New Mexico [Archive] - ConstantChatter

lunaria

12-14-2007, 09:02 AM

Yeah, NM isnt really the most populated state:)

I like it here OKay... LOVE LOVE LOVE green and red chili!!! I dont know what I am going to do when we move and I dont have new mexican to eat :(
I have to bring Blakes back to Florida with me on the plane everytime I visit home because my dad loves their breakfasts so much. I also have to ship green chili home because you cant get it in florida.

Love the weather.. even if it is snowing today with no warning from the weather men:)

Where do ya live? We are in the NW.

MLA

12-14-2007, 09:11 AM

My DH's mother and sister live in Albuquerque. I'm a bigger fan of Santa Fe, though. I love, love, love New Mexican food. It's so good. I really have a hankering for green chile and sopaipillas, now. :)

WonderWoman

12-14-2007, 05:44 PM

Nah, not a transplant. I'm a native. I lived in Michigan briefly, but I freaked out with all those trees and came home!

We live in the NW too. Are you closer to Taylor Ranch, Ventana or Corrales? So you guys aren't here to stay? It will be hard to get good Mexican in Fla.

Your post made me crave Blakes. We have one by my house. Itsa, no tomatoes, cheese and green chile. I think that's dinner tonight! Soooooo goooooood!

Hey Fluffy! Which part of the city are you in?

MLA Santa Fe IS nice, but you can't really live there anymore. It's too expensive. But we go up to eat or hang out every now and then. It's got a lot of character!

FoxyBlue

12-14-2007, 08:02 PM

DH is from NM.

I've never lived there, but I spent a sizeable amount of time living in Southern California. I miss the desert (but wouldn't live in CA again).

We want to move to Albuquerque in a few years. There are some things I don't like about the area, but for the most part it's nice and I love New Mexico in general!

We actually had our honeymoon in Albuquerque so I could see the Balloon Fiesta!

Our biggest concern is the cost of housing. It's pricey out there!

WonderWoman

12-14-2007, 09:08 PM

Hi Foxy! I've always heard that N.M. (particularly Albuquerque) is cheap compared to the rest of the country - especially SoCal. Interesting. Is your DH from Abq or somewhere else in N.M.?

Balloon Fiesta is my favorite time of year here. I love it. What a great time for you to visit. You saw us at our best. This year's Fiesta was particularly lovely. Good weather, lots of balloons, we went on the last day and had the perfect mass ascension.

FoxyBlue

12-14-2007, 09:43 PM

DH is from an area near Silver City.

We live in Texas and houses are MUCH cheaper where we are than anything we saw in Albuquerque.

Yes, it's cheaper in Abq compared to Santa Fe, or to CA, but compared to where we live (and thus what we are selling when we leave) it's quite a bit more.

(ETA- Ex: Our home is under $130k. It's small but nice, and 3 yrs old. Anything even DECENT in Abq and MUCH older, based on a small amount of research, would cost us $190k+).

It was a nice fiesta. The death was sad, though. I think we even have pictures of her balloon and we waved when they took off.

I want to go again another year b/c we missed the Glowdeo :(

WonderWoman

12-15-2007, 02:50 PM

I used to spend my summers in Silver City with my dad's family. It's a great area.

Yeah, housing has a gotten a little steep. We paid $170K for a little house. It's not very old, but it's not very new either. It was right before the bubble burst. Good thing we like our little house, we might have to live there forever!

You know, we usually have one pretty bad crash a year. It was sad that people died this year, I can't remember the last time that happened. But overall it was a very good fiesta. Good for the city, good for the people who came out to watch balloons. You gotta see a Glowdeo! Definitely worth coming back for! I prefer mass ascensions and DH hates crowds so we usually go to one or the other, I haven't been to a Glowdeo in ages.

FoxyBlue

12-15-2007, 07:35 PM

We'd have to come out to Abq and do more serious house hunting, or contact a good Realtor.

We haven't spent enough time looking at the entire area to decide where we'd live. It would also depend somewhat on where we/DH winds up working. I'd love to be a SAHM by that point. Or, rather, WAHM.

When DH and I were first dating I spent a few days tracking down a way to get him Green Chile out here! I love it now too and we LOVE going to NM for the good stuff. It's so much better than the type of so called 'heat' people are used to in Texas.

What do you all think of all the crime in Abq? It seems a bit excessive to me, but DH reminds me that we get plenty of our own. I guess Abq's just seems a little more random to me. And it at least felt to me like there was more personal crime. Our area has a fair amount of property crime, but not as much personal. At least, as I said, so it seems to me.

But I may just be biased :)

WonderWoman

12-16-2007, 10:26 AM

The crime here has certainly become more visible, but I'm not sure it's gotten worse. I live in a nice neighborhood. We dont have to lock our doors ... we do, but we don't have to. It's VERY safe. My mom lives in a rougher neighborhood. Although hers is fairly safe too, I just don't wander too far away from her house at night because it can get a little creepy. I think there is some gang violence, but it's gang on gang and it rarely touches the outside population. There have been a couple of crazies in the last couple of years, but those seem to be rare. DH said it best: I've never known anyone who mugged, carjacked or killed by any sort of random violence, but if you park your car in the wrong neighborhood it'll get broken into.

FoxyBlue

12-16-2007, 11:20 AM

but it's gang on gang and it rarely touches the outside population

See that I'm ok with. It's like that here too. But if you're in a gang, what do you expect?

What scares me was stuff like that security guard at the car dealership who died after being beaten. And I think all they stole was maybe a set of hubcaps.

lunaria

12-16-2007, 11:29 AM

WOW.. this thread has officially taken off :)

Lets see, I live in Ventana Ranch. Yes, having a Blakes right around the corner from me isnt good for the hips or butt !! hahaha

This was my first time seeing balloon fiesta. WOW, it was incredible. MIL and I were actually up in the air, in a balloon, when that lady fell out of the basket and died. Our pilot got the call while we were going over the Rio Grande... freaked the heck out of me. We were acutally booked to go with Rainbow Riders (the balloon company that had the crash) and I switched the reservations at the last minute to another, cheaper company. So that very well could of been us.... needless to say, that was my first and last ride :)

Housing here in ABQ is very very cheap compared to what we are used to. We moved form Sarasota, FL and we sold our last home for over $500,000. We just about paid cash for a brand new home here in ABQ. So, for us, we think the lost of living here is heavenly!:D

Crime here is bad. One of the reasons we are glad ABQ is just a pit stop for us. DH works for the Govt (not military or labs) and we will prob be going to LA next then DC. One thing for sure is I am taking my green chili with me:p I also am looking forward to being closer to a BIG airport for better airfare prices and variety. Although travel in and out of the Sunport is kinda nice... no long lines and cheap parking.

Who knew New Mexico would be this exciting?

Fluffy Bunny

12-16-2007, 07:26 PM

It's been a busy weekend, but I finally managed to swing by again. I live in the East Mountains. We're planning to stay in Albuquerque for good - DH was born here and went to undergrad at NM Tech so he considers New Mexico home. I'm a transplant from Maryland and prefer NM.

I missed Balloon Fiesta this year. We tried to take DD to the special shapes glowdeo but we were told after the shuttle got there that the event was cancelled for the evening because of wind. We'll try again next year.

I don't think crime in Albuquerque is too bad. From my perspective, the East Mountains and NE Heights are safe. There are certainly areas to avoid along Central and near the fairgrounds.

WonderWoman

12-16-2007, 09:58 PM

Fluffy Yeah Central near the fairgrounds is scary. I don't really venture down there too often. I think it's affectionately called the "War Zone" ... that's where all that gang on gang violence happens. I think. My FIL lives in the East Moutains. You get snowed in yet this year?

Lunaria I think it's funny that the N.M. thread took off. I'm glad it did. It's nice to talk to other folks from "home." I'm actually in Ventana too. That's not the best Blakes in the city. I'm fond of the one on San Antonio by the freeway.

I've never ridden in a balloon. I'm scared. I like 'em on the ground, thank you.

WonderWoman

12-18-2007, 10:53 AM

Who was saying they hadn't seen a balloon glow? There is one at one of the golf courses on Xmas eve this year. I bet that will be pretty with the luminarias.

lunaria

12-18-2007, 11:10 AM

I dont know but we saw the Glow this year and it was one of the most awesome things I have ever seen... ranks up there with the things you must do/see in your lifetime for sure:)

WonderWoman

12-18-2007, 11:03 PM

I agree! They are pretty amazing!

lunaria

12-19-2007, 09:42 AM

Are u in the org Ventana? Or in Ventana West?

I didnt know that some Blakes were better than others.. thought they were all the same. Learn something new everyday here:)

What is your fav New Mexican rest. here in town? DH and I always love trying new places.

WonderWoman

12-19-2007, 05:51 PM

I have no idea which part of Ventana I'm in. I'm near the elementary school. I'm guessing original Ventana.

I like Gardunos for Fast-food type Mexican. I like their salsa. Los Cuates is pretty good. Also Sadie's is awesome! Hot chile.

I'll think about it a little more. I know I have some fave Mexican places...

lunaria

12-20-2007, 08:54 AM

Yeah, Sadies is YUMMY!!!! We go there everytime someone comes into town. My fav is carne adovada but Sadies sometimes is kinda greasy. It also varies daily on how hot it is.

I havent tried Little Anita's yet... since one just opened on Paradise.. maybe we will give it a shot.

Yup, you are off of Universe right? I live in Ventana West... futher down Paseo. Do you have any kids? We go to the parks near you a lot with the moms group I am in. One good thing about the Westside is we have lots of green parks:)

WonderWoman

12-20-2007, 08:20 PM

I don't generally like Little Anitas. But every location has it's own flavor.

Nah, no kids yet. Are you in the mommy group that is always crossing paradise at 10 a.m. when I'm heading to work? I'm always jealous of them. I'm working on being able to be a SAHM when the time comes.

lunaria

12-21-2007, 09:40 AM

No, not that group.. I think that is the MOMS club from Ventana Ranch... I am in the westside one ... geez, sounds like a gang huh?:D Basically we rotate parks all over the westside everyweek. Then we also have moms night out and lunch once a month. It is a good way to meet ppl in the area. I was having a hard time until I got into the group.

DH works with APD a lot with his job (he used to be a cop in FL for 12 years) and I met one of the wives who is in the club and she got us started in it.

I am a SAHM now, I know what you are talking about. It is a adjustment mentally and on the pocketbook:) BUT I wouldnt change it for the world!

WonderWoman

12-21-2007, 12:27 PM

The gang of stroller mommies. They are a formidable bunch. :D

What did you do before you were a SAHM.

lunaria

12-21-2007, 01:05 PM

Yeah, watch out for us or we will beat you up with baby bottles! :)

I was (still am I guess) a Respiratory Therapist in the PICU and NICU..

Have not worked in this state. Medicine is very different from the east coast to the west coast.

WonderWoman

12-21-2007, 05:27 PM

Interesting. I can understand what you mean about the change in mindset. That's a pretty intense job and then to stay home...big switch.

FoxyBlue

12-21-2007, 05:54 PM

I really liked the big, greasy but tasty breakfast bowl that I had at Weck's :)

It did a number on my stomach, but that was because I'm not used to eating green chile every day!

WonderWoman

12-21-2007, 06:05 PM

I like to eat at Weck's, but you're right ... watch out tummy!

MLA

12-21-2007, 07:31 PM

MLA Santa Fe IS nice, but you can't really live there anymore. It's too expensive. But we go up to eat or hang out every now and then. It's got a lot of character!

True. Definitely expensive, but I love it!

I'm sorry to hear about the death at the Balloon Fiesta. DH's mom is a ballooner, and we've gone up once before. We had a minor crash landing -- not fun. Ballooning's a lot more dangerous than people think.

Do y'all ever go to Golden Pride Chicken? I love their breakfast burritos. I've never had their chicken, though. :o

FoxyBlue

12-21-2007, 10:07 PM

Santa Fe felt too suffocating to me. It was very cute, but I couldn't live there.

We went there for the day during our honeymoon trip. We took a trip to the Georgia O'Keeffe museum, which was really cool.

WonderWoman

12-22-2007, 02:45 AM

You know, I don't go the museums as much as I'd like to. Santa Fe is far for us...like a whole 45 minutes, but it seems so far ... and we just don't get up there that often. I would like to see the Georgia O'Keefe Museum.

YUUUUMMMMM Golden Pride. We were talking about that at work today. Love it! Another place we don't get to as often as we'd like. West Siders don't venture into town much, it's so crowded in town.

lunaria

12-23-2007, 09:24 AM

Okay, what is this Golden Pride place.. and where is it? Us trandplants need to know more! :)

We go up to Santa Fe when ppl come to visit. It is pretty up there but it is tooooooo small for me to live there. Abq is actually on the small side also.

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday and stay safe!

FoxyBlue

12-23-2007, 09:41 AM

far for us...like a whole 45 minutes, but it seems so far ...

I currently commute 45 minutes to work, each way :)

I really REALLY would love to not have to do that in the near-ish future.

lunaria

01-11-2008, 04:42 PM

How was everyones xmas and new years?

Doing anything fun this year?

WonderWoman

01-11-2008, 08:03 PM

I know there is one Golden Pride on Lomas near the university hospital.

Xmas and New Years were great. We went to Vegas and that was kind of sucky. I caught a cold and couldn't have Vegas fun. I'm glad to be home, I missed my dog.

lunaria

01-12-2008, 09:07 AM

Yeah, we stayed home for new years. Atleast the weather is nice this year unlike what we were going thru this time last yr :)

FoxyBlue

01-12-2008, 09:19 AM

I missed not having Christmas in New Mexico :( Last year we were in Albuquerque. The wind blew out our luminarias, but the snow was nice!

Fortunately we will be back for next Christmas :)

I don't think we have a chance of moving for maybe a year and a half or two, but I would really like to see it happen by then.