7 Things to Know BEFORE Moving to New Mexico

Are you considering moving to New Mexico and want to learn more about the area? Here are seven essential things to know before moving to New Mexico. 

If you're planning to move to New Mexico or any other part of the country, it's essential to understand that moving is a significant event in one's life. The process can be overwhelming and stressful, and the feeling of uncertainty about the new location can add to the anxiety. However, it can also be an exciting time, whether it's for a change of pace, starting a new job, or beginning retirement.

Moving marks the beginning of a new adventure, and New Mexico is a destination that offers endless opportunities for experience. There are many fun and beautiful towns and cities to move to. 

Over the past five years, over 350,000 people moved to New Mexico. Many come from nearby states like California, Texas, and Colorado for the lower cost of living and plentiful job opportunities. 

Overall, many things must be remembered before moving to any new area. Keep reading to learn the seven most important factors before moving to New Mexico. 

Here are seven things to know before you move to New Mexico

Cost of Living

In all, the cost of living in New Mexico is 5% lower than the national average. Remember that this percentage can vary based on factors such as your career, lifestyle, number of people in your home, and budget—the average cost of living accounts for your daily, monthly, and yearly expenses.

More specifically, let's look at the typical expenses compared to the national average. Housing prices are 8% lower, utilities are 10% lower, food is 3% lower, healthcare is 2% lower, transportation is 1% lower, and goods and services are 3% lower. Again, this can change depending on your personal spending habits. 

If you are interested in moving to a specific city or town in New Mexico, it is imperative to learn the average cost of living in that area. The cost of living varies greatly depending on the location in the state. For example, Los Alamos is the most expensive city in New Mexico and one of the most sought-after. Here, you'll spend more on average than in another N.M. city. Whereas Albuquerque is a more affordable city. 

According to Payscale, the average cost of living in popular New Mexico cities is compared to the national and state average.

Real Estate

Housing prices in New Mexico are 8% lower than the national average. This combines buying and renting prices, meaning you will most likely pay much less for your home compared to other states nationwide. 

The median home price will change frequently depending on the location, time of year, and many other factors. Currently, the median home price is around $363,300, and prices are up 18.2% compared to last year.

Location is critical when buying a home, so ensure your new area checks off all your boxes. The most competitive cities in New Mexico include Los Alamos, White Rock, and Bernalillo. 

The increase in home prices may have been due to the decrease in homes sold and for sale. Around August, the number of homes sold fell 17.0%, and the number of homes for sale fell 16.0%. 

If you are searching for short-term living, don't worry; there are many affordable rental options as well. The average rent for all bedrooms and property types in New Mexico is about $1,643 per month. There are many amazing neighborhoods in each city, like Albuquerque, for all lifestyles and budgets. 

New Mexico is home to countless stunning neighborhoods. Home styles range from Authentic Adobes, Earthy Ranch, Pueblo Revival, and Southwest Contemporary. No matter the home style you're looking for, you can guarantee to find the most beautiful single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and more for sale in New Mexico. 

Dining

Nicknamed the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico is known for many cuisines. If you're craving spicy or sweet, the state has a beautiful mix of cultures and tastes contributing to its delicious dining options. 

Most notably, it would be best to try Ancient blue corn, Green Hatch, Red chiles, Breakfast burritos, and more. All of these you can make in the comfort of your own home, and you won't have to worry about breaking the bank because grocery prices in New Mexico are 3% lower than the national average. 

Check out the local favorite restaurants in New Mexico:

• Bibo Bar & Grille: Since 2007, Bibo's has been the place for green chile cheeseburgers and the hottest Hatch chiles available. With only handmade dishes, this bar and restaurant is a must-visit in New Mexico. 
• Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House: Located in Pinos Altos, this restaurant is home to live music, open mic nights, delicious green chile stew, and many other delicious dishes. 
• Antiquity Restaurant: This romantic steakhouse is the best place to find mouthwatering seafood, pork, and chicken dishes featuring a cozy and intimate environment. 

National Parks

One of the most notable parts of New Mexico is its nationally protected parks, from world-famous caves to towering gypsum dunes. Thousand visit the state yearly to see the beautiful parks with their own eyes. 

There are 15 national park areas, three national historic trails, and a nationally recognized corridor. Let's take a look at the most visited national parks in New Mexico.

White Sands National Park:

White Sands National Park is one of the world's great natural wonders in the heart of the Tularosa Basin. You'll find yourself surrounded here by miles of rolling sand dunes, gorgeous mountains, and many interesting plants and animal species. Choose to hike through one of the five trails, take a short 45-minute drive, walk through one of the eight structures, or stay at one of the ten sites on the backcountry campground. The best time to visit is between October and November when the Cottonwoods are changing color and the temperature is just right. 

Carlsbad Caverns National Park:

Home to many treasures above and below the ground in the Chihuahuan Desert, Carlsbad Caverns are a magical site to see with high ancient sea ledges, deep rocky canyons, flowering cacti, desert wildlife, and more than 119 caverns. There are more than enough interestingly beautiful things to see at this national park. 

Chaco Culture National Historical Park:

Located in New Mexico's scenic four-corner region, Chaco Culture is home to massive buildings of the Ancestral Puebloan people. Central to thousands of people between 850 and 1250 CE, you can explore through guided tours, hiking and biking trails, campfire stories, and night sky programs. The options are endless to visit this beautiful historical park. 

Job Market

Over the last year, New Mexico added 20,900 jobs, according to the Department of Workplace Solutions. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income from 2017-2021 was about $54,020. The person in poverty percentage was around 17.6% overall. 

Historically, New Mexico has been a mining and ranching state. Although the job market has grown, the major industries have changed to energy, aerospace and defense, healthcare, logistics and transportation, tourism, and food. If you are looking for employment options in other industries, many opportunities are still available. 

New Mexico has a diverse list of employers, the largest being the New Mexico State Government, Sandia National Laboratories, the University of New Mexico, and Presbyterian Healthcare Services. 

Crime Rates

The majority of the state is relatively safe. Similar to most states, the bigger cities like Albuquerque, Carlsbad, Clovis, Farmington, and Las Vegas have the highest crime rates. 

Luckily, the 2022 New Mexico crime rate fell from 8.2 incidents per 1,000 people to 7.8. Unfortunately, New Mexico is one of the states with the highest crime rates. Although, this all depends on your location, as safety should be one of your primary concerns in a new area.

Ensuring a safe living environment is essential for maintaining one's peace of mind. It is worth considering that certain areas within a city may be safer than others. Therefore, it is recommended that you take the necessary steps to identify the best city that caters to your specific needs. If looking for the safest cities in New Mexico, consider Corrales, Los Alamos, Rio Rancho, and Lovington. 

Activities

Apart from the beautiful national parks, delicious restaurants, concerts, and bars, people from all over the world flock to the fun-filled festivals. Here, you'll find all the world-renowned entertainment options you could dream of. There is an abundance of shopping, restaurants, coffee, and bar options. 

There are even unique events like the UFO Festival and the Great American Duck Race. No matter which you choose to experience, you'll find it'll be like no other.  

Each year, there are countless festivals and activities that you definitely don't want to miss out on. Check out the top festivals in New Mexico.

• Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta: Held in Albuquerque, hundreds of balloonists and tourists from around the world travel to witness nine whole days of fantastic hot air ballooning activities. Don't miss out on your chance to see the 700 colorful balloons or participate in one of the races or contests. 
• Rodeo de Sante Fe: This four-day event features a Western parade, a rodeo dance, and five rodeo performances. Hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls are attracted to the event from all over the country. There are even competitions in events like Brahma Bull and Bronco riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing, trick riding, and clown and animal acts. 
• New Mexico Arts and Crafts Fair: For 47 years, in the last whole weekend in June, Albuquerque has hosted this arts and crafts fair on its State Fairgrounds. They offer pieces from more than 200 New Mexico artisans and live entertainment. This is an excellent opportunity for fun that the whole family can enjoy. 

FAQ: Moving to New Mexico

Here are some commonly asked questions about moving to New Mexico.

Why are people moving to New Mexico?

Many people move to New Mexico for all sorts of reasons each year, mainly for the low cost of living and median home price compared to other U.S. cities. It is also known for its comfortable weather, vibrant art scene, and beautiful recreational opportunities. 

Is it expensive to live in New Mexico?

Overall, New Mexico's living cost is 5% lower than the national average. The primary expenses are the main contributors to the low cost of living, as housing and utilities are exponentially less than the national average. 

What is the downside of living in New Mexico?

One of the few downsides of living in New Mexico is the fact it has the second-highest violent crime rate in the country. 

Is it cheaper to live in Texas or New Mexico?

Both states are generally affordable, although Texas has larger cities and more expensive houses, contributing to the higher cost of living. Overall, living in New Mexico is less costly than in Texas.

What is winter like in New Mexico?

The average temperature in winter can differ significantly depending on the location. Typically, the northern and central parts of the state are colder and may experience freezing temperatures and snowfall during the winter months. Average daytime temperatures range from mid-50s to mid-30s, depending on the elevation. 

Moving to New Mexico - Is Moving here right for you?

From beautiful snowy mountain peaks to incredible sites at the various National Parks, New Mexico offers plenty of things. No matter where in the gorgeous state you decide to move to, you'll be met with friendly people, delicious food, stunning landscapes, a low cost of living, fun events, and much more. Pick from one of the many amazing places to live in New Mexico, like Las Cruces or Santa Fe. 

Each city offers many great neighborhoods with unique features depending on your ideal lifestyle and location. If you find that New Mexico may not be for you, make sure to check out the essential things to know before moving to nearby states like California, Texas, Arizona, and Colorado.

There are many things to look for when buying a house. To ease the transition, feel free to contact one of our highly qualified Real Estate Specialists to help you along the process. Our team at UpHomes is dedicated to helping you find the home of your dreams. Don't forget to check out the beautiful homes for sale in New Mexico.