General Discussion

haele

(15,407 posts)

41. New Mexico is going blue.

Fri Mar 3, 2017, 02:40 PM

Mar 2017

My parents retired to Albuquerque from Seattle (similar situation as yours) when Dad turned 70 and was "encouraged" to retire as a High School teacher and coach. about 10 years ago.
Mom says there has been a progressive improvement in both government and the economy there over the past three years. If you don't want to live in Albuquerque (which is slowly gentrifying) or Santa Fe (which is expensive), there's a few other towns that are doing pretty well and are reasonable to live in - Las Cruces, Roswell, and Taos come to mind.
The altitude and water supply can be a problem in New Mexico, but the weather isn't too bad overall, and the natural environment is still pretty much intact in many places.
Take a road trip there, and get a feel for what area you might be comfortable in.

If I wasn't living in a double-wide in one of the few affordable mobile home parks in San Diego county, I'd be looking to move the family to Albuquerque in three years as soon as my military pension kicks in.

Haele

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We are thinking of selling our home in SF and moving somewhere cheaper...need suggestions for [View all] Dream Girl Mar 2017 OP

Take a look at Austin, TX marylandblue Mar 2017 #1

Broadly speaking, look for a University town (if you can give up city life) brooklynite Mar 2017 #44

The drawback there is I-35 right through downtown. alarimer Mar 2017 #73

Yeah, but if they are approaching retirement, traffic doesn't really matter TexasBushwhacker Mar 2017 #102

Traffic noise is a huge problem, esp. in SF Bay area. dixiegrrrrl Mar 2017 #150

Everyone in Texas gets a $25K homestead exemption TexasBushwhacker Mar 2017 #184

Traffic matters for everybody in Austin, regardless of age. Paladin Mar 2017 #210

I lived there for 6 years TexasBushwhacker Mar 2017 #216

I swear, Houston has their traffic under better control than Austin. Paladin Mar 2017 #217

Actually, I agree with you TexasBushwhacker Mar 2017 #218

I lived in Austin for a couple of years back in the 80s MrScorpio Mar 2017 #114

New Mexico while wonderful WhiteTara Mar 2017 #2

This is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for. My step daughter moved to Virginia and loves Dream Girl Mar 2017 #6

Northern Virginia is blue (the areas around DC). blue neen Mar 2017 #31

But NoVA is very expensive. No way would OP spooky3 Mar 2017 #82

was looking today. Some nice houses at about 350,000 which isn't cheap KittyWampus Mar 2017 #163

They are not close to D.C. if they are nice and $350k. spooky3 Mar 2017 #173

Here's one house. And some areas in desirable neighborhoods may see values stall... KittyWampus Mar 2017 #174

Richmond is more than 1 hour 45 minutes away. And that is spooky3 Mar 2017 #194

We went to Florida for a soccer thing last weekend. When we boarded the plane, it seemed like Dream Girl Mar 2017 #12

Hills borough County (Tampa) is blue. Blue_true Mar 2017 #120

We were in Tampa, very nice but wasn't sure if it was red or blue. Dream Girl Mar 2017 #123

Spend a little time in St. Pete Fl. Just south of Tampa. Lochloosa Mar 2017 #197

Tampa is slightly blue, St. Pete is slightly Red. Either place could use your vote AND its cheap stevenleser Mar 2017 #221

Avoid Eastern Wa. and Idaho, esp. No. Idaho, then. dixiegrrrrl Mar 2017 #151

I would not advise Eastern Wa either but Doreen Mar 2017 #179

VA is actually purple---red in parts, blue in growing areas outside DC wordpix Mar 2017 #72

We are a reality based community and GulfCoast66 Mar 2017 #171

Vegas is and will always be a blue city. I know Californians who retired there. Inexpensive too. DemocratSinceBirth Mar 2017 #3

My sister has been searching lately... Wounded Bear Mar 2017 #4

Pittsburgh, PA is inexpensive, has a great cultural and restaurant scene, has hills like the bay appleannie1943 Mar 2017 #5

A second vote for Pgh. We moved back home from CA livetohike Mar 2017 #83

3rd Vote for the 'burgh BBG Mar 2017 #137

pittsburgh! babydollhead Mar 2017 #149

Pittsburgh, yortsed snacilbuper Mar 2017 #170

Asheville is nice for transplants. NC's a purple state, Asheville's a progressive, artsy small city blm Mar 2017 #7

I like Asheville a lot. NCTraveler Mar 2017 #113

In Florida, I'd consider Gainesville. Tommy_Carcetti Mar 2017 #8

Alachua County is far less red than it used to be. Blue_true Mar 2017 #35

If I had to live in Fla. Alachua would be the spot, on the east side. dixiegrrrrl Mar 2017 #152

Through most of the South college towns tend to be pretty blue areas csziggy Mar 2017 #93

Agree! It's a beautiful state and it's possible to avoid the red, but one has to look carefully. n/t RKP5637 Mar 2017 #119

You can get a very decent home for that kind of money OldHippieChick Mar 2017 #9

I'll second Asheville, NC. dawg Mar 2017 #10

I'll third NC. Check us out. You got the mountains, cities/towns and shore all in one sprinkleeninow Mar 2017 #99

How about Atlanta, GA. nt SticksnStones Mar 2017 #11

Ugh... Baconator Mar 2017 #20

Why Ugh? Atlanta is one of the top 20 most liberal cities in the country. dancePop Mar 2017 #220

Meh... Just never had a good impression when visiting or passing through... Baconator Mar 2017 #222

Arent sex toys still illegal in Georgia? Warren DeMontague Mar 2017 #182

Atlanta is fine greymattermom Mar 2017 #190

Oregon is cheaper than the Bay Area and politically more aligned than the South or S West jalan48 Mar 2017 #13

rainy on coast, cold winters inland wordpix Mar 2017 #74

Not really cold. Western Oregon is part of the NW temperate climate zone. jalan48 Mar 2017 #88

I was talking about E. Oregon - west is warmer, wet wordpix Mar 2017 #121

My bad -I misread your post. jalan48 Mar 2017 #125

A couple years ago we has more than a week under 0 degrees as a high. Shrike47 Mar 2017 #136

My wife and I were in a similar situation in New York a few years back brush Mar 2017 #14

Maine or Vermont voteearlyvoteoften Mar 2017 #15

Gorgeous places in Maine, outside portland, like Gorham sunonmars Mar 2017 #97

I'm partial to the Tallahassee, Florida area csziggy Mar 2017 #16

Tallahassee Native Here TBA Mar 2017 #28

I've lived outside the city since 1979 csziggy Mar 2017 #69

I'm in Central Fl and want to move more north amuse bouche Mar 2017 #162

Straightline about 35 miles from our house to St. Marks csziggy Mar 2017 #167

You should come! We have a show the last two weekends in March. TBA Mar 2017 #204

I am following you on Facebook - started sometime in January csziggy Mar 2017 #209

Oh no. I hope things settle down for you soon. TBA Mar 2017 #211

I hate to quibble, but Gadsden County is dark blue. About 76% are registered Democrats and retread Mar 2017 #96

Yeah, since they smeared Cliff Thaell northeast Leon has suffered csziggy Mar 2017 #107

How about our awesome mayor running for governor? TBA Mar 2017 #205

We moved from the Bay Area to upstate New York: Hudson Valley/Catskills region Tom Rinaldo Mar 2017 #17

It might not be deep blue but check out Colorado Baconator Mar 2017 #18

I thought Colorado Springs is deep red? n/t moonscape Mar 2017 #36

It is. That's OldHippieChick Mar 2017 #92

It's a weird mix... Baconator Mar 2017 #169

make sure whatever state you move to values healthcare for their citizens. Most likely once you still_one Mar 2017 #19

Good point..the blueness of California will make it hard to leave, we may been be moving Dream Girl Mar 2017 #27

The single payer of Medicare doesn't happen until 65, and as for single payer in the near future, still_one Mar 2017 #32

Grew up in Cleveland and lived in Minnesota for five years. I know snow and cold but don't think I Dream Girl Mar 2017 #37

Minneapolis ginnyinWI Mar 2017 #67

We just moved to Rehoboth Beach from Akron, Ohio. we can do it Mar 2017 #160

Why not move from San Francisco to the East Bay? nt Blue_true Mar 2017 #42

Or the North Bay? ailsagirl Mar 2017 #86

very important for low income retirees to learn about states' health care, esp. since wordpix Mar 2017 #76

If you want progressive, Takoma Park, MD. Stinky The Clown Mar 2017 #21

good luck buying in w/ 400K, maybe a condo? wordpix Mar 2017 #77

Just sayin' . . . . Stinky The Clown Mar 2017 #79

my dad used to build homes like that in the '50's, '60's wordpix Mar 2017 #124

If I ever moved to a warm, liberal climate it'd be like The Fan district in Richmond VA. KittyWampus Mar 2017 #22

This is great! I'm bookmarking this for future reference. Lots of places I hadn't considered. Dream Girl Mar 2017 #23

You couldn't go wrong with Vermont. Vinca Mar 2017 #24

Southern Vermont near the Massachusetts border, rural and artsy. Blue_true Mar 2017 #47

Exactly. Around Brattleboro. Vinca Mar 2017 #50

if you can afford to go elsewhere in winters, it can be brutal wordpix Mar 2017 #78

I'm near there, too. This winter hasn't been too bad. Vinca Mar 2017 #98

Burlington on Lake Champlain with lots of things to do karynnj Mar 2017 #201

I was transferred From Mass. in 1994 as were so many of my peers - asiliveandbreathe Mar 2017 #25

The area surrounding Seattle would work for you jmowreader Mar 2017 #26

I knew someone who lived Mendocino Mar 2017 #66

The Sequim area oldtime dfl_er Mar 2017 #84

My buddy could see the ocean Mendocino Mar 2017 #90

We love our new place in Centralia.. SoCalDem Mar 2017 #196

Port Angeles isn't bad jmowreader Mar 2017 #118

That's where my mom retired mrs_p Mar 2017 #176

Some suggestions in Florida that fall in your price range. Blue_true Mar 2017 #29

Portland, Oregon! bitterross Mar 2017 #30

House prices are insane right now mrs_p Mar 2017 #177

That is insane bitterross Mar 2017 #208

Portland oldtime dfl_er Mar 2017 #212

Please avoid NM PasadenaTrudy Mar 2017 #33

Some parts of New Mexico are elite and blue. Santa Fe, Los Alamos Blue_true Mar 2017 #57

But still.... PasadenaTrudy Mar 2017 #106

I live in NM and love it - it's beautiul and very blue womanofthehills Mar 2017 #183

I lived there 30 years ago. marybourg Mar 2017 #112

Young are moving out for jobs but it seems like retired people are moving here womanofthehills Mar 2017 #187

Yes to the art scene. marybourg Mar 2017 #214

City within a City MedusaX Mar 2017 #34

Come to PA BumRushDaShow Mar 2017 #38

Our son is looking at Lafayette college in Easton is that nearby? Dream Girl Mar 2017 #43

It's about 1.5 hours NE of Philly BumRushDaShow Mar 2017 #48

Virginia but gwheezie Mar 2017 #39

Step daughter lives in Charlottesville. Thoughts? Dream Girl Mar 2017 #46

Cville is lovely gwheezie Mar 2017 #54

w/ $400K you'll do well but I'm looking in lower price range wordpix Mar 2017 #81

property values are going to help turn Virginia bluer. It's a great state to invest in. KittyWampus Mar 2017 #64

I love where I live gwheezie Mar 2017 #65

where? How far from C-ville? wordpix Mar 2017 #126

I don't live near cville gwheezie Mar 2017 #132

IMO, the future is very bleak for home ownership, jobs, tiny houses will be the future and UBI will CK_John Mar 2017 #40

New Mexico is going blue. haele Mar 2017 #41

We retired 10 years ago, moved from SF, had to find a way more inexpensive area. dixiegrrrrl Mar 2017 #45

Depending on what we set we could be snow birds and spend winter months in Mexico. Dream Girl Mar 2017 #49

I hadn't even thought about hurricanes and flooding as a consideration. Dream Girl Mar 2017 #53

I was working in SF on 9-11 dixiegrrrrl Mar 2017 #143

Minneapolis and St. Paul MineralMan Mar 2017 #51

I lived there for five years. Went to the u of mm law school. I liked it, great culture,restaurants Dream Girl Mar 2017 #60

Cool. So you know the place. MineralMan Mar 2017 #62

I tried to make it clear in my post. NCTraveler Mar 2017 #116

Very funny, indeed. MineralMan Mar 2017 #117

Dallas, TX is blue and the surrounding suburbs are very (very!) affordable. LanternWaste Mar 2017 #52

you are right about Texans CountAllVotes Mar 2017 #68

DFW has a lot of great things going for it. n/t tammywammy Mar 2017 #146

NM is blue in the northern 2/3. The southern third is deep red Warpy Mar 2017 #55

New Mexico is actually pretty blue down the middle and red in the east and the west, mostly east Quixote1818 Mar 2017 #165

Eugene, OR WheelWalker Mar 2017 #56

Agree about the University town; they tend to be great. LisaM Mar 2017 #58

The skilled jobs in San Francisco center around Blue_true Mar 2017 #129

I live in Seattle, and I hear you. LisaM Mar 2017 #131

Seattle was great until they put the damn freeway in the middle of it. dixiegrrrrl Mar 2017 #155

Yeah, we're hanging on. LisaM Mar 2017 #158

Homes TravelingMan Mar 2017 #59

Benicia is nice but a bit pricey, but would keep us in Bay Area. Dream Girl Mar 2017 #89

Pittsburgh! It's a purple state and we could use some help!! It's been ranked consistently ebbie15644 Mar 2017 #61

Interesting that this topic just came up Corgigal Mar 2017 #63

I haven't been to Kentucky much but it is a beautiful state csziggy Mar 2017 #70

True, but it's the rocks Corgigal Mar 2017 #75

Now, the horses are a completely different thing! csziggy Mar 2017 #91

Ah beautiful Corgigal Mar 2017 #140

my friends are in Harrisburg, very liveable wordpix Mar 2017 #85

A good friend lives there part time and loves it. mahina Mar 2017 #100

My son is a Berea grad Corgigal Mar 2017 #142

I think Tennessee is turning blue. Nashville is expensive but the rural areas and small towns around Lint Head Mar 2017 #71

$400k, or less, would buy a very nice house in the Chicago area. guillaumeb Mar 2017 #80

I'll Stay in CA The River Mar 2017 #87

Me too! PasadenaTrudy Mar 2017 #109

I would stay but if I'm not working we will have a big mortgage and no income. Dream Girl Mar 2017 #145

Athens, GA CottonBear Mar 2017 #94

Go north, plan to winter in the south if necesary. Hortensis Mar 2017 #95

Near me, of course! Laffy Kat Mar 2017 #101

Tucson, AZ is blue. Coventina Mar 2017 #103

I hate to dis my beloved Austin, Jane Austin Mar 2017 #104

I live in the mountains 15 miles to the east of Albuquerque.... chillfactor Mar 2017 #105

You skipped Hawaii pandr32 Mar 2017 #108

It's not blue but the price is right and there is a lot of good in the area. NCTraveler Mar 2017 #110

Nevada City CA ghostsinthemachine Mar 2017 #111

3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath. $265,000 ghostsinthemachine Mar 2017 #223

Western Colorado randr Mar 2017 #115

That's so nice to learn about the Slope. I'll recommend Lakewood, Colorado, though eleny Mar 2017 #133

We are in the same boat. I will have to keep my eye on this AJT Mar 2017 #122

Wouldn't the winters be milder than Wisconsin? Dream Girl Mar 2017 #144

Washington State? Mz Pip Mar 2017 #127

We are in the process of moving to Sothebys Carolina liberal N proud Mar 2017 #128

Boone NC ileus Mar 2017 #130

Orange County, NC is also VERY blue. Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough mnhtnbb Mar 2017 #134

How about DE or MD TuxedoKat Mar 2017 #135

Hi neighbor! we can do it Mar 2017 #139

Actually... TuxedoKat Mar 2017 #219

I'm going to try to sell my farm & de sounds nice gwheezie Mar 2017 #141

We have a place in Fenwick randr Mar 2017 #164

My good friend has property in Fenwick. Mendocino Mar 2017 #203

Why not join us in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware? we can do it Mar 2017 #138

I'm going to, for a week in July! Have never been! WinkyDink Mar 2017 #148

You're going to love it! Diverse, clean, great food and drinks! we can do it Mar 2017 #159

Well, PA turned Red once, but it's great for us retirees! Can't swing the proverbial WinkyDink Mar 2017 #147

Wilmington, North Carolina NCcoast Mar 2017 #153

Columbus? RazBerryBeret Mar 2017 #154

You will not be happy outside of California flamingdem Mar 2017 #156

Meh. Warren DeMontague Mar 2017 #180

have you thought about leaving the country? Hamlette Mar 2017 #157

Yes, in fact we always thought we might move to Mexico because we have been there many Dream Girl Mar 2017 #172

Philly burbs! apcalc Mar 2017 #161

Montgomery County, Maryland, a very blue state. kwassa Mar 2017 #166

You could move to Connecticut, I guess. krispos42 Mar 2017 #168

Fort Collins mrs_p Mar 2017 #175

somalia will be nicer than here in a few years Gabi Hayes Mar 2017 #178

Portland, OR Warren DeMontague Mar 2017 #181

I currently live in Santa Fe, NM, PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2017 #185

Any place with a decent sized university is probably a good bet. meadowlander Mar 2017 #186

Tacoma or Olympia Wa gopiscrap Mar 2017 #188

if you don't need income...come to Kansas and help us actively trying to turn our state BLUE demtenjeep Mar 2017 #189

Lol, you can move to Vallejo and get a nice house for that sum. Lots of us SF refugees are here. diane in sf Mar 2017 #191

There are parts of Florida that are blue Sancho Mar 2017 #192

Drive up to Arcata, California, and get acquainted with that area. NBachers Mar 2017 #193

We moved from So Cal to Washington state ...love it SoCalDem Mar 2017 #195

Tucson is a blue dot in ruby red Arizona NMDemDist2 Mar 2017 #198

Asheville, NC bathroommonkey76 Mar 2017 #199

Can't get bluer than Vermont karynnj Mar 2017 #200

Oregon coast; pretty cheap and pretty blue CanonRay Mar 2017 #202

Burlington, VT is nice JDC Mar 2017 #206

Sacramento David__77 Mar 2017 #207

If you don't need an urban area, I think the suggestions here for parts of Virginia are very good spooky3 Mar 2017 #213

There are areas in California where homes are far more reasonably priced than Sf. lucca18 Mar 2017 #215