Trinidad, Colorado (Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo: appointed, motel, buying)

[80skeys]

There's someone here on city-data who wants to sell their 35-acre parcel for $12,000. I've seen photos of it and it looks like a pretty decent area up about 9,000 feet. If you (or anyone) is interested, message me and I'll give you their name.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Originally Posted by 80skeys

There's someone here on city-data who wants to sell their 35-acre parcel for $12,000. I've seen photos of it and it looks like a pretty decent area up about 9,000 feet. If you (or anyone) is interested, message me and I'll give you their name.

Thanks for the info. I am looking at the 35 parcels on the Santa Fe Trail and also just west of Trinidad called Trinidad Lake ranches. Not too sure if I want all those gravel roads in the area but I live pretty rural now on a ranch in Eastern OK.

[charliwolf]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

Both states have their advantages and disadvantages. The politics of both tend to be dominated by their major metro areas, with rural areas and small towns getting the short end of the stick. Colorado has very low effective property tax rates on residential property, a middling income tax, fairly stiff vehicle registration fees, and a fairly high combination of local and state sales taxes. New Mexico has relatively cheap vehicle registration fees, middling residential property taxes and income taxes, and a lower nominal "sales" tax rate--but New Mexico's "sales" tax actually is a gross receipts tax that taxes services as well as goods. Colorado has a very restrictive constitutional limit on increases in government spending--good for controlling budgets, but very inflexible in rough economic times. Both states (like most) are facing serious issues of funding essential government services, though New Mexico is probably in a little better shape in that regard.

Both locales you mention are rotten places to relocate to if you have to rely on the local economy for an income--that is just about universally true in the rural areas of both states. Plan on bringing your money and your income with you.

You should be aware of the culture of both towns. They are predominantly Hispanic, with many of those folks tracing their roots back for many generations. As such, they can be pretty clannish toward outsiders, especially Anglos who are not familiar with the cultural history of the place. I've spent my whole life in this region, and communities like Trinidad and Raton are very much an acquired taste. People usually either love them or hate them. Quite honestly, the people who usually seem to get along best in them are the people who have lived in the region a long time and understand the culture. I know that comment will engender disagreeing responses, but it's my observation based on four decades-plus of experience.

Finally, living in rural New Mexico or Colorado is not the same as living in a rural area in the heavily populated East Coast--services may be non-existent locally or require lengthy drives to bigger areas. This should be a serious consideration for people with any kind of specialized medical requirements and the like. 200-400 mile roundtrips to see a medical specialist, for example, can get old very fast.

I've been reading this string of posts since page one. I'm an Army Brat- this means that there is no difference to me as to a persons color or heritage...not that this means I'm excepted. It just means I except others. I would like some more up-to-date info on Trinidad. Not the cultural difference, etc. I would like to know what area of town is better to live in, is outside of town better than in town. I grew up in El Paso, Hispanics do not bother me. I'm Native American, many people think I am Hispanic. I speak some border Spanish. My husband, he's of Scot-Indian decent, has never lived anywhere except AL, but loves NM, especially Chama. He spends a couple of weeks a year there, and although speaks very little Spanish (he can cuss you out), loves the heritage. Has numerous Mex/Am friends, both here in AL and in NM. (AL has the highest # of Hispanics in the SE, and no, FL is not a part of the SE, it's a part of NY).

We have 10 acres in the woods (literally) now. The nearest Wally-World is 25 miles away, nearest medical facility of any kind is 2 miles past Wal-Mart. We both love the outdoors, actually had a 17 foot Cheyenne Tipi for a number of years, and were members of the American Mountain Man Assoc. for that period. Sold it and left the Assoc. due to an injury that caused me 18 years of not working.

I am a nurse, my husband is retiring in 3 years from the railroad. So, can anyone give me any info?

Thanks,
Charlotte

[Mike from back east]

Charlotte: You're gonna love Colorado. Several of us on here are train huggers; I was in the transport biz most of my career as an Army employee back east and late father was a life long railroader.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Originally Posted by charliwolf

I've been reading this string of posts since page one. I'm an Army Brat- this means that there is no difference to me as to a persons color or heritage...not that this means I'm excepted. It just means I except others. I would like some more up-to-date info on Trinidad. Not the cultural difference, etc. I would like to know what area of town is better to live in, is outside of town better than in town. I grew up in El Paso, Hispanics do not bother me. I'm Native American, many people think I am Hispanic. I speak some border Spanish. My husband, he's of Scot-Indian decent, has never lived anywhere except AL, but loves NM, especially Chama. He spends a couple of weeks a year there, and although speaks very little Spanish (he can cuss you out), loves the heritage. Has numerous Mex/Am friends, both here in AL and in NM. (AL has the highest # of Hispanics in the SE, and no, FL is not a part of the SE, it's a part of NY).

We have 10 acres in the woods (literally) now. The nearest Wally-World is 25 miles away, nearest medical facility of any kind is 2 miles past Wal-Mart. We both love the outdoors, actually had a 17 foot Cheyenne Tipi for a number of years, and were members of the American Mountain Man Assoc. for that period. Sold it and left the Assoc. due to an injury that caused me 18 years of not working.

I am a nurse, my husband is retiring in 3 years from the railroad. So, can anyone give me any info?

Thanks,
Charlotte

We spend a few weeks a year in CHAMA ourselves. We also enjoy Trinidad every year. Like you we're at least 30 minutes to the closest store to buy milk. This is rural cattle area. You would fit in to either place. My husband has been worried about medical in Chama because the closest medical there is the Apache medical and not being of American Indian decent I am not sure if we would have to be helecopter out.

You would have to be very outdoor type for Chama but not Trinidad. Trinidad we're thinking of the 35 areas on the Santa Fe Trail which is on the Raton pass. You would have the feel of rural being about 15 minutes from town. I like the town of Trinidad personally. AND like you living around the world with the military I love different cultures.

In pricing land and the homes we like between the Chama area and Trinidad area, Chama is more expensive by far for land.

[PokerMunkee]

Well-known Trinidad sex-reassignment doctor leaves - The Denver Post

Dr. Bower's is leaving Trinidiad, so no more sex change capital.

[debbie at bouontiful]

Originally Posted by PokerMunkee

Well-known Trinidad sex-reassignment doctor leaves - The Denver Post

Dr. Bower's is leaving Trinidiad, so no more sex change capital.

How much business did she bring to the town? Will it have an effect you think?

[charliwolf]

Debbie,

I had noticed that you went up to Chama. I love it up there. As a matter of fact, several years ago, my husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary up there. We stayed at the Elk Lodge Inn, and our party was at this little bar attached to a restaurant. I don't know the name of it...we have always called it "Foster's" after a man we met there. He was quite a character. He had something to do with the railroad up there. My husband has chosen to live more in the Trinidad area for a couple of reasons. First of all the cost of land, and secondly, because after having to outrun a snow storm the day after our anniversary, I told him I had no plans at this age to live back in that much snow...lol.

I have lived in Minnesota, Kansas, and Germany, as well as the Ruidoso area of NM. I have no plans of driving in that much of the white stuff. I don't mind snow, nor the cold, but don't like it when you live at 9000 - 10000 feet. Been that high too many times in the winter.

Mike, glad to see there are train huggers. My husband has always loved his job, but with all of the federal safety changes and the weird bosses he's had in the past few years, he says the fun has just about run out.

We love the outdoors, horses, hiking, camping (hence the tipi) and other activities. We are definitely get back into shape before moving there. After living at 150 - 200 feet above sea level his whole life, Bob always goes into overdrive on the treadmill, and weights before coming out. He says he has to lose a little weight so he can breathe. He's 6'5" and 270. It doesn't matter. He just has to acclimate regardless. I love getting out there. I breath much better above 3500 feet. Not to mention the fact that out here, our humidity kills me. You would think differently after 30 years, but I still haven't gotten used to it.

Thanks for the info. I'll be checking back periodically.

Charlotte

[debbie at bouontiful]

[quote=charliwolf;17094177]Debbie,

I had noticed that you went up to Chama. I love it up there. As a matter of fact, several years ago, my husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary up there. We stayed at the Elk Lodge Inn, and our party was at this little bar attached to a restaurant. I don't know the name of it...we have always called it "Foster's" after a man we met there. He was quite a character. He had something to do with the railroad up there. My husband has chosen to live more in the Trinidad area for a couple of reasons. First of all the cost of land, and secondly, because after having to outrun a snow storm the day after our anniversary, I told him I had no plans at this age to live back in that much snow...lol.

I have lived in Minnesota, Kansas, and Germany, as well as the Ruidoso area of NM. I have no plans of driving in that much of the white stuff. I don't mind snow, nor the cold, but don't like it when you live at 9000 - 10000 feet. Been that high too many times in the winter.



We certainly have a lot in common. I've lived in Germany many years and in different States too. Now I do love the 8000 feet and have no problem with snow as long as we don't have to drive in it. My husband thinks Chama is a little risky but I would be game for it. Trinidad seems less scary to him weather wise and of course it is actually a whole town. We stay a few weeks in Chama every year at Corkin's Lodge and another week every year at the Tarbino B&B. Husband can't retire for 2 years and I am going to "try" and sell a cattle ranch. If it sells, I'll problem by in Trinidad on the Santa Fe Trail development. I have married children with children in OK and Trinidad isn't that bad of drive to see them.

[405bdove]

I'm moving from Oklahoma transferring with my wife job,
Does anyone have any idea or suggestion about starting a business in Trinidad ?