Truth or Consequences (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Silver City: spring break, sale, broker)

[designer]

If you are looking for cheap then T or C might be the perfect place for you
but sometimes there is a big catch to cheap. If you are used to living in a
very small town then it could be great. I know a good many of my friends
who have lived here for several years finally moved away mostly because of
the lack of services and supplies available in the T or C area. Now if you don't mind driving a lot then it may not bother you but I find myself driving
to Las Cruces one or two times a week and it really gets old. That's if I didn't
have to pay for the gas but I do. As far as the arts go it is a artsy town but
the economic part of it has almost collapsed but possibly it will recover. Also
the caliber of the art here and most of the smaller NM towns is not near the
quality of the Santa Fe art scene but that may not be important either.
It is hot here in June and July and yes it's a dry heat but it's hot. Now if you
buy a home that is designed well and cools well it probably will not be a problem. The winters get cold in the morning but nothing like Chicago and
there is a lot of sun even in the winter. Arizona probably has much nicer
winters depending where you are. For many people T or C is flat boring but
I think it would depend on the activities you are looking for. If you are a fisherman then the lake could keep you oppupied. If you like to shop then
forget it. I had lunch in Hillsboro yesterday. It is cute and a little quaint
and very small and as usual almost every property is up for sale. The prices
are very high and I'm not really sure why. There again if driving a lot doesn't
bother you it could be great but you would really need to find a way to keep
yourself occupied. I think it would be much better to come and check out both places and stay for two or three days. Also Silver City and other good
towns are not all that far from T or C so you could check out some other towns as well. I know I was recently introduced to some new residents that had just moved to T or C. moved to T or C and they seemed to love it here.
I think you just have to come and check it out. You can ask all the questions
you want on one of these forums but each person sees things different so
check it out for yourself. You might like it.

[Wisteria]

Designer: I think you just have to come and check it out. You can ask all the questions you want on one of these forums but each person sees things different so check it out for yourself. You might like it.

Thanks for the info....I was just out there in August, so I was able to see the summer there in TorC. This would be a place for retirement, and I have a co-worker who is retiring to TorC in March -- she was raised in New Mexico, but lived out here in California the past 35 years. I've been on so many threads now, I can't remember which ones I put which information....sorry!

I do wonder about services in TorC. I was in Las Cruces, too, however, that did not appeal to me -- I wish it had, as it was at the top of my list, originally. I liked Albuquerque, too, but am not sure because it's pretty spread out and awfully big. My perfect population would be Las Cruces...but, like I said, it didn't have much charm or quirkiness, although it may exist but all that over-building and gated communities don't appeal to me.

Are you planning on staying there? I've noticed from your posts that you may not be very happy in TorC. I agree on the driving thing, too. I'm hoping to keep that at a minimum, and TorC is not necessarily going to be "it," but it's still in the running.

I do like my small town I'm in, although a bigger population would be better, although where I am now there are other communities quickly accessible, so it's not bad.

Santa Fe is not my cup of tea -- it just didn't have a friendly feel to me when I've been there. It's okay as a tourist destination, but I think I'd have a hard time feeling comfortable there.

I'm also not trying to make a living in the arts, although I currently teach drawing. What I'm looking for is a place that is friendly, down-to-earth, good weather, sunny skies, mountains, good hiking areas within town, grocery stores and pharmacy, doctors, the general stuff. I'm not a big shopper, so that's not a hobby of mine. I am a back to basics kind of person. I don't want a big mortgage, I want to enjoy my retirement with my pets and have good neighbors, go hiking, not deal with bad weather, and have a barbeque outside in the yard, and a little garden. Actually, my needs aren't great. I'd like some culture and music and art around (which is why I focused on the arts because they tend to bring more creativity in).

I don't know if this information helps or not. What I like doing around here is to go hiking nearby; there is a lake down the road from me, there are horse stables we hike around, and there are lots of wooded areas. I have a dog and three cats. My daughter will be in college next year, so I am making plans to, hopefully, dramatically cut my costs, but still maintain an outdoor-type lifestyle.

Feedback is always appreciated. Thanks!

[Wisteria]

P.S.

I just got off the phone with a woman I met when I was in TorC. She's in her 30s and relocated there last year from San Diego. She loves it, so far. These are some of her takes on the town:

It's a place where people move to to get away from stress and for a more laid-back lifestyle.

It's cheap, although property is appreciating there.

It's funky, and people are trying to get away from the cities and strip malls. If someone needs a Gap store, don't move to TorC. Also, either people who had cell phones who moved to TorC keep their cell phones and don't bother with a landline phone, or, like me, don't have a cell phone at all!

There are two grocery stores in town, which seem sufficient. If there is something someone just has to have, then they can drive to Las Cruces or get it on-line. She said that sometimes people carpool to Las Cruces, or someone will be willing to pick up something for someone else while they're there. For me, I'd probably make a once every few months trip to Albuquerque for Trader Joe's and stock up on things from there.

Utilities are low cost. Her electric, trash, sewer and water bill (they are combined, she said) is about $50-$100/month. DSL is about $30/month.

It's figured that property prices may rise with the new spaceport and golf course, in particular.

There are tons of nature-loving things to do there. People hike in the Turtleback Mountains and collect crystals there.

There are lots of people from other places around the U.S. there -- it's not mostly natives. People are "naively friendly." Lots of snowbirds come in from Northern New Mexico during the winter.

All in all, it sounds like it's a small-town feel, and a laid-back atmosphere. If one needs a super mall or chain stores, then it's not the place. If one needs lots of high tech stuff, it's not the place. If one is looking for exciting night life, it's not the place.

If you are looking for great weather, wonderful hot springs to soak in, great nature and hiking places, and cheap housing, it could be the place for you. She said it seems that many people are in the 40-60 age range.

I may go back in March and recheck it out. So, far, so good.

[designer]

Both of you might just love T or C. In fact I hear people say all the time you
will either love it or hate it here in T or C. The two grocery stores are not
really adequate for me but I guess I got used to Trader Joes while living in
Scottsdale. The two stores here are pretty much steak and potatoes types
of places. Much of the things people have told you are true but it's not that
T or C is just missing the malls. If something breaks down on your house it's a pretty good possibility you will be driving down to LC. Sometimes I can go
for two weeks or more without driving down there but this week and last
week it's already been three times to go to Home Depot. Do the math on
the type of auto you drive. I have a fairly economical car but it still will
cost me $50 for those trips that I should not have made if I lived in a little
larger city. I know what you mean about LC. I am almost ready to move
there to cut out the driving but it's a little to conservative for me and I'm
a pretty conservative guy. Also I love to hike but I found out that the people
here are a little to laid back to take on such a daunting task so it's rare to hear about people who do a lot of hiking here. Probably the same in Santa Fe
as well. I stay up there about one third of the time so I know it fairly well.
T or C is not a Santa Fe and that might be good depending on how you look
at it. All I can tell you is there are a lot of people who come here and a lot
who leave. I would imagine it's more about how impractible it can be more
than they just flat hate it. Also I heard a lady state that TorC is one of the
highest welfare towns in NM. For some reason younger people don't seem
to like to work here. Also it sounds like you are a art teacher if you teach
drawing. I know the city just recently hired a art teacher for the high school
but it could be for the middle school and I'm not sure. T or C is a very quirky
type of town and it might just fit perfectly for you. I really don't mind it all
that bad it's just that the inconvience is getting me down after 4 years not
to mention all the wear and tear on my vehicle and the gas I burn. This could
be a issue for living in many smaller towns in NM as most are very far apart.
I will tell you that I meet a lot of people who buy houses here and are extremely happy but I would say a big part of that group seems to change their minds later on. Also I will say there is a big Walmart being built so that
could change some things. If you are not used to the convience of a larger city you will probably love it here.

[designer]

I guess I didn't read your posts that closely wisteria. Actually there are a lot
of free spirts up in Santa Fe but just being there for a visit you might not
see that type of individual. I guess I notice mostly the wealty people
who impress me as not caring for the free spirit types but I could be wrong.
There are a lot of wealthy people in Santa Fe as you probably already know.
Also the art thing up there is serious business to the Santa Feans. In T or C
they would like for it to be serious but it may never happen. I guess it all comes down to the types of people you like to associate with and T or C might be just the place for you. I have lived in a lot of cities as I got a lot
of transfers and I like the arty type of cities as well. I just got a email from
a friend here in T or C and he is heading up to Portland, Or. to check it out
and he has lived here for 8 years. I lived in Portland for a year and I loved it
except for the rainy days. It is funky and somewhat cultural as well. Tor C
is not cultural at all. If you find the perfect place please let me know. I would love to check it out myself but I will not move to anymore really small
towns unless they are no more than 35 miles from a larger city.

[Wisteria]

Hi Designer! Thanks for the feedback. I'm still on my search -- sometimes I think, "Oh, TorC would be nice -- I could go for nice hikes, and soak in the mineral hot springs..." and then on the other hand I think, "Oh, I'd like to be closer to a university town, or larger city so there is more to do..." and then I shift back again.

My favorite place to live was Boulder, Colorado -- unfortunately, the yuppies have taken it over, and there are now strip malls everyplace, and the cute mom and pop stores on the downtown mall are now all brand name stores. I just don't think I'd fit in anymore.... I still love the Flatirons, though, and the older part of town, but it has changed so much over the years....

I lived in Seattle for five years, and I just can't handle the rain. That's why Portland's out. Portland is very pretty, though, but there was something I can't put my finger on, that didn't feel "right" to me, so I've never put it on my list. Plus, I have friends who moved to Portland and didn't think it was very friendly to newcomers. That may have changed, but being from the northeast, originally, I found the northwest people a bit "too" quiet. I loved Seattle as a city, though -- lots to do, beautiful scenery, lots of water nearby....oh, but the rain!! Being from Buffalo, I thought it would be easy to adapt to it -- it was a learning experience and I discovered that I do much, much better in sunshine.

There is no particular place that just "draws" me right now, which is part of my problem. Generally, I have picked up and moved as I felt pulled toward a place -- that hasn't happened. So, now I'm actually searching, only because financial concerns have made the decision for me (only they haven't told me where to go to!). I won't be able to keep up my mortgage and other expenses once I retire -- I will have to sell my house. (Similar story to too many others, I know.) But selling will allow me to get a smaller piece of property that is more manageable (I have a huge lot) for me alone. I'd also like to not be in the woods anymore, so that I don't have to keep climbing on the roof to sweep off pine needles. My place is really designed for a young family with kids who want a lot of space, pets, and love nature. It is too much for one person alone, which I will be once my daughter goes to college next year.

I am very resourceful and seem to find things that may not be well-known, so I will keep you posted.

I think for me I would like to ideally be in a smaller town (larger than what I'm in now -- about 30,000 population would be good), and nearer a metropolitan area -- but not a suburb -- I hate suburbs.

I'm surprised to hear you say that people don't hike around there -- why in the world not?? I love to take in a good hike each weekend, when possible. It's so relaxing and refreshing, and the natural beauty out there would make me think it would be something people would easily do.....I don't understand. Maybe putting an ad in the local paper (it is a cute paper, I must say -- very whimsical), for a hiking group.

That is what I have often done when I've moved to a new area -- I put in ads for groups. When I first moved here, I had come from the eastcoast again, and put an ad for "The Eastcoast Connection," which I made up. It pulled together people from the east who could handle the direct approach of many northeasterners, and the humor and all the talking!

I started teaching my art class (Drawing from the Right Side of the Brain) about 11 years ago here, and it has been very, very popular. It seems that often people have a hard time gathering together, so I often now start a group so that people don't have to do the work. I know TorC is small, and I'm not sure how it would work there, but it could be a possibility. If I were there, I'd probably advertise something -- seeing as I'd want to meet people more my age: "Hiking over 50! Join others over 50 for wonderful hikes to Elephant Butte, Turtleback Mountain, and....[fill in the blank]. Saturdays from noon to four; meet at.... Bring a snack and your hiking shoes! FREE!" And then see what happened. Sometimes it's zip, sometimes it's not.

Anyway, I will keep you updated on my searches. I have a couple of years to figure it out. I could, theoretically, do it next year, but I may wait a bit...I don't know. I need to feel that "pull."

[designer]

Hi Wisteria,

I already tried out the hiking group thing and got some response but when
we went on our first hike most of them flaked out and went back to town.
You probably noticed the little mountain near town and thats where we
were going up to the top. Of course most were retired people and I thought
one or two were going to have a heart attack. I forgot where you said you
now live and teach right brain art but there was one artist here in town
that was always putting on drawing classes and I think he might have had
some success but I'm not really sure. I taught graphics for a while at Utah
State but teaching is not a good place to make money so I went back to
work as a designer again. Also I wanted to tell you I rode over to Silver City
today with a friend from T or C. he and his wife have purchased three acres
over there and it is very nice. He has lived in T or C for over 10 years and he
said it's time for a change. In my opinion Silver is more artsy than T or C so
you might want to check it out. It is a little larger than T or C and has many
more buildings downtown and also has a state college. It sounds like you are
looking for some of the same items that I am seeking in a city or town. I would love to live about 30 miles away from a larger metro area but in a smaller artsy town with it's own identity and not a suburb. Another neat little
town is Prescott, AZ. I lived there for two years and the company I worked for went back to Germany so I then moved to Phoenix. I didn't care for Phoenix but I loved my job so I stuck it out for a few years and now I'm retired in NM. I am doing oil paintings again but the art market in T or C is
pretty weak. I think it might be better in Silver City and I would think that
Taos would be better also. I will say that I was in Taos about three weeks
ago and I thought the level of art was not up to par for that town.
Also keep in mind that a great deal of the art you see in Santa Fe is done
by artists in other parts of the country and not by any means by Santa Feans. Took me a while to figure that one out but my sister manages a gallery up there and she told me that many of the local artists have to leave
NM because of housing costs. Especially Santa Fe. That would not apply to
T or C as it's possibly the cheapest place on the planet to live.

[Wisteria]

Designer: Also I wanted to tell you I rode over to Silver City
today with a friend from T or C. he and his wife have purchased three acres
over there and it is very nice. He has lived in T or C for over 10 years and he
said it's time for a change. In my opinion Silver is more artsy than T or C so
you might want to check it out. It is a little larger than T or C and has many
more buildings downtown and also has a state college. It sounds like you are
looking for some of the same items that I am seeking in a city or town. I would love to live about 30 miles away from a larger metro area but in a smaller artsy town with it's own identity and not a suburb.

Hmmm, sounds interesting. Yes, it does sound like we are seeking similar things. It's hard to find that combination, though, I've discovered. That's probably one reason I loved Boulder when I lived there -- it was cute, walkable, had what I needed, but I could also catch a bus to Denver and hang out there for more urban things. I'm kind of looking for something like that again, except in good weather -- Colorado is fine, too, and I've looked at Colorado Springs and Manitou Springs as a backup plan. I just kind of feel like I want some warmth and sun more, and I forgot about those afternoon rains in Colorado when I was there recently.

I didn't get to Silver City. I understand the air quality isn't great, but I'm not sure just how bad it is. When I lived in Denver, the pollution was so bad (this was in the 80s) that it was worse than in L.A. I often had to push towels up against the door to keep the "smog" out. I could taste the particulates in my throat! You could see the air turn a reddish color. I mean, it was really, really bad! I actually moved because of it. So much for that illusion of the Rocky Mountain sky! Do you know anything about Silver City's air quality?

Did Silver City appeal to you? Had you been there before? Does it have more services than TorC? Or would one still have to run to Las Cruces to get what they needed?

I'm in the Santa Cruz area of California -- in a small town called Felton above the city of Santa Cruz in the Santa Cruz mountains in a little neighborhood called "Lompico." It's a funky place with eclectic homes, but the prices are really out of whack. Plus, like I said, for me, it is too much property (I know most people want more, but it's hard to take care of -- I'm looking at all the redwood needles I have to rake this weekend ).

That's too bad about the hiking thing. Man, people almost having heart attacks! Yow, that's bad. I hadn't thought of that!

Prescott is too expensive for me, and I seemed to have a lot of "bad luck" in Arizona, so I'm steering clear of there....it is not a place where things have gone smoothly for me. It's a personal thing for me, so I'm just not going back to AZ.

It's hard to narrow all this down. How did you end up choosing TorC??

[Webfoot_Wa]

1) What I'm looking for is a place that is friendly, down-to-earth, good weather, sunny skies, mountains, good hiking areas within town, grocery stores and pharmacy, doctors, the general stuff.
2) I am a back to basics kind of person.
3) I'd like some culture and music and art around (which is why I focused on the arts because they tend to bring more creativity in).

Our short time here has been wonderful!! we moved from the Seattle area in June, bought a nice Adobe home with 25 metered parking spaces in Williamsburg. Only RV Park at exit 75 on I-25
We really enjoy the slow pace and "down to earth" people, folks here intriduce themselves along with a handshake, kinda in a Mayberry sort a way. We have the two grocery stores (meat & spuds only) and the movie house "Cortez" is open ony 2-3 times a week, the "art walk" downtown happens once a month but is getting mixed reviews, plan to make a trip to LC at least once a month (150 miles rt)...everything happens here menyana so don't be in a hurry...also be well versed in home repair and or labor because it seems to be almost impossible to get someone to commit to a job around here....I'm sure this has all been said before...Welcome to New Mexico

[designer]

Sounds like you have hit the nail on the head webfoot. When I came here
about 4 years ago I bought a little house and had great plans on how great
I could fix it up. The contractors would have to be better in the bush country
of africa than they are here. This is about as laid back as it gets and one of the first places I have lived where it's a crime to work. I have been screwed so many times with the inept contractors here I just decided to do little more on my house. Also if anybody has gone on the artwalks in other cities they would know it's more of a hobby here but you have to give them a "A" for trying.
Also wisteria you will find living here a lot different than northern California. I lived in both southern (orange county) and Sacramento for about 25 years.
That climate was very hard to beat even though it rains a lot more where you
live. Maybe you should come to T or C and just rent for a while to see how
it goes. I think you might really like Silver City a lot but it is sort of off the
beaten path. Las Cruces has it made being on the two interstates. I'm going
down there tomorrow so that's 4 times in the past 10 days. It ends up costing me about 80 dollars for those four trips in gas so it's not real cheap.
Now if you don't go down there often it might be fine and you can live here
pretty cheap. Personally I can't find enough to keep me occupied here but
there are a lot of people who can. I think they must have a boring life though. You should really check out Silver City and see. It has more of a
northern California feel to it and it doesn't feel quite as much like the desert.
It reminds me a little of Calistoga, Ca. Hope I spelled that correctly. If you
fly down you might want to fly to Tucson or Phoenix to check out Silver.
I think it is closer to Tucson than Albuquerque. Tucson is a pretty cool city
as well.