Readers dont take kindly to
New Mexico suggestion
Arizona Daily Star September 6, 2006
Tucson, Arizona | Published:
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/145385
It was with tongue in cheek Sunday that I wrote potential retirees to
Arizona should consider New Mexico instead.
But to some readers, them was fightin' words.
I cited a North Carolina economist who said retirees could find greater
financial happiness in the Land of Enchantment because the Grand Canyon
State is becoming a money pit. She said Arizona's housing costs have risen
faster and higher than New Mexico's.
My intention was to pass on good financial information, and maybe to have a
little fun.
Paul Swan, a Michigan transplant living in Corona de Tucson, wasn't
laughing. He wrote that retirees like him, who are working a second career
in Arizona, bring more than higher housing costs. They are educated and have
a high work ethic.
He took me to task for suggesting retirees are to blame for for Arizona's
fast-rising housing costs, which I did not write. He blames Californians for
Arizona's relatively high house prices.
Dear Mr. Swan: Californians will be unfazed by the accusation. They are
accustomed to being blamed for everything bad in Arizona.
Another reader, Mr. King, a Southern Arizona resident, mused that if New
Mexico is such a great place to live, why aren't I living there?
Dear Mr. King: Six years ago I asked my wife and three daughters to leave
California for Tucson. They were ready to kill me then. I'm sure they will
not hesitate to complete the job this time if I ask them to move to New
Mexico.
You might not mind that, actually, but I would.
Mr. King also chided me for failing to write that New Mexico has a water
shortage.
Dear Mr. King: I didn't want to dissuade retirees from moving to
water-starved New Mexico instead of water-starved Arizona. I'd rather they
consume New Mexico's water, which I understand is sweeter and has healing
powers.
Other readers admonished me for encouraging retirees to move to New Mexico.
"We don't really want them," wrote R.G of New Mexico. "They are an expensive
lot and put demands on your infrastructure that are unsustainable in the
long run. The best bet, really, is for retirees to stay where they are."
He suggests New Mexico tax every non-New Mexican retiree $10,000 and
distribute the money to local towns. "So, keep your miserable comments to
yourself," R.G. wrote. "We neither want, nor like, outsiders."
Dear R.G.: Run for governor of New Mexico. You are sure to endear yourself
to like-minded New Mexicans and win in a landslide.
Rick Sanchez, a fifth-generation New Mexican living in Northwest Tucson, had
a different take. He offered some advice to retirees who may be considering
New Mexico.
"First of all, there is a great deal of Spanish spoken in New Mexico and has
been for centuries. In fact, Spanish is one of New Mexico's official
languages. When 'Mexico' is part of your name, you couldn't expect
differently. There are plenty of folks speaking Native American languages as
well. This could prove unsettling to transplanted Midwesterners."
Dear Mr. Sanchez: I'm glad I didn't write that. I would have been blasted by
readers who think I'm serious when I'm only joking.
Finally, Tom and Suzanne Jones of Green Valley wrote that my suggestion was
all for naught.
"We're not moving."
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Jones: Good choice. Living in Arizona is better. Just
don't tell any out-of-state retirees.
● Ernesto Portillo Jr.'s column appears Wednesdays, Fridays and
Sundays. Reach him at 573-4242 or at eportillo@azstarnet.com. He appears on
"Arizona Illustrated," KUAT-TV Channel 6, at 6:30 p.m. and midnight Fridays.
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