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I have made many excursions/incursions into the neighboring states over the last 24 years and always enjoyed myself, but I am very selective about where I go.
In CO: Durango-Silverton-Ouray-Telluride; Mesa Verde; Denver-Boulder area and Rocky Mtn Nat'l. Park
In AZ: Canyon de Chelly; Flagstaff-Sedona-Jerome area; Phoenix (the MIM is one of my favorite places) and Tucson are worth multiple visits (Saguaro Monument; San Xavier del Bac); Bisbee
In TX: Austin, San Antonio, DFW area. I still haven't been to Houston and have a list of things there I want to see and do.
I don't get tired/bored with any of these places and hope to add more locations to my list of favorites. I have found people friendly everywhere. I especially delight in finding "alternative" enclaves inside seemingly "hostile" places.
I have been to Juarez and Chihuahua city, enjoyed them, not sure I would go again, except someday to do the Copper Canyon train ride.
The southern one-third to one-half of Colorado and the northern one-third to one-half of New Mexico probably have more in common with each other than either does to the remainder of their respective states, so it's not surprising that residents of those areas have some affinity for the neighboring state. One thing that many long-time residents of both states share is a dislike for Texans and Californians--especially the Texans and Californians from the metro areas of their respective states. I've lived in several Rocky Mountain states and that pretty much is true in all of them.
As for me, my favorite areas of all the Rocky Mountain states are the rural places that have not been overrun by metropolitan transplants and the "beautiful people." Those places, unfortunately, are getting harder and harder to find.
One thing that many long-time residents of both states share is a dislike for Texans and Californians
Oh jeeze... How about if I say, that is your opinion, not the opinions of many others I have actually known. Your hatred of anybody not from your area has been noted for a very long time...
One thing that many long-time residents of both states share is a dislike for Texans and Californians--especially the Texans and Californians from the metro areas of their respective states.
I've not met many New Mexicans who dislike California/ns.
Colorado is the last state of our neighbors I would want to be in; if I like cold and rough weather, I could have stayed in the Midwest!
Arizona reminds me of Florida in that it is the nations second largest "retirement home" ( Florida is number one ). With older people comes the desire for regulation, rules, control and all the things they had in the places they retired from, not my idea of freedom in the southwest. And what is with all the tourism traps on the reservations near the GC and Monument Valley? Kind of sad driving through there and seeing natives wearing Plains Tribe clothing with the fake teepees waving at the cars, trying to get me to stop at the places where things are for sale.
Texas is a mixed bag of tricks. I don't like the damp crowded parts of the state east of the Caprock, but once you get up on the Caprock, the dusty western sections are made for me.. Used to live in the "little texas" area of New Mexico and that name is correct, if it weren't for the signs at the state line, you wouldn't know you are in new Mexico.
Oklahoma is not in my thoughts at all, though the town of Boise City, east of where the state touches NM, is considered the "heart of the Great Depression Dust Bowl".
My vote is for Texas, if I have to pick any of them....!
Hmmm. The results of the poll so far (CO waay ahead) do not surprise me.
Arizona, on the other hand, does not have as many fans in New Mexico. With very rare exception, most of the New Mexicans I have known with a special appreciation for Arizona have been Navajos. The reason for their special relationship should be obvious.
I went to high school in Silver City and many of my classmates had lived in towns in Arizona, generally where their dads worked for mines. Often they moved back and forth - Morenci, Safford, Bisbee, etc. My 40th high school reunion was this year and having been on FB the last few years, quite a few of my classmates and their families have moved to Arizona, mostly the Tucson area but a few in the Phoenix area. One fellow retired in Snowflake, AZ - a smaller, colder version of Prescott. Or they travel to Arizona for medical needs, shopping, to visit friends and family, etc. They seem more attracted to Arizona and tend to dislike Albuquerque and northern NM.
Colorado is the last state of our neighbors I would want to be in; if I like cold and rough weather, I could have stayed in the Midwest!
Arizona reminds me of Florida in that it is the nations second largest "retirement home" ( Florida is number one ). With older people comes the desire for regulation, rules, control and all the things they had in the places they retired from, not my idea of freedom in the southwest. And what is with all the tourism traps on the reservations near the GC and Monument Valley? Kind of sad driving through there and seeing natives wearing Plains Tribe clothing with the fake teepees waving at the cars, trying to get me to stop at the places where things are for sale.
Texas is a mixed bag of tricks. I don't like the damp crowded parts of the state east of the Caprock, but once you get up on the Caprock, the dusty western sections are made for me.. Used to live in the "little texas" area of New Mexico and that name is correct, if it weren't for the signs at the state line, you wouldn't know you are in new Mexico.
Oklahoma is not in my thoughts at all, though the town of Boise City, east of where the state touches NM, is considered the "heart of the Great Depression Dust Bowl".
My vote is for Texas, if I have to pick any of them....!
I just wanted to comment on your remark about the Indians. That's how they make a living and that's the simplest explanation I can come up with. I don't think it's sad at all and they have some beautiful jewelry, NOT made in China.
I'm an Arizona native and I love Colorado and New Mexico. I have family roots in Colorado. New Mexico seems a lot like Arizona to me. Texas I don't have much experience with unless I count spending a few days in Galveston and just driving across the state. That felt like a lifetime spent on the road! lol Oklahoma I've only passed through as well but also have some family history there. I should go research.
I think all surrounding states are better than New Mexico. Phoenix with its' Scottsdale and Tempe's Mill Ave, Denver with it's pleasant and vibrant downtown, Oklahoma City with it's up and coming brick town, and the Texas cities all have more going on. They have larger draws of young professionals because there are jobs and offer more of the "city" vibe that I'm looking for. Albuquerque is cool if you're looking to wind down and have a more relaxed lifestyle. I find myself reading more, exercising frequently, and staying home more often versus going out on the town.. all good in their own way.
The southern one-third to one-half of Colorado and the northern one-third to one-half of New Mexico probably have more in common with each other than either does to the remainder of their respective states, so it's not surprising that residents of those areas have some affinity for the neighboring state.
I don't disagree with you, and feel that many New Mexicans' would agree with your opinion as well. However, do you think folks in Colorado would feel the same about the relation and similarities to their southern neighbor. I have my doubts as most of the population centers in the state of Colorado feel more midwestern in appearance and many non-native folks in Colorado probably don't associate a historically Hispanic/ Native-American state with the more mainstream demographics of Colorado. However, I do think things start to really change once one hits Pueblo and points south.
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