Retirement and College have collided. Moving to New Mexico. Best place? (Albuquerque: rentals, crime rates)
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Moving from Missouri to New Mexico for the lottery tuition program for Daughter. She begins college in three years. I need to downsize and want to find an area that fits both our needs. Close to a University in case she needs to live at home, houses under 120k but not in high crime area. We are into art galleries, theatre, music, cycling and horses (trail riding) We are looking at Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, and thought about Raton. Las Vegas had a great house but the crime rates are off the charts. Please share the good and bad and any recommendations. She still needs a good high school too for 2 more years. Thanks
We are into art galleries, theatre, music, cycling and horses (trail riding) We are looking at Las Cruces, Rio Rancho, and thought about Raton.
Rio Rancho will probably be your best bet for convenient or relatively convenient access to all the things you mention. Your arts interests can be satisfied in Albuquerque, and by nearby Santa Fe, and remote but still somewhat nearby Taos. Albuquerque gets good grades as a cycling city, and I'm guessing there are horse trails near Rio Rancho/Albuquerque.
Las Cruces should top your list. New Mexico State Univ. is second only to Univ. of NM. Las Cruces is the second largest city in the state with a small town demeanor. A major advantage is proximity to the much larger metro area of El Paso, TX - with all that has to offer within an hour's drive. There are plenty of reasonably price rentals and affordable residences within easy commute to NMSU.
I moved a year ago to Rio Rancho...also from Missouri. I'm north of Corrales which is a little far north to easily get to museums and such but it will get better once the road construction is finished. I'm retired and usually find what I need in Bernalillo, Corrales or Enchanted Hills and only rarely head south of Alameda unless I'm heading in to Albuquerque. Getting to UNM for classes could be a challenge depending on traffic. High school is an easy trip. I'm not very knowledgeable on house prices but $120k might be a little difficult. Lots of horse stuff going on nearby in Corrales.
Though it's isolated and small (~10k), check out Silver City. It's not bad for several of the things you mentioned, and has the best climate in the state.
When you check out crime stats be sure to look at the details. I also wonder if all the places are reporting properly. When I moved to Ruidoso the stats said crime was high, and now it is low. I haven't noticed any difference, and have never felt that it was dangerous anywhere in town, day or night.
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