Alamogordo or Silver City? (Las Cruces, Roswell: apartment complexes, crime, employment)

[SeekingJoy]

Hi everyone. It's been a while since I posted on CD. I wanted to update, and again, shamelessly solicit expert opinion from my fellow CDers.

As of this past week, my NM employment opportunities have expanded to include a position in Alamogordo or Silver City. Salaries are almost exactly equal. Anyone have input? Here's my deal:

1. ALAMOGORDO: I visited here recently, and love it. Loved the new workplace. Enjoyed the dry climate, especially as I'm relocating from the humid swamps of the Deep South!!! Seems like there are plenty of places to hike/recreate, and let my furbeast Weimaraner run around. Interestingly, it seems rural, but NOT remote. LC and EP are proximal and I can access shopping and an airport relatively quickly.The cost of living seems relatively inexpensive, and housing looks decent. I did note two apartment complexes of interest (Las Ventanas and Hunter's Ridge...know anything about 'em???) online. Are there groceries other than Super-Walmart? Horseback riding anywhere??

My main concerns about A-Town involve socialization opportunities, particularly with other Christian, conservative, professional young people. Are there any other young 'uns around? I'm a twenty-something, unmarried, and hoping to find a Mr. XY, eventually. I also worry about finding a great family practice doctor. I adore my very generous, empathetic MD here, and it's already killing me inside, to leave that behind . Ideas??
What about other aspects? Crime, climate? Pros and cons, anyone??

2. SILVER CITY: I will be visiting soon. The area sound significantly more expensive, but impressively progressive (though methinks, as an admittedly conservative, staunch GOPer, I be a might bit scared of the designation "progressive" ) The topography sounds quite beautiful and unique: heavily-forested, windy and cooler than A-Town...am I correct? Lots of very WEALTHY retirees, which might make me feel too young 'n' poor for my own comfort. Also, kind of remote..is that correct? What about hiking? Water recreation? Horses?

Also, I'm Catholic...which town is better for that? For younger folks? Which is prettier? What's the overall difference in climate/geographical features, if any? Crime differences??

Oh, MY! I am faced with some amazing, though difficult decisions to make. Please help me.

But, New Mexico AWAITS!!!

[Six Foot Three]

SeekingJoy ....i think you answered your own question by stating that you really liked Alamo. Nothing against Silver City as it is really nice and green there right on the edge of the Gila National forest. If you like the artistic type town and only about 15,000 population then you'd love it there.

For me it Silver City is a tad too isolated although Alamo is not a large city at 40,000 population it does have most of what we need and close to El Paso and Las Cruces for malls and entertainment etc...Also lots of horse stables around Alamo to ride horses.

As for being single ...well it does have a large Air Force base there that brings in alot of people from out the USA into Alamo. Also Ruidoso is about 45 min away as there are lot's of happening places up there as its a top destination place for El Pasoans/Las Cruceans and other Texans who travel there to have fun as you might possibly meet someone at the resort town.

Anyway i wish ya the best and hope it goes well for you in whichever you pick.

6/3

[malamute]

What's a Mr. XY? If you're single and looking, I would definitely go with Alamogordo simply because you're closer to other cities like Las Cruces, and Roswell, Ruidoso, El Paso. Just more people to chose from and more social things going on.

[EnjoyEP]

I echo what 6/3 and malamute have stated.

I would probably opt for Alamo. In your situation, you'd probably be happier in the bigger town (Alamo), but, also having El Paso (600,000 pop.) and Las Cruces (90,000 pop.) - both with universities and associated nightlife - nearby.

As for being a conservative, I think you'd find that New Mexico has a pretty nice mix of libs, conservatives, and moderates, but the nice thing is that unlike other states, there seems to be kind of a more laid back, argue-but-respect type attitude. So really, I think conservatives, libs, or moderates, all could live happily and contently relatively anywhere in NM. Sure, Northern NM is more Democratic and Southern NM is slightly more Republican and Central is really a mixed bag, but I think a GOP'er could live happily in Northern NM and a Dem could live happily in Southern. *However, if it makes you feel any better, I am certain Alamo would have more conservatives as a general rule than Silver City, just due to the Base in Alamo.

I like Alamo's climate / weather more. Some would prefer Silver City's. Silver City is a rather "moderate" climate - high temps from the 40s through the low-90s year round. Alamo gets hotter in the summer for sure, however it is not unbearable heat, and their winters are more mild.

I say go for Alamo. You like it. It'll have a lot more chances due to proximity to El Paso and Las Cruces for meeting people, socialization, etc. Also, cost of living is cheaper in Alamo, and to a young professional, why not seize something like that?

Silver City is nice enough, but it is isolated and more expensive and not near big towns/cities.

[chilegal]

You will have to make the decision, when we looked for property, we checked both out and ended up in Alamo.
You asked about churches, lots and a good Catholic church and school.
Think about the stores - where would you have to shop other than walmart. Would it take you a long time to get there? If you had to go out of town?
Keep us posted on what you decide.

[mike0421]

As you can see, Grant County (Silver City) went for the socialists, where as Otero County (Alamogordo) went 68% for Bush. Keep in mind that the majority of the Otero County population is comprised of people who are associated with Holloman AFB, and historically, military voters will trend considerably towards the GOP. What I find curious about Grant County is that every county that surrounded it went for Bush in 2004, by various margins.

Finally, it should be mentioned that almost every county where there is a university present went for Kerry.

[Vinegaroon]

Is there still that billboard that says "Jesus is Lord over Alamogordo" as you come into town? That pretty much says it all. I always wanted to sneak out and fix that sign so it said "Jesus is Bored in Alamogordo."

[mike0421]

Originally Posted by Vinegaroon

Is there still that billboard that says "Jesus is Lord over Alamogordo" as you come into town? That pretty much says it all. I always wanted to sneak out and fix that sign so it said "Jesus is Bored in Alamogordo."

Very true. Living in the northeast most of my life, I've learned to distinguish the form of conservatism that exists here versus the northeast. Here, that red vs blue shade is determined by social aspect of the culture. New Jersey, in contrast, that formulation of red vs blue is more based on economic issues. I find myself more comfortable in Dona Ana County as a result, as I am not what you would consider a 'holy man'.

[Pintada Kid]

Silver City is a Beautiful area and lots of wonderful people in that area but i dont like the AIR there and its so isolated from the rest of N.M. Alamogordo would easily be my pick because i like the people, places to shop and there are lots of mountains and forests around and close to some BIG Cities to shop. pintada kid at webtv . net

[catman]

Pintada Kid: What don't you like about the air in Silver City? I haven't been there, but I didn't think it had much of a pollution problem. Am I wrong? (Once I thought I was wrong, but I was mistaken.)