Home > NM > Where to Live Now > 5 Reasons Why You Should Call New Mexico Home

5 Reasons Why You Should Call New Mexico Home

The Land of Enchantment enchants residents with its unmatched quality of life. 

By Livability on December 20, 2022

Outdoor space at the Saw Mill Market, a repurposed building and meeting space in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Douglas Merriam

Nicknamed the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico is attractive for reasons that range from its sand dunes and forests to its vineyards and chile fields. Here are some reasons why New Mexico is an ideal place for you to live, work and grow:

1. Eco-Conscious 

Both Albuquerque and Santa Fe appear regularly on lists touting the least polluted cities in the U.S., and such low pollution allows for amazing views of starry night skies. New Mexico has always been a leader in traditional energy production, such as oil. The state is now at the forefront of energy innovation involving solar, wind and biofuels. Plus, New Mexico has a strong history of energy research advancements, thanks to the presence of Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

People enjoying skiing at Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico in the sunshine.
iStock/Alexandra D. Urban

2. Outdoors Are Yours to Explore

It’s no wonder New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment, with natural destinations like three national parks, seven national forests and 35 state parks. But, of course, you can also go kayaking on the Rio Grande, snow ski at Taos Ski Valley, explore Carlsbad Caverns … and on and on.

3. Creative Communities

If you’re a fan of arts and culture, New Mexico is the place for you. It’s easy to explore the finer things in life here, such as viewing authentic Native American art and sculpture exhibits at places like the Poeh Museum & Cultural Center in Santa Fe and the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Albuquerque. In addition, you can catch a show by Performance Santa Fe, which was established in 1935. Also, be sure to attend annual festivals throughout the state, such as Mardi Gras in the Mountains in Red River, Pie Festival USA in Pie Town, Hatch Chile Festival in Hatch and the three-day Roswell UFO Festival.

Portales, NM
Portales / Courtesy of Jimmy Emerson under a CC 2.0 license.

4. Excellent Education

New Mexico has more Ph.Ds per capita than any other state. Along with a network of community and technical colleges, academic options include:

  • University of New Mexico
  • New Mexico State University
  • New Mexico Tech
  • Eastern New Mexico University
  • Western New Mexico University
  • New Mexico Highlands University
  • University of the Southwest

5. A Dynamic Place to Live

Over the last few years, more than 350,000 people have moved to New Mexico. While the state’s population continues to grow, New Mexico is still ideal for anyone who likes open spaces with room to breathe. The state averages about 12 residents per square mile, and varied landscapes make for charming home bases.

Want to know more?

To learn more about New Mexico, check out the latest edition of New Mexico Economic Development

Array ( [0] => 175305 [1] => 175329 [2] => 175276 [3] => 171547 )
Array ( )
Array ( )
Array ( [0] => 175305 [1] => 175329 [2] => 175276 [3] => 171547 )

More To Read

Newsletter Sign Up

Keep up to date with our latest rankings and articles!
Enter your email to be added to our mailing list.