Truth or Consequences (Las Cruces, Roswell, Elephant Butte: rental, transfer, movie theater)

[anomoly]

Originally Posted by dracul

Like in nearly every other aspect of life it's what you make of it that matters at the end of the day. Hell, I even enjoy Denver during the summer months! This region is poised to changed. It may transform over the next few years if my realtor friends have the right read. We shall see. Enjoy this place if it suits you...if it does not then there is a very large world out there to sample. Live large.

Nice, Dracul. Apparently I've already repped you, cuz it wouldn't let me.
But, it sounds like it's time to change your 'location'? On CD, I mean?

[highdesertmutz]

I agree with you wholeheartedly! If you want something to do? are you into rock hunting, or hanging out with "Normal People"? we should meet up sometime, I do coffee at my Rv, which isn't a piece of trash, and we go to different places all the time, usually the forests. Occasionally, well, we cook out alot too. no drugs, maybe a nip now and then, but really normal folks. have you left yet? if you haven't, lets rap.

Originally Posted by anomoly

I'm really not an expert on these issues, but I will say TrC has no job market, to speak of. But, it doesn't sound like you're talking anything professional, or 'specific', so you could probably find something, but it will be 'low-paying', I can almost guarantee. Of course, it might be your opportunity to get to know others in the community, so that might be worth alot. Good help seems hard to find, so I would guess you wouldn't have much of a wait in the
Public School food system... we also have the Veteran's Hospital, which just got a major grant for an Alzheimer's unit --another food service opportunity.

Everywhere you look, there is property for sale. Lots of variety, in terms of land, houses, mobile homes, cottages, etc. It's a junkie little town, and I went for a walk around the downtown (hot springs district), and every time I do, I'm amazed: junkie trailer, nice Santa Fe style home, trailer park with trash, funky bright cottage, nice remodeled old building, etc...

I have such mixed opinions about this town... in some ways, just plain junkie, in some ways, so much aesthetic appeal and potential. Read the paper, and you find all the oldtimers ranting about change, go downtown and you see all the art galleries, and hippie havens... I think as the old guard dies off, this town will be re-inventing itself.. It's just hard for me to see if this is really happening.

One thing that really pops out to me, though, is that there is really no central meeting place. On my walks, I can go into the stores or galleries, or I can find a couple of restaurants to eat, and there is Black Cat Books which is popular, and Coffee TrC, but hours are limited, ...Coffee TrC closes at 1pm, so when I feel like getting out to mingle, there's really no place to go!

So, I suppose if you have your mate, you wouldn't notice this aspect as much as singles do.

[dracul]

Thanks for the kind words anomoly. I'm really not concerned about rep points and all that silly fluff. I say what I feel and believe and let the pieces fall where they may. I've survived way too many wars in the real world to be even slightly crestfallen by a bit of internet pique or disdain. TorC represents an opportunity for us to return to a simpler lifestyle which we have profoundly missed over the last few years. Most people may not find the area to be especially attractive. Even our very successful daughter and son-in-law, who are currently building a 3 million dollar+ "garage-mahal" equipped with every imaginable creature comfort and over the top toy on an exclusive lake front lot near Portland, Oregon probably think we're nuts. That's not my concern. We've found a fairly good fit for our requirements and interests. Our needs are small and we are easily pleased with less.

[Sturgis]

Hey, new here, but I live in T or C so decided i'd add my input.

I lived in T or C back in the 80s (and live here now) and love the place. Its not too small not too large. Like every other place in existance, there are people I like and people I don't, but even the "Don'ts" and I treat each other well.

Meth? Yeah, its here. And everywhere else. So on to specifics that aren't as subjective.

Things to do:
As mentioned there is the small skate park, theres a public pool, a youth center, another park in williamsburg, Elephant Butte Lake state park, Caballo Lake for starters. Unfortunately all of these "Attractions" require a person to be self starting. Go to the beach, go fishin, meet friends, walk around downtown, it all takes gumption to figure out what to do to remain entertained.
Beaches and lakes not enough? Hop in the car and go to the Gila Cliff dwellings. Explore and find the local ghost towns. Raft the (slow) river. Gotta be careful in the rio grande, there can be weird sinkholes and undertows, but if you're careful, its a blast.
Still not enough? Go atv riding or truck around the boonies on a sandrail. From my house, it takes me 30 seconds to hit an arroyo from which I can go to the river, up on the hill behind town (near san miguel) and all over the place.
Still not good enough? There are deer, quail, doves, antelope, and oryx to be seen. yes oryx, tho you have to drive a bit and have a certain amount of luck to see them.

K thats some of the good. Now some of the bad.
Its HOT. Scenery? Rocks. Dirt. A tree. Did I mention the rocks and dirt? Truthfully I love the scenery here, and can stand the heat but i'm sure its not for everyone. Having tried the inverse of living in a place with 9 month winters, i'll stay here thank you.
Jobs? There aren't many, but everyone I know who has actually TRIED to be employed here has succeeded. Walmart may or may not help with this, dunno. I'll believe the Nascar track will actually happen the same day the first engines start.
As for medical care, I have to agree. For every day average stuff, there are doctors here that are fine (and overworked) and dandy (and understaffed) but they are good for what I have needed. When my real medical problems require help, I go to las cruces, or to albuquerque to my pulmonologist.
On the crime front:
Since moving back here, I havn't locked my front door. Its been 7 years now. I also live in an area that is less frequented, and have a large dog which may help that situation, but so far no problems. I HAVE had problems in town, but only from drunks, and I think the specific incident I'm recalling was during a heavy tourist influx weekend. Some idiot decided he was mad at the world and threw beer cans at the (lift) van I was sitting in. The fact that that is the ONLY negative incident that has stuck in my head during the past 7 years, as well as when i lived here in the 80s? Its not that bad. Lived in Wyoming? Got robbed. Lived in Rio Rancho? Got robbed. Lived in abq, and a place in montana? Got robbed!
Think i'll stay here. And since I just publushed that I don't lock my doors, I think i'll start lockin my doors. *grin*

[yachtcare]

This is a great thread, as TorC is the first place I decided to head to when I can escape from SW Fl.
A couple of questions I have, if you could indulge me....
How close to town, is the state park? That is where I will likely have to set up in my RV upon arrival.
What is there, as far as any marine(pleasure boating)oriented services? I'm assuming with the proximity to the lakes, there has to be some activity.
And is that marine business in large boats? house boats? mostly jet skis? smaller stuff? Just trying to get a picture of what goes on there on the lake. Thanks...

[GregW]

I allowed I think this repeat of another of my posts applies to tor c.

I think living on the edge of a small city is a good compromise. This is why I am likely to buy a small place in Socorro (substitute T or C). I would have reasonable access to stores, medical services, library, college and society while still being able to have quiet and star filled nights. Then I would add a “wilderness” camp somewhere out in the Quebradas and I would have the choice between sociality and solitude.

T or C has the advantage of the hot springs but does not have NMT.

[Sturgis]

Originally Posted by yachtcare

This is a great thread, as TorC is the first place I decided to head to when I can escape from SW Fl.
A couple of questions I have, if you could indulge me....
How close to town, is the state park? That is where I will likely have to set up in my RV upon arrival.
What is there, as far as any marine(pleasure boating)oriented services? I'm assuming with the proximity to the lakes, there has to be some activity.
And is that marine business in large boats? house boats? mostly jet skis? smaller stuff? Just trying to get a picture of what goes on there on the lake. Thanks...

From where I am, (actually south of williamsburg just a little ways) it takes me about 20 minutes to get to the launch ramp at elephant butte. Its about 5 minutes to Caballo. Depending on where you choose to locate, you could cut the time down to almost nothin. This area actually has several small towns. Truth or Consequences, Williamsburg, and Elephant Butte. Obviously locating in Elephant butte would put you right at the lake, and actually it wouldn't be a bad idea if lake proximity is important to you. From there its not far to Food Basket, and the soon to open walmart.
I havn't done it, but I seem to recall that Rock Springs Marina may have jetski rentals. Im pretty sure SOMOENE in town has them. Same for houseboats, never have rented one so don't know for sure that you can.
As for watercraft on the lake, and sales of marine vessels, theres lots of bass boats, ski boats, jet boats, some larger boats, I think there are people who leave their houseboats moored here much of the time near the Damsite marina etc. In my opinion, the truly large boats would be a waste on EB right now due to water levels. Back in the 80s, the water level was really high, you could get way way way up into the upper lake and areas that hadn't seen a boat in years if ever. Don't think you can get much past the narrows now with the silt, and water level drop. Still a very nice lake, just not very large.

What goes on at the lake? During weekends, especially holiday weekends, the most entertaining thing to do is go park at the top of the boat ramp and watch. Its amazing how much skill levels differ when it comes to boat launching etc. Better to watch than do on those weekends I feel. During the week, the lake tends to be pretty quiet. Sometimes there are weekday bass tournaments, theres a small one happening next wednesday in fact. The fishing isn't like it used to be but its still not bad, and in addition to bass there are stripers, crappie, white bass, bluegill, catfish of varous types, and tho I wouldn't eat them, there are large carp. THe lake is easily large enough to water skii, tube etc. There are enough nice sandy beaches that you can choose high traffic areas, or find more secluded spots.


Sorry for the edit, but since i've never needed to rent watercraft here, thought i'd go look and see whats available. Check out http://marinadelsur.info/

Did a quick google and that was the top hit, there are probably other services, but that should give you some idea of whats what.


Ok, one more. http://www.h2osportsadventure.com/jetskis.html has jetskis and boats for rent at long point.

[yachtcare]

Sturgis, Thanks for the help. Lotta good info there. Heart's pounding more than ever, cant wait to get there. Sounds like I need to check into the town of Elephant Butte a little more.

[Sturgis]

Originally Posted by yachtcare

Sturgis, Thanks for the help. Lotta good info there. Heart's pounding more than ever, cant wait to get there. Sounds like I need to check into the town of Elephant Butte a little more.

Well while you're weighing options, realize elephant butte township has the proximity benefit, but it also has.. um. the proximity detriment. During those 100k+ weekend influxes, you might not like it nearly so well. I'd guess that crime rates/drunk driving rates and general stupid behaviour rates on those weekeneds aren't fun. Your exact location in EB would have an impact on this of course, but its something to be considered. I you'd rather be father away, you can always buy a chunk of land and build a house if necessary. There are some beautiful spots around, but of course don't know your price range this might be outside the range of acceptable.

Good luck on your searching!

[DontDoIt]

I worked and lived in T or C for about 6 months. I managed a retail store there. In those 6 months I was cussed out about a dozen times by angry customers. I was assaulted by a fellow employ after confronting them on stealing. I ended up firing 4 people for theft. I interviewed 10 people while i was there and 6 passed the drug test. The 6 that pasted all got hired and 4 of them ended up quitting before the first week was over. Groups of kids would come in after school let out and just rob us blind. I complained to the cops weekly but they couldn’t care less. They told me it was up to me to keep them out if I didn’t want them there. Women would come in and open the boxes of tampax and steal a hand full out and leave the rest sitting there. We could not keep home pregnancy tests in stock. We would get a case of 10 in on Monday and they would be all gone by the weekend. My car was hit in the parking lot twice. Just small dents but still not fun. I had to order propane for the house i was living in and when the driver got there he had to be 90 years old! Guess what? He backed into the wall of the house! Then he acted like it was no big lol. Luckily it was a rental so I was able to pawn that headache of on the owner. The weather is horrible. Hot, dry, and windy. Every time you go outside it fells like a gigantic hair dryer is blowing on you. There not much to do. There is a 1 screen movie theater that shows family movies that have been out for a while. It smells moldy and the floors are sticky lol. I’m a single guy and all the single women i meet had 3 kids. I have been working in retail for 10 year i have worked and lived in some real crappy places but none were as depressing as T or C. I was so desperate to get out of there i just quit my job and left. But there is a nice lake close by.