Ok, I am not an expert, have lived here three years-actually live in Tularosa. But I think I have been here long enough.To give a quick rating on thing:
Restaraunts
Only two major chains here, Chili and AppleBees, we have a Golden Corral and Waffle House, and all the usual ff. NO DQ! Lots of Mexican places, not alot of them good. Casa De Suenos in Tularosa
Health care:
Nice hospital as far as amentities, doctors,
Not the best. If you need any really good care, you need to go to las Cruces, Or El Paso, both 75 miles away.
Shopping:
One tiny mall, with a JC Penney, and a few smaller stores, and of course Wally Worls and KMart. Any decent shopping must go to Cruces or el Paso, so ladies, if you are in to shopping, I DO NOT recommend this place. Some say that is why we don't have good doctors.
Crime:
Lots of meth, and being close to the border. lots of trafficking.But not alot of real serious stuff,like murders, but the police here think they are all LAPD'ers. pretty stupid, racing thru town 100 miels an hour for a traffic violation.
Activities:
If you are into outdoor or love western history, it is great. Beautiful places to hike, lots of quaint places to explore, skiing only 30 miles away or less, no water though, lakes are somewhat nonexistent out here. Biggest is Caballo about 1.5 hrs from Alamo.
Weather:
That is up to your discretion. Summers are HOT! May thru September 90's +. Spring -WINDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rain? What is that? We have a monsoonseason, and most of our rain is received then July and August. Other than that, you probably will not see any other than an occasional sprinkle, but the threat of tornadoes, etc. is very, very, low.So, overall, DRY, HOT, & DUSTY! Not a good place for allergy sufferers.
Lifestyle:
VERY laid back, no one is in a hurry to do anything here, which was hard for me(still is) being from the east. If you need something, be it car service, home repair, be prepared to wait. The lifestyle motto here is "manana".
Entertainment:
-If you are into night life-FORGET IT!!!!!!!!!!Alamogordo has two bars, there is a movie theater, but that is it. Concerts,and such can be attended at the Spencer in Alto, sometimes at the Inn of The Mountain Gods Casino-which is a horrible venue it is just a big meeting room in the hotel, so I miss my outdoor gigs from back east. We have a nice, small zoo.
Racial profile-
Depends on the person.Caucasians, minority, except for the base, mostly Hispanic, and a big German populus, they have their own school, and community in Alamogordo.
OVERALL.
If you are looking for a laid-back, easy going life, and don't mind hot, dry dusty weather,don't care about shopping or restaraunts, this is the place for you!
P.S.
To horse people, LOTS of horses, cowboys, etc,and the racetrack at Ruidoso only 30 miles away. I live in Tularosa, and there is a huge , new arean for rodeos just up the road from me.