from minneapolis and need a little info (Albuquerque, Las Cruces: renting, house)

[lstone]

I am a Minnesotan dreaming of a new warm place to live! My husband and I would love to relocate. My question to you New Mexicans is this..where should I start to look for the following.. Jobs in sheet metal (husband is a welder) and I need a job a salon/spa. A home to purchase no more than 160,000$, we are in the city here in Minneapolis and want to stay out of suburbia. We are open to smaller areas as long as the commute isnt longer then 30 minutes.

We plan to visit this September and I would like to start planning palces to check out...any info would be great! thanks

[Six Foot Three]

I not sure about the $160,000 for a home but as for your husband being a welder/sheetmetal there are tons of construction going on all over New Mexico. The new Spaceport is under construction in T or C. Also check out Roswell as they have the HUGE Aircraft Mechanic Facility there at old Walker AFB where i know they have sheet metal workers repairing the Boeing planes for all the major Carriers and also Eclipse Aviation in albuquerque builds new planes. The HUGE Nuclear storage facility (2 billion) being built in Eunice. The Olis Wells in Hobbs and Artesia always need welders. New school construction in Albuquerque (10 new schools in next 3 years) and Las Cruces (3 new schools in next 3 years).

[Vinegaroon]

You won't get much of a house for $160K these days, but you will find something. Try Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, and Las Cruces. Make sure you can stand the heat if you go to Las Cruces.

[ziaAirmac]

Try Southwest Multiple Listing Service for your home search. Search the forum for :'best locations' or 'where to live' to see some of the many posts covering the pros and cons of various areas to live in NM. See if you can get a Sunday Albuquerque Journal for your job search. There's a decent 'classifieds' section.

[Pintada Kid]

I would think Welders can find jobs most anywhere in N.M. I always suggest the East Mountain area because it has wonderful people and lots of actvities and just half hour from ALbuquerque and Santa Fe plus the Weather is nice less then 100 degrees in the summer with plenty of snow in the Winter. I would suggest renting to own in the East Mountain Area and since its located in the center of N.M. i would say explore the State before deciding where you would want to work and live. The east mountain area i would think has some great prices on Land and its a Country way of Living and you have access to the whole State. The Southern Part of New Mexico is too HOT for me unless you like living in the Desert Heat. The East Mountain Telegraph and the Independent are two newspapers from that area. pintada kid at webtv.net

[lstone]

Thanks so much I will check this out !

[lstone]

Thanks for the info, it will help me plan our trip!