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I dont know much about Hobbs, sorry! I know if you are ready to embrace it. You will love New Mexico though. When i was in Ireland my friend used to bring Grolsh from Holland all the time. There is no other beer like it, except of course my home brew! I drink the Grolsch and then reuse the bottles for my own beer
Bryan..i know you always talk about Clayton but are you an Irish citizen who moved to NM or an American who went to Ireland and has now moved back. I was also reading your posts about Ireland on the world threads.
Well, there are alternatives to Hobbs that you might also investigate. I grew up in Seminole, Tx (30 mi East), and moved to Hobbs just before the 9th grade. I left many years ago to join the Navy and pursue the life of a wanderer. Recently, I moved back into the area, to Andrews Tx. I still get to Hobbs several times per year. Here's my take on the area;
Hobbs has grown a lot in the years since I went to school there. It has also gotten quite a bit rougher. Crime is up, and most of it is drug/gang related. Don't just take my word for it, though, check with the Police.
That's not to say Hobbs doesn't have a lot of good people there. I visit friends there that are happy to live there, just not as happy as years before. The North and Northwest parts of town are considered the best. Schools are pretty much what you make of them; if you are good, concerned parents that take an active interest in your children's education, a good school can be good. If not, the best school in the world won't keep your kids out of trouble.
If you are moving there as part of the enrichment project, you might take a look at Andrews, where I live. It's going to be a drive to work wherever you live, and the plant is going to be between Hobbs and Andrews. Andrews is a much smaller town with that small town feel, lower crime, and houses that are reasonably priced (Nice new houses going for about $180k or so .... plenty of nice used ones for less than $100k).
If you live in New Mexico, you'll also be paying state income tax, where Texas only has sales tax.
The two down sides of living in Andrews are it is a small town, and doesn't have quite the shopping that Hobbs does. Also, the Texas towns close to Hobbs are dry. That means no bars or liquor sales in the counties. (You can drink in private clubs there like the country club, etc) Some folks think this is a plus, but I believe that it's just an attempt by the churches to impose their beliefs on those of us that don't happen to believe their way. Oh well, Andrews has enough good things going for it that I overlook the little inconveniences.
You'll find living out in West Texas/Eastern New Mexico and adventure wherever you decide to live. It may take a while to get used to the people and the country, but it is a grand place, full of history and promise. The sunsets and sunrises are as magnificent as those I find on the ocean, just a different color between you and the horizon.
"Tuks Sims" has written a well thought poster, I couln't have said anything better. If I were a parent with school age kids I will chose a small town to raise them. The lack of stores can now be replaced by Internet shopping which is very convenient for many goods, but you still want to try that dress or thar pair of shoes before you buy; fortunately you don't buy clothes or shoes every week. It's a shame that the illegal drug trade and the gang culture is ruining so many cities. I'm referring to the whole world, not only the U.S.
Oh ... I forgot about shopping. I have to jump into my car and run 22 miles to the liquor store (bummer about Texas having dry counties). I usually go to Midland or Odessa once a weeks for other things (45 mins and 30 mins respectively) and there's PLENTY of shopping in those towns, if I can't find what I want locally.
And as for drugs ... well I'm dragging out the soap box here; More than half of the drug problems in America could be eliminated by legalizing marijuana. That's not to say I endorse its use, but if folks that want to use it could do so as easily as they can get alcohol (or grow it themselves), the majority wouldn't be going to cheaper, but nastier drugs like meth. Don't take my word for it, though, talk to the cops in places like Hawaii, where meth came in after the government cracked down on pot growers.
Also, if pot were legal, BILLIONS of DEA and other Government dollars could be freed up for fighting NASTY drugs. And drug dealers wouldn't have as much of a profit incentive to kill each other (and us) over.
Enough for my soap box stand. Like I said, I'm not trying to promote the use of pot, alcohol, or any drug, and I'm not saying I want to be able to use pot. I'm just commenting on things that I've seen during my wanderings through this life, in America, and abroad.
Bryan..i know you always talk about Clayton but are you an Irish citizen who moved to NM or an American who went to Ireland and has now moved back. I was also reading your posts about Ireland on the world threads.
I was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. I had no American relatives and no desire to live here, that was untill i met my future wife! Ive been here for over four years, i think 3.5 continuously this time,
I knew nothing about Hobbs, since I have spent most of my life in Chicago, but the excellent description of Hobbs by "rgonzales" made me aware that Hobbs is actually a nice town. I know his write up will be of big help to thoise people from overseas that are wondering how Hobbs looks like.
I just moved to Roswell from st. louis. One thing you will notice here is that folks compare to what they know. Hobbs might not be beautiful by NM standards, but you are within a couple of hours drive from nice shopping in Lubbock and another two or so to the west to some mountains. Elementary schools will vary greatly, so be careful where you buy. if you don't like Hobbs High School, we have a great boarding school in Roswell that is very good academically. Coming from Europe, boarding schools are probably not out of the question.
As for crime, I moved from St. Louis...Hobbs is not anywhere near the worst in crime, again it all depends on your perspective.
Have a good move! you'll be able to build or buy quite a house in Hobbs if you have a good job.
If you are moving from Holland (like in Europe) you are going to have to get used to the lack of humidity. A damp day in Hobbs is dryier then Holland ever gets. It will take a while to adapt. Just uses a lot of sunscreen and always carry water with you.
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Hobbs NM - any tips or ideas
Hobbs
