Looking to relocate to Sanderson (El Paso, Midland: houses, university, allergies)

[pahillbillybear]

The more I look, the more confused I become. My wife and I are moving to West or Central Texas for a warmer climate due to health reason. I've looked at Menard, San Angelo, Eden, Eldorado, Mason, and Brady. I've also touched on a few other communities not listed. Then I found Sanderson. It seems like a nice place. What makes Sanderson so special. I think what makes a town come together is friendliness and food. Is this the kind of town that has a get together every weekend in the town square? Or are the folks more private? I am a teacher. I know I could move to the area and get a teaching job or at least substitute. I appreciate all responses.

[catman]

I've only been through Sanderson once. I can't say much about it, other than it's rather isolated. It was really hot there when I went through.

[jaxart]

You should use the GOOGLE MAPS features to explore the town. I'm posting a composite of a screen capture to give some idea of the desolation/isolation that is known as Sanderson, TX.

[Cowboybootnut]

Never been there, and to me there is nothing wrong with small town living. But are you sure that with a health reason that you mentioned, would you want to be 58 miles from a hospital? That would be my main concern. There are plenty of other small towns in that area. I would conside Alpine first. Its bigger, has a university, tourism, rodeo, hospital, baseball, etc. Sonora TX would be another choice for a small, warm climate town.

But good luck to you in finding a town, sometimes I'd love to leave the rat race of DFW metroplex and move to a small town in West Texas.

[Cathy4017]

Sanderson is extremely isolated and tiny. It is very, very hot there. We used to play them in football/basketball/volleyball.

It went to 6-man ball in recent years....like many other very tiny, isolated WT towns, it's losing population.

I love the country myself, but I would hesitate to recommend it to newcomers. The only way to see if you could live with such isolation and not much to do--is to visit. For major medical care and most other services, you're going to have to do some driving--probably either to San Angelo, Midland or El Paso....or Alpine/Fort Stockton.

Like Cowboybootnut, I'd recommend Alpine first, but properties and property taxes are going to be higher.

[pahillbillybear]

Thanks for the responses guys. The reason I want to go to west Texas is my wife has fibromyalgia, a relative of arthritis. I have BAD allergies twice a year as well. I'm tired of listening to my wife cry about hurting all the time and I'm also tired of losing, or nearly losing, two weeks of my life every year because I have to puke two or three times a day as well as constantly cough due to the phlegm. I think the dry heat would help both of us. As far as choosing a small little out of the way town.........I guess I could say that my wife and I are tired of rude people. The WalMart thing has alot to do with it. Generally, people in the suburbs and in urban areas are willing to run folks down to get a parking place or the last tee shirt on the rack. But Sanderson is only one place. I'm looking at most anyplace in west Texas that has a population of 1,000 or less. I'm also looking at a few places in the hills such as Mason and Brady. Thanks for the advice though. It was all spot on.

[pahillbillybear]

Cowboy,
I hope you read my latest post. I appreciate your response. Where do you live? I live on the outskirts of Charleston, WV. Always glad to meet a fellow hillbilly. Judging from I've seem, many areas in Texas are just like WV. Farms, only bigger. Lots of good people, lots of 4 wheelers, and a bunch of hicks. The country people are usually better than the city folk.

[TexasNick]

Sanderson was one of the towns that the bad guys moved to in the movie/book, NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN. That's how desolate it was

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by pahillbillybear

I'm also looking at a few places in the hills such as Mason and Brady.

Either one of those towns would be paradise compared to Sanderson! Both have held onto their town squares, which hold the county courthouses. Menard is a third choice in that area, but less well preserved and dryer (IMO). Housing could potentially be a problem unless one is satisfied with much older and higher maintenance properties with fewer contemporary features. Mason would seem to be the closest to filling your criteria for a livable small town. Brady is the larger of the three, with more amenities.

[pahillbillybear]

Jaxart, Thanks. I appreciate your comments. Based on your comments, Sanderson sounds great. I received their local paper as well as the visitors guide the other day. I am looking for a little fart of a town like Sanderson. I've spoken to a couple people there and they are none to busy to get off the phone. They take their time about things. No big rush. I need a place like this. It would greatly reduce my stress. The town not having a town square is something that does not bother me. I care more about being around good people who care about one another. But then again, from what I've seen on-line, that seems to apply to a number of Texas small towns.