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I lived in Carlsbad for four years. New Mexico has a lot of hidden gems, but they aren't really advertised and you don't see them just driving through. As already mentioned, I40 is pretty bland until you get to Albuquerque driving west. Places like the Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands, City of Rocks, etc., are out of the way.
The lack of access to good medical care is another mentioned. It took months to get my child into a dental specialist when he needed a procedure.
There was a distinct lack of shopping. A lot of us had the same clothes we bought at Walmart because the best shopping was 2+ hours away.
A lot of land in New Mexico is not available for public purchase so some areas can't physically expand because the government owns the land.
The locals were not interested in changing. That can be good or bad. New Mexico has a reputation for 'Manana'. Procrastination doesn't get things done.
I got to thinking the other day, people talk so much about California, Arizona, and Texas but New Mexico seems left out. At least in my experience it seems you never hear about snowbirds going there, you never hear about people vacationing there, and you never hear about people moving to or from there? Is it vastly different from the other three in some way?
First off, I have not been there so forgive me if this post seems ignorant. I got to thinking the other day, people talk so much about California, Arizona, and Texas but New Mexico seems left out. At least in my experience it seems you never hear about snowbirds going there, you never hear about people vacationing there, and you never hear about people moving to or from there?
Is it vastly different from the other three in some way? Or is it a well kept secret? I don't know if this seems vague or not, but it seems like it's not talked about much. Or am I just living under a rock?
Don't kid yourself, just because you don't hear about it doesn't mean people aren't going there. Angel Fire and Taos Ski Valley are well attended in a good snow year, and many of them have second homes there. Both are off the beaten track, especially Angel Fire.
Thanks for that info. It's a shame for the natives but on the positive side it keeps out out-of-towners (sic) but it's not good for you! If healthcare were better, I'd consider moving back to NM, even though I would prefer to live rurally and would still have to drive for groceries, dry goods and other amenities.
Glorieta and Pecos are rural, but G. is close to El Dorado, which has a great grocery store. And G is close enough to S Fe to access those amenities, medical, etc. Glorieta also has its own primary care doc in residence.
It doesn't help matters that many Americans have such a poor grasp of geography, they think New Mexico and Mexico are the same thing. When I lived in N.M., it was a regular thing to hear someone ask "Do people there speak English, or does everyone speak Spanish?" Or, "Don't I need a passport to visit there?"
It's maybe the poorest state in the U.S., so not a lot happens other than crime and addiction stories in the news. Which is unfortunate, because the food and art scenes are second to none.
It doesn't help matters that many Americans have such a poor grasp of geography, they think New Mexico and Mexico are the same thing.
Or that it doesn't exist at all. When I spent some time in NM and spoke about it to an out of state friend, he kept asking me questions about "Arizona". Maybe to some the entire southwest area = Arizona.
I got to thinking the other day, people talk so much about California, Arizona, and Texas but New Mexico seems left out. At least in my experience it seems you never hear about snowbirds going there, you never hear about people vacationing there, and you never hear about people moving to or from there?
It's a poor, sparsely populated state.
It's high in natural beauty, sunshine, and a nice year round climate. But it lacks outstanding features that would make it a major tourist destination.
Snowbirds flock to the warmest parts of the country in winter, then go back to where they came from. FL and the low desert in AZ are warmer than any part of NM.
It's high in natural beauty, sunshine, and a nice year round climate. But it lacks outstanding features that would make it a major tourist destination.
Snowbirds flock to the warmest parts of the country in winter, then go back to where they came from. FL and the low desert in AZ are warmer than any part of NM.
It's high in natural beauty, sunshine, and a nice year round climate. But it lacks outstanding features that would make it a major tourist destination.
NM is endowed with wonderful attractions -- maybe second tier, but certainly bucket list attractions that might not appeal to families desperate to crowd in as many national parks or other attractions into a two-week road trip. Certainly, White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns are in that category. Chaco Canyon is too. Balloon Fiesta is as well. There are long distances to cover and maybe not the kind of hospitality resources that would have people stay longer. Once you are here you discover other things that call your attention, but you have to be here to discover them (Petroglyphs, Rio Grande del Norte, Bandelier, Aztec, Gila Cliff Dwellings, Acoma, Taos, Valles Caldera, Malpais, El Morro, etc.). Santa Fe is a major tourism draw but we have to entice people to look beyond the plaza.
Deming, New Mexico was on the way to somewhere else we were going. We stayed the night there and were wondering why so many people were out on the streets all through the night. Tourist town was the reason we were told. This town had a river running through underground and provided water and the weather was warm. It had a Myrtle Beach atmosphere.
We found some parts of New Mexico are beautiful.
I felt people of New Mexico had an elevated view of their importance. Not the most friendly place we have been.
Last edited by NCN; 11-05-2023 at 10:26 PM..
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If healthcare were better, I'd consider moving back to NM, even though I would prefer to live rurally and would still have to drive for groceries, dry goods and other amenities.
