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I have lived in southern New Mexico for a few years but I have been looking
at Raton myself and know a few people up there. It is more of a colorado
type of town than a typical New Mexican town primarily because of the
architecture. The only thing that bothers me is that I'm afraid it might be
to sleepy. I moved to a sleepy town from a much larger city and I know that
for the first year or so it's just fine but after that some boredom sets in.
Last time I was up in Raton it had one fairly large grocery store but there
might have been one or two more small ones but I'm not sure about that.
I think it's really quite pretty and it's not all that far to Trinidad which
has a nice two year college and a Walmart and possibly much better
shopping than Raton. There will be times however that the highway (pass)
will be closed in the winter until the snow plows get moving. Also I have
seen every motel in Raton filled because of bad snows but if you live there
it should not be a problem. I was told a front wheel or four wheel type of
vehichle would be very useful in the winter and my 2 wheel drive pickup
would be worthless. I guess I also prefer the nice green trees to the
desert. I am going over to Ruidoso tomorrow to check out that area
now that the flood is hopefully over to compare it to Raton.
I'm not worried about it being too sleepy, the area where we live now is about 40 miles from town. You just get used to driving a distance for the things you need. With a SuperWalmart in Trinidad and the grocery store in Raton, it should be good. Once in awhile, I'll need to find a 'mall' for some good retail therapy . We live in a very small community and we have become really close to the people. It will be hard to leave that kind of friendship but hope that we will be able to find the same thing in Raton. I'm hoping we hear about our job within the next few days, so we can start our new chapter. The first part will be the move with 2 dogs, driving from Central CA, in a Penske truck and our Blazer (4WD). I grew up in Canada so have lots of experience with the snow and I really am ready for some season changes.
I just spent the weekend in a small, real small, town in northern New Hampshire where I coundn't see or smell the air. I did both when I got off the bus in Boston. Time to stop this absurdity.
hopeful transplant you might just love it in Raton. I'm pretty sure that I
would like it there myself but I have times when I just need to go to
the city. I'm pretty sure that would be Pueblo as I mentioned and I
would think that it is large enough for a good mall or two. There are
some really cute houses up on the hill above town. This could be
a major problem in the winter if you don't have all wheel drive
I would guess.
GregW: I can't see the air in the Raton area, but I can smell it. It has a wondeful, clean, evergreen smell, not at all what I'm used to. 'Stopping the absurdity' is going to be quite difficult, but at least we don't have Beijing's air. I got a smaller car that pollutes much less this year, so I'm trying to help.
WHOOOHOOO ! We are so excited, we just found out we got the job in Raton. I know we will love it there, I just have a big grin all over my face We are leaving on Tuesday (26th), so we are in quite a mess right now...I HATE PACKING, but the end result will be so awesome. This forum has been so great, I have learned so much. I checked on which moving trucks (DIY) were recommended, and found Penske to be way above the other guys, so that helped a lot. I have learned alot about chiles, but have to learn alot more, like how to cook with them. Learned alot about the proper pronunciation of the towns/cities in the area, whether or not I say them all right is another subject all together, but will try. Dogs are coming with, so that will be interesting, especially in the hotel/motels along the way. Well, thanks again to everyone for their replys and good words, it has really helped make this past 2 weeks go by a little easier.
New Mexico here we come !
WHOOOHOOO ! We are so excited, we just found out we got the job in Raton. I know we will love it there, I just have a big grin all over my face We are leaving on Tuesday (26th), so we are in quite a mess right now...I HATE PACKING, but the end result will be so awesome. This forum has been so great, I have learned so much. I checked on which moving trucks (DIY) were recommended, and found Penske to be way above the other guys, so that helped a lot. I have learned alot about chiles, but have to learn alot more, like how to cook with them. Learned alot about the proper pronunciation of the towns/cities in the area, whether or not I say them all right is another subject all together, but will try. Dogs are coming with, so that will be interesting, especially in the hotel/motels along the way. Well, thanks again to everyone for their replys and good words, it has really helped make this past 2 weeks go by a little easier.
New Mexico here we come !
Well....hotdamn, CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I hope it is everything you wish for. Good luck...and....of course you know that we expect a report when you arrive....
Dear Hopeful Transplant-- Congrats on your upcoming move to Raton. I grew up in a town named Springer which is about 25 minutes south of Raton. We did most of our grocery shopping in Raton, they have a SuperSave which my mom still shops at almost every week. There is a Kmart and a Beall's department store, small but has the essentials. The weather in the Spring and Summer and phenominal, I hear its starting to get chilly at night! There is a considerable amount of snow in the winters, but it just adds to the charm of the city. I do know they recently finished building the new hospital there and there are plans of re-opening the racing track and possibly a casino. Try reading the Raton Range newspaper if you can find it online. I will be up in that area next week for the Labor Day weekend and will most likely spend a morning in Raton doing some last minute shopping!
I am really excited about our move, thanks for the good thoughts, we should also be there for Labor Day, that will be a good start to a great chapter. I am up to my pits in boxes, we are picking up the truck on Monday, and will be on our way Tues.AM. Knowing my DH, it will probably be before any living being should be awake The snow will be different for us, we haven't lived in snow country for quite a few years. Luckily we have a 4WD. I have a antique sled that I have carted around forever, so I'm anxious to be able to hang it in the house.
How's the bear situation? Not so much in town, but out by the NRA Whittington Center? We have them here on the ranch but they pretty much stay to themselves.I have a feeling i'll see alot more of them there
Well, just 5 more days and 1 wake up and we'll be on our way. It's 1100+miles, sure wish gas/diesel wasn't so high, but dont' we all?
WhoooHoooo....I'm still smilin'...
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. We live in a very small community and we have become really close to the people. It will be hard to leave that kind of friendship but hope that we will be able to find the same thing in Raton. I'm hoping we hear about our job within the next few days, so we can start our new chapter. The first part will be the move with 2 dogs, driving from Central CA, in a Penske truck and our Blazer (4WD). I grew up in Canada so have lots of experience with the snow and I really am ready for some season changes.
"Sleepy" town
Need to change my name to 'transplant'
The snow will be different for us, we haven't lived in snow country for quite a few years. Luckily we have a 4WD. I have a antique sled that I have carted around forever, so I'm anxious to be able to hang it in the house. 
