New Mexico is in the Southwestern region of the country. Its capital is Santa Fe and its largest city is Albuquerque with half a million residents. With around 2 million residents, New Mexico has one of the lowest population densities in the country.

New Mexico has a unique history and culture which are very much alive today. There is plenty of diversity in New Mexico and its landscapes, architecture, culture, and people are like none other in the nation, leading to plenty of state pride in the people who live there.

What's life like in New Mexico?

New Mexico is renowned for its unique nature and culture. With a history like no other state, New Mexico feels different from even its neighboring states. Most of the buildings in the state are built in the adobe style and art, culture, and tourism play huge roles in the state.

There's a wide variety of lifestyles available in New Mexico from urban to small-town and rural lifestyles. There are plenty of national parks, monuments, and outdoor activities for people who love nature. Plus New Mexico has big cities for people looking for urban life.

Work in New Mexico

New Mexico's largest industries are resource extraction, including oil drilling; agriculture, including ranching; and retail trade. It also has one of the largest film industries in the country after Hollywood, contributing over a billion dollars to the local economy.

There is a large military presence in New Mexico with numerous large bases located in the state, as well as national security centers. Tourism plays a large role in New Mexico's economy, bringing billions of dollars and tens of thousands of jobs to the state.

Major Attractions of New Mexico

Here are some of the top attractions that make New Mexico a great place to live and work:

• Carlsbad Caverns National Park: Located in the Guadalupe Mountains in southeast New Mexico, the park includes vast wilderness areas and numerous caverns and caves.
• White Sands National Park: A 275-square mile field of white gypsum sand dunes formed over 10,000 years ago.
• Chaco Culture National Historical Park: One of the best-preserved collections of pre-Columbian culture in the country.
• Bandelier National Monument: A 33,000-acre park near Los Alamos preserving the homes and territory of the Ancestral Puebloans, dating back almost 1,000 years. 
• Four Corners Monument: Marks the only place in the country where 4 states meet (Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah).

Pros and Cons of Living in New Mexico

Pros:

• Cost of living – New Mexico is one of the most affordable states in the region with a lower cost of living and house prices than many other states in the country.
• Culture – New Mexico is world-famous for its unique history, architecture, art, and culture.
• The Great Outdoors – New Mexico has some of the most beautiful outdoor spaces in the country. It also benefits from great weather almost all year round.

Cons:

• Job opportunities – New Mexico has a higher unemployment rate than the national average and it often ranks low for job opportunities.
• Crime rates – New Mexico struggles with high drug and crime rates, especially its big cities like Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
• Education – The public school system in New Mexico often ranks as one of the worst in the country.