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We visit Silver City every year staying one to two months at a time and absolutely love it! As a musician, I find plenty of folks to play with in an environment that is for the music, not for the "exposure" & bucks. Definitely not for the $$. Another thing I really like is that the downtown works - that is, there isn't a lot of empty buildings - local businesses seem to be doing well.
We've found that places we gravitate towards always have a college or university and an active music/arts scene. This also tends to be be a more liberal environment which we prefer. The outdoors in this part of NM is simply beautiful and Mexico is not far away. If we need any kind of big-box experience, there's always Las Cruces which is not far away (couple hours).
bjaxon, thanks for your reply! You echo much of the same sentiment I feel about Silver City. It has its own vibe, quite open and liberal, and also lots of arts and natural wilderness to enjoy! I like the downtown as well. Thanks!
Thanks, both of you for replying, Oregon Bill and elkotronics. I love the pics you posted as well. We really enjoy hiking and nature, and there is lots to be seen there.
Thanks, both of you for replying, Oregon Bill and elkotronics. I love the pics you posted as well. We really enjoy hiking and nature, and there is lots to be seen there.
You're welcome, B.Happy. Make sure and post back on here and let us know what you decide on.
We visit Silver City every year staying one to two months at a time and absolutely love it! As a musician, I find plenty of folks to play with in an environment that is for the music, not for the "exposure" & bucks. Definitely not for the $$. Another thing I really like is that the downtown works - that is, there isn't a lot of empty buildings - local businesses seem to be doing well.
We've found that places we gravitate towards always have a college or university and an active music/arts scene. This also tends to be be a more liberal environment which we prefer. The outdoors in this part of NM is simply beautiful and Mexico is not far away. If we need any kind of big-box experience, there's always Las Cruces which is not far away (couple hours).
And then there's the Gila Wilderness. 'Nuff said!
I've stayed in Silver a couple of times and like it quite well also... do you know if the music scene includes people into classical and jazz? I play full-time on ships (6 months per year), so wouldn't need local gigs for $, but would like to be in an environment that includes these types of players.
I've stayed in Silver a couple of times and like it quite well also... do you know if the music scene includes people into classical and jazz? I play full-time on ships (6 months per year), so wouldn't need local gigs for $, but would like to be in an environment that includes these types of players.
The times I've been there, marakima, I haven't heard classical performed, though in the other bands around town (acoustic), they've had the instrumentation (& talent), available to form such an ensemble. I'll bet some folks have played out perhaps for weddings and the like...
Most of what I heard around town was of the progressive country, bluegrass genre - some "classic" rock and light jazz. The bluegrass I did hear was quite good, too.
bjaxon, thanks for your reply! You echo much of the same sentiment I feel about Silver City. It has its own vibe, quite open and liberal, and also lots of arts and natural wilderness to enjoy! I like the downtown as well. Thanks!
Where did you finally decide on? (I'm a mental health therapist, too! And looking at/learning heavily towards Silver City. But...still unsure!) What made you happy, in the long run?
Pros for Silver, nice climate close to Gila national forest, at 6,000 elevation, tho a tad hot in summer, especially in June, before the monsoon. Warm in winter, would be nice if it snowed a bit more. Some quaint houses and buildings in the older section of this very hilly town. 45 art galleries for browsing or collecting.
The downside is that now, since the advent of Covid-19, this liberal town is literally on lockdown with no end in site at present. So....the downtown area is struggling, loosing businesses right and left. Previously, there have been a lot of nice little eateries that are now going down due to being forced into curb service and no eat in dining. The nightlife is also nearly non existent, along with the previously lively tourist trade and visitors who came for the ambiance, galleries and scenery. The downtown section is almost entirely "Mask required", and the local "Karen's" will give you their 2 cents worth if you don't have one on....plus, at present, the city council is trying to pass a mandated more stringent law on masking, and a $50 non compliance fine for violators.
There are very few jobs available, which again, has gotten worse since the beginning of 2020.
And as for health care....in spite of the Gila Regional hospital, it's not so good. There are not enough specialists, and you'd have to go to Las Cruces for serious medical needs.
All that said, like many other places, Silver is suffering, what could be death throes unless something drastic happens very soon.
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