Wanting To Buy Land In New Mexico (Las Cruces, Roswell: homes, utilities)
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you might look at Capitan even though it is a little smaller than you specified. (Mountainair is even smaller and maybe not as conservative but it is closer to ABQ.)
Tularosa is lower and drier but near the mountains and it might be worth a look outside it.
If you are flexible about the conservative town thing there would be other spots.
In Arizona you could look into Cornville and Kirkland (or maybe Eagar or the more liberal Williams).
I have and need to be in a dryer climate with low humidity, we like the higher elevation (preferably 6000-7000 not necessarily high desert)
"alot of health issues" implies a need to be near health care, which is going to limit choices in NM, where the best health care is centered in the 2 major cities of Albq and Las Cruces. Lower humidity is only one consideration for people seeking high elevation living. Many people with cardiac/pulmonary problems find elevations of 6-7,000 ft to be too high (lack of oxygen).
High desert is usually defined as the Chihuahuan/Sonoran zones. Chihuahuan lies at between 4-5,000 ft in the southwestern area of NM.
we'd love to live in a small country conservative town (2-5000 population) with greenery (trees and grass) for our animals and mountain views. Trout fishing is a BONUS!
Does the cost of living matter to you?
Jobs?
Healthcare facilities?
In town or outside... how far away?
How much land?
I assume you are wanting to build a house?
I'm thinking somewhere around Ruidoso is likely your best fit, but I need more information.
10 acres will set you back about $15,000 here in Clayton. Its within 3 or 4 miles of town too. Not sure if tahats too close to the town as you would want. Population is 2000, there is some pretty good trout fishing at Clayton Lake State Park.
I suggest, as before, buying a copy of Benchmark Map's New Mexico Road and Recreation Atlas. It provides reasonably detailed land use and climate, as well as roadway information. The State Web site is another good source of information. There are several realtors advertizing on city-data along with extensive statistical information.
Given the moderate (for NM) altitude and dryness I suggest looking along NM RT 14 (Turquoise Trail) and the "High Toad to Taos". You could also look at Silver City or across the Rio Grande Basin at Alamogordo and surrounding area.
In any case schedule a couple of two or more week scouting tours. New Mexico is a vast and varied place.
Thanks for the reply's! We are researching all of the areas you suggested.
And to answer some of your questions...
We are debt free and currently working on saving money. Yes we want to build our own home like we did in Texas but on a lot smaller scale. (like a one room cabin) Our girls will be out of school in 2015...so in the mean time we are trying to get prepared learning and bulding. (learning about gardening, animal husbandry, canning, solor panels, wind turban, water catchment etc...) Our goal is in 2015 to have land purchased and something already built (or atleast started) and ready to start living off the land and a job won't be necessary as long as my husband can do side work. (He's a software engineer but has an aircraft mechanic and welding licence, fencing and excavation experience)
My health issues are not life threatening (RA, Inflammatory Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, 2 Back Surgeries, 1 Knee Surgery, RLS, Neuropathy, IBS) and I'm trying to control them with diet and exercise. My husband is 14 years older than me and in good health but yes at some point being close to hospitals will be important, but we don't want to be in a large town.
The ideal amount of land would be 40 acres but a minimum would be 5.
As far as cost of living..we expect the further out you are the higher the cost of living but at the same time we want to be off the grid and only eating things we can grow and raise (animals ~ goats, chickens, rabbits, turkeys, pigs, bees).
Any other information is greatly appreciated. After spending some time in Springerville, AZ which we loved we are thinking the winter may be too cold for my joints so maybe 5-6,000 elevation instead of 7-9,000! I think Springerville 7,000+. Plus we are concerned about the growing season, we want a green house and want to be able to grow as long as possible through the year.
Plus we are concerned about the growing season, we want a green house and want to be able to grow as long as possible through the year.
You're first concern for growing anything is going to be water, and that will greatly restrict where you can possibly irrigate any "acreage." While it's possible to obtain permits for a new "domestic well" - it's nearly impossible to buy water rights for a new irrigation well. That means purchasing property where the previous owner of the land also owns water rights that can be conveyed to you.
I am very skeptical about "off grid" living because it can be much more expensive.
I suggest you consider a variation on the "Lister CS Diesel" based electric power plant because of the possibility of creating a co-generation power and heat set up. For information check Central Maine Diesel. They sell complete electric start cogeneration systems mounted on a skid. If you do not understand what is meant by Co-generation buy a place with grid power. There are plenty available that also have water and plenty of room for animals.
Given your desire for reasonably close health care and a mild but dry climate I suggest Magdalena on Rt 60 about 30 miles west of Socorro. Ask for more details on the Realtor forum on this site.
As far as cost of living..we expect the further out you are the higher the cost of living but at the same time we want to be off the grid and only eating things we can grow and raise (animals ~ goats, chickens, rabbits, turkeys, pigs, bees).
...Plus we are concerned about the growing season, we want a green house and want to be able to grow as long as possible through the year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by joqua
You're first concern for growing anything is going to be water, and that will greatly restrict where you can possibly irrigate any "acreage." While it's possible to obtain permits for a new "domestic well" - it's nearly impossible to buy water rights for a new irrigation well. That means purchasing property where the previous owner of the land also owns water rights that can be conveyed to you.
Yes, water is absolutely going to be an issue.
But if you are thinking about just a greenhouse for the two of you, you might want to consider rainwater harvesting during the monsoon season. Granted, our monsoon season this year was less than impressive, but hopefully next year will be nice and wet.
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