New Mexico has a very strong work-life balance in general. The low cost of living means that you don't have to put in quite so much effort in order to simply get by. The affordable attractions like Sandia Peak and the various museums and Route 66 roadside oddities you'll find throughout the state make it easy to take an afternoon to yourself without breaking the bank. The question remains, of course, as to where to live in New Mexico. Here are five New Mexico cities with the best work-life balance:
Source: wikimedia.org
If you're looking for a place where it's just about impossible to let the stress of work get to you, Truth or Consequences, formerly known as Hot Springs, New Mexico, is just the spot. Low rents are another big draw. The median list price as of the most recent numbers from 2015 is only $71,000, with a median square footage value of $55/sq. ft.
The "truth" of the matter, however, is that it's not always easy to build a career in Truth or Consequences and the work-life balance leans more towards "life." The town is a great place to use as a home base as you pursue work in nearby cities like Albuquerque, but the economy in T or C is largely built around tourism. This being said, it's just about the greatest city in the world if you work from home. Weekly trips to the hot springs and a low cost of living allow you to pursue your work without ever feeling burnt out. If you're looking for a city with more local career opportunities, keep reading.
Although many small towns in New Mexico struggle with unemployment, in Truth or Consequences the rate of unemployment is fairly small at 3%, or 180 residents total. The town's residents are mostly of modest income, but T or C is the kind of town that would be home to nobody but millionaires were it in California.
Albuquerque is packed with opportunities to advance your career and to live the life you've always dreamed of, but Nob Hill shines even brighter than the rest of the city in this regard. Nob Hill is Albuquerque's commercial district stretching along Central Avenue, the former US Route 66. The area is known as one of the hippest districts in the city, and is home to the Nob Hill Business Center, and a number of locally owned and chain retail stores from Urban Outfitters to Starbucks. Nob Hill is a great place to work and an easy place to live.
Unemployment affects 5% of the population in Nob Hill, with another 40% retired or otherwise not in the workforce.
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The home of Western New Mexico University, Silver City is a bustling little college city of just over 10,000 people. Founded as a mining town back in 1878, the city still maintains a thriving, economic spirit, with tourism, trade and retirement being major industries in the city. The town is quite cultured, with many artists and musicians in the downtown district, and the Silco Theater, built in 1923.
Unemployment comes in at just 4% inSilver City, with another 45% either retired or otherwise not in the labor force. The largest income demographic is lower middle class, with 38% of households here earning between $30,000 and $75,000 a year.
Las Vegas, New Mexico is divided in to west and east, or "Old Town" and "New Town" respectively, separated by the majestic Gallinas River. The town has a playful rivalry, with each half of the city boasting its own distinct personality and competing school districts. Once a booming railroad town and a favorite stop for wild west outlaws. The town's economy relies heavily on the New Mexico Highlands University and tourism, and offers up dozens of key historical attractions like the Dr. HJ Mueller House, the Carnegie Library, and several museums.
The unemployment rate in Las Vegas, NM comes in at 5%.
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Santa Fe has long been a crown jewel of New Mexico, a city that does things differently, and a perfect example of New Mexico's quirky, laid-back way of doing things. The town is marked by its art and culture, with the alternative newspaper The Santa Fe Reporter publishing info on new events every Wednesday. Sculpture is a major part of the town's culture, with outdoor sculptures like the dinosaur family south of I-25 off Cerrillos Road being an integral part of the scenery. The city has had its ups and downs with a big boom followed by a gradual economic decline in the early 20th Century, and today stands on the industries of tourism, science and education.
Santa Fe's unemployment rates tend to be just a little higher than Albuquerque's, at 6%.
New Mexico's relaxed atmosphere means that it's much easier than in most other states to simply take some time to yourself when you need it. These five cities offer an opportunity to live the life you want without compromising your career.
