Welcome to New Mexico, Land of Enchantment

by Kris Neri

“You’re lucky you chose satellite for your TV,” the satellite installer said to me. “The cable lines are so old here, cable service is the worst.”

Before I could react to that, he added, “Nothing works here. Welcome to New Mexico.”

Had the Land of Enchantment, as New Mexico calls itself, failed me in my first days as a
resident there?

No, it hadn’t. But as to his comments, it wasn’t luck that made me choose satellite TV for our new home here in the Land of Enchantment. We’d had satellite service for many years, and mostly, have been quite happy with it. Why fix what isn’t broken?

And as for things not working here…thankfully, that bit of hyperbole hasn’t proven to be true.

So far, everything related to our move has worked, and well. From our closing on our house in Arizona, and the closing on the house here, to our furniture delivery, to our satellite installation — everything has gone, not just like clockwork, but more like a Swiss clock’s workings. 

The satellite installer also told me our internet wouldn’t be any good. That’s a concern for me, since I teach online class. Back in Arizona, when a class’s activity really heated up, I could pretty much guarantee I’d have to give up processing assignments at home, where my wifi always crapped out at the worst possible time, but in cafes and the public library. To say we haven’t had the best Internet service in the past would be a criminal understatement. But, so far, our service here has been faster than we’ve ever had, and more importantly, consistent. 

The only real challenges we’ve faced are the same ones that everyone who moves to a new locale faces. That is, not knowing where to find some of the things you need and are used to finding. In your old home, you had your favorite stores, your favorite restaurants. In your new place, you don’t yet have those favorites. You can view finding new ones as either a fun adventure or a nuisance. I opt for the former. 

The other day Joe needed to purchase a new sage smudge stick. Now, I’ll grant you, that’s not something
everyone needs, but he likes to burn sage in the early morning while he sits outside, watching the sun come up, and having his coffee. In Sedona, Arizona, where we moved from, you can’t walk a block without finding some place that sells bundled sage. Here, we actually found it in an antique shop. I wouldn’t have predicted that, but who cares?

But that’s the way it is in small towns. Most services and items are available, but not always where you expect them to be; while, others are simply not there, and you have to hunt for them elsewhere.

When I worked as a concierge at a Sedona resort, I dealt with that issue all the time. Guests were always asking to find the kind of stores that simply didn’t exist there.

“But don’t you have x, y, or z?” they’d ask, rattling off the names of common big box stores.

Do you see them? I always wanted to ask. Instead, I’d tactfully explain that if they really needed one of those stores, they’d have to drive an hour or two to find them.

While most of the people inquiring after those big box stores would ask for an alternate way of finding what they needed, a few of the ruder guests have actually asked, “How do you people live here?”

Actually, people in small towns live just fine. Some would insist better. It’s all a matter of what you want out of life.

While it’s true that big cities often have better job opportunities, more cultural aspects and larger venues, sports teams, greater shopping, and so much more — small towns usually offer a saner pace, an unexpected abundance of the arts, though through smaller venues, a welcoming friendliness, and sometimes especially, charm.

At one time I probably wouldn’t have appreciated small town charm, but now I love it. And I’m glad we’re finding so much of it here in Silver City, New Mexico, in the Land of Enchantment. Even if we do have to hunt for smudge sticks.

Which are you? A city lover, or do you appreciate a small town’s appeal, too?

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Mark]

Glad everything is going so smoothly for you in your new home. Me? I like being in the suburbs. Not quite a big town, but close enough to it to enjoy what it offers without the worst parts, like traffic. (Although traffic getting anywhere at commute times is still pretty bad here.

[fr]

Welcome to your new home. I'm a city lover, but I imagine you could find anything local shops don't carry on the internet.
Enjoy the peace and the new view.

[Susan Neace]

I lived in the city until I finished school, then I took a job in a small town away from family where we raised our kids. When the kids moved away and we retired, we moved back to a suburb close to family. Given our ages, being close to a support network (and public transportation) has become more important. I miss my small town and the friends there but we appear to be keeping the connection. Our oldest daughter, who travels in her job, is buying our old house so she can come home from her tours to the home she grew up in with her lifelong friends

[krisneri]

Mark, I was also a devoted suburbanite until we went smaller. I agree there's a lot to be said for it.

[krisneri]

Thanks, Fr. It is true that the internet provides the same shopping experience for everyone.

[krisneri]

Susan, how nice for your daughter!