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New Mexico is known as the Land of Enchantment. Covering a substantial part of the desert southwest, it is a rugged land with wide-open spaces, adobe architecture, desert animals, and colorful sunsets. Having only become a state less than a century ago, New Mexico is steeped in its rich Spanish-American and Native-American culture. Tourism is one of its biggest economy boosters; people come from all over the world to see the adobe villages, tour the old missions, get a glimpse of Indian reservations that seem to be from another era, and enjoy the perpetual blue skies and dry desert climate. If you are moving to New Mexico, there are a few things to keep in mind before you go.
First, New Mexico is a large state with many untamed areas, but it is not primitive. Albuquerque, the largest city, has a population of about 500,000 people and a whole range of opportunities rivaling any other big city in the southwest. Albuquerque has museums, golf courses, vineyards, hiking opportunities, and of course, it’s annual hot air balloon fiesta. Santa Fe, New Mexico’s capital city, is situated about an hour’s drive north of Albuquerque, at an elevation of 7000 feet. A smaller version of Albuquerque, Santa Fe looks like an unassuming adobe village, but a closer look will show that it is filled with elegant homes with prices to match. Santa Fe has an opera, countless art galleries, and plenty of outdoor attractions, including the local ski area.
But New Mexico is more than just a vacation spot. It is a wonderful place to live for those with medical conditions that require a drier climate. While the high elevation of Santa Fe, Taos, and some of the other mountain towns may be an issue, Albuquerque is situated at not much more than 4000 feet. The dry air is good for sinus allergies and lung conditions.
Careers abound in New Mexico. From the high tech world of computers in Albuquerque and classified scientific work in Los Alamos to careers in the arts, education, transportation, state government, and of course, travel and tourism, New Mexico offers plenty of job opportunities. There are many higher education establishments in New Mexico, as well, from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell to St. John’s College in Santa Fe. The College of Santa Fe, founded under the name of St. Michael’s College in 1859, is the oldest college in New Mexico.
For those who have never lived in the southwest, housing in New Mexico may come as a bit of a shock at first. East coast natives who are used to traditional clapboard houses with shutters and slanted roofs will find the earth-toned adobe homes quite unusual. At first glance, they are often off-putting to outsiders; they look like what the name adobe means: “mud huts.” But New Mexicans have mastered the art of the adobe structure. A closer look will show new residents that the adobe exterior is deceiving, with the inside having all modern amenities and often that southwestern decorative flair. Furthermore, most New Mexicans take pride in their homes, adorning them with bright red geraniums in pots and window boxes, and brightly painted doorways and gates.
If you are planning a move to the beautiful Land of Enchantment, expect to be surprised and pleased at the scenery, the blue skies, and climate, and the best resource of all: the people.
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