22 HONEST Pros & Cons of Living in New Mexico (Let’s Talk)

Article Overview: Living in New Mexico, Moving to New Mexico

Has the land of enchantment lured you into contemplating the idea of moving to New Mexico? You’re not alone. These days there are lots of folks seeking out the sunshine and lower cost of living. I grew up in New Mexico, moved out of the state for work to live in a few other places including the southeast, northeast, and northwest. So, having lived in all four corners of the country I’d like to think I’ve got a pretty good perspective on living in New Mexico now.

And while I’d love to sugarcoat the state and only talk about the delicious hatch chiles and amazing natural beauty, there are some prominent downsides to living in New Mexico you should consider. The land of enchantment lured me back home but that’s not to say moving to New Mexico is for everyone.

In this article I’ll detail the pros and cons of living in New Mexico as I see them but keep in mind that this is just a personal list based on my own experience.

Editor’s Note: As long time readers of this website will know, the fun lives in the comments. Don’t forget to take a look below to see what your neighbors are saying. We update this post regularly based on feedback received. Cheers!

Living in New Mexico

Pros of Living in New Mexico

1. The locals business are actually fun to support

You know the drill. In this day and age, if you want to be considered a “good person” (whatever) then you have to support local businesses. If you’re anything like me, you’ll (grudging) make your way over to the nearest ma-and-pa shop, feign a smile, clutch your wallet and begin acting cool while the price tags make you sweat.

You’ll power through though — because you have to — as you wipe your cold clammy hands to ensure you can properly Geo-tag the location so your “friends” know you’re a good person. $4,000 and one liver later, you’ll walk out with a discounted calendar (don’t worry, the last six months will still be valid) and a stapler, patting yourself on the back.

Well, if this sounds familiar to you, fret not because the locals shops and businesses in New Mexico are actually fun to support. Local business are the backbone of New Mexico and truly a breath of fresh air from the ones I’m used to on the east coast (*shudders remembering that one shop in SoHo). One of my favorite things about living in New Mexico is having the opportunity to get everything I need (are reasonable prices) from local businesses rather than needing to rely on big box stores (of which there are plenty though).

While much of the country has gone whole hog into the franchise and chain craze with Applebee’s and Bed Bath & Beyond on every other corner, New Mexico is still a bastion for local business and it’s easy to be proud of that. Living in New Mexico you’ll find a refreshing amount of local restaurants and businesses that serve as pillars of the community and that we love to support. Join the fun.

2. Bountiful outdoor recreation

If you love the outdoors then there’s definitely a place here for you. Living in New Mexico you’ll find just about every outdoor activity that doesn’t involve an ocean is at your fingertips. In the northern parts of the state you’ll find lots of winter recreation activities as well as everything that comes along with mountains, forests, lakes, and rivers. Some of the rec you can find here includes fishing, hunting, skiing, boating, caving, hiking, rock climbing, camping, and backpacking just to scratch the surface.

3. The lovely dry climate

This one cuts both ways but as someone who lived in the southeastern US for a time (Georgia), I can safely say I prefer the dry climate of New Mexico to the humid climate of the eastern United States. Say goodbye to multiple outfit changes each day due to the sweat-drenching humidity and hello to clean, crisp (sometimes quite hot), air.

If you’re used to the hot, wet blanket of east coast summers you can kiss that goodbye. Living in New Mexico is also great for folks with chronic asthma, certain (most) allergies, and upper respiratory issues due to our dry climate.

4. Delicious southwestern cuisine

This one could have easily been at the top of the list but here we are. The downright scrumptious cuisine of the southwest makes living in New Mexico worthwhile in and of itself. Alright, I might have gotten a little ahead of myself on this one but hear me out. New Mexico has the best southwest cuisine in the US (sorry Texas & Arizona)

Here you’ll find some of the best Mexican food in America along with some really great barbecue and more. And our famous hatch green chile peppers go great on everything.

5. Abundant sunshine

Pining for a place with endless desert sunshine? Living in New Mexico you’ll find just what you’re looking for. New Mexico is the second sunniest state in America. Albuquerque alone sees a brilliant 310 days of sunshine per year while Las Cruces in the southern part of the state claims 358 days of sun!

Having lived on the east coast as well as the pacific northwest, I did not realize the effect that sun really plays on your mood until leaving New Mexico and then coming back. What a game changer! Just knowing the sun will come out tomorrow makes all the difference for me.

6. Relaxed way of life

Sit back, crack open a beer, and let’s chat about the unofficial pastime of New Mexico – taking it easy. If you’ve seen The Big Lebowski, let’s just say the dude abides here in New Mexico. Those moving to New Mexico from busier cities like New York will probably notice this change of pace immediately and might not find it’s for them. People here just seem to be calmer overall and carry a bit less stress than the average person. This allows for some genuine friendliness and good times if you’re open to it.

7. People are open

One of my favorite parts of living in New Mexico is how open the people are. You can go to a bar or restaurant and get into some really interesting and deep stuff (if you want). People living in New Mexico seem to be perhaps a bit more settled, happy, and perhaps OK with where they are in life. As a result we’re pretty open about the life choices that got us here. I certainly don’t speak for everyone and would love to hear if your experience has been different in the comments below, but for me it’s refreshing.

8. Beautiful natural scenery

I’m going to go out on a limb here and say New Mexico is the most underrated state in the US in terms of natural scenery. People visiting from different parts of the country are often stunned at the landscapes here. As an outdoors sort of a person myself, I have pinch me moments pretty frequently just looking around at how beautiful it is here.

In the southern part of the state we recently got our second national park, White Sands, which is otherworldly and now at least semi-famous. The other one is Carlsbad Caverns which is absolutely breathtaking as well in a totally different, subterranean sort of way.

My favorite is the northern part of the state – the Carson National Forest ablaze with aspens in the fall – just wow. Then in between you’ve got all sorts of incredible nature with the highlight for me here being the pristine Gila Wilderness.

9. Low cost of living

Looking to save some money on your move? Perhaps looking to retire in New Mexico? Good news on this front. New Mexico is the second most affordable state in the western half of the United States behind Wyoming. The cost of living in New Mexico is 7% lower than the national average meaning overall things are cheaper here.

Housing is way below the national average (more on that below), utilities are less expensive here, as are groceries, and most everyday items. The cost of living in New Mexico is one of the top reasons I enjoy living here. One downside to this, however, is moving anywhere else on the west coast seems impossible due to the comparatively huge price hikes.

10. Affordable housing

This one is bound to perk up the ears of those millennials who have accepted their fate of never owning a home. I can safely say the dream is still alive in the land of enchantment. New Mexico may be the last state in the west where people can actually afford to buy a home. The median home price in New Mexico is currently around $300k which is a whopping 30% less than the national average of $428K.

While prices have risen in recent years in New Mexico along with the entire country, there’s still time to “get in” before home ownership in America goes the way of the fax machine.

Cons of Moving to New Mexico

1. Lack of jobs

Got a job lined up already? Phew, you’re in the clear. Because let me tell you, moving to New Mexico without a job can be a very trying time. New Mexico is home to the 13th highest unemployment rate in America and even in this job friendly economy, finding work here can be tough.

Don’t take my word for it. New Mexico is currently ranked the 3rd worst job market in the country. The jobs that exist seem to be heavily concentrated around the extreme ends of the scale. If you’re looking for entry level work (of the service industry variety), then there are probably open positions out there. Or, if you’re a nuclear physicist then there’s some good government jobs for you as well. Most folks in between will likely struggle.

Disagree with me? Let me know! This post is updated regularly based on comments to reflect the current environment.

2. Low paying salaries, especially for the west coast

Hooray! You found an employer that’s hiring and they’ve chosen lucky old you for the position. Great, right? Not so fast, did you check to see what the salary is? Chances are it’s lower than what you were expecting. That’s because New Mexico is home to the lowest wages in the western United States and the 12th lowest wages overall.

Even if you’re a literal rocket scientist or PhD holder you’ll find the jobs here for you (heavily concentrated in the labs and contractors up in Los Alamos) are lower paying than elsewhere in the country.

3. One of the worst economies

If the job situation has you sweaty then the overall economic conditions in the state are not going to help. Living in New Mexico you’ll find the 6th worst economy in the US. The rankings are based on the overall business environment, job opportunities, and growth.

The state’s economy is largely based on natural resources extraction, we’re talking oil, natural gas, etc, as well as tourism. Lately the oil and gas industry has been negatively impacted by the decline in global oil prices, which has lead to job losses and economic downturn in some areas.

New Mexico has, however, been making efforts to diversify its economy and attract new industries, such as renewable energy, technology, and film production. The fruits of these efforts are still waiting to ripen.

4. The dreaded windy season

Oh the windy season, how I loathe thee… For most folks around the country, the end of winter and the coming of spring, with its beautiful blooms and bright green foliage, is something that comes with a high level of dare I say, eager anticipation.

Thinking of all the outdoor activities that come with warmer weather and more sunshine brings joy to all. That is unless you find yourself living in New Mexico where those thoughts are indelibly coupled with the dreaded, the loathsome… the windy season (que the lightning flashes with ensuing dramatic dum, dum, dumms)..

Now let’s be clear. I’m not talking about a nice, easy breeze or even a steady, perhaps calming exchange of air. But rather, we’re talking about the holy hell hold your child (yes, children literally get blown over by it) variety of wind.

Usually starting in late February (but honestly now seems like no day is safe) and lasting through at least July, the winds start picking up. Later in the morning they begin gaining steam, getting up into the 20mph range (or much higher) by the afternoon, before dropping back down in the evening (if we’re lucky).

Some days the winds are full on gale force into the 70mph or higher range making living in New Mexico a true fright at times. For me, this would be the main reason I would move out of New Mexico again. It’s that level of annoyance.

5. The lack of basic nightlife

Let me preface this section by saying I am by no means a night owl and I’m not the type that’s looking for a wild night out on the town. My version of an eventful night goes something like a nice dinner, perhaps a cozy bar with a cocktail or two, and if I’m feeling especially outgoing then maybe even pool or shuffleboard at a second bar.

With that being said, I find that even those fairly basic essentials of night life are fairly hard to come by in New Mexico. They can be found in Albuquerque if you really hunt it down and Santa Fe as well, but it’s nothing like what you might expect for the biggest cities in a state. So, if you’re big on night life take that into your considerations whether moving to New Mexico makes sense.

6. The isolation is real

This is one that could cut either way depending on what you’re looking for, but for me it’s definitely a con of living in New Mexico. Here’s why. Most folks don’t realize that New Mexico is the 5th largest state in the country and with just 17.2 residents per square mile, New Mexico is also the 6th most sparsely populated state in the US.

Getting from one city or town to the next is an ordeal that requires quite a bit of driving. Sure, the drive from Albuquerque to Santa Fe is just an hour but pretty much getting everywhere else requires an hours long haul. And on that haul, there’s often very little in between.

I’ve had trips where I get thirty minutes into the drive and have to quickly do the math whether or not I have enough gas to make it to where I’m going because there’s literally nothing in between the place I’m coming from and the place I’m going to. This can be hard to relate to for east coasters where there’s a gas station and/or town every few miles or so. Out here, there’s a lot of open space and big sky.

7. The drought is bad and getting worse

Prior to the heavy winter rains of 2022/2023 most of New Mexico was in severe drought conditions. And while, for the time being we’ve seen a major reprieve, we know it will not last. Even still, a full forty percent of New Mexico is in drought conditions with 20% being severe or extreme.

The drought has made the windy season worse over the years as the air moves a lot faster without moisture slowing it down. In the future the drought is not expected to get any better and will likely worsen significantly in the coming decade.

8. Education is not a priority

If you’ve got young children or are planning on having a family in the near term then be sure to really do your homework when it comes to finding a good school or school system. It won’t be easy. Are you ready for this? New Mexico has the worst ranked education system in America. 50 out of 50 states.

And while it seems like we hit the bedrock portion of rock bottom a while ago, someone must’ve found some drilling equipment because each year we seem to be getting deeper and deeper into this hole. Not surprisingly, New Mexico is the 8th least educated state in the US with depressingly low literacy levels (more on that below).

And if you’re thinking maybe there’s an opportunity for the one-eyed man to rule in this land of the educationally blind, think again. A New Mexico city happens to have the highest concentration of PhD holders in the country – Los Alamos (or Atomic City) where the government has lots of high tech, pretty secretive work going on.

9. Shockingly low literacy

Here’s another tragic con of living in New Mexico. Of all the states in the US, New Mexico has the lowest literacy rate. That’s right, 50 out of 50 (again). Let that sink in. New Mexico’s literacy rate is a mere 70.9% as of the writing of this article (and we update regularly).

Living in New Mexico you’ll notice things are all too commonly, and embarrassingly misspelled. Not just on makeshift roadside signage but in newspapers, on local TV stations, and actual roadside signage (the DOT legitimately misspelled Albuquerque). I sometimes wonder if spellcheck doesn’t work in this state. But then the sad reality sets in of the failings of our education system here.

10. High violent crime rates

Looking for a safe spot to call home? This is not a category where New Mexico shines. New Mexico is home to the 2nd highest violent crime rate in the United States. Where there’s high poverty, poor education, and little economic opportunity you’ll find crime. Such is the case in New Mexico where desperate times lead folks to act out of desperation. While the state has introduced some initiatives in recent years to combat the alarming levels of violent crime there’s still a long way to go.

11. The terribly dry climate

Some of you may be wondering if you’re having a little Déjà vu. You’re not. This was in fact listed as a pro as well. And I do hate to be that guy, but here’s the deal. While I personally love the dry climate, my skin does not. Neither do my lips. They especially hate the dry climate. That makes this moisturizer (I’d buy it by the gallon if they sold it!) and this lip balm (life changing!) non-negotiable while living in New Mexico.

There are moments where I envy my cousins on the east coast and their beautiful skin. But those moments are fleeting. Far more fleeting than the miserable humidity they must cope with for most of the year.

12. Low life expectancy

Rounding out the cons of living in New Mexico is perhaps the greatest downer of all. An actual matter of life and death. New Mexico has the 9th lowest life expectancy of any state in the US. Average life expectancy in New Mexico is just 74.5. If that doesn’t sound too bad then compare that to Hawaii where folks live an average of 6 more years (80.7 years). The low life expectancy goes hand and hand with the lack of education and high poverty rates.

Map of New Mexico

Pros & Cons of Moving to New Mexico (Summary)

1. Local businesses
2. Bountiful outdoor recreation
3. Lovely dry climate
4. Delicious southwestern cuisine
5. Abundant sunshine
6. Relaxed way of life
7. People are open
8. Beautiful natural scenery
9. Low cost of living
10. Affordable housing
11. Lack of jobs
12. Low paying salaries
13. Terrible economy
14. The windy season
15. Lack of nightlife
16. Isolation
17. The drought
18. Poor education
19. Low literacy
20. High violent crime rate
21. Terrible dry climate
22. Low life expectancy

Compare the Pros vs Cons of Living in New Mexico

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