Vagabond

SisterSue said:

I don't know about Albuquerque, but I never really had any problems in Atlanta and Atlanta is far bigger. Just have to be aware where you are when you park for the night. I have slept all over Atlanta and in all of the years, the closest I think I ever came to a problem was a couple of drunks got in a argument outside my van but they never touched the van or anything. Besides I wasn't really thinking about staying "in" Albuquerque more around
there. I want to try more of what you call boondocking here with Albuquerque being near by although I don't know how long I will stay near there as I know someone in Algodones and plan on trying out something near there. I have been checking out maps and just ordered a Delorme map for New Mexico so I can check things out better. I also ordered a RV gps off ebay to help me find things. Anyhow thanks all! Sue

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The crime in most of the cities here in NM are higher than the US average. Nevertheless, I have traveled NM for a total of c. 14 months in the last 5 years. I have never had any issues. People in NM are very kind and it’s a beautiful state. I had originally planned to settle down in AZ but COVID cast me out on the road unexpectedly. I’ve since changed plans and would like to spend my “golden” years in NM instead of AZ.
Many people have warned me to try to stay away from Albuquerque South Valley. Not sure how valid that is.
One of my favorite parts of NM is you can often travel a short distance and the whole natural environment changes. It’s like traveling in many different states all in one!
PS: I’m a lifelong Michigander and spent my last couple years in Traverse City. If you can swing a trip to visit you son, Northern Michigan is also one of the most beautiful places in the US!

Southwest said:

The annual park pass may be a option (Although most are closed due to virus at this time )
https://newmexicostateparks.reserve...e=common&commonPath=/htm/NM_AnnualPasses.html

Also,
https://www.roswell-nm.gov/
https://www.cityofcarlsbadnm.com/
https://www.ruidoso.net/
https://www.socorronm.org/
https://www.visitsilvercity.org/
https://www.las-cruces.org/
http://cityofelephantbutte.com/
https://www.sierracountynewmexico.info/truth-or-consequences/
https://taos.org/
https://chamavillage.com/
http://www.villageofhatch.org/
http://www.grants.org/
https://ci.alamogordo.nm.us/
http://cloudcroft.com/

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State Park Pass is how I do it and have been successful so far. Pretty much all of the parks are open now so not an issue but, they are mostly reservation only since reopening so you have to plan ahead far in advance.

As an artist who needed affordable studio space in Los Angeles I lived in areas considered to be, and were statistically high crime areas. They were often areas that were non-white, which makes some white people uncomfortable, but I found it to be a great experience. There was gang activity, but none of it seemed random or likely to affect me. I had the dog pictured as my avatar then. It made the gangsters laugh, they loved that dog and were always nice to me. Poverty seemed to drive property crimes, and gangs engaged in the drug trade the violence, but it was largely around protecting their business interests. Anyway there is always more you don't learn from crime statistics, they're not the whole story anyway. I've always felt safe in New Mexico, more in some places, less in others. If you've been living in a vehicle in a more urban area that long, I'm sure you have good judgement about your surroundings.

I think living in a vehicle is much more comfortable out west in the dry climate. And you can find a different climate by driving not all that far, changing elevations, being on the dry or rainy side of a mountain range, etc. Although the cold can be probably more than you're used to. I'll be trying it out in Mississippi starting in a week or so, and have been working there the past 10 years, so I know the climate. I'm a bit worried how the heat and humidity will be in the van.

GoingMobile said:

I lived in areas considered to be, and were statistically high crime areas. They were often areas that were non-white, which makes some white people uncomfortable, but I found it to be a great experience. There was gang activity, but none of it seemed random or likely to affect me.

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I lived in the “hood” for 15 years, and had the same experience. I was respectful (not fearful, which is actually a type of disrespect) and was very comfortable. Despite not being from the hood originally. I do think you need to have learned some familiarity with non-white peoples to do this right, though. I learned in other ways, over time, before moving in.

A lot of people never seem to learn to adapt to their environment or financial situation! Lol!!!

Unfortunately, I can’t laugh with ya on this one. It is hard! Life in a fixed box is certainly a lot easier to plan and budget for. Life on the road certainly sends you way more curve balls that you aren’t expecting, even if it costs less on average.

bullfrog said:

A lot of people never seem to learn to adapt to their environment or financial situation! Lol!!!

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