New Mexico has so much to offer to new residents moving here. Whether you're an avid outdoorsman or you prefer more intellectual pursuits, you'll find something to do that will match your passions. Do you like hitting the hot spots at night and partying the night away with friends? Are your kids eager for softball, soccer or T-ball every weekend? Maybe you just want a safe, attractive place to raise your family.
New Mexico is more than hot-air balloons or big-eyed aliens, although you’ll be able to see them as well. This small state strives to offer something to just about everyone.
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Median Home Price: $177,200
“Sports Illustrated” recognized Las Cruces as its “Sports Town of the Year” in 2004. While this event took place several years ago, things for the sports-minded have only continued to improve.
The city of Las Cruces’ recreation office and staff work hard to ensure that both children and adults have something to do, not only on Saturdays and Sundays—but even during the week! Recreation staffers reach out to all the schools in Las Cruces so they can find out what students want to pursue. Even better, the sports programs don’t run only during the summer months. Children who want to play softball, basketball, football, soccer or T-ball can join an age-appropriate league.
Credit has to go to the parents of these young athletes because they join together and form booster clubs, raising money for uniforms, dues and other expenses related to team membership. When it comes to sports, Las Cruces is one of those cities in New Mexico where these families work hard to ensure that people buy tickets and help their teams out.
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Median Home Price: $298,196
If you’re stimulated more by mental pursuits and exercise, Los Alamos, north and slightly west of Santa Fe, is the city for you. Known as the birthplace of the atom bomb, where Robert Oppenheimer and his team built the bomb that ended WWII with Japan, Los Alamos is full of scientists, both retired and working.
Even better, you'll be able to explore and learn about the ancient history of the northern part of this beautiful state. On your weekends, tour the Anasazi ruins at Bandelier National Monument. Here, you’ll see some of the ancient ruins that have been carefully exposed and preserved for visitors and tourists to enjoy. If you’re feeling more like learning more about Los Alamos’ scientific origins, stop in at the Bradbury Science Museum or the Los Alamos Historical Museum. You’ll get a much better idea about how Oppenheimer was able to appropriate a boys’ school so that he could turn it into the beginnings of the national laboratory.
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Median Home Price: $226,302
It’s no surprise that Ruidoso is on this list. This small mountain town, located near the Mescalero Indian Reservation, is well-known for skiing, tubing and ski boarding.
Tubing is a great activity that everyone in your family, from oldest to youngest, can participate in. Ruidoso’s Winter Park has a dedicated tubing area with jumps, bumps and bobsled curves built in. Because you’re going to get pretty tired coming down the hills with your family, you don’t have to worry about hiking up to the top of the park. You’ll be able to use the Magic Carpet lift, which will take you to the top of the park, using a conveyor belt.
Through the Christmas holidays, if you decide to celebrate in Ruidoso, you’ll be able to go tubing at twilight—how fun is that?
This is one of those cities in New Mexico that you might seriously want to consider moving to.
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Median Home Price: $200,000
The nightlife scene in Albuquerque is big, ranging from Nob Hill to the Northeast Heights and beyond. You’ll have your choice of pubs and watering spots to visit, depending on your mood and what you’re looking for.
Do you want live music or dancing music? Maybe you and your friends are more in the mood for a nightclub where you can share talk over a few drinks.
The KiMo Theatre, built in 1927, was renovated after Albuquerque voters approved a plan to renovate the theatre and enabling the city to buy the building. From that point on, the KiMo underwent extensive renovations, bringing it back to its original glory. When you come here with family or friends, you’ll be able to enjoy concerts and theatrical performances, as well as other public entertainment events. The KiMo combines the Pueblo Revival style and Art Deco, one of the few buildings in the world to do so. When you’re there, look for southwest American Indian motifs that have been added as decoration.
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Median Home Price: $210,000
If you’re the most focused on the best place to raise your family, then Rio Rancho is the place to settle. This small city, which is located just north of Albuquerque, has many of the “big city” amenities, but a smaller city feel.
When your kids aren’t in school, you’ll have lots of activities for them to enjoy. Sports, museums, monuments and the zoo come to mind. Even though Rio Rancho is located closer to northern New Mexico, the climate is pretty mild. If you enjoy sunshine and summer heat, look forward to the 330 sunshiny days that this city receives. Of course, this area receives its share of wind, rain and even snow—but more often than not, you’ll wake up to a day full of sunshine, which means you, your spouse and children will be able to take part in several outdoor activities after work or school. When you want to enjoy the big city, Albuquerque is about half an hour south. Santa Fe is about 45 minutes north of Rio Rancho, so you’ll be able to enjoy that area as well.
