Alpine, Marfa area (El Paso, Fort Davis, Ross: apartment, rentals, house)

[midwestmom]

From what I've read it seems we'd love it there - still we're not retiring like a lot of posters who've asked about the Big Bend area. Rentals and jobs ... are they very difficult to get? I know some places work best by "word of mouth" for those two things or is it really just a great place to retire or spend your vacation but very hard if you're still a working person?

[Synopsis]

I love that area, if for no other reason than it is isolated, has great weather, and is near mountains. I highly doubt employment opportunities are abundant though.

[Muhnay]

Hey SYN, can you remove her double post on this topic?

[Stephanie P]

I lived in Marfa for three years, my ex-husband was stationed there with the Border Patrol. I loved living in Marfa! The friendliest people you will ever meet! It also has a wonderful dry climate, which I love.
Employment is difficult. I worked in the Marfa National Bank for awhile as a teller. After that, I worked in a medical office in Alpine. So, while jobs are sometimes hard to find, they are not impossible.
I hope you and your family love it there. I know I have so many fond memories of it.

[midwestmom]

Thank you both for the replies. I had suspected jobs might be hard to find since they are smaller places. We're pretty flexible, don't work in highly specialized fields.

Stephanie,
It sounds like you really liked it there, for the reasons I think we'd like it too.
I don't know if you rented but if you did, is that also harder?Would prefer to rent a small house over an apartment if possible.

[ocean2026]

I go through there often- don't forget Fort Davis - part of the three town triangle. FT Davis probably has the best summer climate in the state. All three areas are so isolated -that's the drawback. Three hours to El Paso, and probably 6 to san antonio.

Alpine is dominated by the college Sul Ross. Ft Davis is the smallest of the three.
Land prices seem high there for such a remote area.

[catman]

As I never tire of stating, that is my favorite part of Texas. Yes, if you need anything you can't find locally, it's a long way to a city. The climate and scenery are outstanding. Fort Davis has great food, too. The last time I was there, every restaurant I went to was terrific.

[Jim Mac]

Is there any fishing in that area? Lakes, rivers, streams?

[Canine*Castle]

I did not like the area to relocate. I checked it out and it just didn't appeal to me. It looked really good on the internet sites but once I saw it in person, that cured me. We're all different though.

[Stephanie P]

Originally Posted by midwestmom

Stephanie,
It sounds like you really liked it there, for the reasons I think we'd like it too.
I don't know if you rented but if you did, is that also harder?Would prefer to rent a small house over an apartment if possible.

We rented during the 3 years we were there. Its funny, we rented the parsonage (sp?) of the 1st Christian Church (located right next to the courthouse.) Beautiful old stucco house, 2 bdrms, 1 bath. We paid $350 a month, plus utilities. Of course, this has been about 12 years ago. We were very lucky to come upon this rental, especially for that price. I think they are sometimes hard to find. But what a wonderful location!! We would walk "downtown" everyday.
The groceries are a bit higher there, and you wont find the best medical care; but it so beautiful, and I made so many friends there.
I miss it very much!