so it has low humidity but very mild winters and it is a really nice small town but not too small. It has some shopping and you can go down to Las Cruces if you need more shopping and stuff to do.

[Hunter Wold]

I appreciate your input.
I have read some of your replies and you sound like you have been in the area for sometime?
I really believe that after moving from So.Cal to Idaho a few years ago, then to Whidbey Isl. I am familiar with the transition process.
Head down, be nice, quite and blend in., etc.

I think I will take your advice and do some land searching down there and talk to the "shotgun" rider and see what she thinks.
We are very active in SASS(single action shooting society) and outdoor stuff.

Her medical condition requires that she be somewhat close to a good M.D. etc.

Happy trails,
Hunter

[Crackerjack]

Yes, I have lived in New Mexico almost all my life. I was born there. I am in Phoenix right now and have been for a year but I don't care for Phoenix. I am moving from here as soon as possible. Silver City is nice and I think you will like it. Also there are excellent hospitals in El Paso, Texas which isn't real far from there. Good Luck on your move Hunter.

[Mark S.]

Originally Posted by Hunter Wold

Liked Eagel Nest, but v.cold winters...
Liked Angel Fire, but, ditto.

Depends on what you mean by "very cold winters." Compared to Western Washington, yes, you'll definitely see lots more snow in Angel Fire and Eagle Nest. But it isn't like North Dakota or anything. Definitely snow, yes, but hardly arctic weather. Real estate is high there, too (for NM anyway).

Originally Posted by Hunter Wold

L.V. >forget it....

Definitely.

Originally Posted by Hunter Wold

Pecos>small, ??

I haven't spent much time there myself, but my brother (who currently lives in Rio Rancho) LOVES the Pecos. It's his favorite part of the state, and he goes there as often as he can.

Originally Posted by Hunter Wold

Did not get to Silver City....

I have heard nothing but good things about Silver City, though I will confess I have no firsthand experience myself. You should definitely check it out before taking the plunge.

[glieberman]

My wife and I have been in Phoenix for 22 years, but 2.5 years ago decided to retire in Silver City. We bought some properties and I have been here pretty much year-round renovating/managing the property (we still have our primary residence in Phx).

I grew up in El Paso and loved the climate there, but SC weather is GREAT. It markets itself as having "4 gentle seasons" per year and that is definitely a true statement. It sits at about 6,000 ft. elevation Today it's a bit warm (93 degrees) but low humidity. Nights still drop down to a very pleasant upper 50's/low 60's (definitely an attractive feature to someone from Phoenix, which can easily get 3+ straight months of 110+ degree temps! ). Usually a few snowfalls per year, but the snow is gone usually within a day or so and the streets remain navigable, even with the snow. Cold winter temps may drop as low as the upper teens, but warm up during the days. Pretty much ANY day is a good day to get outside and enjoy nature. Lots of trails here, and SC has several trailheads into the Gila Wilderness.

There is a regional medical center here which is highly rated, but for some specialty medical treatments and/or doctors, you may need to go to Las Cruces (110 miles), El Paso (150 miles), or Tucson (200 miles) (fyi, I go back to Phoenix for anything extensive, since I still have a residence there...it's easier than checking into hotels for any extended stay.).

Same for major shopping for specialty stuff. We have a "super-center" here which is open 24 hours, and the only national or chain restaurants here are fast food ones. The only source of lumber here is a smaller national chain, but the quality of lumber is not alway great (it's like we get the leftovers sometimes) and the size of the store is a bit anemic. I used to load up my truck in Phoenix with building supplies and then bring them back to SC. It was tough for me to get used to the limited availability of supplies and supply channels, but then it was also hard for me to get used to the significant decreased number of garage sales, too! On the other hand, I had NO PROBLEM adjusting to the decreased traffic .

The demographics here are changing. Many more retirees are moving here esp. for the climate. The downtown community boasts about 35 art galleries, whereas 12 years ago there was only 1. In general, the community is pretty active, esp. during the summer. We have farmer's markets, concerts, bicycle races through the Gila, exhibits, and other events to entertain residents and visitors alike. Some of the events are known nationally and bring participants from all over the US. I understand a multi-screen theatre is in the works. There is an active food co-op and humane society and MANY events and organizations that cater to a wide assortment of spiritual leanings and alternative lifestyles. There are definitely signs of capital investment going on in the downtown strip, with many specialty shops appearing. Tourism seems to be growing and we get many visitors from MANY areas throughout the ENTIRE country!

There are still some larger sections of land available in the outer areas, but prices are escalating, along with demand. Many housing developments are in the works and they are selling fast. Property taxes remain low.

Hope that info helps. I'd be glad to answer any questions, if I can. If you decide to come through SC to see it for yourself, be sure to make reservations for lodging...the local hotels fill up almost every week-end during the summer.

[Crackerjack]

Thanks Glieberman for sharing about Silver City. Silver City has always remained on my top places to live. I especially love the slow pace and lack of all that traffic in so many cities today. It definitely is a great place to retire. I hope someday it will grow enough to have career opportunities to live there for working people. I think Silver City is the number one place in New Mexico to live. Anyone wanting to move there should open up businesses there. That is what is needed. I want it to retain that slow pace of life though and not get huge but some more businesses would definitely help the community with jobs and services. Thanks again for your post!

[Ronin]

Busted!

Sunset magazine, August edition, blows the whistle on Silver City.

I've been thinking about Silver City myself, wonder if I can get there before
the beautiful Californians drive real estate prices higher than Black Peak...

*r*

[BIOLYNX]

Originally Posted by Ronin

Busted!

Sunset magazine, August edition, blows the whistle on Silver City.

I've been thinking about Silver City myself, wonder if I can get there before
the beautiful Californians drive real estate prices higher than Black Peak...

*r*

Hi Ronin and anyone else:
Please don't think all of us Californians are terrible. I'm a native Southern Californian (San Diego) and have watched my beautiful town go down the toilet the past 50+ years, as so many towns have. When you see your home town go from 30,000 population to 3 million in 40 years, it's generally not a good thing. I have found that so many who have moved into the area have a way of ruining everything, but then again overpopulation does that. There are always going to be those who just don't get it and mess it up for everyone else. Personally my heart is still here in San Diego, but it's the San Diego of the 50's and 60's and to see what it has now become breaks my heart. I truly can't get out here soon enough and find somewhere that reminds me of my hometown of yesteryear.

And, just like anywhere the market will hold anything anyone is willing to pay. If those in other states are going to jack up their prices for real estate because someone else from somewhere else is willing to pay it......well it does take two to tango.

With all due respect and I hear you loud and clear, Biolynx

[Crackerjack]

BioLynx, I hear your concerns about San Diego and know about what you saying. My aunt and cousins left there for the same reasons. New Mexico is at a threshold, the state can move forward and become one of the top states in the west. I think it is important for New Mexico not follow the rapid growth and decay California has suffered. Controlled, planned growth, conservation, a dedication to education, strong crime control and moving forward with a vision for New Mexico's future, New Mexico can really move forward.