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Well it count down time - 2 weeks to go and we will be seeing New Mexico for ourselves. Planning on making the trip all the way down to Las Cruces - hope that this whirlwind tour is going to be enough to even absorb and taste the flavour and culture of what so far seems to be a fasinating state. Thanks to all the generous people who share their thoughts on this board.
Don't expect to see much, if any, green in the higher areas by mid-October. The aspen will likely be well past peak. In a lot of years, the trees in the high country are bare by mid-October. The lower areas may be browning-up considerably by then, too. On the plus side, the weather tends to be very nice--albeit with an early snowstorm possible up in the mountains.
It's probably good that you are coming then, because you will see what the region looks like for at least 6-8 months out of the year. If you like it, good. But if you don't--well, you'll know.
We were lucky! We had gorgeous weather and, yes it was brown further south but Taos was still green. Wow there was just not enough time to absorb it all, each new stop was a pleasure. Actually quite taken with Santa Fe and northern ABQ - liked Corralles and Placitas...of course there is so much more to see further south. We did not make it beyond ABQ but did see enough to decide that for now, we would choose New Mexico. It would be a step in the "west" direction.
Thanks I am listening to the advice about the weather and the attitude...attitude and culture are a big issue for us - we raised our family on a sailboat in the Caribbean after leaving South Africa , spent a year living in the Dominican Republic (loved it) and for some we are just "strange". I know that I am dreaming about living at 9000ft not being a problem - and yes we need to think of later years. If you know Westcliffe - which is where we were thinking of purchasing 35 acres - loved the small town - 800 people plus but close proximity to Pueblo and Colorado Springs - would T or C been a comparison - should we be looking south or north in NM -loved the Sangre de Cristo mountains, would like to be able to grow something, maybe keep bees and see the mountains,? Just ready for a rural lifestyle! Tired of 5 years of suburbia after the open oceans..
I'm just a few years away from retiring, and I spent several road trips in recent years researching possible retirement locations in S Colorado. But this past summer, I located and bought my retirement get-away-from-it-all place in the Sacramento Mtns of SE New Mexico. It's pine forest and Rocky Mtn scenery w/o the long harsh winters in Colorado. Much of S New Mexico is high desert, but there are some very charming small mountain communities that may be what you're looking for. Ruidoso and Cloudcroft would be a couple to start with. The climate is nearly ideal, for my taste, anyway. Cool enough in the summer to live comfortably w/o air conditioning. Some cold in the winter, but with lots of sunshine and a shorter winter season.
Exactly what I would do, Old Gringo. Like you, I find the winters too severe in Colorado, although some of it is beautiful. But why suffer? It just flat gets too cold.
We were lucky! We had gorgeous weather and, yes it was brown further south but Taos was still green. Wow there was just not enough time to absorb it all, each new stop was a pleasure. Actually quite taken with Santa Fe and northern ABQ - liked Corralles and Placitas...of course there is so much more to see further south. We did not make it beyond ABQ but did see enough to decide that for now, we would choose New Mexico. It would be a step in the "west" direction.
Glad all went well for you all Oceankidz !!!
By the way there are year around green trees in the higher elevations in New Mexico as we have Pine Trees, Douglas Firs and Spruce Christmas Trees).
We had the same dilemma and compared Pagosa Springs, Co to Chama, New Mexico. The realtors in Pagosa weren't very complimentary about Chama but we ultimately selected Chama. We liked the small town culture yet close enough to Pagosa to make weekly trips for the bigger town atmosphere. We are horse people so lots of riding areas which was a big draw for us. Check Chama out before you decide.
well decision made! Certainly took awhile, but our new home will be in Tijeras, East Mountains for the first year. All of 7000ft and rural. And only four weeks to pack. Nervous, but excited about all the new territory to explore. Thanks again to all who shared. We will keep you posted once we are settled in.
Tijeras would be right near the top of my list too, but I have health problems and didn't want to be in a location even that remote. If I were 20 or 30 years younger, I might be headed to Tijeras too.
It's one of THE MOST gorgeous parts of New Mexico -- I am really excited for you and anxious to hear more about your move to the Land of Enchantment.
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Loved NM!
Colorado versus New Mexico
