Land of Enchantment? (Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe: section 8, how much, hotel)

[beckybee22]

Sorry, I mostly meant the Farmington area. What is there to do in the Farmington area besides fishing and driving to Durango? Also, I have been to ABQ and the some of the surrounding area. That area is kind of pretty, and definitely prettier than the Farmington area. Still, I am into trees not desert. I am glad so many people love NM and you can stay for the rest of your lives. As for me, my husband is just going to school here so we are enduring it the best we can. Honestly, the only thing I like here (Farmington) are the sunsets. If I am going to stay in a state for the rest of my life it has to have huge mountains (ever seen Telluride?) as well as an ocean, and lakes, and large cities with more culture than just Mexican and Native American (not bashing those cultures one bit, just want more of every other culture too). I KNOW New Mexico will never grow on me, and I really do hate the Farmington area. It's fine with me that other people love it here, and I am not bashing anyone, I just would like to understand why (which now I do) since I find it so hard to like it here. Mostly for the time being I really just want to know what there is to do in the FARMINGTON area. Why in the world are there million dollar homes here?!? Among trailer trash! I really think this is just the worst planned city. When you come into Farmington there are 2 adult superstores. If that's not trashy I don't know what is. I started crying the first time I drove into Farmington, no joke. I just hope people who are used to green lawns and big oak or pine trees don't move to the Farmington area without visiting it first. This is just my heads up to newcomers.

[InTheDesert]

Becky--- what do you like to do??? I think NM is an excellent state for outdoor enthusiasts but it is huge and spread out so you are going to have to drive to get to things you want to do once and in awhile. There is tons of -outdoor stuff in your town. To me it sounds like you haven't gone out and explored or gotten to know the local scene.

Farmington:

-Since I am an avid 4x4er I can tell you that you live in one of the BEST areas for off-roading. Believe me I would have never tried this sport until someone took me out and let me drive. It is now one of my FAVORITE things to do in NM. It is thrilling, challenging, you get to know the canyons, hills, and trails, and you will meet some of the coolest people ever.

-In your area you have the "4-Corners Canyon Climbers", you can check online for their site.

-Chokecherry Canyon for some famous off-roading.

-Velo de Animas Bike Club

-The San Juan Mountains

-Pinon Hills Golf Course

-Chaco Canyon

-Navajo Lake State Park (boat, fish, camp, bike, scuba)

-Aztec Ruin National Monument

-Anasazi and Salmon Ruins

-Fishing in the San Juan River

-Sunray Park & Casino

-Farmington Aquatics Center

-Riverside Nature Center

-Get to know you local art scene

-Take some classes and learn to paint/draw/sculpt and take in all the beautiful views NM has to offer

-Volunteer! (The best way to get to know the locals and the local scene)

-Restaurants I know of:
-3 Rivers Eatery & Brewhouse
-The Bluffs
-Something Special Bakery & Tea Room
-Blue Moon Cafe

[Pathwalker]

Originally Posted by beckybee22

I KNOW New Mexico will never grow on me, and I really do hate the Farmington area. It's fine with me that other people love it here, and I am not bashing anyone, I just would like to understand why (which now I do) since I find it so hard to like it here.

Everyone has different tastes. I personally can't understand how anyone would want to live in on a farm in the middle of the Kansas plains. But I know there are people that want that, and that's fine. I also don't understand how anyone could live in Florida, because I personally find it to be an ugly state. I likewise would never want to live in Chicago, or the middle of New York City. But that's just me. It's all about who you are inside, and what you like, and what you want with respect to the environment around you.

[gabygirl]

They made my day! And I am keeping a copy of your suggestions, so I'll get out there when they day comes that I move to NM!

[Six Foot Three]

I would be in heaven if i was right next to Navajo Lake State Park as its the second largest body of water in New Mexico and i would be jetsking every weekend. As it is here in ABQ we have to drive 150 miles in each direction to Elephant Butte to have fun on the water......

[GregW]

If I were a watersport enthusiat I would probably not choose New Mexico, as I am not, but I am a car nut, I'll probably love a place with wide open roads and no salt.

To each his own.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by beckybee22

Sorry, I mostly meant the Farmington area...Also, I have been to ABQ and the some of the surrounding area. That area is kind of pretty, and definitely prettier than the Farmington area. Still, I am into trees not desert....If I am going to stay in a state for the rest of my life it has to have huge mountains (ever seen Telluride?) as well as an ocean, and lakes,... just hope people who are used to green lawns and big oak or pine trees don't move to the Farmington area without visiting it first.

beckybee22 -

I have said this lots of times before, but I think it is worth saying again - yes, if folks do not like the desert and prefer "green lawns", "big oak trees", etc., eg: they prefer a more traditional Midwestern or Northeastern landscape, of course New Mexico isn't going to be the optimum place.

We hear this refrain on these forums rather regularly; I hate the desert...thus I really don't like [insert: New Mexican city]. My question: why in the world did you pick moving to a largely desert state that has the least lakes per capita in the nation?

This would be like if I knew I hated ever seeing snow, but yet moved to Buffalo, NY - guess what, I wouldn't like the snow there because yes, every year, it snows. Or, if I said I hated the ocean, but yet I moved to an apartment 2 miles from the coast in San Diego...yep, you are going to see plenty of ocean there. If I said I could never live in a place with humidity, but then I moved to New Orleans...well, I would be sorely disappointed in NO.

The point being: New Mexico is what it is. While a very diverse state in terms of elevation, mountains, etc., it is largely a very arid, dry, sunny region that has much desert due to its geography in the SW U.S. Sure, if you do not like the desert, I would think places like New Mexico, Arizona, southeastern California and far western Texas would be about the last places you'd want to go.

As for your observations of Farmington, again, I think many good ideas of the area have been presented. However, again, it is a very small town of less than 40,000 people located in a vast open area of four huge states land-mass-wise (Utah, Colorado, NM, and AZ)...I just don't know what you were expecting when you and your husband decided to move there? You saw the population figures...obviously this wasn't going to be Dallas, Salt Lake City, or Denver...it is what it is...a very small town.

Personally, I LOVE New Mexico, and frankly, I would be sad myself living in Farmington. That isn't to bash the city...I just frankly need a more populated area with a more mild climate to be happy down here. I just guess though I come from the perspective that that isn't Farmington's "fault" per se...it is what it is, a small town located in the vast, isolated 4-corners are of the U.S. in yes, a very arid area. I guess I just more quesiton - knowing all of these facts and stats as pretty basic standards (population, geography, weather stats, etc.) why in the world you picked Farmington in the first place. Knowing your "likes" [eg: the ocean...and seeing a map obviously Farmington is no where near an ocean]...wouldn't you have known even before moving there that Farmington wasn't for you?

As for other newcomers, I would guess (hope?) that those looking for an ocean, green lawns, etc., would know simply by observing a U.S. map that Farmington - located in the desert SW in a landlocked area - wouldn't be for them.

[chilegal]

Well said EnjoyEP. I love NM, and moved from a midwest area of the country, and am enjoying NOT having to mow. I like the looks and feel of this state. I refuse to try to make it "like" where I was from.
Jane

[tito]

Unfortunately some people move along with their spouses and have no choice, other than breaking up the marriage. I agree that some times the attractions of a place are blown out of proportion, like Santa Fe in my humble opinion. Some people even like the paintings of Thomas Kinkaid, which shows that in this world there is room for all kinds of tastes. To each its own, but when I don't like something I leave it.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by tito

Unfortunately some people move along with their spouses and have no choice, other than breaking up the marriage.

Maybe so...but again, if you hate hot weather and despise the thought of living in a desert, but your spouse gets a job in Phoenix and you decide to move there...you just have no chance to like the city. Because yes, every year, it will be hot for long stretches (a given of Phoenix) and yes, it will be arid/deserty (a given of Phoenix).

So even if you've moved there against your preferences/will for your spouse, you'll have little-if-any chance of liking it. Is it then fair to rip the city? To me, not really, because going in you KNEW what Phoenix was going to be, even if you didn't necessarily want to move there.

Similarly, another example, if my spouse gets a job in Duluth, MN and desperately wants to move there, despite a serious aversion to cold weather and snow, well, I am just set up then for sure-disappointment, because Duluth is what it is...you aren't finding many palm trees, cacti, mild winters, etc., in ol' Duluth.

Farmington is what it is. Some would like it there. Some would really not like it there. But to complain about "givens" in Farmington (eg: non-tangibles) such as the dry / arid area or the small town aspect of the life...well...it is just an act of futility.