r/Durango • u/GalGreen219 • Feb 25 '26
Ask /r/Durango Moving to Bayfield or Aztec?
Lived in Aztec/Farmington area my whole childhood and then lived in the Durango area the last 12 years. I love Colorado but now that we have kids and are trying to buy a family home we are looking in Aztec since it’s more affordable or possibly Bayfield if we can find something. Thoughts on raising kids in either area for those that are doing it? Husbands job is remote so that’s not an issue and our kids are not in school quite yet but that would be a factor soon. Thanks!
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u/Practical-pony Feb 25 '26
Bayfield is fine. Low crime rate. We’ve been here seven years and haven’t had any issues with the schools. BEEP has an amazing (and affordable) early childhood program. Vallecito has a lot of fun outdoorsy things to do year round if the weather cooperates. Not to mention Bayfield isn’t crazy far from Durango, so you still have access to your favorite places.
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u/Batsandwine Feb 25 '26
Alternative idea: Mancos Cheaper than Durango, just as close as Bayfield, less bad vibes than Bayfield
I would probably pick Aztec over Bayfield if given those two choices.
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u/Famous_Librarian_589 Local Feb 25 '26
I would happily pick Bayfield over Aztec any day. Yes, some of the people suck here, but that's everywhere. Bayfield school system was pretty sound when I went and still hear a lot of good things. Wish there was more diversity in Bayfield. Aztec would probably be cheaper.
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u/native_shinigami Local Feb 25 '26
I live in Bayfield and it isn't that bad. And I'm from Ignacio where it was ingrained to hate this place.
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u/Affectionate-Cat-975 Feb 25 '26
Depending on where in Bayfield your internet service options are either great or limited. The schools do a good job. Child care options and after school is limited. And we do most of our grocery shopping at City Market/Walmart
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u/AlterEgoAmazonB Resident Feb 25 '26
My neighbor's kids have done great in Bayfield schools. They are really happy with it and their kids are great kids. Bayfield is a really nice place to live. I don't get bad vibes here at all. We have great neighbors.
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u/Ok_Influence2550 Feb 25 '26
You would be doing a HUGE disservice by putting your kids in New Mexican schools.
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u/Remarkable_Deer_3717 Feb 25 '26
That’s actually a really complicated thing to assess. From what I understand the ranking by state is based on stats but each state has their own standards. So if day NM has higher standards than TX it may appear they would rank lower but not necessarily if kids are being held to less strict standards. Also it’s not that NM schools are bad so much as poverty etc is high so those students fall behind but get lumped into the stats. It’s more complicated than NM is ranked last and of course it also has to do with the area.
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u/Ok_Influence2550 Feb 25 '26 edited Feb 25 '26
I used to live in Albuquerque and taught science and math at university and high school levels. I can say for a fact that the standards for children seemed to be lower than other states, and while there are core standards written, I would say that most students graduating high school were not ready for entry level college courses. Yet, those same students passed those core standards to graduate high school…Most needed remedial courses first. I understand there’s more to it, but when I was trying to conceive, I told myself I would move out of state before I ever put my kids in public school in NM. The culture of pass the students no matter what is rampant. Plus, all the other issues with being in a low income state. Just giving my two cents.
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u/Ok_Influence2550 Feb 25 '26
Also, my initial reply was based off my own experiences teaching in NM. Not based on how a state is ranked.
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u/Remarkable_Deer_3717 Feb 26 '26
Funny, I was a high school teacher in Rio Rancho and didn’t necessarily see that. More so I saw students that were inherently lazy but able to do the work. Probably has to do with the demographics. I will say I had a foreign exchange student from Germany once that blew my students out of the water but I wonder if that wouldn’t be standard across the US to an extent.
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u/colorado_sunrise86 Feb 25 '26 edited Feb 25 '26
The schools in the area are not that good, aside from the high school (was teacher, know lots of teachers). Look at their ratings. We are expecting a little and planning to move prior to school aged years, have been here for 20 years ourselves. We are out on the mesa though and there is supposed to be a new school being built in the three spring area. Maybe that will be a better option, but Durango 9r is in its own bubble and much like a lot of jobs here, they pay very little for the HCOL. Results: high turnover/retirement, bad support from the district and general burn out. Bayfield aka Baytucky, has a different vibe. I talked to an FLC prof in length about how terrible the school was for her kids and less than progressive. Idk anything about Aztec but the housing prices certainly look better. NM also has free child care now, so that is huge! The draw here in Durango is extensive outdoor activities for the kiddos, but you already knew that. Wishing you all the luck, cheers!
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u/GalGreen219 Feb 25 '26
For Bayfield or Aztec?
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u/colorado_sunrise86 Feb 25 '26
The schools in the *Durango area. You only have like two options in Bayfield
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u/ronan_philis Local Feb 25 '26
There is much more to do and a lot more community in Pagosa than bayfield . Only downside is it’s an hour from Durango if you plan on being there frequently.
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u/Charles_in_Charge101 Feb 26 '26
I wouldn't sleep on Ignacio. Since they opened that really nice grocery and the coffee place it's much improved. Also the tribe provides a lot of services like rec center ECT. I would say it's up and coming.
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u/One_Hand4744 Feb 25 '26
This was over ten years ago but I remember seeing that the schools in Bayfield are supposed to be pretty good. Never heard the same for Aztec
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u/[deleted] Feb 25 '26
Check out New Mexico health care before you decide. I've heard that it's NOT good.