I am thinking of taking early retirement and moving to Muleshoe.

I have come into a bit of money, not a tremendous sum but enough to meet my needs for the rest of my life if I'm careful and prudent.

I'm looking for a place to settle down where I can escape the bustle of urban life, and where quite frankly, people will mind their own business and leave me alone--if you know what I mean.

I'm not interested in a busy social life. I don't want a lot of friends or visitors. No Jehovah's Witnesses coming to the door and no Mormons either. In fact, I don't want to be bothered by girls scouts selling cookies.

I just want to be left alone, if you know what I mean.

I'd like to find some rural property where I can pretty much stay to myself. I want no nosey neighbors. I want to visit town for provisions only when I have to. I eat a lot of canned meat.

Do you think Muleshoe would be a good choice for me? I just want to be left alone, if you know what I mean.

Interesting choice. Why Muleshoe, or is this some weird trolling post that I'm not getting?

I have a lead on some land there, nothing definite but perhaps promising.

[This message has been edited by KinkyAG (edited 2/15/2006 9:50a).]

I would never live in Muleshoe or any where near the Panhandle.

The Panhandle is great, we're glad for folks like wreckncrew to move elsewhere.

Nothing wrong with Muleshoe, but the Western Panhandle is uniformly flat, public schools with rare exceptions are not very good in small towns, and will you be happy living around feedlots?

Are you planning to farm? Other than marvelous sunrises and sunsets, scenery in Muleshoe = 0.


I'd be glad to give you more specific info. Tell me a little about what the land deal is and why you would consider it.

If you want to get away, why would you want to be in a place as populated as Muleshoe. I recommend you look into Lazbuddie, Flag, Dodd, or Hub.

Small towns are not about staying out of your business. "There's no reason to let the truth get in the way of a good story".

Spider, I would agree that people in small towns don't keep a lot of secrets, but I'm looking for physical space, not the anonymous neighbors you'd find in the city or burbs. Quite frankly, I don't plan on giving folks a lot to talk about.

Thanks for your concern, CanyonAg. I don't have the expertise to farm commercially, nor am I sure I want to work that hard. As I told you, I have come into a little money and it should be enough to support me if I'm careful.

Perhaps I'll become a gardener and sell the excess at the farmers' market, if there is such a thing locally. It is inviting to think about growing some of my own food.

As for the land deal, it looks like I'll be taking title to some property, just a few acres, that I thought my stepbrother would inherit. I'm unfamiliar, it having been in the other side of the family so long. I'm planning to scout it out soon, perhaps next week. I hope you don't mind if I don't elaborate any more.

As for feed lots, I guess I'd have to go out there and see if I can stand the smell. Is there a part of the year when it is more rancid than others? Also, does the prevailing wind come from one primary direction. I guess if my property is upwind there's not much of a problem. It must be obvious I don't know much about this kind of stuff.

Anyway, the question has come down to whether to live on that land (it has a small house) or whether to sell it.

How is property selling in those parts? If I sell it, I want to make enough to get something somewhere else. But then, I really can't say how much that would be. There's so much I don't know.

As far as schools are concerned, that's not a problem as the kids are gone. However, I suppose property taxes should be a consideration.

I'm sorry to have bothered you guys. I suppose I could have gotten most of this info elsewhere, but I didn't want to rely solely on somebody who had a financial interest, such as a lawyer or a realtor.

Thanks.

[This message has been edited by KinkyAG (edited 2/16/2006 2:13p).]

hope you didn't mind me having some fun at your expense....

the wind is predominantly from the same direction ....

the smell of feedyards is not unbearable unless you are right up on them, even then it's not all that bad

one thing about the panhandle and I have lived all over the state, the people you will find are as nice and caring people as you will ever know...if you need help, someone will be there to help, return the favor

you won't be bothered, but your neighbors will keep an eye on your place while you are away

[This message has been edited by powerbiscuit (edited 2/16/2006 4:24p).]

More later, but at first blush "a few acres" isn't much out here. Unless you are talking 100s of acres to isolate yourself, you biggest worry is the neighbors. With no zoning, you could have any kind of operation move in next to you. And the law will be sympathetic to Ag operations....even big, smelly ones.

Again, look for more detail later tonight.

Thank you both and I look forward to hearing more.

I'll find out more about the property when I see it. A "few" acres could be a way of speaking. The legal description of the property could help me find out. Dad died intestate, a word I had to look up when I first saw it, and the property would come to me in settlement of a debt with my stepbrother.

Okay, maybe I'm not smart enough to know how you're having fun at my expense. From which direction (northwest) do the prevailing winds blow out there?

No zoning? Okay, that's a consideration. I'm not sure I'd want a gas station or McDonalds next to me. On the other hand, the prospect of such might improve the value of the land for subsequent sale. Thanks.


[This message has been edited by KinkyAG (edited 2/16/2006 9:14p).]

Sorry I have to dive in and out....a problem came up that necessitated being out in 24 degree weather with 24 mph wind...might cause you to rethink coming here. It will be in the teens Saturday.

Prevailing wind is from the north and northwest during the winter, and from the southwest in the summer. Rarely does it come from the east.

Feedlots are a problem when nearby and wet from rain. Though they are also big stinkers when you get a temperature inversion. When that happens, the dust and smell may hug the ground for a few miles.

Farmland always sells decently...after last year's amazing cotton crop, folks have money and it might be a great time to sell farm land.

There has been a big trend in the last 20 years or so of city folks wanting to come out and have a little place in the country, so there is that potential, too.


I understand your desire for privacy, so don't worry about that.

What general part of the world are you coming from? Houston, Dallas, etc?

I've lived in the Panhandle all my life (Hale Center and Canyon), and if you haven't guessed, I farm. I'd be glad to answer any more specific questions you have.

I grew up on the east coast, spent some time in the service, and have lived in the DFW area for a while.

The estate is still in court and can't say for sure if I"ll get the property, but it's likely given my brother's finances.

Thanks for your help. If I have more questions I"ll post them. Take care.

if you haven't spend time in the panhandle, you might be in for a rather large culture shock....

like previously mentioned, the land is extremely flat and in many places there are no trees for miles

I really like it and enjoy the view as it's what I grew up with, many people who are not native to the area can not tolerate the openness and lack of trees

the climate is very nice most of the year, very arid, rarely muggy, cools down very nicely in the summer months at night time...highs will be around 100 with little humidity

winters are cold for texas, but not unbearable and it snows, but in that area it doesn't last long

the joke I was making is that while Muleshoe has probably around 3-4000 people, those other places only have a few hundred and no stores...or very limited numbers of stores

Okay, thanks. I was probably a bit pessimistic in my first post. I probably need access to a store or two in order to live comfortably.

It will all depend on, first, whether I actually get the property that everybody in the family always thought would go to my brother. Secondly, I'll have to find out what the market would bring for the land.

After those major questions are answered, I can turn to whether I can live without trees, the smell of feed lots, the weather, etc.

I appreciate your frank answers. If I move out there I'll let you guys know. I'm probably not as antisocial as my original posts conveyed.

I wanted to say that while we've been having fun with this, we haven't intended to make light of the original incident, the loss of your dad. You have our thoughts and prayers.

Dealing with money and estates is stressful, even in the closest of families. I wish you luck in settling this as smoothly as possible.


Obviously, I love the Panhandle, or I wouldn't still be here. Positives include friendly people, moderate weather, and wide open skies.

Coming from DFW, you'll love the lack of traffic and people. You'll like seeing sunrises and sunsets, wide horizons, and more stars than you thought exsisted. You'll enjoy actual seasons, and watching the crops cycle. You'll enjoy the fact that while it may be 100 degrees in the summer, the humidity is very low, and each night it cools off, instead of staying hot 24 hours a day like DFW....thanks to high altitude (near 4000' msl) and low humidity.

Many of the smaller towns like Muleshoe have very high minority populations. There are few white collar jobs, and those with more education tend to move away. While this changes the culture of the towns some, the basic friendliness and caring is unchanged. You will not remain an outsider unless you want to. If you join a church or civic organization, you can become a big part of the community in a hurry.

The folks that have been carrying the load at the local church or Lions club for years will be thrilled to have new blood and new ideas. Yeah, everybody will know you, know your business, and partially judge you based on who your family was...but isn't that better than being unknown and unappreciated?

But as powerbiscuit said, some folks can't stand the Panhandle for many of the same reasons. The wind is not constant, but it does blow much more than DFW. The crops are pretty, but some folks don't like dealing with feedlot smells, tractors on the highway, or dust from a neighbor plowing. What some see as care and concern others feel is nosiness.

Lack of traffic is great, but your wife might not like having to drive 70 miles to Lubbock or Amarillo to shop at a major store. On the other hand, you are less than 4 hours from places like Santa Fe and Albuquerque or Red River. And if you are eligible to shop at a PX, Cannon AFB is only about 20 miles away.


If I had no land or connections, and was just looking for a retirement place, I probably would not choose the Muleshoe area. I really like where I am, closer to the eastern Pnahndle. The terrain has a little more relief, there are a few more trees and creeks, and I like being close to the Palo Duro Canyon area.

But if you have land and a livable house already there, that makes a big $$$$ difference. Here's a suggestion:

Let's assume that you get title to the property in question, and there is a livable house there. Let's also assume that you have a year or so to make a decision. Why don't you spend that year using the Muleshoe property as a vacation house?

Spend some long weekends there at different times of the year. Experience the seasons. Get up early and watch the sunrise. Stay up late and count the stars. Enjoy a pleasant summer evening....and a spring sandstorm, and thunderstorms and blizzards. Go to the local church on Sunday and the coffee shop on Monday. Drive over to Santa Fe for an overnight trip.

At the end of 12 months you'll either love it forever, or be screaming for a realtor to sell it quick. The Panhandle demands love or hate...it seems no one is ever nuetral.

I forgot to add, here are a couple of places to research Muleshoe and your property:

Bailey County web site, with lots of links:

http://www.co.bailey.tx.us/ips/cms

Bailey County Appraisal District, where you can search information on your dads property online:

http://www.trueautomation.com/

On the right, there is a purple area that says "view property info". Select "Bailey CAD" from the drop-down list, and it will tale you to an area where you can search by name, address, etc.

If the property turns out to be farmland, let me know, and I can steer you toward more information.

At least Muleshoe is on the side of the Panhandle that's close to New Mexico (if you like going to the mountains). As opposed to someplace like Perryton or Spearman, which are closer to Beaver, OK, or Liberal, KS than anyplace of consequence in Texas ...

one thing I see that nobody has mentioned...

if some cowboy looking guy says "knock it off or I will knock you on your ass", there is a 75% chance that he is not bluffing

Hey, guys, thanks a lot. I really appreciate it. The suggestion that I make the Muleshoe property a vactation home for a while has a lot of merit.

Perhaps the best part of this correspondence is the genuine sincerity that comes across despite your attempt to have a little fun at my expense. That's okay.

As you can probably guess, life has been a bit stressful lately. Maybe I'm not as much of a loner as I made myself out to be. If I move there I probably won't be in a hurry to join a lot of clubs, but then again, if I meet people I like . . .

BTW, with regard to powerbiscuit's last, I'd treat a pissed off cowboy with roughly the same set of rules I observe when I drive. If somebody else wants to cross that intersection or occupy that parking space, no matter who has the right of way, he gets it.

I'll let you guys know if things work out so that I find it advantageous to move to West Texas.

With sincere thanks.

[This message has been edited by KinkyAG (edited 2/17/2006 4:12p).]

again, my dry sense of humor seems to have missed the mark...

Or perhaps my limited intelect or lack of skills regarding good-natured banter has handicapped my understanding of a joke that everybody else picked up on.

Your quip doesn't have anything to do with that gay cowboy movie, does it?

nah, it has nothing to do with intellect and everything to do with timing, voice inflection, and delivery....I just doesn't carry as well with the written word.

quote:

---

I just want to be left alone, if you know what I mean

---

Are you a meth dealer and/or cook?

muleshoe would be a nice place, IMO. However, things are changing somewhat in that the dairy industry is the more predominant business now, as compared to cattle feeding. Close proximity to Red River, NM (relatively speaking)

If you have not visited it, you need to. Muleshoe can be rather stark to someone that has never been there, even if you have been to the Panhandle.

My mother's family got to the Panhandle in 1880, father's 1885. I left 4 years ago and miss it greatly. But it ain't for everyone.

For a vacation spot. Ruidoso is very close to Muleshoe.

Muleshoe is very hot and dry in the summer and windy. Very cold, dry and windy in the winter. It can be unbearable during both.

The three months that it is green is really pretty though. All four trees in Young County are beautiful then. Just kidding there maybe 10 there, maybe more now.

The panhandle people are the biggest draw. They are the greatest in the world. The weak are weeded out quickly by the conditions. You will be welcomed in Muleshoe with open arms. And there is great mexican food and good western wear buys. Go see it first though before any great financial undertaking. Small tracts are hard to sell.

--------kyle

wanna get away? Go here (NENM): http://maps.google.com/?ll=35.814472,-103.430786&spn=0.781761,1.277161&t=h


[This message has been edited by schick98 (edited 2/28/2006 3:57p).]