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I KNOW that no where is perfect, and that i can't have everything i am looking for, so please dont be rude. This place may not even exist in NM, just lemme know what towns it most sounds like though, looking to take trips out there before moving and want specific towns/cities to visit. Here is what i am looking for...
1. Clean air year round - if possible, i know the warmer weather i prefer usually means worse air
2. Moderate/hot temps - 4 seasons is chill, but looking for low humidity, warmer climate vs colder climate
3. Lower Population - between 1k -90k population.
4. Affordable - homes renting under $1k and small homes selling under $100k
5. Forest - want to live in more rural settings, in forest or near river or lake, I love the outdoors
6. Natural Living - organic foods, farmer market, farm to table, local buying, medical marijuana
7. Community - eco friendly folks, hippies, spiritual openness, intellectuals, community connection
places that remind me of this "perfect place" in my mind for reference (minus affordable living):
a. santa cruz, ca
c. san luis obispo, ca
d. grass valley, ca
e. cottonwood, az
f.. tuba city, az
g. talent, or
h. san marcos, tx
Thanks so much everyone your answers are greatly appreciated!!
Take a look at Silver City, NM. It checks most of your boxes - lots of hippies and ex-hippies, near the Gila National Forest and small in size. Check me on home prices, though - I'm thinking they're under $1,000 to rent and <$100,000 to buy. Homes are affordable here in Alamogordo, NM, the winds do pick up in the month of May as we hit the monsoon season, but, we are up against the Sacramento Mountains and enjoy a "cooler" desert environment than much of the southwest. Especially if you head up to the town of Cloudcroft, which sits up in the Sacramento Mts.
Ruidoso, NM, sits in the Lincoln National Forest and is up higher in elevation, so it gets snow and ice where we don't down here in Alamogordo. The forested areas here in southern New Mexico would definitely check some of your boxes. Much of the research could be done on the internet but, of course, a personal visit is the only way to learn about places you may want to move to.
Take a look at Silver City, NM. It checks most of your boxes - lots of hippies and ex-hippies, near the Gila National Forest and small in size. Check me on home prices, though - I'm thinking they're under $1,000 to rent and <$100,000 to buy. Homes are affordable here in Alamogordo, NM, the winds do pick up in the month of May as we hit the monsoon season, but, we are up against the Sacramento Mountains and enjoy a "cooler" desert environment than much of the southwest. Especially if you head up to the town of Cloudcroft, which sits up in the Sacramento Mts.
Ruidoso, NM, sits in the Lincoln National Forest and is up higher in elevation, so it gets snow and ice where we don't down here in Alamogordo. The forested areas here in southern New Mexico would definitely check some of your boxes. Much of the research could be done on the internet but, of course, a personal visit is the only way to learn about places you may want to move to.
Thank you soo much for your reply, it is sincerely appreciated and I will begin my research into the Silver City area. The avg home price on zillow seems higher than 100k but i still see options for places under 100k as well as land under 100k.
Ruidoso weather is definitely colder on the yearly charts I found, but looks beautiful on google images, and the homes are nice and choices under 100k. Thank you for recommending both places, I hadn't heard of either place before. Your response is greatly appreciated
I have to ask, what is that dark patch on the left of the I-54?? Its very large and goes from Carrizozo down to Three Rivers.
Ruidoso leans more conservative, while Silver City leans more liberal. Silver City is home to Western New Mexico University, a small campus with under 2000 enrollment.
Thank you soo much for your reply, it is sincerely appreciated and I will begin my research into the Silver City area. The avg home price on zillow seems higher than 100k but i still see options for places under 100k as well as land under 100k.
Ruidoso weather is definitely colder on the yearly charts I found, but looks beautiful on google images, and the homes are nice and choices under 100k. Thank you for recommending both places, I hadn't heard of either place before. Your response is greatly appreciated
I have to ask, what is that dark patch on the left of the I-54?? Its very large and goes from Carrizozo down to Three Rivers.
The advantage of Ruidoso is that it's cooler in the summers, than the desert floor. Check out summer temps on a weather site. It has warm days, cool night, but not HOT days. A happy medium.
Thank you soo much for your reply, it is sincerely appreciated and I will begin my research into the Silver City area. The avg home price on zillow seems higher than 100k but i still see options for places under 100k as well as land under 100k.
Ruidoso weather is definitely colder on the yearly charts I found, but looks beautiful on google images, and the homes are nice and choices under 100k. Thank you for recommending both places, I hadn't heard of either place before. Your response is greatly appreciated
I have to ask, what is that dark patch on the left of the I-54?? Its very large and goes from Carrizozo down to Three Rivers.
It is difficult to find a forested location with less than 30 inches of snow in the Mountain West (another of your postings stated that 30 inches of snow was too much) so southern NM or AZ is likely to be your best bet. You are unlikely to find homes for less than $100K but a rental for less than $1K a month is definitely doable. Agree with others that Silver City is a good choice. Also Bisbee, AZ (and I see you have Cottonwood on your list as Jerome AZ also fits).
If you can stand about 30 inches of snow, the area SE of Santa Fe with the communities of Madrid, Los Cerillos, and Galisteo might fit your criteria. Very hippy! The combined population may be 1K but it is an easy commute to Santa Fe for shopping. There are older rundown homes for less than $200K and I assume there are rentals available but probably by word of mouth or locally advertised - I was unable to find rentals on the internet. The problem in all these areas will be finding a job.
There are "homes" in Ruidoso that can be had for under $100k. But not without making compromises when it comes to livability. There are several areas within the town limits of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs that were developed for such things as house trailers, mobile homes and modular homes. Lot sizes are generally smaller than lots intended for stick-built homes.
That lava flow west of Carrizozo has what is known as Valley of Fires recreation area on BLM land.
If the OP checks out Bisbee and Silver City, they should also visit the Patagonia/Sonoita area of Arizona. Probably too small for their taste but rather artsy and some pretty scenery with at least one lake. Is very popular for bird watching.
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your answers are greatly appreciated!!
