thinking about Cloudcroft area... (Alamogordo, Ruidoso: fit in, real estate, home)

[M.A.G.'s girl]

What can someone say about the area around Cloudcrotf, definatley cooler than Arizona!
How about the schools? How far to travel for employment?
things like that.

[_yb]

Yes cloudcroft is a bit cooler it sits at almost 9000 ft in elavation. For employment you will probably have to drive down to the Alamogordo area.
The time it take would depend on the weather.

[M.A.G.'s girl]

Thank you for reply. I s there any other things to do there? Such as hospitality work or dude rides ?

[_yb]

You can always work for the mescaleros at the casino. Maybe the forest service during fire season. Most tourist visit the area during ski season and horseracing season so you would probably be able to find work at those times.

[jecc]

Hi, everyone. First post here. Been lurking for about week. Finally I see a subject I know something about.

I live just outside of Cloudcroft at 9,050 feet. Yes, much cooler than AZ. We had tons of rain this summer, so it was cool and very wet. Last winter was a bust, but we're hoping for loads of snow this year. I moved here from Alaska, and my first winter here we got more snow than Anchorage. It was also colder than Anchorage that year, though that is unusual.

Employment is limted here. There are some hospitality jobs, mainly at The Lodge and a few small restaurants in town. Otherwise, you'd better be a real estate agent (seems like every other person here is), a building contractor, or a government employee (forestry, law enforcement, etc.). I am 90 percent retired, and what little work I do is via telecommuting. Cloudcroft is perfect for that. If none of these options suit you, then you'll be working down the hill in Alamogordo, which is a lot like Arizona: hot. It's about 20 miles from Cloudcroft to downtown Alamo -- a 4,500-foot drop. You could also work in Ruidoso, about an hour's drive north. That's around 7,000 feet and still in the hills. It's 10 times the size of Cloudcroft. More opportunity but also more expensive.

The schools tout themselves as being No. 2 in the state, but around here, from neighbors and other residents, I don't hear much of anything good about them. My real estate broker's wife used to teach in a Cloudcroft school, and, well, let's just say that when their daughter got past elementary age, they sent her down to Alamo for schooling. My neighbor has a gifted son (high IQ), and he does not fit in at all here. She is moving to Fort Worth next summer. I am sure the schools have their good points, but overall I hear not-so-good things.

Basically I would say that CC is a great place for retired folks, childless couples, and adventurous outdoorsy types. Lots of hiking, biking, skiing, walking. The weather is perfect: cool in summer and cold (but not Alaska cold) in winter. Spring and fall are great too. This is truly a four-seasons area.

Another place you might look at is High Rolls. It's halfway between CC and Alamo. Kids there can take the bus down to Alamo schools, and there is also a small school there in town that I have heard good things about. I think it's only elementary, though. In High Rolls, you get the best of both worlds. It's about 6,000 feet and mountainous, yet it's only 10-12 miles from jobs and schools in Alamo. If CC gets snowed under, High Rolls does not. You get the cool mountain feel without the challenges of the real mountains.

Finally, whatever you do, ask about the water. It's a big problem around here. Lack of supply plus old infrastructure. Heavy summer rains don't help much, as all that water runs down into the rocky soil. Do not buy a home without know all about the water. And don't believe what real estate agents tell you. Some may tell you the truth, but others may gloss it over. Do your own research.

Good luck.

[M.A.G.'s girl]

Thanks for all the info.