Sitting off Interstate 25, 75 miles south of Albuquerque is Socorro, a small town with a lot going on. The city of 9,000 residents is home to the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology and 45 miles north of Trinity Site, where the world’s first nuclear explosion occurred in 1945. Today, the Trinity Site is home to the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Range. “We have a lot of federal workers who live out in Socorro because you can’t really live on the missile range,” says Laura Tacker of Coldwell Banker Legacy, a Socorro native. “The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) has been here for a while, but they recently announced they are moving headquarters here. That will bring a diverse and very well-educated population to town.” Socorro’s NRAO facility was prominently featured in the 1997 science fiction drama “Contact,” starring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey. The town is also home to the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center, a 40-square-mile explosives testing site. “Every Wednesday, we get a big explosion west of town. People new to the area might think it’s an earthquake,” says Tacker. “It’s the only place I’ve worked where you definitely need seismic straps on every water heater.”
Located 75 miles south of Albuquerque and next to the Magdalena Mountains, Socorro is a city of about 9,000 people and home to the New Mexico Institute of Technology and the VLA Headquarters.
Socorro’s NRAO facility was prominently featured in the 1997 science fiction drama “Contact,” starring Jodie Foster and Matthew McConaughey.
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Single-family homes with RV parking
The median price for a single-family home in Socorro is $193,000. The majority of homes are either brick or stucco-sided ranch-style homes from the 1960s and 70s. Pockets of new builds have sprung up in the past five years in the northern part of the city; most of these homes sit on quiet, desert roads with ample space for RV parking. Many properties have large, dirt lots with a few trees scattered across neighborhoods.
The majority of homes in Socorro are either brick or stucco-sided ranch-style homes from the 1960s and 70s.
Many homes in Socorro sit on quiet, desert roads with ample space for RV or trailer parking.
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Hiking Apache Kid Wilderness
Hiking and motorsports are a huge part of the culture in Socorro. “We love our off-roading and mountain biking, and there are so many trails within a short drive,” says Tacker. Box Canyon has miles of hiking trails and intense rock-climbing opportunities 5 miles west of town, and about 20 miles south in Magdalena, the Apache Kid Wilderness has more than 68 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails through the San Mateo Mountains. Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge has acres of hiking trails and is a prime birdwatching spot 10 miles south. Closer to home, the Socorro Sports Complex has a cross-country running track, a community pool and multiple soccer fields.
Box Canyon has miles of hiking trails and intense rock-climbing opportunities for outdoor enthusiast about 5 miles west of Socorro.
Bosque Del Apache National Wildlife Refuge has acres of hiking trails and is a prime birdwatching spot 10 miles south of Socorro.
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Historic Capital Bar & Brewery
Most shopping and dining in Socorro is located along South California Street, including local breweries, restaurants and cafes. One staple is Capital Bar & Brewery, which has been a Socorro favorite since 1896. The downtown area has locally owned shops, antique stores and galleries, and residents also have access to a Walmart Supercenter for retail and grocery needs. The Loma Theatre has new movie releases and the Garcia Opera House has live musical performances.
Most shopping and dining in Socorro is located along South California Street, including local breweries, restaurants and cafes.
Capital Bar & Brewery, in downtown Socorro, has been a local favorite since 1896.
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Easy access to Interstate 25
Interstate 25 passes straight through Socorro, providing access to Albuquerque 75 miles north. Albuquerque also has the nearest major airport. “In New Mexico, we talk in minutes, not miles,” says Tacker. “On a good day, that 75-mile drive can take 50 minutes.” For local travel, residents can hop on Socorro Transit, the city’s bus service. Socorro General Hospital is a nonprofit hospital on the town’s southern end.
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology offers 30 degrees
Kids in the area attend Socorro Consolidated Schools, which earned a C-minus overall Niche grade. The district serves just over 1,400 students and has a 16-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Socorro High, also rated C-minus, is the only local high school. Within Socorro is the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, a four-year university offering 30 different degrees. The school specializes in science and engineering programs.
Socorro High School, rated C-minus from Niche, is the only local high school for older students in Socorro.
Within Socorro is the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, a four-year university offering 30 different degrees.
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Mild, dry weather
Because of its elevation of 4,600 feet above sea level, Socorro’s weather is milder than most of New Mexico. Temperatures top out in the low 90s during the summer, but winters can be chilly with lows in the 20s. The town has a desert climate with less than ten inches of rain per year.
Because of its elevation of 4,600 feet above sea level, Socorro’s weather is milder than most of New Mexico.
Socorro has a desert climate with less than ten inches of rain per year.
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