Once you have purchased your business in New Mexico, if you are just moving here, it is time to begin the home-shopping experience. Obviously you should wait until the business work has settled in. Getting to know the residential environment first would be a good thing.
In the New Oxford American Dictionary on my computer the word enchantment, noun form of enchant, is defined as “fill (someone) with great delight; charm,” e.g. Enchantment is what we experience living in New Mexico.
What could make living in New Mexico enchanting, as our moniker implies, is the great diversity of land, people, and home styles.
As long ago as 800 AD multi-tiered adobe homes were started. Some ancient buildings remain, mudded over again and again and yes, continue to be lived in. The adobe of yesteryear has evolved, at least in most cases, contemporary adobe, rammed earth, straw bale, and adobe look a likes made of frame with stucco over. These historic based southwest home styles have been joined by brick, metal, log, frame with siding. There are territorial, colonial, Victorian, Georgian, converted rail cars, contemporary and beyond. There are flat roofs, peaked roofs, and sloped roofs. Manufactured and modular homes are prevelent. My home is a northern New Mexico farmhouse, stucco on frame, peaked roof.
This is a land where out buildings are the norm, not the exception. In my neighborhood, one cannot expand unless it IS a separate building. A Hogan joins with barns, stables, casitas, garages, storage sheds, cowboy shacks, riding facilities, outhouses, bunkhouses, etc.
The architectural details have been passed down for generations and incorporated, not just occasionally, into new homes.
Perhaps it is the less severe weather that permits this great variation or the eclectic population.
Or, perhaps I missed something in the many-states residences I have had and am now just waking up in New Mexico.
Remember, focus on the business as a first priority, then the house. But, do enjoy them both.
