Looking for a rental house in Aztec (Farmington: apartments, houses)

[archaeo]

I have just recently been offered a permanent position with the national monument there, and my wife and I would like to live directly in Aztec. We want to rent a house, and can spend in the $900-$1200 a month range. Buying is not an option right now, as we have a house in another state that will not be selling anytime soon.

What are the pros and cons of the community? The housing (and I mean a house, not apt's) appear somewhat variable in quality, and in desirability of neighborhoods. What is your knowledge of the town?
Does anyone know the best place to look for a rental house?
Anyone know of a rental house in town that is currently available?

thanks for any feedback (and leads!)

[rybert]

Hmmm. I wonder if there would be more options in Farmington or Durango.

Our close friends live along the Animas River... so jealous.

[GregW]

I visit Realator.com to price houses. They have a selection or rental properties. I would also Google Aztec Realtors and newspapers. Then look in the papers classifieds. There seem to be a lot of manufactures and Mobil homes for rent cheap. May not be ideal but it gives you a place to live while looking for something better.

BTW – A gov’t job in New Mexico? I am green with envy. Would they have any use for a Scientist/Regulator/Investigator with experience with water and air quality problems?

[debbie at bouontiful]

I thought jobs were scarced there. My husband is a Government employee but only works at Bases so maybe that is why I've never heard of jobs in that area.

I have friends which both husband and wife are teachers in Aztec (were), both got laid off this last semester, anyway neither could find another job in either Aztec or Farmington so they moved to another State where they both found teacher jobs again. His as a principal. They left behind their home on 5 acres just minutes from Aztec and it hasn't sold. I doubt if they want to rent it though because they will not move back to Aztec and probably want to buy where they moved.

I love Northern New Mexico but never considered that a place to move for jobs. Could be really wrong.

Congratualtions on being transferred there. Lovely area. Farminton would be about 30 minute drive and would have tons of apartments. Durango would be way to pricy and I believe the road from Durango to Axtec might not be what one would want in the winter.

[archaeo]

Thanks for your comments.
Yes, we're excited. The area is beautiful (we lived in SW colorado in the past) and it is not easy to find good permanent work there, so we'll have a good situation.

Are the neighborhoods in in-town Aztec 'spotty' in quality? Any areas to avoid, or prefer? Not having spent much time there, we don't know what to look for in either Aztec or the outskirts. thanks

[Cathy4017]

From what I saw, Farmington does NOT have tons of apartments.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Talked to my daughter whose best friend is an RN in Farmington (they went to College together) and she is paying 1200 for a 2 bedroom apartment/duplex in Farmington. She just gave up her place to move to Oklahoma City for a better RN position and pays quite a bit less in OKC plus makes more money. (These are 25 years old talking, would swear to anything). So.....I am not sure about the rent in Farmington other than that. I would think though, that they would have apartments/duplexs for rent. Everybod can't or won't buy I would think.

[archaeo]

thanks - but no more apartments for this gringo... as I mentioned in the first post, we're looking for a house.

[archaeo]

Our search may have to expand to Farmington....
To those who know the neighborhoods in Farmington, where are the more desirable neighborhoods with trees, yards, and walking/biking access to town? What neighborhoods to avoid in Farmington?
I thought I heard something about north or south of 20th is one demarcation line between good and not so good...