Moving to New Mexico...

last year

last modified: last year

We have talked about the possibility for some time, and I recently posted here asking for input from those who have purchased property in addition to owning their current residence. We initially toyed with purchasing for investment with an eye towards maybe building on property acquired, but found the most gorgeous mountain meadow acreage in an area we love dearly and want to call home in the future and are under contract to close in early January. It's in a gated subdivision which wouldn't appeal to me in our current area, but is a perfect small community for this NM location -- close to town and easily accessible by a main highway, but safe and private to feel just secluded enough.
Although our move will be some time in the future, I'm so elated to have "a piece of home" in a place I so love. I also feel that now we have a decidedly real future focus.
I'm looking at modern log cabin and timberframe homes. I love our current home and will likely incorporate many of its same features into what we end up building. But it's exciting to think of possibilities... and mostly just the opportunity to wake up in the mountains every morning when I am an even older woman.

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Allison0704

last year

To give you a bit of insight of building on acreage, our house on the lake was 5 acres. Power had to be taken from the street (underground) closer to the house. Power company installed a big covered equipment box between our lot and the lot next door (that house would eventually connect to "our" box). Power company wanted to charge us for the entire install, but DH talked him into discounting since whenever house went next door they could/would charge them also. Our part was over 10K.

We had city water, but a well for landscaping. If your neighborhood has a well you will need a water treatment system in the house (utility area or basement).

Depending on how far you are from civilization, aka the grocery store, be sure to include a good size storage closet or room, and decent pantry.

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Comments (73)

Bumblebeez SC Zone 7
last year
Wow! I am so excited for you and can't wait to see this new adventure! I'm also happy that you're going to have some more space around your home.
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DLM2000-GW
last year
Your own little piece of heaven!
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lizzie_grow
last year
Well, this is exciting, Ida!!!
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texanjana
last year
I thought it was the Sacramentos. We will be spreading my parents’ ashes there in July. It was their favorite place on earth. So beautiful.
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Allison0704
last year
That's wonderful! I had a feeling from your last post you two were going to go forward on this. Such a beautiful area. How many acres? I look forward to seeing things develop. Congrats!
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lascatx
last year
It's beautiful and totally suits you. But I will miss knowing you are just up the road (ok, 250 miles or so, but still). I would love to do something like that, but we are here until the kiddos figure out their next steps -- and I don't see DH moving. If we do, it will likely be to be near one of them. Nice that you will have time to plan and build. Enjoy the process.
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OutsidePlaying
last year
So exciting, Ida, and I’m just over-the-moon thrilled for you. I can totally understand how a place can grab hour heart and soul. Just think now how exciting it will be to plan your dream home and visit in the future.
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Kswl
last year
last modified: last year
That’s fantastic! You have a plan and an exciting goal and have taken a huge first step—congratulations!
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Bestyears
last year
Oh that looks fantastic!!!! What a beautiful, beautiful spot!
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barncatz
last year
It's just incredibly beautiful - congratulations!

I'm one of the responders to your earlier post who built our house on the weekends over six years after owning the raw land for five. We moved to this area because DH feels about it the way you seem to about your property and because I was tired of boarding my two horses and wanted them at home.

You sound so excited - I'm happy for you!
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User
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Thank you all for sharing my happiness. That means the world to me!

For quite some time I've felt like my future could be untethered. My parents and inlaws live very close by, and I was born and lived in this area for most of my life. While this is my home, even in all its familiarity, I don't love it here. My family and many friends are here, but my spirit seems to come alive elsewhere. That probably sounds a little nutty. But it's occurred to me in recent years that once my folks are gone, there is nothing tying me to this place. My DH feels the same. Once they are gone, I think it could feel profoundly sad to remain here. That's not to say that we're waiting around for our parents to pass (heavens no!). That would just be odd, and who knows what the future holds -- but we've both fully realized that our future could potentially look different than our present existence. And that's very compelling.

Jana, your words are deeply touching. I'm so glad you're honoring your parents by celebrating their lives in the place they loved so much. That is beautiful and incredibly meaningful.

Allison, we'll have 3.7 acres. Not a huge plot of land, but big enough for us. (And maybe a pony.)
3katz4me
last year
Love all the photos - so beautiful.
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jakabedy
last year
Welcome! It’s a wonderful place.
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Arapaho-Rd
last year
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Very, very happy for you, Ida. It looks like a beautiful place and one that will bring you much happiness and peace.
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lakeaffect_gw
last year
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All the best to you on your journey, Ida, it’s going to be exhilirating, exhausting, sometimes irritating and always interesting, and that is a lovely property.

Invest in some graph paper or an online program (I can’t recommend one, we built in 2007, an eon or three ago in tech terms) and just tinker, tinker, tinker. Make lists of ”must haves”, ”love to have” and ”fun to have” and keep that updated as you explore the options. Don’t buy a floorplan from a book, buid the cost of an architect into your build, as they can help you create a home suits both your lifestyle and the site (so important!). Go to the architect with ideas, pictures and layouts, it will help them help you, and if the person you’re talking to isn’t totally turned on by your interest in the process, your ideas and your vision, move on and find another architect. Timberframes are a breed unto themselves, maybe tour a few to get the feel, heck, even spend a few nights in a timberframed Air B&B so you really get to know how they ”live”.

Building a home is hard work, and doing so from afar adds to that work, so consider if you’ll rent close by while your home is being built. That will add more cost, but you can be hands on, tour it daily and be able to make decisions after being in the actual space, vs. having the builder text you pics. Also, if you haven’t, hang around the Building a Home forum on GW, some very talented architects and builders post over there (also some real PITAs, who is who will depend on your viewpoint on buiding, architects and builders).
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happy2b…gw
last year
Ida, figuring out and fulfiling part of your dream for the future has delightfully opened more oppotunities for dreaming. You are on an exciting journey of imagining and bringing to fruition a wonderful retirement. The location and land are spectacular.
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daisychain Zn3b
last year
This is such exciting news! I'm really pleased for you and look forward to hearing more about this latest adventure.
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mtnrdredux_gw
last year
So happy for you Ida! It is truly a little slice of heaven.
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elcieg
last year
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Wow! I suggest you delete this comment: "although this 7,000 sf beast is on 45 acres adjacent to the subdivision, sharing its entry gate." You never know who is on houzz and you wouldn't want to insult a neighbor before you arrive. Definitely "problematic".
User
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
That's ok. I'm fine with what I expressed.

You might want to brush up on slang usage. "Beast" can mean exceptionally large, imposing, dominating. You seem to have read insult where none was intended, which is unfortunate. I actually think it's a stunning home, but it's outsized compared to those that are in the vicinity. (Thoughtful of you to show an interest in my happy news though.)
hhireno
last year
What wonderful news! Seeing those photos it is very clear why you love the area. Looking forward to reading about your journey.
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gsciencechick
last year
It looks fabulous. I’ve never been to NM.
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bpath
last year
This is so exciting! Of course you will share your plans over on Building, and of course they will skewer them, but they also have good eyes. (And I just love watching plans evolve.)
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jill302
last year
Congratulations, wonderful news. The land in your subdivision is gorgeous.
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mojomom
last year
How exciting! Great news! Eight years ago we bought our dream lot in our dream location. I remember the excitment of it all and happy for you to get that experience..
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Jilly
last year
”Beast” used in the context here is not an insult or ”problematic”. I and nearly everyone I know use it to describe very large things.

Again — context.

I’m sure the emotional welfare of Ida’s possible future neighbors will not be affected by this thread.
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hhireno
last year
I can’t wait until we have a road-trip Meet-Up in NM to see the new house, that we helped design and decorate! 😆

And we can meet the other NMers (there seem to be quite a few here).
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User
Original Author
last year
A road trip meetup would be such fun! Give me a few years to get ready!

And Jinx... right? I love me a number of beasts, including impressive vehicles and strong, virile men. Er, man. ;-)
Jilly
last year
I know you do!

He definitely fits the word in a sexxy way. :)
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User
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
This is a home that was recently built in the subdivision. I keep coming back to it and have determined that I "need" a ceiling like this in my life. To me, this says Classic New Mexico and evokes so many memories of time spent in the Land of Enchantment! (I would definitely prefer this with white or off-white walls though.)

ETA: This is the look with white walls (although these are brick, which we wouldn't have most likely) ...

On the other hand, I'm definitely warming to this very contemporary style, also the work of a local builder:
Bluebell66
last year
How exciting and so much to look forward to! Your pics of the area are gorgeous and I can totally see why you feel pulled there. I have never been but it’s on the list!
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maddielee
last year
Beautiful property, I’m excited for you!
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nicole___
last year
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That's the sort of variety of homes we have in our area. They decorate the homes with brown leather, wood and stone accents. Link to one down the street from me. It's very homey. Comforting. Your choice of over 3 acres will allow plenty of space....I will love to see what direction this takes you....
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barncatz
last year
last modified: last year
Ida, are you familiar with American Clay, out of Alberquerque?

Our natural earth plaster products, manufactured in Albuquerque, New Mexico, are a healthy and creative solution for beautiful interiors. Our mission is to bring universal awareness to the value of environmentally conscious products to indoor spaces! Our gorgeous, sustainable clay plasters offer a non-toxic alternative for residential and commercial interior wall coverings and they are unparalleled in quality, health, beauty and value.
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mtnrdredux_gw
last year
I actually used American clay in my entry and MBR suite here in CT, albeit in an off white. I wanted something that had depth to it like plaster. We chose a very subtle texture; i doubt many people notice it.
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barncatz
last year
last modified: last year
Mtn, that's so cool. I used it on almost all our walls, after I took a workshop (and stayed overnight in a Holiday Inn Express). I also hard troweled it to a fairly smooth finish and many people don't notice it, but those who do, love it. This is white, and where the sun is hitting is true to life. It has a depth to it.
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mtnrdredux_gw
last year
last modified: last year
You are the only person I know who has heard of it! We had to look high and low to find someone to custom mix the color to match FnB and then apply it.

Once someone noticed it and asked us how we were planning to finish the walls. 🤷‍♀️

I will have to take a pic but ours is even less noticeable.
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Allison0704
last year
I looked into American Clay when we built our house on the lake. DH nixed.
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User
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Wow, the American Clay products create some gorgeous walls! I really like the depth and colors -- the walls seem to softly glow, don't they! Sugarloaf White, featured in their gallery, is so crisp and clean, but also has a warmth to it. Thanks for sharing about this -- I really like it!

Nicole, that's a beautiful home! I especially like the fireplace in the living area. I've also already said that I will not have white cabinets again, so I look forward to more woodsy look in the future. :-)

DH isn't sold on the idea of a log home, but I really like those that incorporate a smooth drywall along with the logs ...
nicole___
last year
I own THAT Highland cow picture.....it's in my bathroom.....and that square lampshade....I have 3!
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Jilly
last year
When it comes time for my guest cottage, may I request a mini version of Lynn’s house?

Thank you! 😘
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User
Original Author
last year
Jinx, you may! Although our finances might be more amenable to a tiny house at that point! Speaking of ... look how adorable this is!
Jilly
last year
That’ll work, too! 😍
ginrummy53
last year
Do your research on having a log home. I‘ve seen that you have to allow the logs to settle for a while when first built and then every year adjust things. Sounded complicated but I do like the look of them. Have fun no matter which way you go.
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jab65
last year
Congratulations! You're allowing yourself plenty of time to dream, plan, and enjoy the journey. I think that's really important, as is having beautiful surroundings to see daily. Your spot has that in spades!
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User
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Thanks, Allison. This will be a 'new world' to us in a sense, as there are going to be considerations for septic and we will have a well. Electric is at each lot; interesting about how yours played out and a very good thing your DH talked them into a discount! "Civilization" (aside from basic provisions to be found in the village) is a 25-minute drive down the mountain, so we will definitely have to give thought to adequate storage, and will want an extra fridge and freezer as well. Property taxes will likely be 1/3rd of what we pay now, but we aren't fooling ourselves -- any savings there will be eaten up elsewhere. As with everything, there are trade-offs.

I appreciate the helpful info, and am looking forward to continuing to learn as much as I possibly can between now and "when the day comes." At least there is plenty of time. :-)
maire_cate
last year
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Perhaps it's too early to discuss specifics but I'm assuming you have already started a list of 'wants - needs - nice to have' etc. Allison's comment about electricity reminded me of all the power losses we've experienced at our mountain home. You may want to consider a whole house generator as part of your build. Ours is a 1000 gallon propane tank that's buried underground. In my experience homes in a rural area are low on the power company's repair list - they need to focus on re-instating service to the towns. And you might be in an ideal spot for solar too.

So many decisions.......
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jojoco
last year
I am so excited for you! We've built two houses and I was a realtor for a custom home builder for nearly a decade--there's nothing more exciting than making the house you want. Here is a tip--my neighbor worked with an architect to design the interior of her new house first. You know, must haves. In her case it was an open plan, full walk-in laundry room on the second floor with folding counters, dog washing station, etc. After she had her perfect interior layout, the architect then designed how to enclose it all. It was a beautiful home and perfectly suited to them.

If I were to build another new home, that is exactly . what I would do.
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Allison0704
last year
last modified: last year
Oh, we had electric at each lot, but it was at the street. Another box had to be installed X feet from house, with power run from the street to the new box Marie Cate's generator or propane tank suggestion is a good one. A pellet stove is a good heating source too.

It is never too early to start exploring floorplans. After we bought our lot, we looked at architect's previous plans, then went from there - actually looked at our plans for a year before getting back with him on changes and additions.

I know you will have fun looking for ideas and planning before "the day comes."
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