Alamogordo it is....some impressions (Albuquerque, Farmington: new home, job market, schools)

[6 FOOT 3]

Originally Posted by chilegal

Harry,

Hastings is moving to the strip mall at 10th and White Sands where Albertsons was. Will be anxious to see it as I have been in Illinois since the end of March-long story- but am heading back on Fathers Day. Give me that hot dry heat anytime over this midwest humidity and 85 degrees..LOL

The strip mall is real tiny I think 3 stores on 1st and scenic.

As for the movie complex it hasn't been started yet.

Keep us posted when you come down. Would be fun to meet up.

Jane

Thanks for the info Jane. When i was down there last they just tore down the Albertsons and Walgreens and i saw the new Walgreens hust built. I also heard a major pet store will be in the Shopping Center there.

I can't believe they haven't built any shopping or strip malls out in the fast growing southern end of town off Hamilton road.....

take care ! harry!

[6 FOOT 3]

Originally Posted by Muhnay

Now as far as that Mulberry Tree is concerned.. You cant plant them any longer, El Paso, Las cruses, and Alamogordo, all banned them for the reason you mentioned and many others. What are those trees that look like Weeping Willows but don't hang down like them? they are gaining popularity out that way. They are a light green leaf, and a white or light colored bark. My mother has one and it really cools off the yard under it.

I had no idea they are banned. Alamo also has the HUGE Cottonwoods in Alameda Park....hence the name Alamogordo (Fat Cottonwood) But i don't beleive they are native to the area as i beleive the towns founder Charles Eddy planted them in the early 1900's as an Oasis he wanted to create......

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by catman

Cathy 4017: Thanks! I kinda expect that Alamo is too small to support much live music. Problem is, I'd much rather live in a small town than a big city like Albuquerque, which I'll probably have to do in order to play very much. I'm looking at small towns near Alb, like Moriarty...that might be the way to go. But Alamo sounds so perfect! I can hardly wait to get out there again and have a look around.

My guess would be that you're right. What kind of music do you play?

ABQ is just too big for me, too, but I did pass Moriarty on the way to Farmington my first trip. It strikes me as horse and cattle country, and I liked it! You might also want to check out Tijeras as a smaller place, too, maybe?

BUT....I would not rule out Alamo just yet without checking things out first, even though it doesn't seem that likely on the outside.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by harry o

I forgot about the Physical Therapy Center having indoor swimming. I still think of it as the old ''Safeway'' grocery store before it was converted to the PT Center.

I was just surprised that a smaller place like Alamo has such amenities!!

The Hastings building had the steel framework up when I passed by it the other day.

They are also wanting to relocate the library to a larger building, with a sign out front saying so....if memory serves me correctly, the new location was on 10th.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Muhnay

First Off, glad to hear you found your slice of heaven. I love Alamogordo. And hey El Paso, and Las Cruses are near by if you need more shopping or entertainment options. Las Cruses has many options.. so make sure to make a trip down that way, and if your a reader, please go visit COAS: My Book Store in Las Cruses NM, and tell them Jeff from Gamers Guild sent you.. They are super nice people and they will take great care of you.. heck they will even buy any old books you no longer want.

Now as far as that Mulberry Tree is concerned.. You cant plant them any longer, El Paso, Las cruses, and Alamogordo, all banned them for the reason you mentioned and many others. What are those trees that look like Weeping Willows but don't hang down like them? they are gaining popularity out that way. They are a light green leaf, and a white or light colored bark. My mother has one and it really cools off the yard under it.

Good luck out there, and welcome to the grand Southwest!

Thanks, Munhay....I know you hate El Paso (and Midland, too, for that matter), but I like 'em both...and also Las Cruces, though it's a little hot for me, as is Alamo, but the plusses outweigh the minuses. I've been to LC a number of times, so I'm basically familiar with the whole area, though I hadn't been to Alamo in many years.

I would not have planted a mulberry/sycamore in any case....and willows are totally out, unless there is a variety in this area that is very well adapted. I just have to go see. I normally hate the things, as they are usually water-demanding, weak and short-lived. I will have to contact the agricultural extension service/nurseries in the area to see what is native and/or well-adapted.

The climates in the two areas (Midland-Alamo) are very similar, so it won't be that much of an adjustment for me, I don't think.

Thanks again for the tips and well wishes!

[Muhnay]

Well I don't so much hate El Paso, as to what it has become. It will forever be my home, the place I grew up and the place I will always feel a since of belonging too. I am more mad to see the over running of the city, and its slow downfall. I don't hate Midland.. just would not live there. Its to isolated for me.

Now Alamogordo, I would live.. because I really love the mountains just behind it. I used to take many trips up to Cloud croft, just to do it, and escape the city heat. And Alamogordo has that great small old town feel to it.. where your neighbors bring you pie to welcome you to the area.. and they look out for one another. Where old men sit in front of the country store and swap tall tales of their youth, and are always willing to talk about the weather. Gulfport has the very same feeling to me... but is so more better connected to its region, and travel from here is so easy, if I need a quick change of scenery.

I am just glad that what this area does for me, Alamogordo does for you. I want everyone to find that special place they call home.

Take care, and again, welcome to the Great Southwest.. may it be kind and nurturing for you.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Muhnay

Well I don't so much hate El Paso, as to what it has become. It will forever be my home, the place I grew up and the place I will always feel a since of belonging too.....

....Alamogordo has that great small old town feel to it.. where your neighbors bring you pie to welcome you to the area.. and they look out for one another....Gulfport has the very same feeling to me... but is so more better connected to its region, and travel from here is so easy, if I need a quick change of scenery.

I am just glad that what this area does for me, Alamogordo does for you. I want everyone to find that special place they call home.

Take care, and again, welcome to the Great Southwest.. may it be kind and nurturing for you.

What you have described about the feel of Alamogordo....West Texas (and even larger Midland) is like that, so that may be why I felt so at home there. The mountains are a treat for me (even the smaller Franklins and Organ in EP do the same)...and I'm looking forward to seeing them every morning when I go out to get my paper. BUT...regardless of where I live, I will always be a Texan, and Texas will always be home.

I'm glad you like Gulfport...what a different world the whole gulf area is from whence you came. I enjoy visiting the coast, but I could never live on it. To each his own!!

Thanks for the good wishes!!

The Great Southwest has been home to me for all but one year of my 55 years--that other year was spent in MS, although away from the coast.

[6 FOOT 3]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

They are also wanting to relocate the library to a larger building, with a sign out front saying so....if memory serves me correctly, the new location was on 10th.

Last year they had a bond issue in Alamo to build a new state of the art library where the old IGA store is on tenth st. but the voters voted it down. So we'll see.......

[songinthewind7]

Cathy,
Congrats on your decision to move to Alamo.
Good luck in getting ready to move.
We are looking forward to our move too but still needing to sell the house here in Texas first.
Cheryl

[catman]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

My guess would be that you're right. What kind of music do you play?

I play jazz and classic rock, but am open to just about anything. Right now I'm in a big band that plays mostly 1940s swing (Benny Goodman, etc.) I play fretless electric bass and tuba (traditional jazz or 'Dixieleand').

ABQ is just too big for me, too, but I did pass Moriarty on the way to Farmington my first trip. It strikes me as horse and cattle country, and I liked it! You might also want to check out Tijeras as a smaller place, too, maybe?

I agree; I already live in a big city...if i wanted that, I'd stay here. Moriarty is within commuting distance of both ABQ and Santa Fe, so it seems like a good idea. I'll check out Tijeras too.

BUT....I would not rule out Alamo just yet without checking things out first, even though it doesn't seem that likely on the outside.

Certainly not. I think that since there are lots of retired military personnel there (or so I've heard), there might be a market for the kind of music I'm used to playing.