Is Gallup where I want to move? (Albuquerque, Socorro: home, university)

[redswan]

Hi!

I'm a life-long resident of California. Retired, single, a desert rat. But I'm enchanted with Gallup. Liked the town, the people, the climate--for just spending a short time there whilst on a tour through Nebraska, South Dakota, Woming, Utah, and home via Death Valley.

Need to know what it is like to live there. I've checked out the Web Site, and it looks OK from a demographics angle, but what it it Like?

I am looking for a small city, college or university campus, cultural outlets, volunteer opportunities, reasonable cost of living. I might even want to keep a horse again if there is public land available for riding (I'm a trail rider, not a competitor).

Hope to hear from someone or more.

redswan

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by redswan

Hi!

I'm a life-long resident of California. Retired, single, a desert rat. But I'm enchanted with Gallup. Liked the town, the people, the climate--for just spending a short time there whilst on a tour through Nebraska, South Dakota, Woming, Utah, and home via Death Valley.

Need to know what it is like to live there. I've checked out the Web Site, and it looks OK from a demographics angle, but what it it Like?

I am looking for a small city, college or university campus, cultural outlets, volunteer opportunities, reasonable cost of living. I might even want to keep a horse again if there is public land available for riding (I'm a trail rider, not a competitor).

Hope to hear from someone or more.

redswan

I am one of the biggest advocates and proponents of New Mexico as you'll find...I moved to the state (to the greater Albuquerque area) 3 years ago and really enjoy it.

Having said that, I hate to be a party pooper, but I could never advise anyone to relocate to Gallup. I am sure there are some positive things about Gallup, and I think from what I have heard the current Mayor there is really trying to clean things up there, but even then, I would not encourage folks to relocate there (simply because there are so numerous many other options for nice towns in New Mexico to live...far nicer, I would think, than Gallup).

One thing to note is that Gallup gets extremely cold in the winter. They are very high in elevation, and are right on the Continental Divide...as such, high numbers of near-0 degree nights.

There is also a very rampant alcohol problem (and alcoholism) in the town. I usually think that alcohol problems can be very overstated in areas, however, Gallup is one area where I actually think the alcohol problem is extremely real. Unfortunately, many folks have froze to death on cold winter nights after drinking way too much and passing out in frigid weather...others wander onto streets and get hit by cars.

Again, this is somewhat becoming less of an issue, as the current folks in charge seem to be trying hard to clean up Gallup quite a bit.

However, I think you could find far nicer alternatives to Gallup.

Maybe the Bosque Farms/Peralta area? Socorro? I would think even Grants might be a better option than Gallup (Grants is 50 minutes east of Gallup). Heck, I would think Raton would be a better choice than Gallup. What about Cloudcroft? Or a town outside of (eg: cheaper than) Ruidoso.

Anyway...would love to have you in New Mexico...I think there are tons of wonderful rural, small towns here that you'd really like, and enjoy for most of the reasons you listed here. And I am sure Gallup has some wonderful qualities, I would just suggest perhaps checking out some comparably sized / climatized towns in NM.

[Chaparral]

As a longtime resident of NM, I find it equally as hard as EnjoyEP to recommend Gallup as a relocation destination. I tried to bump the following thread for you last evening, but I guess the moderaters take issue with bumping threads without contributing content...

//www.city-data.com/forum/new-m...ns-gallup.html

As stated earlier, there are many more attractive destinations in NM that would suit your purpose. I would second the recommendation of Peralta or Bosque Farms.

Chap

[redswan]

Thanks for the responses. I guess I need to spend more time NM before making up my mind. I'm concerned about property prices being driven up by re-locating Californians...and about the problems of folks who can't wait to get out of ..California, the city, the county...but then take it all with them. That is beginning to happen in east Kern County, and north Los Angeles County. Part of why I am looking out of state. But I don't want to spend a fortune on getting settled.

--jev

[_yb]

Originally Posted by redswan

I'm concerned about property prices being driven up by re-locating Californians...and about the problems of folks who can't wait to get out of ..California, the city, the county...but then take it all with them. That is beginning to happen in east Kern County, and north Los Angeles County. Part of why I am looking out of state. But I don't want to spend a fortune on getting settled.

--jev

This is an accurate statement. I will include that they would also like to turn our wonderful state into the place they hate so much.