"When you're running on fear, don't stop for gas." That's a tagline from the movie "Truth or Consequences, N.M." While it might seem an interesting choice for a movie name, it's no more than the town itself. The former city of Hot Springs renamed itself as part of a publicity stunt for a popular game show.
The year was 1950, and Ralph Edwards, host of the radio quiz show "Truth or Consequences," said he would broadcast his show from the first town to rename itself. Apparently, the good people of Hot Springs weren't that loyal to the town name, because they didn't waste any time getting it done. In the category of more recent interesting town happenings, it's the nearest town to Spaceport America, which is 30 miles to the southeast, and allows space tourists with a decent amount of extra cash to buy a ride on a spaceship. But that's not the only reason living here is out of this world.
The first thing you will have to do is start calling the small city of about 6,500 "T or C," like the locals do
"When you're running on fear, don't stop for gas." That's a tagline from the movie "Truth or Consequences, N.M." While it might seem an interesting choice for a movie name, it's no more than the town itself. The former city of Hot Springs renamed itself as part of a publicity stunt for a popular game show.
The year was 1950, and Ralph Edwards, host of the radio quiz show "Truth or Consequences," said he would broadcast his show from the first town to rename itself. Apparently, the good people of Hot Springs weren't that loyal to the town name, because they didn't waste any time getting it done. In the category of more recent interesting town happenings, it's the nearest town to Spaceport America, which is 30 miles to the southeast, and allows space tourists with a decent amount of extra cash to buy a ride on a spaceship. But that's not the only reason living here is out of this world.
The first thing you will have to do is start calling the small city of about 6,500 "T or C," like the locals do. Calling it by the full name is a sure sign of a newbie. Next, understand that although it's not the middle of nowhere, it might be a suburb. There's not a lot of city apartments in these parts. That means looking for a place to live might require getting to know the town a bit. Just looking for reviews online might not give you too much information. As soon as you know you are moving, make a list of what's available, along with a wish list of places that might open up in the future. When looking for a house to rent in Truth or Consequences, be prepared to provide a credit check along with first, last, and deposit, but don't overlook opportunities to negotiate.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park and the small city of Elephant Butte define the entire east side of the town, and the area is home to the largest reservoir in the state, although a historic drought did see it reach 40-year lows in 2013. T or C mostly straddles Interstate 25, which traverses the state from north to south. There aren't neighborhoods that are vastly different, but some distinctions are worth knowing when searching for an apartment for rent.
Warm Springs Blvd/Elephant Butte: The areas of T or C that border the small town of Elephant Butte are home to a few small residential areas around Highway 181 and a few light industrial properties. The nearby Sierra Del Rio Golf Course lets you hit the links.
Downtown: It's not a huge downtown, but the area south of Main Avenue does hold most of the businesses, shops, and restaurants in town. Stop in to the Geronimo Springs Museum on Main or the Geronimo Trail National Scenic Byway Visitor Center on North Broadway to learn the history of your new home.
South Broadway/Williamsburg: As Broadway heads east out of town toward the small suburb of Williamsburg, you will find a mix of housing that includes mobile homes and traditional single-family dwellings where you can find a house to rent.
Be prepared to be isolated from city life. Once you get over that, there's a lot to explore here. From favorite local eateries like Latitude 33 and Carmen's Kitchen to water recreation at Elephant Lake and nearby Caballo State Park, there's a lot to occupy your time. Another great restaurant you can also explore is Passion Pie Cafe, where you can satiate your need for sweet stuff. The nearby desert areas and mountains, such as Mud Mountain and Caballo COne, offer great hiking, biking, and off-road vehicle driving areas. And for a quick city fix, Albuquerque is less than three hours to the north.
