Need advice about relocation to NM (Albuquerque, Las Cruces: real estate, apartments, job)

[FedUpWithCALI]

Hi All. My parents are retiring soon to NM from Southern California (my mom is originally from NM, still has lots of family there) and are hoping I move my family there as well. My wife and I recently had our second child and looking for something with 3 bedrooms, but everything here in SoCal that we've found is out of our price range, so we're giving it serious consideration. Just found this website. and was hoping for a some advice on the best places to relocate a family (daugther is 7, son is 1 1/2). Some of the negatives we've been reading are scaring us a little, partuculary someone mentioned to stay away from Espanola, which is one of the places we were thinking of, as that's close to where my folks will be. I was wondering, what, particularly are the negatives with Espanola, as I read it was a place to avoid but no reason was given as to why. What are some other good places to relocate in NM with a family? Thanks. ~ Darryl

[Mark S.]

I have no idea exactly what you are looking for or what you're coming from, but myself, if I was wanting to look in that part of the country, I'd look in Colorado. It is definitely more expensive than NM, but you get what you pay for.

But if your heart is set on NM, I would probably recommend Las Cruces. I have heard good things about Alamagordo, but all my knowledge of that area is second-hand at best. I've done little but pass through there on my way to other places. If your heart is set on the Albuquerque area, Rio Rancho is probably your best bet.

Since you are raising kids, stay far away from Roswell and Las Vegas. Crime is terrible and the schools are a mess.

[Disenchanted]

I agree with Mark S. about Colorado. Very similar climate: mountains, plains.
But I think you are wanting info on Northern New Mexico. Las Cruces and Alamogordo are south.
I believe that Espanola is to be avoided based on poverty, and racial tension. If you want pretty country, it's hard to beat the Espanola area. Job opportunities will be disheartening. Pay is worse. NM doesn't really pay people what they are worth.
Educational opportunies are difficult in the smaller towns. Usually the school systems are underfunded, and damaged by gangs and a general attitude that schooling is not important.
Where are your parents going to be. That would help the forum respond to you more precisely.

[FedUpWithCALI]

Hi. Thanks for the replies so far.
Further info about us: Currently we are in a two bedroom apartment in Gardena, ca, which is about 15 mi SW from the heart of the city of LA. Even this town used to be fairly decent say, 15 years ago, but seems to be going downhill lately. We are currently looking for a three bedroom apartment, with an eye toward the future and getting into a home of our own. Unfortunately, everything we've looked at (houses and apartments) in LA county, and other areas of CA we'd consider are way out of our price range. Fortunately I will be able to (hopefully, eventually) transfer with my job wherever I choose to move (plus keeping the same pay that I make in CA.) Affordable housing is the biggest issue with us now, along, of course with quality of the schools. Looking at some of the real estate websites dealing with NM, most if not all of what I've seen is very doable for us (with exceptions of higher ends of somewhere like Santa Fe). Hell, in CA, a dumpy fixer upper in the middle of the worst neighborhoods are approaching 500K+ so anything is better than CA. I've seen (online) attractive homes in ABQ and RioRancho, but are there particular parts of ABQ I should either looking at or avoiding?
Also, being close to family is a factor as my recently retired parents are moving to Northern NM (Hernandez to be exact), which is where my mom is from originally. We still have lots of family in and around Hernandez and Espanola.

[Crackerjack]

It depends on if you are Latino or White. There are only about 11 percent of White people there, the rest are Latinos which doesn't bother me since I have a mix in my family but there are quite a few Latinos there that are not for the White people and that creates tensions. I have heard many people have guns there. I am a NM Native and I have family members all over NM and they all have told me Las Vegas and Espanola are not good places to live. Choose Los Alamos since it is close to Espanola and a pretty little city and it is much better then Espanola. It costs more to buy a home in Los Alamos then in Espanola but nothing like California.

[Cathy4017]

Choose Los Alamos since it is close to Espanola and a pretty little city and it is much better then Espanola. It costs more to buy a home in Los Alamos then in Espanola but nothing like California.

I agree.

I have narrowed it down to Los Alamos myself, despite the high real estate prices. I'm going to have to do some serious trade-offs, but I imagine it will be well worth it in the long run.

I wouldn't consider Espanola, either, though the scenery is wonderful.

Las Vegas has been ruled out. As far as I can see now, it's Los Alamos or SW CO.

Might take more time than I wanted, but.....I am trying to look at the big picture.

[cmeehan]

Good advice to research carefully. Rio Rancho's mayor has called parts of it a disaster area after recent rains. People are having to dig their own driveways out of the mud. That's just what I saw on the local news. Historically that's been a problem there.

[supermans wife]

We bought a house just south of Taos... but we are in a primarly hispanic community and found the locals to be very friendly and helpful.

[supermans wife]

oh good luck! Hope you find a house and community that works for you.

[Crackerjack]

Yes, Good Luck Cathy4017 on your move!