Wanting to Move West Need Advice (Albuquerque, Alamogordo: fit in, Home Depot, to buy)

[nocona]

I what to move out west not sure were . looking at N.M...C.O or UT.. What Iam looking for is a small town .. One where your not treated like and outsider know matter how long you been there..... Like then the season change .. but dont want a lot of cold and snow....Is N.M over run with rattle snakes and other type .. Like I have heard that TX and A.Z. Like to hike and ride horses....Thank you

[Hombre57]

How small?

[JDTH]

Originally Posted by nocona

I what to move out west not sure were . looking at N.M...C.O or UT.. What Iam looking for is a small town .. One where your not treated like and outsider know matter how long you been there..... Like then the season change .. but dont want a lot of cold and snow....Is N.M over run with rattle snakes and other type .. Like I have heard that TX and A.Z. Like to hike and ride horses....Thank you

I live in AZ most of the year and yes the snakes are almost knee deep at times! You have to be very quick on your feet. Parts of NM are almost the same way, but they have other types also. Lots of places in NM and AZ to hike and ride horses.

[40FORDJIM]

Take a look at Silver City,NM. We have lived here for 19 years after moving from Michigan. Have yet to see a rattlesnake around here. The southwest location and altitude (6000 ft) create 4 gentle seasons. The people are friendly just like a small town should be. We are very happy with our choice of moving to this town.

[nocona]

A small town of 3000 and less more on the less side...somewhere it dont cost a lot for some land.. The company I work for has offices in roswell,carlsbad,farmington,gallup,albuquergue,ala mogordo,,, so I wont mine drive a hour or so to and from work,,,,

[Zoidberg]

Small town where you're not treated like an outsider?

Recommend against S.E. NM.. it's pretty bad there. You're probably best off with a town used to a regular changeout of people, like Alamogordo.

If you want <3000 people, that's going to be tough to maintain. Albuquerque might have some exurbs with that population, but they're all going to grow past your number goals.

I'd suggest Alamo or close by for your first attempt.

[Six Foot Three]

Originally Posted by nocona

A small town of 3000 and less more on the less side...somewhere it dont cost a lot for some land.. The company I work for has offices in roswell,carlsbad,farmington,gallup,albuquergue,ala mogordo,,, so I wont mine drive a hour or so to and from work,,,,

For what your asking i'd say Tularosa (pop 3000) just north of Alamogordo or Boles Acres (pop 500) and the Dog Canyon area just south of Alamogordo and like Zoidberg stated about the military presence here in that Alamogordo has more out of state license plates than New Mexico plates on the vehicles i see around town (lol) as Holloman AFB has a HUGE presence in this community .

Not sure about the other areas of the state you mentioned?

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by nocona

I what to move out west not sure were . looking at N.M...C.O or UT.. What Iam looking for is a small town .. One where your not treated like and outsider know matter how long you been there..... Like then the season change .. but dont want a lot of cold and snow....Is N.M over run with rattle snakes and other type .. Like I have heard that TX and A.Z. Like to hike and ride horses....Thank you

Actually the states you are mentioning are not over run with Rattle snakes, but you will have some in any so western state...

Most of NM has 4 seasons and none are too severe, you will like the northern part of the state better if you do not want hot summers and want to enjoy a little snow, anyplace from ABQ to the border..

As for a small town accepting everyone, this is always going to be a problem and you certainly might see it in NM...(Utah probably worse) This doesn't mean you will not be welcomed, but small towns everywhere are inclined to be a little cliquish (spelling) at first...I will add we had no problems being welcomed in Belen, well until we started getting politically active, that is when people lean toward the "good ole boys"

I would suggest you visit a couple of small towns in all of the states you migh be interested in and see for yourself...bTW, small town to one person might be 10,000 people and to another 75,000, depending on where you have been raised.

Now I read you want 3000 or less, that is really small. how close do you want to be to a city with health facilities, restaurants, shopping, etc? NM is a huge state with a very small population thus small towns are not always convenient to facilities that are necessary.

Nita

[Hombre57]

Originally Posted by nocona

A small town of 3000 and less more on the less side...somewhere it dont cost a lot for some land.. The company I work for has offices in roswell,carlsbad,farmington,gallup,albuquergue,ala mogordo,,, so I wont mine drive a hour or so to and from work,,,,

Virtually all areas you've mentioned receive quite measurable snowfall, except Carlsbad
http://www.city-data.com/city/Carlsbad-New-Mexico.html

If I were you, I would choose to live in that city, Carlsbad.
It has a population of about 27K.

It's like nita said, the smaller the town, the lack of services you will have. Sometimes that can be important. Here is an example: prior to August of 2007, the city of Truth or Consequences had no walmart. This new store has meant that citizens now do not have to drive 70+ miles to purchase things the want or need. Not that this new store has fulfilled every obligation it could in servicing the community, but it is definitely better than what the surrounding area had before it was built. We citizens living around T or C are hopeful more chain type retailers come and settle in around the area. I live outside T or C, and it has been tough getting what I want and need, including quality medical care.

I need to buy 4 foot high chain link for my doggie pen. Chainlink fencing at foxworth and true value hardware is about 80-89 bucks a roll, while the las cruces lowes and home depot sells it for 1/2 that price. (but is 70 miles away)

This is why it might be important for you to choose a larger city than what you had your sights set on. Not all of New Mexico is suburbanized and finding what you want or need may be a challenge.

Carlsbad plus: the caverns and the scenery can't be beat. Look at the city-data link and it'll show you a nice ethnic mix of people, you're surely going to fit into the wheel somewhere. The weather/climate is very mild.

If you do not like cold wintery blasts, I'd stay well away from Colorado and Utah. Those states measure snowfall by the foot, not inch.

I wouldn't be too concerned about snakes. Most wild animals fear human beings, and will usually run away when they see one. Remember this about rattlesnakes, they must be coiled to strike you, and the rattle is a warning to let you know it is cornered with no exit, therefore, walk away from it slowly. I've lived in New Mexico for a little over 5 years, and have yet to see my first, and I travel the high desert almost all of the time rock hunting, prospecting, and camping.

[catman]

I think rattlesnakes are probably more dangerous here in North Central TX where I live, as there are lots of tall weeds for them to hide in. You're more likely to see them first in NM.