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I have a potential job opportunity at El Malpais National Monument. My husband & I are in our 30's, no kids yet, and from Pennsylvania.
I've never even been to NM, but it's a great opportunity. We like all the outdoorsy stuff, which NM seems to have in great abundance.
I can't seem to locate much in the way of real estate in the Grants area. If we decide to go for the move, and that's a big IF right now, we may want to rent first before buying.
I would like to have as short of a commute as possible, but it looks like reservation lands and Conservation Lands surround the area, so a short commute may not be possible.
What are the schools, hospitals, businesses, etc, like? What's the cost of living? We would need to find my husband an IT job.
I'm not sure if we could even make the transition... we're used to an urbanized area where we have 10 of everything in a very short distance. We also have an insane amount of traffic, and crime moving into our neighborhood.
I've never even been to NM, ...
I can't seem to locate much in the way of real estate in the Grants area.
I would like to have as short of a commute as possible, ...
What are the schools, hospitals, businesses, etc, like?
I'm not sure if we could even make the transition...
we're used to an urbanized area ...
You can still drive to Albuquerque to go shopping.
It's not a bad drive for that, but it would be a terrible commute at times.
As for finding real estate and deciding to make the move, you should
visit Grants first and see if you like it or don't like it.
You need to spend several days here and visit/drive to Albuquerque.
If you move without doing that first, then you are stupid.
Oh, and check this out: Golden Aspen trees on Mount Taylor
It looks like that right now for the next month.
If this doesn't look good to you right now, then you are stupid.
Hi brendergrrl, my wife and I are originally from PA and lived in NM for 2.5 yrs. My advice is to GO FOR IT. You owe it to yourself to live someplace where there's not an insane amount of traffic, etc. even if it's only for a few years, to decompress. My other suggestion is to definitely rent first. Too many people move, buy and then regret. There will be plenty of time to buy should you decide to stay. I would say if you move and then buy right away, maybe you're stupid. j.k. I think Mort covered that already.
Get a copy of the Benchmark (IRRC benchmarkmaps.com) Road and Recreation Atlas. It has comprehensive lists of places and things to do as well a wonderfully detailed maps.
Don't overlook the opportunity that Google Maps - Street View affords to virtually travel the highways in that area and see 360 degree views along the routes. The 2-lane state highways that run along the east side of El Malpais Nat. Monument (NM-117) and Ice Caves Hiway (NM-53) have both been photographed by Google. And of course you can travel IH-40 in the same manner.
As an added bonus, all of the town streets of Grants have also been photographed in 360 views!
Still no decision yet on whether I'll go for the job or not. I have to call the employer & find out some additional information. I think my husband probably won't go for it, but, we'll see. And at least we're not stupid; we'll take a trip out before we commit.
There is nothing close to the area. Grants is about 45 min away and in the winter it could be a tough drive due to snow etc.
Ramah is about 20 mins west and very small town...Closest hospital is Grants.
Gallup is about 1 hr. north....
Research this area first. If you can stand living way out...and if you could find something in Grants (not my choice), neither would Gallup be, you might find a rental in Ramah...everything closes on Sunday..it is a very strong Morman area. One trading post, and gas station.
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RE: the El Malpais move...
