Farmington, New Mexico SperlingViews

The area has a very peculiar culture very heavily influenced by the Navajo reservation nearby. Farmington is the largest city within a three hour radius and is very limited in its shopping. If you plan on moving here get used to ordering online or making one trip to do all of your shopping in Albuquerque. The city has really funded their parks and recreations well; however, they are looking into closing down the community theater to cut costs. This region is very dry and there are no lakes to swim in. The local lake is mostly only good for boating. Not a whole lot to do and the cost of living is pretty high compared to Texas (where we moved from)

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A great place to live - 2/28/2013

its not the kind of town you would normally write about. In fact i used to truly hate Farmington. but it has become home. there are tone of things you can go and do.[read more...]

air quality of farmington nm - 11/22/2010

I wold like to correct you on your rating of air quality in Farmington, NM. For the past few years the air quality was rated as a "1" on Sperling's bestplaces.net. This was a correct rating. Now, Farmington, NM is rated as an 86.1. As the former Public Health Educator for the Department of Health in Farmington, New Mexico in San Juan County, I was hired to do undercover work to research the emission of the third worst coal-fired power plants, two of them that reside in that area. The emissions cause about 80% of th children in San Juan County, especially the Navajo children on the Shiprock reservation, to have asthma, not to mention the effects on the adults health also - devastating health effects. I worked with an Epidemiologist that had a Doctorate degree, who confirmed these findings. I also worked with Jan Schlichtman, an environmental attorney of whom they made the movie "A Civil ActionSuit" who actually came to Farmingtonto assist me and an attorney friend to enlighten the community about the emissions of these plants and their effects on the health of thecitizens of the county. Thedepartmen of theEnvironment of the State of New Mexico was hiding the true emission count, and the environmental engineer that I interviewed then refused to be honest with me about the power plants. as he measured the emissions on a daily basis - araticles were placed in the Daily Times, thelocal newspaper about how horrible the emissions are. One of the plants was recently sued by theSierra Club and changegd some of their technologies, however, Farmingtonand the surrounding areas have devasting aira quality - it is a known fact by some of the enlightened citizens. Because of the good old politics of the area, this is covered up and not acknowledged, edpecially because thepower plants donate money to non-profit organizations. It is a blatantlie that the air quality of Farmington is an 86.1 - it isnot possible and I wonder who donated the information - I feel it was just a move to make the area more attractive to tourists orindividuals who are interested in relocatin there - many people that I knew personally died shortly after moving to Farmington and I myself became very ill from the aiar, whichis not a good combination with the altitude and endless amount of traffic and caremission coming from the reservation and other areas. Please let the public know th truth about this area. It was one of the most horrible places I ever lived in - yes it has many interesting aspects such as the Anasazi ruins and geological formations - but between the air quality and the severly Christian environment, of which many individuals were basically hatefuland destructive, that called themselves Christians, I would stay away from Farmington - Albuquerque or Santa Fe are better examples of what New Mexico really is. [read more...]

Farmington, NM - 9/22/2009

The area has a very peculiar culture very heavily influenced by the Navajo reservation nearby. Farmington is the largest city within a three hour radius and is very limited in its shopping. If you plan on moving here get used to ordering online or making one trip to do all of your shopping in Albuquerque. The city has really funded their parks and recreations well; however, they are looking into closing down the community theater to cut costs. This region is very dry and there are no lakes to swim in. The local lake is mostly only good for boating. Not a whole lot to do and the cost of living is pretty high compared to Texas (where we moved from)[read more...]

CPI - 9/14/2009

Look to see the CPI[read more...]

cost of living - 11/30/2008

I am replying to someone who said the cost of living was high in Aztec, and it is high, considering how little the area has to offer.[read more...]

Terrible Place... Two Years Later - 10/7/2008

I wrote about the Farmington area two years ago, it deserves an update. It may not be the best,but it could be worse! The traffic is the most irritating...getting worse all the time and our roads are simply not keeping up with the huge growth our area has recently undergone. Gas has gone as high as $4.20 a gallon but seems to linger around $3.90 most of the time. Grocery prices are out of control but I suspect they are bad in most parts of our country at this time. The housing market has stabilized and the equity growths slowed down due to the housing market slump. The air quality is about to get worse as they are going to build yet a THIRD power plant in the region... I suppose 7th worst air quality in the nation wasn't good enough, we're going for first place apparently. The people in our community are getting angrier as our nation's economy continues its downward spiral. However, money woes can make us all feel stressed and feeling angry and I think that most of us have a valid reason to feel that way. Yet, in light of the recent economic situation that has occurred in the last couple of years, I do have postive notes to add! While other towns and cities are tanking, our town has become a haven to many families that needed to escape their own towns and cities in order to seek a place that has a more stable economy. We have had lots of people move here from Louisiana(due to Katrina), from places like Michigan where the unemployment rates are skyrocketing, and also many californians. The increase in population has spurred on some new businesses and yes, even some night life and festivals! And while it may still be difficult to find high wage jobs, our job market is becoming more competitive, stable, and varied. Best of all, I can say that we still have a strong economy here despite what is happening on Wall Street and with a little more help and love....our community has the potential to be be great. I have done some real soul searching in the last two years and came to realize that despite all the things I dislike about Farmington, there are good things going on and the friendships I have made in the last 12 years mean a great deal to me. I have spent 10 of my 12 years here trying to move to greener pastures to find a place to call home...without realizing I was in a lush garden full of family, friends, but best of all, love. I am no longer searching for a new place to call home. I realized home and happiness was here all along in my heart, my mind, my friends and family...and in my community. Home isn't just a location, it's a state of mind.[read more...]

Review of Farmington life - 4/30/2008

I just read a review of Farmington. It expressed the discontent of the individual for the air quality, price of gas and living. Also she expressed a need for night life. As for me, I live in California and want to answer the reasons why so many people have moved to Farmington. We pay an average price of #3.78 per gallon of gas, our rent for the one bedroom apartment we live in is $848.00 per month. We have a high rate of gang crime and burglary. Yet, the people here on average are good people and nice to be around. We have chosen to move to Farmington for the very reasons she expressed as depressing. It's quieter, cheaper and cleaner air will provide us with a relief of stress, and enable us to live within our means. The hot (90 degree) summer weather is comfortable considering we have already hit the 90's here. Our summer average is in the 100's so we will love the cool down. Animal life here consists of squirrels and other rodents, so the deer and such there will be a blessing. I realize that one man's "trash" is another man's "treasure." Be grateful for what you have because things could be worse...[read more...]

Farmington - Pros/Cons - 4/6/2008

Pros: 1. Low crime rate 2. Low cost of living and housing for region 3. Affordable place to live 4. Good school system 5. Nice physical setting and climate 6. Plenty of recreation in the mountains to the north 7. An overall good place to live and raise a family Cons: 1. Rising housing costs 2. Rapid growth 3. Very poor air quality[read more...]

Cost of Living - 4/6/2008

Many people complain about how high cost of living is in Farmington. But if you think Farmington is expensive, check out Durango, Colorado. Housing prices there are more than TWICE as high. Farmington's living and housing costs are rising, but are still low for the region.[read more...]

Farmington economy - 1/20/2008

The local economy in farmington has been very good the last several years due to a very strong oil and gas field. BP America and Conoco-Phillips are very large employers here.[read more...]

A Little Bit of All Types of Weather - 11/20/2007

Farmington, New Mexico (also known as the Four Corners Area) is a high desert community with warm days and cool nights and sits at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains which brings cold winds and a few snow showers - you will find all four seasons in this community and simetimes you will find all four seasons in a single day.[read more...]

Weather in Farmington - 5/19/2007

Has four seasons and fall is beautiful, winter usually mild, spring usually windy and short-lived. Summer is hot, dry, and can be windy.[read more...]

This Place Is Terrible!! - 7/12/2006

I have lived here for over ten years now... each year seems to get worse than the preceding year. The statistics that this site shows in regards to our economy is way off now too, as housing costs have skyrocketed within the last two years (my crappy little house has gone from $85,000 to $115,000 in only two years)also forcing rents to rise to an average of around $650.00-$750.00/per mo. The unemployment rate has probably risen as well. Seems like good jobs are getting more difficult to find. It has been impossible to find a job here that pays decently, unless you're a man, or unless you're willing to work in the dirty oilfield for 80 hours a week. Education here is pathetic for youngsters, and the college here is only a two year college. People keep moving here (to my wonderment) and the traffic is getting terrible. What used to be a ten minute drive when I first moved here now takes twice the time or longer. But one of the most annoying things about this place is the utter lack of night-life, entertainment, shopping, festivals, and the general overall absence of things to do here unless you're a hunter or fisherman. The overwhelming meth-amphetamine drug problems that exist in my community I believe are connected with people not having enough to do... and yes, the kids here are heavily into drugs and drinking too. There is no public transportation system that is even worth mentioning. Which doesn't help our TERRIBLE AIR QUALITY! Gas prices have been an average of $3.15 a gallon for a very long time now too, even though there is a gas refinery I can literally see out my front door (really). Why haven't I moved yet, you ask... I can't make enough money here to save up to move!! The cost of living compared to the pay is eating me alive financially. Oh yeah, the police here are more like KGB or the Gestappo. This is a heavily policed area and the power has gone to thier heads so they get away with all kinds of things. If I were you... I'd move somewhere else.[read more...]

weather: mostly good. - 4/20/2006

The high desert offers variety........spring can be a little windy with dust at times but spring is generally very nice. The summer is warm to hot ( low humidity) with August afternoon rain storms (monsoon). Winter is moderate with some snow and cold temps but much sun.[read more...]

Dessert City - 4/13/2006

Cost of living here is high compared to most . We have one of the highest gas prices. Good family community[read more...]

Lived here my whole life.... - 3/23/2006

Some people say they like the landscape... sure if you like dirt and dust on everything you own! There are alot of pedophiles here, check the state registry. Lots of mental illness, drunk drivers, and trailer parks. You can't buy much at the tiny little health food stores here. Healthy lifestyles are limited by the crappy options for good/fresh food and drivers that yell and thow stuff at you as you bike down the street...and forget bike lanes! The weather is pretty nice... freeze/snow and hot in the summer. We have four seasons here. The reservation is so close the city swells on the weekends for "navajo shopping day" and the roads are packed. Lots of drunks wander around downtown so don't try to use the restroom at the businesses there... you'll have to leave the store your in and drive to a gas station. Very little in the town is close enough to walk... that is why there are so many fat people! You'll love to see the power plants to the west with there plumes of black smoke lofting into the air your breathing. Some people like the sunsets... they don't realize the funky orange color is pollution. Come see if you don't believe me.[read more...]

Eating Out in Farmington, NM - 10/5/2005

It tells you almost everything you need to know about a town when the locals agree that the best dining in town is at the airport trminal. This town exists to service the gas fields in the San Juan Basin. It's a great place to get anything metal welded, but it's not much good for anything else.[read more...]

Starbucks, weather - 7/2/2005

There is one (Starbucks) in Farmington. Several days have been in excess of 90 degrees this summer.[read more...]