Why So Many Americans Move To Arizona And Not New Mexico

[@SuperRaedizzle]

I’m born and raised in New Mexico, only recently moved out of state… you did amazing with this video! Here are some additional obstacles my beloved NM faces: Unfortunately the schooling is ranked one of the lowest in the country, so families looking to get their kids a good education don’t choose NM. There’s not much industry in much of NM, especially the southwest where I grew up. In fact, not much of anything besides Dairy and oil. The state is essentially split very heavily between political parties and it’s hard for anything to get done. It’s in a constant state of limbo. Unfortunately NM is one of the poorest states as well, with a lot of people not having access to basic necessities and that directly leads to higher crimes. Surprisingly, the housing market is much higher than its neighbors. But New Mexico is one of the most beautiful places on earth, the people are so welcoming and kind, and the food is worth a trip alone. It’s not the most popular area, but everyone should take a trip to see it at least once- you’ll fall in love!

[@davek5027]

I’ve traveled through NM many times, and usually get the cold shoulder from the residents. I guess old white guys aren’t welcome.

[@blakebrown6031]

I did not expect to see Rae pop up on this video!

[@dap777754]

What makes NM food noteworthy?

[@SHENDOH]

Shhhhhhh. Don't tell

[@callum3844]

Agreed, my grandparents have a house in Santa Fe, they’re backyard faces the mountains and I’ve never ever seen a sunset like the ones there anywhere else. The food is also really good if you know where to go

[@btube2006]

I'm currently living in NM after living in Phoenix for 30 years. While NM is beautiful and less crowded, the state has pretty poor governance and I feel is greatly mismanaged. The education system is below par which over time affects the state's ability to attract big employers.

[@gantz4u]

Honestly great point. no water. No people. People dumb as rocks. Does not attract big employers. Needs more college towns. Where the industry is college degrees.

[@rawbhonn7715]

I’ve been medically stuck NM because of COPD, my one word to describe NM is “podunk”. I do think the populace here is overall less educated. I’ve lived in Az. a good part of my life Flagstaff central

[@rawbhonn7715]

cont…. central Az. 30 miles from Prescott, and rChandler in the Phnx. metroplex. I just think NM is where progress goes to die.

[@thomashermann2785]

I’ve lived in NM for 39 years and you’re spot on. We’re last in most all important categories. Education, poverty, crime etc.

[@kchapmans]

@@yashasan83 Not to mention the big, booming oilfield down here in SE NM.

[@yungardnr]

As a Burqueno, one of the biggest reasons people don't move here is literally because they don't know New Mexico exists. I've had my passport/drivers license confused for a Mexican one on several occasions. And when you tell people you're from NEW Mexico, most of them look at you crazy

[@tanyaraven9492]

Or comment on how well you speak English.

[@mr.d1796]

This is interesting and funny

[@shannonEGBOK]

That's sad.

[@jeffkelly4024]

You have to say the State of New Mexico

[@SonicTheo]

how can they think that when breaking bad exists

[@EMFDrill]

Albuquerque native here. Just to be clear, it does get cold in winter, but the average temp during the day is between 40-50 degrees and winter tends to only last mid-December through early March. It gets cold but it sure could be worse! The big PLUS we have is it almost never gets into triple digits here in summer. It MIGHT reach 100 occasionally but that's it. So yes, we get cold in the winter but we also don't roast you to death every single day like Phoenix does in spring, summer, and fall.

[@cy805]

This sounds like just about perfect weather to me

[@MotoringAdventures_KE7SAI]

Yeah Phoenix may roast you for four months out of the year. But the remaining 8 months are to die for! There are like a million golf courses scattered throughout Phoenix metro. Why? Because the place has almost perfect golfing weather for most of the year. It doesn’t get very windy or very cold. They see an influx of snow birds from the Midwest and northeast every winter season because it’s average high temps are in the 60s and 70s with lows in the 40s and 50s. And even though it gets brutally hot in summertime, most of it is dry with low humidity, unlike the areas of the eastern us that are both hot and humid. And even then, you have higher elevation places to escape the heat of summer, such as Flagstaff, Prescott and Paysom. It is this attractive weather for most of the year that people are going there for. Especially people from the northeast and Midwest who will take dry and hot summers over brutal icy cold winters every year. This could be AZ’s downfall though, since it’s starting to feel like California in many ways with it crowding up. But we still do have the hot summers to help keep that in check. Locals call the brutally hot summers “population control”. 😂

[@fasx56]

I would take the cooler weather of New Mexico any day then the Horrible Heat of Arizona. In that Heat you have to live like a mole and run from one Air Conditioned Building to another. No causal walk for exercise if t he outside temperature is 110 degrees, you would have to walk at night. Winter moths would be the only comfortable time to be anywhere in Arizona, Nevada or Southern California. The only reason Arizona is Livable on any Level is the availability of Air Conditioning in every building including out - houses. Try re-placing an asphalt roof on a home in Arizona. It would be at night or winter time.

[@DavidKroff]

Lived in Arizona most of my life. I don't know where you get your info? We do everything here.I played football for years. Practice starts in August. I'm glad you don't like it.

[@nwicconsultants6640]

lol we might have to edit that occasional 100 degree temp. if it keeps up like it has for the past week with the same forecast predicted for the next. And yes.....the summer months in Phoenix are BRUTAL!

[@thomasgomez4263]

There's a few things I'd like to add While NM is hot during the summer, it's not NEARLY as hot as phoenix. Albuquerque is usually 15-20 deg cooler in the summer with overnight lows in the 60s and 70s in July. Another thing to mention is arizona's proximity to California and the LA area. It becomes a lot easier to do business with California when you're so close

[@dankelly5150]

I have been to the wonderful balloon fest in Albuquerque and I have to say it's a fine city ! Old Town was very nice too !! Does it have it's problems with drugs and crime like any other city? yes but it's still a wonderful city !!

[@SuperCatacata]

Last point is spot on. So many Arizona residents are CA transplants now.

[@Juan-os4hs]

Want to hear something ironic, the balloon festival was in Arizona before it moved to N.M. I remember many years of walking to school in the early 80s watching the balloon spectacle. And watching them glowing in the evening runs.

[@hi1is]

Not to mention Santa Fe is frigid in winter

[@aick]

Yeah you should definitely move to AZ instead. They like people.

[@whyisthereacitythere6768]

Being next to California has played a huge role. As of the 2010 census, 600k Arizonans were born in California vs. 100k native Californians in New Mexico. And despite NM's much smaller pop, more native Texans lived in NM than Arizona. I'd also add Phoenix was smaller than Tucson until the Roosevelt Dam on the Salt River was built in the 1910s. Today, metro Phoenix gets 60% of its water from the Salt River.

[@laartwork]

Yes the recent boom is because California became too expensive (diserable for the affluent... sorry Fox news. That's the reason) and caused people to move out to Phoenix thinking hey I can always drive 6 hours to be back in L.A. luckily I jumped over that state 4 years ago and moved to Albuquerque. It seems like they don't want people to know about how nice it is here. City statistics and state stats can be very different. But it will boom in NM and get gentrified. Buy property while you can.

[@OLDGUY7301]

This is true . Main reason I believe is the movers still have an abundance of family in California the still wish to viset easily.

[@michaelmayrend313]

Add in an Air Force base outside of Phoenix as a way to introduce military personnel from other places to Arizona.

[@supejc]

Great points!

[@SharetheShred]

Yes I would say the Salt River Project is the real reason Phoenix was able to grow. SRP and the 4 dams created on the Salt/ Tonto River system enabled cotton/citrus growth in AZ. The five C's of AZ are Cattle, Cotton, Citrus, Copper and Climate. Phoenix has never had water restrictions that I have known of in my lifetime. They can fit 4 homes or more on an acre of replaced cotton field and it uses up to 1/8th the amount of water that cotton would as well. I would say that SRP has one of the most well placed dam systems in the whole United States.

[@brianc6218]

I lived in New Mexico for 12 years. Visited Arizona many times. Both are great states but I think New Mexico’s slow growth was very appealing to me. It’s not crowded, not polluted and has beautiful scenery and mostly great weather. It’s still affordable to buy a house with great Mountain views.

[@tommurphy4307]

those mountains are beautiful- and the cooler weather chases out the homeless people every fall. we have only a dozen or so homeless people here in alpine. they are more like dopeheads than victims of circumstances. they live right behind our rite-aid (on county land) in the warmer months. about octoberish, they head down to san diego where they stay warmer and take advantage of all the liberals who support them. in a couple more months, they'll be back because they know its nicer up in the hills during the summer months. nicer, cleaner and much less crime. i would rather feed the ravens that live nearby, as they work harder to keep our neighborhoods clean. imagine being outworked by a bird!

[@TheHunteroo]

Arizona had small growth until Californians decided their state was too screwed up and now they are screwing up Arizona 😪

[@jcee2259]

When I came to yhe Salish Sea Region $100 purchased a tree lot with paved access, utilities in, clubhouse, lake marina, and 25 mile drive to the County Seat. Those lots are priced now for 500K .

[@Lisa-eo9gd]

@Seth Gibbs I can. A bird has never attacked me. A homeless man has.

[@MavenFade]

Ive heard the state is pretty dangerous too, your thoughts on that?

[@Wasserkaktus]

I think geographic proximity is a huge part of Arizona's growth too: It's very close to California, which is why there is such an influx of people between these two states. While Arizona and New Mexico are historically close to one another, today's Arizona is much closer to California really.

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

Not really. All 3 are totally different. Arizona is nothing like new mexico etc.

[@where.is.Anthony]

@@TheAnnoyingBoss yeah but phoenix is like a dwarf LA

[@thunderlightning5267]

Unfortunately Az has been invaded by the west coast vermin.

[@ColoradoStreaming]

I always said that Phoenix is basically the overflow lot for California.

[@Wasserkaktus]

@@where.is.Anthony Please don't say that. If I want my city to be compared to anything in CA, let it be San Diego.

[@mattwales2734]

I live in fabulous Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. I'm in my 50's and really don't care about the fact that NM rides the bottom of many stats. I have no kids and I'm blue collar. Texas and Arizona can keep their 'fantastic' growth rates. I'll take the low cost of living and two traffic lights in the whole county.

[@JRPetruk]

You absolutely have good points. Growth makes things more wealthy financially, but is complex and difficult to manage. There are tradeoffs to everything.

[@LutherMahoney]

Sigh. I might join you.

[@jimmydee1130]

I just turned 65, no kids. And no, I do not need "fantastic" growth rates either. The less people, the better. I may be headed your way soon......Maybe LC, maybe 'Gordo, maybe Silver City.

[@peaceloveandunderstanding]

Add me to the list. I currently live in my home state of Alabama with my 86 year old father, but as soon as he passes I'll be joining you all there.

[@amandajamell7189]

Don't forget the new fancy round abouts lol

[@vlachlemnmichail]

If New Mexico hasn't grown that much in the last century it's cause Breaking Bad dropped only in 2008

[@brandoncameron2686]

I remember when I binge watched Breaking Bad in 2014. I said to myself "Why New Mexico?" I was thinking it being set in Arizona would be a lot more fun. But I actually have grown to appreciate the New Mexico setting. I was surprised when I found out that New Mexico was 47 percent hispanic. I knew it was high, but I didn't realize just how much. I would have guessed back then that maybe it was 35 to 38 percent hispanic.

[@aaronpalmer7425]

There are many things that make New Mexico a less desirable location than Arizona. But I would say if you removed some of the big ones which is policies and politics I would actually rather live in areas of New Mexico over Arizona

[@aick]

yeah, 2008, that's how long it's been since every single one of us has been sick of waterbags only knowing that about our state.

[@brandoncameron2686]

@@nunziobusiness1509 New Mexico has a bit of a dilemma. The fossil fuels industry is very important to that blue state. But progressives are no fans of fossil fuels. That situation will eventually come to a head.

[@rarecandy3445]

@@brandoncameron2686 we’ll be alright.

[@mikeaustin4138]

I met a woman who has lived in New Mexico for a couple of decades and told me the state's unofficial motto is, "Come to New Mexico; bring your own job."

[@gwendolynbrown1111]

Damn

[@rathesungod]

On a greyhound bus a fellow who got off in Albuquerque told me many call it "the land of entrapment" and that "everybody here has been locked up at least once". It is logical that such an economic situation would be conducive to increased crime rates - being committed by both citizens AND government officials - as alternative means of revenue generation become few. May we grow into more universally healthy life systems 🪶

[@PewPewPapi80085]

Yeah. Take off your shoes and step on a used pookie needle, then notice your TV is missing and all your copper plumbing is gone. 💀

[@markwells8347]

No one in New Mexico has literally ever said that

[@BirdBrainHarus]

@@PewPewPapi80085 yeah this reads like someone who’s never stepped foot in NM lol

[@sakurahigurashi8300]

I was born and raised in Albuquerque and trust me nothing beats the sunsets against the Sandias, the Balloon Fiesta in October, having a sense of direction thanks to the mountains, and our own way of speaking (if you know you know). We moved out to the East Valley 2 years ago after my husband losing his job during the pandemic and having our house sold. It was a change for sure but we have had an amazing experience living in Arizona and our kid is thriving. We have been able to do and accomplish more in 2 years then we ever did back home. I will say there is something to be said for those born and raised in either state versus transplants......most that were born and raised cant wait to leave while those that weren't see the value. NM will always be were I grew up and learned my mindset but AZ is home and honestly I would never go back.

[@SelfRighteousNewAgeLightWorker]

I'm looking forward to leaving New Mexico a.s.a.p. myself… I don't live there full time, but I was born and raised there and I'm fully aware of what a crime ridden dump the place can be. 💀 I *LOVED* the majestic scenery as a kid, but what comes after that? Not much. 😐 I'd much rather have my Southwest residence be in Arizona, certainly!

[@enmunate]

I asked for a coke once (after I moved away) , and actually got a Coca Cola!

[@hewitc]

The things you love are the reason why very rich people will move or have second homes there. The "locals" will or are competing with wealthy people for properties.

[@brianarbenz1329]

@@SelfRighteousNewAgeLightWorker If you can find a state that's not crime ridden compared to 40 or 50 years ago, move there. But there is no such state in the U.S. Every place thinks its own crime problem is worse than ever.

[@sakurahigurashi8300]

@@REL602 I could only imagine!! Definitely on my bucket list to visit. Oh man I just googled it and holy….that absolutely amazing!!

[@desertfarmer248]

As a life long new Mexican, the largest problem besides the crime, economics, culture and climate, is the wind. We get 70mph gusts constantly throughout the spring, in the desert. So if you want to experience 18 degrees at 7 am then get sand blasted at noon when its 95 degrees it's an amazing hell.

[@mementomori29231]

Very true. I couldn’t believe how windy it was every time I visited.

[@j.ballsdeep420]

Fuck yes, love it

[@fabulousr2d2]

lol the wind part is so true, but I loved it 😁😁

[@ninjarider2941]

I recall riding a motorcycle on I-40 in eastern New Mexico, and the steady, strong cross wind had me leaning for much of my ride, hoping that the wind wouldn't blow me off the road. I also had to protect my hands from sunburn. However, I enjoyed the scenery in the northeast, such as Wheeler Peak, Capulin Volcano, and the Dry Cimarron Scenic Byway.

[@KB-ke3fi]

Same in Amarillo

[@apexone5502]

I’ve experienced what a Phoenix winter feels like. Back in ‘09, I went to go visit a friend I had served with who was living in Flagstaff. It was decided that he’d pick me and a mutual friend we served with up from Phoenix since it was cheaper to fly there. It was December when the trip was made. The Phoenix weather was great. It was pretty much shorts weather. Very warm. Imagine my surprise when I went to my friend’s truck in the parking deck only to see a bed full of snow. Little kids who were nearby were looking at the truck with amazement. Finally, once all three of us were heading to Flagstaff, even though it was night by that point, I could tell we were going up in elevation. Needless to say, Flagstaff looked like a Christmas card. The stark differences betwixt the two cities’ weather were tremendous.

[@ToniGlick]

I was raised in Tucson and went to Northern AZ University in Flagstaff. We used to go down to Sedona/Oak Creek Canyon to warm up.

[@legalnurse63]

Summers can be over 100 degrees routinely.

[@ZippyLikesZippers]

@@legalnurse63 Flatstaff has never recorded a temp higher than 100 degrees.

[@jimoconnor6382]

Flagstaff is a gorgeous town. There is a Dead Files episode filmed there, kinda cool.

[@GM8101PHX]

Tucson has the southern most ski resort in the US, Mount Lemmon in the Catalina Mountains is visited quite often by Arizonan's, it is 9,150 feet above sea level!!

[@derekc180]

NM is full of magical natural splendor and it is truly enchanting. People moving there would only ruin it.

[@crankybuzzard6867]

and they have ruined it. The crime is through the roof.... and the DRUGS! I moved here 28 years ago....

[@davek5027]

The democrats lax attitude toward imprisoning criminals.

[@crankybuzzard6867]

@@davek5027 Ya, they treat em like... "he's such a good boy".... and no sympathy for the victums.

[@straightlead8]

I'm headed there now

[@JacobWillits]

We can use some growth though it wouldnt hurt we are slow growing. It bothers me how they build the ford mavrick in mexico. We should gavr the mavrick civic and corolla factories in new mexico not old mexico what are these idiots doin man 😂😂😂😂 its old mexico the new mexico is better

[@jamesholbrook3648]

Grew up in Arizona back in the 70’s & 80’s back then there were orchards and cotton fields separating the suburbs of Phoenix. Now the entire valley of the sun is covered in concrete and asphalt. You couldn’t pay me to go back there now.

[@Schnook.]

Where do you live now?

[@ManyaP64]

Yep, same. Low pay and increased cost of living.

[@iair-conditiontheoutsideai3076]

Arizona is a massive casualty waiting to happen just wait until there is power outages and black outs from electric cars, increased AC demand, etc. Very glad I left

[@666psicko]

I grew up in Arizona in the 80's and would visit Phoenix during holidays. I do not want to move back to Phoenix.

[@mitchbelles8080]

Im a native of Phoenix and have visited alot of the country and there is no other place Id rather live. Maybe Hawaii would be cool. Sure its hot but its a gorgeous city overall and there are plenty of places to escape the summer heat. And has many lakes near by to do recreational activities.

[@PeterTea]

My parents moved from Chicago to New Mexico in the 70’ for several years. I was only a year old when we moved there, so my earliest memories are of New Mexico. We lived in Taos, Gallup and Alburquerque for a time. It’s definitely the land of enchantment, we would go camping many a summer weekend. Beautiful nature abounds there. Unfortunately the economic opportunities at that time led my folks to return back to Chicago. I still have a lot of great memories from there.

[@jimoconnor6382]

HEY, Chicago had Bozo

[@bltvd]

I moved to New Mexico from Chicago 13 years ago and would never go back!

[@KB-ke3fi]

@@louisliu5638 Seattle IS a NW backwater, and so is Portland now.

[@Helljumper7200]

I love Chicago. Best city in the world!

[@louisliu5638]

@@KB-ke3fi in 78 when I moved from LA to the NW is got an immediate job offer....in BC Canada. Owned a small ranch in Whatcom co. then and Canadians used to say "Seattle is Vancouver, with no class, and NO STYLE." So we're back to that: three steps forward, two steps back. Sad, really, AND Canada is about to get the overfill over the next two decades. I'll be gone by then. Sad again.

[@donovanwhitley775]

I moved to New Mexico from Kansas two years ago. We scouted areas in Arizona as well, but my wife and I simply just fell in love with New Mexico more. I do not ever plan on leaving this wonderful, enigmatic state.

[@pricklypear7516]

What he calls "anemic growth" is what New Mexicans call "pleasantly sustainable stagnation."

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

What area of NM is that?

[@j.dragon651]

We lived in Co. for about ten years when younger and were thinking of retiring to N.M. We visited to check it out, at the time we were living in the Adirondack mountains in upstate N.Y.. We hadn't been back out west for 25 years. We had to leave N.M. after driving up to Charma, my wife got altitude sickness bad lol. The airlines charged me about an extra grand to change my ticket dates regardless of the medical emergency. We are retired in the little green covered mountains in S.W. Virginia. We gave it the good ole college try.

[@saintpreferred9223]

Dems will destroy it for you...

[@donovanwhitley775]

@@buzzcrushtrendkill the timbered mountainous town of Cloudcroft

[@itsROMPERS...]

I've lived in ABQ for 30 years, raised a kid here, and I'm always glad that it never gets very popular. Driving around here is simple and fairly uncrowded. In fact when I come back from visiting family in Minneapolis it always seems like there was some terrible disaster here while I was gone, because the highways are so empty! Getting home to ABQ feels like when you take your shoes off at home.

[@scronx]

An extremely refreshing view amid all the griping here. Big employers destroy local culture and ambience. Wait till ABQ gets Discovered likely the formerly obscure and wonderful city near me -- nice downtown views will disappear as streets turn into canyons with new construction everywhere, property values and taxes will go up and local schools get even more poisoned with PC.

[@calebdelong1537]

Just watch out for all the theft and aggressive homeless population downtown.

[@itsROMPERS...]

@@calebdelong1537 I've never been to any city where that's not true

[@scronx]

@@calebdelong1537 So they've got commie creeps in power there too -- disgusting.

[@geoffgordon9569]

Go Isotopes!

[@jeremycraven5856]

I drove through both states to get to Las Vegas from Florida. I absolutely love both states. They have beautiful geography. The food was amazing!! I fell in love with how less crowded Albuquerque is and how many murals there are. Breathtaking!

[@laurabodycombe7998]

We retired to New Mexico about 5 years ago. The mountains, sunshine and blue skies appealed to us. Not as hot as Arizona.

[@_DB.COOPER]

Arizona is not hot in the north east.

[@Lisa-eo9gd]

New Mexico interests me. However, everywhere I look for info always warns about the high rate of crime. Can you recommend a beautiful, affordable, safe area for retirement?

[@alanbourne2332]

@@Lisa-eo9gd try Chicago

[@laartwork]

​@@Lisa-eo9gd majority of crime all happens in one small section of the city known as International district. I just don't go there. Easy to avoid age mostly criminal on criminal crime. Rio Rancho is a safe suburb, the foothills, Corrales and Placitas are nice if you can afford it. I live on the North Westside of Albuquerque and it's great. Like any city just stay out of the bad parts of town.

[@IWrocker]

@@Lisa-eo9gd internet is way dramatized, Las Cruces has perfect weather, way warmer than ABQ or Santa Fe and cheaper. Super fun and quiet, it’s safe. Beautiful mountains and 3 national parks within 45 minutes. Sonoma Ranch, Talavera, desert mirage, picacho hills and rasaaf hills are all excellent neighborhoods. And El Paso is 4th safest city in the country and has big city amenities and is only 35 mins away

[@ToastyCas]

Something not even mentioned is that Phoenix is close to LA, Las Vegas, Nogales, San Diego, and Puerto Peñasco (plus there is Sedona, Tombstone, and Tucson for in state travel) so it’s usually attractive to people finding a place to end up when moving. Arizona is nice to come home to with a huge array of options to travel to :)

[@jimoconnor6382]

Tombstone, Sierra Vista, Bisbee, and Douglas are best kept secrets.....shhhh

[@rutbuck121]

@@phoenixrisin2269 LOL overreact much?

[@rutbuck121]

@@phoenixrisin2269 Ironic how NM gives you "unnatural vibes" yet the rest of your neighbors have been coming here and buying up all our land mountain regions, and houses by lakes go figure?

[@joshuaprue6146]

Agreed! NM is kind of by itself in the middle of nowhere. Most of Arizona is less than a day’s drive to a lot of what CA, NV, UT have to offer.

[@tyrannosaurus_wex]

Arizona is Los Angeles rejects . New Mexico is it's new thing

[@davidmarsh792]

Interesting bit of New Mexico trivia: Microsoft was founded on April 4, 1975, by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It lasted four years in Albuquerque until Bill and Paul decided to move the company to the Seattle area in 1979. Interesting thought question: What if they had decided to remain in New Mexico??

[@DavidNash1948]

MITS, in ABQ invented the first "personal computer", the Altair 8800.. If they hadn't dropped the ball, and had managed to rival IBM - - - ??? Techno What Ifs are fun, BTW.

[@m-h8915]

Another billionaire, Jeff Bezos, also had a presence in New Mexico. He was born in Albuquerque and he as well relocated to Washington.

[@virginiansupremacy]

@@m-h8915 damn, new mexico lost billions of dollars to washington 💀💀

[@jamesabestos2800]

My name is Walter Hartwell White I live in...

[@johnbell1810]

@@virginiansupremacy Funny, as a US citizen, if you move overseas, you still have to report and possibly pay on income earned overseas. I am surprised states haven't done the same thing.

[@J.Wick.]

NM is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. Shame the state has been largely mismanaged. And is also in a constant state of political limbo. I grew up in the Los Alamos area and East TN. It's largely much different than the rest of the state. Also had family in Belen. I've always loved NM, but never lived there under my own roof so to speak. NM has some of the best food you'll ever eat. New Mexican fare is so, so good. The fact that Green Chili hasn't seen mass national adoption is mind blowing to me. South of Belen, there's not much going on. Northern NM is beautiful. Albuquerque has its charms, but is a very "scruffy" city. Santa Fe is uniquely...Santa Fe. NM deserves better than it's received. NM has a vibe to it that is all it's own. That vibe is a positive one filled with great weather, blue skies, friendly people, and rich history. More people should experience NM.

[@Victoria.Verde51]

I recently moved from ABQ (lots of crime, Hot!) to Silver City (Southern NM, Cooler. Less Crime, BEAUTIFUL!)

[@The_Ballo]

@@Victoria.Verde51 Crime situation in Silver City is getting worse

[@tomyabo5606]

Calling New Mexico "absolutely breathtakingly beautiful" is...a stretch lol

[@J.Wick.]

@@tomyabo5606 You hate it obviously. You liked your own comment. You should get out more.

[@tomyabo5606]

lol wut

[@gwynkaitis1259]

I'm a Chicago transplant to Ruidoso, NM. Best move ever! It is really the Land of Enchantment here. I live in the mountains where we have herds of elk, deer, and wild horses visiting our yard most days. The blue skies and orange sunsets are truly breathtaking. I love the history, gorgeous sights of the desert, mountains, ghost towns, and ruins, the UFO sightings, and folklore in this state. It feels otherworldly.

[@melvinice5727]

Good take all the Illinois and California liberal idiots with you as you are not aware of Texas history that it was a independent nation from 1836 to 1845 which also took in the eastern part ok new Mexico along with the same with Colorado so my advise before you spew your idiocy learn the real history of America!

[@realemperorkuzco]

​@@melvinice5727 Vermont Republic (1777 - 1791) Kingdom of Hawaii (1795 - 1893) Republic of California (1846) Texas was not the only one independent at one point. You guys talk a big game of freedom and all, but Texas ceded its *own* independence and was annexed into the United States.

[@brixico1404]

I will be there soon! should have been many years ago. I moved to Tennessee to be close to family. Mistake! I was born and raised in Chicago!

[@1bambiefawn]

Some people don't know New Mexico is part of the United States. New Mexico license plates also have USA printed on them to inform people it is one of the 50 states.

[@rt3box6tx74]

As a Texas Panhandle resident only an hour east of Clovis NM I find the lack of education re. US geography appalling, but what you say is true. Many think NM is a Mexican state. I don't have a PhD, but I sureashell don't think the UP of MI is a Canadian province.

[@ROGER2095]

@@rt3box6tx74 In my experience, just about every New Mexico resident has a story about once encountering someone who thought New Mexico was still part of Mexico. Also, UPers don't think of themselves as Canadian, of course, but a lot of them do disassociate themselves from the rest of Michigan.

[@readmeat4vegans829]

@@rt3box6tx74 Wait!!! The Uper is not a Canadaian provence?? LMAO. BTW, I am guessing 'Uper' is how you spell it based on how it is pronounced. The Uper's problem is too much snow.

[@rt3box6tx74]

@readmeat 4vegans UP is short for "upper peninsula". The UP is a common colloquialism I hear used by locals to that region of Canada.😁

[@rentslave]

That's because schools no longer teach geography,preferring equality indoctrination.

[@JoshuaFagan]

Thank you for making a video on this topic! As a Coloradan, I always loved travelling into the temperate high-desert climate of New Mexico. I have no idea why it is one of the only Western states to not see a population boom, but the low population keeps the state's distinctive mix of solitude and mystic wonder. Santa Fe is one of my favorite cities in the world, an artistic mecca.

[@terywetherlow7970]

Many I spoke to before I moved here,thought New Mexico was in Mexico including my former Insurance Company Rep who kept repeating my coverage couldn't be used out of USA. Lol, no matter how often I interjected I was not going to be leaving USA. I gave up..... Seems not only N.M. with poorly performing Schools.

[@splitliving]

Sadly, the eastern portion of NM has been locked up in the oil business, to the detriment of the economy of the state.

[@pouglwaw5932]

@@splitliving What does "locked up in the oil business" mean other than "detriment"?

[@joeg5414]

You must be on southwest Colorado? I live near Durango. Go to New Mexico a lot. Santa fe is the closest bigger city.... 3 hour drive. Albuquerque is 3.5 hours. Denver 6 hours. were in the middle of nowhere but I like it

[@joeg5414]

​@@pouglwaw5932 I lived in clovis when I was in the air force. Kind of a 💩 hole. Also Carlsbad i used to deliver oil fields trucks to. I will always say that is my least favorite place in the country (Carlsbad) besides southern California, but for very different reasons

[@fermageehamilton1402]

NM is definitely growing. I live just on the outskirts of ABQ and so much building is happening. Houses, houses and more houses are popping up and traffic is starting to build up which is one thing that’s so great about living here, traffic was never much of a hassle . Another noticeable thing is water pressure is dropping. I mean it’s the high desert so water is precious.

[@s.hocker9222]

Well you can say Tucson is growing too but at a much slower rate than Phoenix. Tucson and Albuquerque are a lot alike in both size and amenities, so is El Paso when you think about it. All of them are midsized cities and Phoenix is truly the hub city of the southwest.

[@Google123ABC]

You won’t be liking it in 5-10 years

[@koransky1]

Native Phoenician here. My dad always joked that most people who ended up in AZ were there because they were trying to get to CA, but ran out of gas or money by the time they got to Phoenix. I always thought it was because AZ has more water than NM. It gets about double the rainfall, and you can tell the difference when you see the desert growth around Phoenix vs the desert in NM.

[@caseyadams1861]

Yeah, I'm a native Phoenician and I've been to New Mexico and found New Mexico very ugly and barren in comparison to Arizona. Sorry, but I do. I can see why so many more people ended up in Arizona over New Mexico and Nevada.

[@freebein]

​​@@caseyadams1861 it was probably your negative dark soul casting a shadow over the land of enchantment that clouded your perception of it being beautiful. It is said that the Navajo will guide your type back to where you came from, often keeping secret its true treasures to those that dare and explore. #NewMexicoTrue

[@ji3194]

@@caseyadams1861 I assume you didn't go to northern new mexico

[@markme4]

So you get 2 inches of rain per year?

[@caseyadams1861]

@@ji3194, I actually did like that part of New Mexico, but not anywhere else.

[@wyattbiker]

I live in AZ. Growth is crazy. Subdivisions springing up everywhere. Honestly it can be sad to see so much beautiful desert overrun by housing and malls. NM don't think growth is necessarily a positive thing.

[@user-pn3im5sm7k]

Crazy part is...the cost of living. Its overpopulated now, traffic is dogged. Its gone up too much in AZ. Moving back to Texas.

[@ookie4179]

Agreed

[@ghostdied4662]

@@Spearca Amazing in all honesty! But I still want everyone who ain’t from Arizona to leave asap. Basically cali people there culture is trash and there life style is booty cheeks.

[@jeremiahrose4681]

Love your icon pic, I live near Tombstone and live it....the big cities in AZ is killing AZ.

[@ookie4179]

@@jeremiahrose4681 agreed, I live in Phoenix and though parts of it are nice, it’s mostly a sesspool of crime and drug abuse.

[@pamalapruitt9090]

I have read hundreds of comments and want to point out a few things about New Mexico. I was raised in ABQ and lived here from 1954 to 1978. I returned in 2016 to care for my elderly father after my mother passed. My mother was born here in 1936. My father moved here from Phoenix in 1950. They met and married in 1953 at 16 and 19 years old after dating 6 weeks. Happily married 60 years, I have 5 younger brothers. ABQ was a wonderful place to grow up. The population was about 220,000 when I graduated in 1972. The schools were 49th then behind Mississippi. We are now 50th. Arizona can't diss us for that as they are 47th. I think I received a good, well rounded education. I had some excellent teachers. It propelled me thru nursing school later. My father was a contractor and did several jobs on the Navajo Reservation in the 60's. We lived in Holbrook AZ during that time, a town of 5,000 or so that's 90 miles east of Flagstaff. I attended school there 4 years. We went to the Grand Canyon and camped frequently in the beautiful White Mountains. I attended camp in Prescott. I love Northern Arizona. But The Salt River Valley is another story. As the video mentions, Phoenix's elevation is 1,200, Albuquerque's is 5,300. We have 4 distinct seasons here. We are nestled at the base of the beautiful Sandia Mountains, 10,000 ft., the start of the Rocky Mountains. It gets up in the 90's during the summer, sometimes breaks 100, but cools off 20 to 30 degrees at night. We get Monsoon rains in the afternoon during July and August. Last year, they started in June. Phoenix has 2 temperatures, hot and hotter. My dad grew up there and lived on an acre on 40th Avenue. He had a horse, goats, a cow, chickens and a dog. He swam everyday in a concrete canal that was full of clean, cold water pumped from the aquifer below to fields that grew watermelons, carrots, lettuce, etc. Who ever thought it was a good idea to grow crops in a desert? Not one person who sang Arizona's praises mentioned or seems concerned that the Colorado River is stressed beyond belief, that Lake Powell and Lake Mead are at dangerously low levels, so much so that the dams that hold them back may soon be unable to generate electricity. Arizona and California are the biggest takers from the Colorado River and consistently take more than their authorized allotment. Arizona does not have water controls in place like New Mexico does. There are growers dropping wells 1500 ft. or deeper and draining the aquifers under Arizona. Not to mention that Saudi Arabia has bought up land in Southern Arizona and near Blythe CA, on the AZ border where they have dug deep wells and grow alfalfa, an extremely water using crop, which they send to Saudi Arabia to feed their horses and cattle. When you fly into Phoenix and look down, you see thousands of swimming pools. Grass in yards and golf courses. Their water usage is unsustainable and will be biting them in the ass in less than 50 years. Property will be useless and unsaleable.

[@WookieeWarrior3000]

This was super interesting. Thanks

[@pudanielson1]

Arizona is trying to fix their water issues by being pragmatic, selfishness and shortisghtendess will destroy Arizona unlike New Mexico, because at least new mexico has sustainable growth.

[@davidr1676]

@pudanielson1 hopefully they fix their water issues because we won't allow water pumps and lines to slowly drain our abundant water supply in our different time zone "region".

[@HxTurtle]

that's such a remarkable description! and extremely captivating read! thank you for writing all this here-I genuinely loved reading it!

[@Spiral.Dynamics]

I just love your comment. Thank you! I lived in Albuquerque for a year and I loved it. I miss it so much! I lived in Phoenix twice and it’s beautiful there, but like you said, the water will not last forever and they do not conserve like Vegas does. I lived just off Eagle Ranch and the Paseo with a southern backyard view of downtown, the petroglyphs and the Sandia mountains. (Video of our beautiful view posted on my channel)

[@andrewlacerenza667]

I lived in Taos, NM for about 2 years and one of the best things to do there is in the winter. The skiing there is awesome, Northern New Mexico has some really great hiking in the other seasons too. I'm from NYC and many of the people there think NM is all just a desert, not realizing the southern part of the rocky mountains are in NM and they get large snowfall

[@JacobWillits]

If anyone ever played the video game borderlands that us us in new mexico. A barren wasteland of societal rejects and weirdos 😂😂 unique and peculiar fine with me.

[@bagofsteel9152]

After living here in New Mexico for six years now, as well as visiting my family out here every year growing up, I can definitely say that I like the people here more than in Arizona. Not to offend the neighboring state, there is just a super casual politeness that people have about them out here. The slower pace means that if you have the drive to succeed, you can easily make it out here. There are some poor qualities to this state, namely the education system, drug epidemics, poorly allocated state funding, and tax rates. Not a ton to do, but if you enjoy peace and quiet it's fantastic. With some of the greatest sunsets and natural scenery, driving out here tends to be less stressful than most places if you can handle dodging the occasional pothole. Food and entertainment options could use some work, but that really goes along with the population density and all I see is constant improvement. Despite the selection, there are some really tasty spots to eat and the big events in this state are unparalleled in many ways. The annual balloon fiesta is the largest in the world, and don't pass up the Gondola ride tour to the top of the Sandias, which you can drive to the top of as well if you're afraid of heights. It's still the wild west out here, turn up on someone's property and you're liable to be shot or at least torn up by their dogs. It's an open carry state so you'll often see guns on the hip at Walmart or wherever doesn't have a sign stating otherwise. I was told you can still get hung legally if you steal a cow. You can also get a motorcycle license for 50-100cc at age 13. The Native American population is the largest of any state, and the culture shines through past the reservations in many ways. Santa Fe itself is older than the United States. You're also likely to see a UFO if you stick around for a while. The natural beauty, clean and largely untouched by man really has a special place in my heart. It's one heck of a unique state, and even with the poverty level passing a whopping 20%, you'd be hard pressed to find a more robust melting pot culture with so much hope, passion, and perseverance coming into play. It is truly the Land of Enchantment, and you won't really know what that means until you live here for a while.

[@jamesgoode2282]

Is the "super casual politeness" because New Mejico has kept its Spanish culture better than Arizona?

[@bagofsteel9152]

@@jamesgoode2282 I would say that there are a multitude of factors contributing to the attitude of people in this state. The Mexican and Spanish cultures bring a neat flair and passion while the Native cultures bring a slower paced attitude, some would say patience and respect for nature to the table. None of it is in your face and all of it is so inviting. As far as white cultures go, we have a disproportionate amount of Italians and Irish compared to others, which again add a unique spin to the infrastructure and mentality in the state. Not a ton of African and Asian cultures out here proportionately, but they do add cultural factors that you can see in the people. It is a true melting pot as I said, everyone is invited and very few people tend to not get along despite the cultural backgrounds varying person to person. Most people tend to keep to themselves, but that doesn't mean that someone won't drop their whole life story on you the first time you meet them, effectively sharing their cultural upbringing whenever the opportunity arises. Being a state where art is abundant and the elderly move here to retire as well, those ideas factor into play when it comes to the general attitude of the population. The weather in this state also contributes, being unexpected many days of the year. It's possible for blizzard-like conditions to appear "out of nowhere" and yet, in the same day you can experience perfect driving conditions where you can take out your motorcycle on a sunny drive. Monsoon season is a special time of year, and the people will often say, "wait fifteen minutes and the weather will change". This all contributes to that "Land of Mañana" attitude, which unfortunately does effect the workforce mentality to a fault. Still, you won't find a more forgiving people for many states because of these factors, that >20% poverty level only adds to the understanding of the culture. If you've ever been to or even worked on a Native American reservation, you'd understand immediately that it's a completely different world that we live in comparatively, so I'd have to say those cultures may have even the greatest sway on the off-reservation areas. And, as I mentioned with Santa Fe, this state has some of the richest and oldest cultural history in the United States. It's roots are strong, and so are the people in New Mexico.

[@bfoxxable]

That's exactly right. I was born in El Paso, TX. I have the major Mexican work ethic burned into my bones. When I was hired at my current job, it was with 3 New Mexicans and 2 people from California. All of them quit the second the job got a little too difficult (who leaves a job that pays $24/hr in this economy?) If I keep working at it, I'll eventually be able to buy my own house at around $32-$40 hourly. If you work hard in NM, you can damn well make it. I couldn't do this back in El Paso where I would be paid $15/hr in my current position with no chance of ever getting higher 🙄

[@jbmillard]

@@jamesgoode2282 Kept? We are constantly importing it.

[@jamesgoode2282]

@@jbmillard -- Naw, we are mixing words. I said "Spanish." Do you really continue to import "Spanish" culture into New Mejico? You may be importing "Mexican" and "Irish" and "Italian" and "Californian" and such, but I'm doubting that much immigration from Espana is still occurring.

[@prophez23]

I live in the northern mountains of New Mexico and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Been to Arizona many times and there isn't anything that draws me in like the magic in these old mountains. I love the fact that we have a very low population. Hopefully it'll always be like this.

[@rt3box6tx74]

The worst thing to ever happen to northern NM is internet travel booking. People fly into Abq, drive up to Taos or other points in the north part of the state and think of the Swiss Alps. I can't mow my front yard up there without being interrupted by first time visitors inquiring about mountain life. It's great if you don't mind being snow bound from Jan to May.

[@DontCancelMeBro]

You must be a democrat.

[@kcoziar]

I’d they keep it governed the same way the population will stay low

[@prophez23]

@@rt3box6tx74 yeah the problem I see most in my area is outsiders come in to camp or experience the mountain life and leave but forget to take their trash with them. I don't mind the snow much. I'm used to it. I have a four wheel drive truck and don't have any problems getting down.

[@prophez23]

@@kcoziar I'm pretty sure that it won't get too over populated around my area in the mountains. It's a hard life and most aren't cut out for it. But hopefully all of New Mexico will stay the way it is now as far as population. As far as the governing it's as bad as it gets. And it seems like it doesn't matter which team it is either. Both dems and repubs end up doing more harm than good to our state. I will say though I'm sick and tired of the dems though.

[@robedmund9948]

NM is mismanaged in SO many ways. Visiting is well worth it. Gorgeous views, friendly people, amazing history. But its government is nuts!

[@alvallac2171]

*its (possessive) it's = contraction of "it is" or "it has" All contractions use apostrophes, but possessive pronouns never do.

[@jred7]

This

[@Jobotubular]

@@alvallac2171-- chalk it up to NM public education

[@jtooley6554]

Arizona has too many old republicans, they should move to Alabama

[@davidhunternyc1]

@@alvallac2171 its thats so?

[@NYnative61]

We live in AZ for 40 years. We love NM and used to travel there all the time. Husband now has worsening lung disease and with the entire state at higher elevations, we can no longer do it. All the best places to visit sit at or above 7000ft. Makes us sad because we really used to enjoy traveling the Enchanted Circle.

[@marcchristopher856]

I love how you make videos about things I never think about, but that I find immediately intriguing. New Mexico is on my list of states I want to visit

[@badwater]

I live in Alabama... I love New Mexico so much!

[@edwardedmundson4356]

I've lived in Las Cruces, NM for 21 years. Would not live anywhere else. I love the slow pace, friendly people, spectacular beauty, and fabulous Southern New Mexican Cuisine.

[@OMJ_the_Show]

Take my NM Food Tour in Santa Fe or Albuquerque 😊

[@lynne8755]

Do not stay in any Hotels in Albuquerque. Criminals like to target out of state vehicles. Santa Fe would be a better choice.

[@graywolf4696]

I've lived in both and I will say first hand I love Albuquerque WAY more than Phoenix. Way less traffic and the scenery is amazing. Plus the heat in Phoenix during the summer is unbearable. I'm so glad everybody heads to AZ and leaves our little gem less populated.

[@Caseylawton]

"little gem" is certainly one way to describe New Mexico lol

[@therealsnow]

Albuquerque is far less charming today than it was 20 years ago, I remember when the entire state of NM had a population of 1 million. There's still too many people moving from CA for my liking.

[@AndrewMarquardt-hd9sx]

"little gem" Albuquerque is disgusting.

[@davek5027]

A little gem, as in a crystal of meth.

[@PolishBehemoth]

@Louis Nall thats a dishonest statement. We could easily say that it would be a gem if nobody moved there and settled at all and it was just trees and animals. Part of the gem is the people and lifestyle and development. Part of it is ja ing population and part of it is not. How else die you get there?

[@doryowen]

Just spent three weeks in NM and the people there were some of the friendliest we have experienced anywhere in the US. That was a surprise to us since we just had experienced a lot of jerks and kooks in Arizona. Not sure what they have going in NM but some really laid back, helpful, generous people. Means a lot more to me than "warm winters" when much of Arizona is so dry and hot that it really would be uninhabitable in summer without expensive energy use. Dwindling water resources should be in people's minds. Complete dependence on air conditioning much of the year. I don't think I'd be able to justify SE Arizona living but it's a nice place to visit in winter.

[@kinyattarocsheen6170]

🤣

[@GodIsADelusion]

lol 99/100 people are trash here

[@emmanuelperez541]

Arizona only mean cuss we tired of having everyone from everywhere come and crowd up our state we want everyone coming from other states and stuff to go over to New Mexico instead that woulda bin sweet

[@gabdominates]

It's cheaper to cool the summer heat than it is to heat the winter chill. Seriously, just look it up. I'm tired of people talking about expensive energy waste in an Arizona summer when I know they're running an insane amount of electricity trying to cool their chilly winters somewhere.

[@robynmasters335]

I moved to Albuquerque just 2 years ago and I love the winters here. Being an Artist I think it's a great town. Santa Fe is just a jump away, easy to visit, also has plenty of places to sell my art in. I love the Balloon Fiesta here and the amazing skies at Sunrise and Sunset. Every city has its good and bad. Different people go to different places for different reasons. For me, at least currently, this is a good place to be.

[@rondavis221]

I just moved to Phoenix from Albuquerque in the last year. I liked ABQ but I LOVE living in the Valley. So much more to do here and feel like the possibilities are endless.

[@davisholman8149]

My neighbor did the same thing. Also, the school for her son is better here.

[@sakurahigurashi8300]

We actually just did the same thing but in 2021 and have nothing but great experiences here in the Valley. Going back to NM to visit family and friends feels so different now like theres not enough to do. The Sandia's will always be in my heart and NM will always be home, but we've accomplished so much more in the Valley in 2 years then what we ever did in 30 years out there.

[@joeshithragman3264]

Poor New Mexico. So far from Heaven, so close to Texas.

[@domenickverderber4852]

I moved to Las cruces 3 years ago from New York. As a retired senior citizen I considered Arizona, but found it unaffordable for me to live there. I bought a beautiful home in Las cruces for less than half of what it costs in New York or Arizona. Taxes here are also very low. I pay only 1300 a year for my property and school taxes. No snow at all and the winter in Las cruces is mild and short. Best decision I ever made.

[@_DB.COOPER]

Did you bring your democrat ways with you?

[@domenickverderber4852]

@@_DB.COOPER db cooper, you must be one of those angry people out there. Thanks for reminding me another reason I didnt choose Arizona, the right wing crackpot population that's obsessed with guns, conspiracy theories and quanonon. Texas is just as bad. Arizona and Texas dont want women, minorities to have any rights or to be able to vote. There banning books just like adolph Hitler did. No problems like that here in new Mexico. Yes, the Democrats run everything. Thank god.

[@domenickverderber4852]

@@rainey1987 I have no idea what your talking about? I bought a house just like everybody else.

[@FrickFrack]

We're probably neighbors! I live near Huey-on-a-stick.

[@domenickverderber4852]

@@FrickFrack what's hurt on a stick? Las cruces is a big place

[@r0kus]

Water supply is likely to begin affecting Arizona's growth. Just recently the city of Scottsdale had to cut off drinking water shipments to an outlying area. The area is zoned for a lot of residential growth, but the people already there are very concerned about receiving a continuous supply of water. I know I would not even consider moving there, even though I grew up in the Phoenix area.

[@mementomori29231]

You are clearly not educated on the water situation. Residential water is far more efficient than agricultural usage. Phoenix today uses less water than it did in the 1960’s with a fraction of the population. Phoenix residents in proper municipalities have zero concerns with water.

[@SharetheShred]

Frank is correct, that was more of a contractual issue than anything else.

[@ifonly2074]

Yes! Please listen to whatever this guy's name is! Don't move to AZ. If you want to believe there is no water to keep you out of the state, then go for it.

[@brookenigh]

Had the pleasure of living in New Mexico for 6 entirely too short months. The land of enchantment is just that and I've been hard pressed to find friendlier people. Definitely a well kept secret of the US.

[@JacobWillits]

You Definetly didnt live here long ebough to get a full yaste of its true enchantment. I live here since the 1st grade and im 26 now and ive expored a lot of the northwest corner and its amazing to me how coming into the civilization its like an oasis feeling because its all sandy brown but then bright green lush and river flowing through it really makes it feel special

[@christinecortese9973]

I lived in Santa Fe for a year and loved the ambiance and lifestyle although crime is a real issue. I’m in Show Low AZ now but I still miss NM. At the risk of sounding weird, NM has a totally different vibe, like you’ve stepped into a substantially different world, and I kind of liked that.

[@Paul-ue7fo]

A lot like Maine. A whole different flavor.

[@OMJ_the_Show]

Definitely true

[@DesertTOON]

I have heard good things about Show Low from other KZbin vlogs.

[@billolsen4360]

I like to visit Pie Town

[@nunziobusiness1509]

Like a second, or third world.

[@EvanEscher]

I just found your channel. This video made me think about John Wesley Powell, and how he proposed that the Western states' boundaries should reflect watershed boundaries since there isn't much water out there. However, no one listened to him, and as a result there's a water shortage in that region. EDIT: I just looked through your channel, and saw you did a video relating to this, I'll go watch it.

[@shirtexpert]

I have been a resident of NM for 17 years. I live in Rio Rancho, right outside of Albuquerque. We have great schools, low crime, a strong business environment and wonderful weather. I have spent time in the summer in Phoenix. It was 117 and the asphalt was melting. Traffic was bad. There was a mugging in the parking lot of the hotel we were staying at. Not really upset more people haven’t discovered New Mexico.

[@carlc5748]

I really liked Rio Rancho in New Mexico. Know all about those good attributes that you mentioned. It was good enough for Al Unser!!!

[@Seekthetruth3000]

Is it expensive to live in Santa Fe? Thanks.

[@shirtexpert]

@@Seekthetruth3000 It is one of the more expensive places to live in New Mexico. It isn't as bad as, say, San Francisco or New York or Miami, but unless you NEED to live in Santa Fe there less expensive options nearby.

[@EstTheSword]

I do too, and its crazy what the difference is just a half hour drive southeast.

[@GodIsADelusion]

No one from ABQ has any room to talk about anyone else's crime rates. People here are animals.

[@danieldeleon8001]

A couple other limiting factors of New Mexico is the fact that there's not a lot of open land left to build on. Given there is a lot of land but most of it is already farm land, dairy land, military land, state parks, federal parks, or Native American reservation land.

[@carlc5748]

Not to mention those underground bases inhabited by ??????

[@JacobWillits]

Bro we have more land for sale than most other states. Yes a lot is reservations and national forrest or blm land but if you got the money you can get land to build on here. Theres a lot of nice piece of land for sale around me. I do wish there was a few areas here and there wed unlock though for certain purposes.

[@cjwhitmore1881]

I was born in Texas but grew up in New Mexico near the border with Arizona. There are things to love about both states; but I feel that New Mexico is particularly a hidden gem. Beautiful lands and wonderful people with a unique culture (not to mention the green chile and Old-Spanish style architecture). Meanwhile, Arizona has more opportunities, more predictable weather, and newer innovations/institutions. Given the choice, I'd return home to New Mexico any day, but I understand why so many people (including my brother) have decided to make Arizona their home in recent years.

[@downrightmike]

That and the US Army literally nuked NM, not Az. Those NM people that were down wind got cancer and most got the shaft.

[@wyattb3138]

Well said. I want to work with military technology and engineering and that means moving to Chandler or Scottsdale.

[@Scorpionwitch]

I was born and raised in southeast NM and spent my first 22 years there. I moved to AZ and have spent 33 years here. I still feel a sigh of relief when I go home for visits to NM and cross the NM state line. Even though I've been more of my years in AZ, NM will always be home. The fact that NM has so much open space and interesting things to see is a big draw for me, and I think a lot of people looking for a break from the rat race. NM may not be big on growth and I know that has its downsides but for people looking for space and some peace, it's a great place to go. I couldn't wait to get out of NM and now I can't wait to go back.

[@ToniGlick]

Arizona has tons of things to see too. I recommend exploring the many National, State and local parks. To name a few; the Chiricauas, Oak Creek Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Sunset Crator, Tuzigoot, Monument Valley... there's so many!

[@mariannem8419]

When I look at a map of the US, I see AZ bordered by CA, NV, UT, and NM. NM is bordered by west TX on the east/right. That alone would be enough to discourage me from moving to NM, although it is a very beautiful state.

[@genericamerican7574]

I left when the WIPP was opened for business.

[@gillianellis5897]

So happy New Mexico isn't as popular. New Mexicans are generally the kindest people I've met in the U.S. and they still say hello to strangers. Phoenix is a huge water sink full of cranky , crazy commuters and a few very sweet folks in Tucson and Flagstaff. But Oy! the racism , anti- semitism, and maga faarts!

[@ibberman]

@@mariannem8419 Discourage you, why would that be, if you don't mind.

[@jakurdadov6375]

I lived in Arizona for a few years. I expected it to be a mingling of Native, Mexican, and Western cultures. It is far from that, especially Phoenix. It's true when they say, "Phoenix is the largest small mid-western town in the Southwest." I visited New Mexico a few times and wished I had moved there all those years ago.

[@backyard_expert]

Arizona is the most bigoted state in the Southwest.

[@HighpointerGeocacher]

@@backyard_expert What evidence do you have to make that slanderous comment?

[@ibberman]

It's never too late?

[@Rubin82]

@Ken Akerman I can see what @swagedelic mean. A lot of the rich and middle class (and white) seems to be in suburban sprawl developments. I've noticed this seems to appeal to the out of staters that want to live independently with their family yet be a 5 minute drive from all their necessities. This choice being influenced from being fed up with where they're coming from at best or running from their issues at worst. This has created isolated (by designing for big yards and cars) family units where neighbors aren't really friendly with the people around them, and have a social life that is segregated with other isolating people they are similar with. That's probably how you get people like the east valley Karens and the scottsdale credit card rich that are so out of touch but still somehow function living here. Aka people who are more likely to be bigoted and racist. Especially if they like to blame a group for things out of their control. These are crack social theories based on my experience living in the suburbs and poorer city areas of the valley with a slight cynical lens on their lack of intergration.

[@Chris-yi4pj]

@@Rubin82 socialist

[@erichottel7783]

Great video! I lived in Albuquerque for one year in the mid-nineties, and in Tucson since 1998. Love the crisp, mountain air in NM, Hatch Green Chile, the culture, and so much else. Tucson is hot, has mountains on all sides, has superb Sonoran Mexican Food, a Pac-12 university as opposed to WAC or Mounain West. But I miss that air in NM!

[@elvaquero5554]

As somebody who has lived in NM all my life, geography and climate certainly play a role with water being a huge issue, but there's more. There are towns and land grants where you don't stop if you don't know somebody, have a good reason to be there or are related to somebody. They really don't like outsiders. This even applies to me, and I "get" those people.

[@drewskij2175]

Weirdest thing ever happen to me in 25 years traveling the state in my sales role. Rolled into Clayton, needed an atm, headed over to some small town bank, guy walking in behind me was totally packing a 1911 on his hip. Growing up in Dirty Jersey, my eyes widened, old cowboy looks at me and smiles, walks to the teller and does his banking business with several pleases and thank yous. Safest Ive ever felt in a bank. Been to all four corners of the state, just about every Rez, the war zone ect but the coolest towns are the smallest like Villaneuva, Chimayo, Canjilon, Questa, Datil or Alma to name a few.

[@davek5027]

Most people I’ve encountered seemed mildly hostile. Relax New Mexico residents, I’m merely stopping for gas and a bathroom break.

[@elvaquero5554]

@@davek5027 Not all of them, some are very open, but there are a lot of insular communities that are the descendants of the Spanish Conquistadores. They simply don't like outsiders and changing their minds on that is a monumental task. It used to be worse. I grew up to stories from my grandfather's day, such as when he was a young teenager who was going to sneak up and watch a Penitente (Catholic sect notorious for being "penitent" in their rituals) ritual. Penitentes are very secretive about their rituals and my grandfather wound up with bullets flying over his head. That was Northern New Mexico in the 1920s. These days it's kind of an unwritten rule that we leave them alone and they leave us alone. The flip side is once they know you and like you, they're very loyal friends.

[@strongdelusion9442]

@@davek5027 Hostile is right, mean and nasty people! Been here 10 years and about everyday I could get in a fist fight If I wanted too, bad atttiude inconsiderate A-holes are everywhere! They curse me just by looking at me! I might add I'm a big white guy!

[@maggiemay5510]

So true .. especially the rez ...

[@jayandre505]

As an Albuquerque native I prefer the size we’re at. (2023) I feel like we’re a hidden gem and it would be nice to remain that way for awhile longer

[@emilybriancochran9700]

This prevailing attitude is why we have a lack of economic growth and, as a result, more poverty. I’m not against your feeling, but it does have tradeoffs

[@5446isnotmynumber]

@@emilybriancochran9700 look at what economic growth did to California

[@silverranger3532]

@@emilybriancochran9700 I like @jj33ss attitude. We get to choose between economic growth and peace and quiet.

[@fasteddie9867]

Hidden gem?? This place is a freaking dump!

[@JacobWillits]

You guys in albuquerque need new overpasses that dont look like they came from 1990. That being said, maybe stick with them because that area of road just outside of albuquerque was under construction for literally almost as long as ive been living 😂😂😂😂

[@RichardBO9]

Born and raised in Montana. Lived for 7 years in New Mexico. Wife at the time HATED NM, so moved to try and save marriage. Ended up in Wyoming. When she decided she wanted a divorce, I moved back to NM. Been here 10 years. I'd prefer to keep NM a secret. 🤠 New Mexico was New Mexico long before Mexico was Mexico.

[@JacobWillits]

Man I love new mexico

[@RandyK1ng]

As a new resident of Tucson (fleeing the cold of Wisconsin), this was most enjoyable. Thank you. We also very much enjoy New Mexico cities, especially Las Cruces / Mesilla, Carrizozo, White Sands, Alamagordo, and a few more. They just need to decide: red or green.

[@DesertRailProductions]

Welcome to tucson! 😄

[@johnchedsey1306]

No idea if this contributed to Arizona's growth, but I grew up reading the tourism oriented magazine Arizona Highways. Their photography and articles about all the interesting things in Arizona fascinated me as a kid. It's no wonder I ended up here and love to explore the state with my camera. Thankfully, I've come to really appreciate neighboring NM for all the beauty in that state as well....but the lack of a well known magazine showing it off made a difference.

[@michaelmiddleton3311]

Great magazine. I remember that.

[@aick]

Good, stay in the lowlands.

[@frederichodge7345]

I had the same experience.I WA at a friend home and they had Arizona Highways magazines on rhe coffee table.I loved the raw beauty and vowed to go there when I grew up.Mission accomplished.

[@johnchedsey1306]

@@aick Done! But I'm still going to visit NM and eat great food while there.

[@mrkroeger]

I would say you are correct.

[@garys.2291]

Surprised you didn't mention the history because New Mexico has a far deeper native and colonial history than current day Arizona. Spanish had settlements in NM 500 years ago. At least back then there were more people living in current day New Mexico than Arizona. However I think Arizona being closer to California has a lot do with the larger population today. NM is more isolated.

[@Antonio-lc4mp]

Yes people don’t realize that New Mexico never really changed culturally or ethnically from the New Spain and Mexico time period. It’s still very Spanish and Indigenous today as it was for all of its history

[@davek5027]

I don’t find NM natives to be welcoming in the least.

[@jamesgoode2282]

Santa Fe is the oldest capital city in the U.S.

[@abqcleve]

@@davek5027 You're an outlier; most folks recognize and value the unique, non-judgemental, respectful attitude most NMers have. You have to have those qualities in a state as diverse as this. Now, are we lousy drivers: hell yes!

[@rt3box6tx74]

@abqcleve I watch builder crews show up for work in a resort area where they've been repairing or remodeling houses only to take a morning siesta on the sunny floor of the trailer the remodeling products were hauled in on. I sometimes snap a few pics of the nappers, though I think most of my neighbors now have 24/7 security cameras to make sure they are able to see for themselves what they're paying for. Some may not dare speak up, since they could get black-listed. In that case their 3-day project could wind up taking all summer. My little gutter project cost about double the original quote. One 36 ft gutter rehung on one side of the house for $575. Pure robbery, because they can get away with it.

[@Viennery]

Canadian here who’s visited both: Arizona was some of the most beautiful desert in the world and most pleasant highways to drive on, and the Grand Canyon was breathtaking. Phoenix however was probably the worst city in the US I’ve ever had the displeasure of staying in. So many cop cars blaring their sirens and racing down the streets, and I’m pretty sure there was a police shooting outside my hotel one night that I naively thought was fireworks until I saw the flashing lights. City was dusty and had an awful smell. All the small towns were nice. I also saw a guy who looked like a 18th century cartoon character with the cowboy boots and hat with a big iron on his hip. New Mexico was gorgeous and full of wide open spaces, addictive blue sky that I never got sick of, and Carlsbad caverns has to be one of the top natural wonders of the US. Roswell wasn’t worth the detour and felt cheap and gimmicky, and the entire state has some of the worst poverty I’ve seen in the US with people living out of structures that look like they could be out of the Fallout universe. Heavy security around the south with military checkpoints on every road presumedly to catch Illegal immigrants and drug traffickers. If I had to choose to live in one... I’d probably go with New Mexico.

[@butterboi935]

"people living out of structures that look like they could be out of the Fallout universe" I find that hilarious because it true but that one thing I like about the place

[@pecosrider5733]

Roswell is nice for the simple fact is it’s very small that’s it 😂

[@justincrook6795]

You haven't been to very many cities then.

[@Viennery]

@@justincrook6795 Many actually. I travel quite frequently, and my favourite cities are in the Netherlands. As for the US, I would say New Orleans is hands down my favourite. Great people, great food, great music, and warm weather.

[@Viennery]

@@butterboi935 same. It was definitely interesting lol

[@Pack.Leader]

This was fascinating. I learned so much ! I am originally from southern New England but have moved all around. I live in SW New Mexico and I love it here. It does have cold night time temps in the winter months but the daytime temps are usually not so bad. I love the elevation and the lack of humidity (and mosquitos) and the topography is nice. Thanks so much for this interesting and informative video.

[@Devki24]

My favorite thing about people from the northeast moving to the southwest is we always bring up mosquitos and ticks. I live back in the northeast now and they’re both so bad.

[@betsyarehart5441]

I lived in rural S NewMex for almost 10 years until moving back to Anchorage in 2023. I mostly loved it, but the two things I hated were the summer heat and the BUGS. House filled with them for much of the year. Now in Anchorage I luxuriate with virtually no bugs (mosquitoes in the woods however) and wonderful cool summers. The thing to hate in Anchorage is the long dark winters and the isolation forcing you to long airline flights to go anywhere. Every place has its pluses and minuses.

[@Pack.Leader]

@@betsyarehart5441 Yes, the folks who are snowbirds have it all figured out.

[@theatomicmom]

I grew up in Arizona, but have lived in New Mexico for the last 20 years. The differences are stark -- but it also has a lot to do with taxes and politics as well.

[@JacobWillits]

Man new mexico would he greater if our govenor wasnt two faced and telling the big cities shes gonna do the opposite of what she tells us in the small towns. She goes to albuquerque and says shes going to ban oil land guns and then in the northwest and sourtheast corners shes like "actually not really" and its like, two faced. How do we know which of us shes lyin to? 😂 its one of us or both

[@theatomicmom]

@@JacobWillits If her mouth is moving, she is lying.

[@IWrocker]

Love both states dearly, but the food, scenery, housing, and mountains (also wayyy better cost of living) can’t be beat in New Mexico. It’s a Gem 💎

[@laartwork]

Shhhh! We want them to think it's crime ridden liberal sh!t hole. Let them go to AZ. I don't need traffic.

[@Lzrdman91]

Cost of living is lower in NM, but AZ has much more industries and less poverty.

[@JacobWillits]

​@@Lzrdman91more job options.

[@dariusbrock2351]

New Mexico is a state that has always fascinated me. A very mysterious place.

[@JacobWillits]

Even a hills have eyes vibe sometimss

[@brandonhawkinson9209]

After growing up in AZ, and now coming back I'm definitely moving out of AZ. It's slowly going bad and it doesn't help that house prices are ridiculously high. Too many people have moved here and now it's starting to hurt because of it.

[@hewitc]

Like Florida. No longer an "affordable" retirement option.

[@mitch20003]

im in tempe and no way I can afford a house. its going to take me years to able to afford one. its getting so packed here. The only reason Im still here becaue my parents , brother and my nephews but . TBH, i might move to a mid size city in NC or alabama. Ive lived in the south and enjoyed it. good food and friendly people. You just have to deal with weather at times.

[@hewitc]

@@mitch20003 The people moving to Florida now are coming from the north. They have money and will pay asking price or above and don't care about the high property taxes. The just want to avoid state income tax (while that lasts) and have warm weather. Eventually all the housing up north (NJ and NY mainly) will be empty and go for cheap. So rich people will live in Florida everyone else in NJ. Problem is the rich want services and the service providers need a place to live too. Nannies and housekeepers are getting paid premiums. The gardeners, pool service and other trades people are getting wide and charging more. So maybe it will level out.

[@mitch20003]

@@hewitc I was actually looking at Florida a few years back and thought it was reasonable. But yeah, that's not the case anymore. Definitely Same here happening in the PHX area. All these rich folks from Cali are moving here in droves. To get something decent will cost around 500k and that will need 100k+ in updates. Above average, you're looking at 700-900 k. 😂. FML. I'm stuck saving money at my folks for a while or I can move to a small- mid size city in the south and buy a home for under 300 k.

[@WeToddEd-r3g]

I was born and raised in Albuquerque and now live in the DFW area and couldn't be happier. The drug use and crime is out of control in Abq and the rest of the state. It was nice growing up, but has gone downhill so fast in the last 10-15 years. It's depressing every time I go back, it's like Abq got permanently stuck in the opioid epidemic and never recovered

[@faukil]

This is the real answer; Terrible governance leading to constant decline.

[@ChrisBTrappiN]

I'm moving to Dallas this summer, you have anything recommendations on where to live??

[@WeToddEd-r3g]

@ChrisBTrappiN Depends on what you can afford lol if you have money move to one of the nicer areas like the west part of Mckinney or Frisco, but that's like the super nice areas. But other areas north of Dallas are cool too, Plano, Richardson, Addison, Allen, The Colony, Carrollton, Lewisville are all pretty good. They have kind of bad areas, but nothing you can't handle if you're from Albuquerque lol I'm not sure about the Fort Worth side though, I haven't spent much time there.

[@j.ballsdeep420]

Laugh, I saw junkies in Plano, saw destitute people asking for a handout, and your dumbass thinks it's different anywhere just because your neighbors are different: If you think DFW is different, you never go into Dallas proper and you're and ignorant puppet

[@pistolen87]

Chrystal meth not as big of a problem? Maybe Breaking Bad skewed my views.

[@joangordoneieio]

Ive been in NM for a dozen years. Am glad folks are shying away for my Land of Enchantment.

[@kchapmans]

31 years for this transplant. Same.

[@jimmydee1130]

Yup. Better off keeping it a secret.

[@R-BURQUENO]

Born and Raised!! You all moved here, but don't want anybody else moving here😏.....Right.

[@JuanRios-sq1kv]

Ugly state lol.

[@davek5027]

Don’t worry. As I travel through NM, I drive as fast as I can to GTFO of your goofy state.

[@gerrygadget]

Geoff got a lot right. Other factors contribute, too, including crime, politics, locations of reservations, and more. But yeah, water is a big factor. The weather in NM is actually a plus, IMO, as Phoenix is wayyy too hot to be outdoors. It's warmer than CO, and they are quite populous up there.

[@dankelly5150]

@Derrick Bridges 🏒🤣🤣🤣

[@mikeyreza]

If you want to live in either state year-round, NM is for sure the better option. But since Arizona is hot all the time, it's a popular destination for people coming here to escape snowy winters in the North/Midwest (snowbirds). That generates a LOT of money for AZ ! Me personally though, I think I'd rather get euthanized than spend my twilight years in AZ.

[@lapislazarus8899]

You couldn't pay me to live in CO or AZ.

[@mikeyreza]

@@lapislazarus8899 You could definitely pay me... I don't have a choice so I'd like to have a bit of money along with my suffering

[@mikeyreza]

@Shawn Spencestar I know there are plenty of great areas in Arizona, maybe I should've specified that I'd rather be euthanized than spend my twilight years in East Mesa. To be honest, the state wasn't really made for someone like me, I don't like heat and I don't have a particular fondness for nature.

[@recoveringfarb]

my favorite past time sitting in traffic in the morning on the loop 101 is flipping off all the out of state plates

[@chrisjerome8731]

The Colorado River is important, especially today, but the real water-reason AZ got the jump was because of the Salt River Project. The history of SRP is pretty interesting and laid the foundation for the Phoenix metro area. Canals have brought water to the valley since as early as the 1870s and a series of large dams built by SRP nearby (See Roosevelt dam, operational 1911, among several others) allowed this area to grow tremendously.

[@petercollingwood522]

There were canals long before the 1870's. The civilization that constructed them collapsed. Might behoove the current residents to consider that as they waste all our water on alfalfa for Saudi Arabian cattle ranches.

[@jsc1228]

@@petercollingwood522 The canals may have been there but the dams and reservoirs were not. SRP has made storing water using the ancient canal system as a base much more efficient. As far as alfalfa farms (not sure why race of owners matter) the irrigation that drives the agriculture economy is worth the trade off. Agricultural industry was the foundation Arizona was built on economically and allows for additional development opportunities in the future that promote population growth. There’s no need to fear monger to support economic stunts or slow downs. Look up pictures of canyon, saguaro and Roosevelt lakes from the 1910s-1960s and you’ll notice the water levels have increased significantly-and this is allegedly happened while in a “drought”.

[@wlonsdale1]

@@petercollingwood522 stay on topic. SRP

[@petercollingwood522]

@@jsc1228 You are smoking crack. You can only store what is available from snow melt runoff and correctly placed monsoon storms. When that dries up your resivoirs will dry up too. And they are completely insufficient to satisfy AZ's water needs as it is. Which is why the water table is sinking dramatically as the groundwater is used up. Which is why huge cracks are opening up all over the Sonoran desert basin. I never said anything about "race". Nationality however certainly does matter. Only a bunch of really stupid people think it's a good idea to piss away AZ"s water reserves to send alfalfa to Saudi for their ludicrous cattle industry. There is already a water battle in the suburbs of Phoenix as a MacMansion subdivision just found itself cut off from municipal water supply and they can't afford to dig wells deep enough to reach the ever vanishing water table. Wake up and smell the mud dude.

[@petercollingwood522]

@@wlonsdale1 The topic is water dude. SRP is merely one cog in the wheel and it can't store or provide what doesn't precipitate.

[@MaxBrandenberger]

I'm a Texan but have vacationed in the NM mountains many times. One thing I have always been curious about is the very distinct difference when crossing the border from Texas to NM. In the Texas panhandle you drive hundreds of miles through heavy agriculture; both farming and ranching. When you cross into NM you're still in the same geographic region but the heavy agriculture dwindles rapidly. My guess is it has to do with access to water for irrigation because Texas has almost no water usage restrictions and landowners are free to pump whatever they can from underground. It is just such a strange transition from one state to the next.

[@bwiz6514]

@ChestPass87 Nice try tucker, but in this case it's altitude, weather and water. Texas gets triple the precipitation of NM and has a much longer growing season (250 vs 150 days). Chestpass threw a turnover this time.

[@bwiz6514]

@ChestPass87 You mean, do the two distinct growing seasons and copious cheap CAP water give Arizona a good foundation for agriculture? The answer is yes. Obviously, politics are not the focus of this issue or California wouldn't be the largest agricultural producer in the US?

[@kenbagwell8551]

Noticed that many times myself. It's not a coincidence.

[@richardhale2117]

I love New Mexico and therefore hope people continue to go to AZ.

[@Rubin82]

I love Arizona and hope the opposite.

[@lvfhgevxgkpo]

Its bs man, take these people please!

[@VanquishR]

Like 5-6 years ago, I was kinda delighted or surprised to see a license plate from another state on the road. Nowadays, it’s become an every 5th car has a Non-AZ plate. The growth is too insane and I want my quiet back :(

[@thegrifter4741]

I’m moving to New Mexico so too damn bad

[@ElfenLiedAgain]

@@Rubin82 same

[@petermayne7113]

I live in the western mountains of NM and we have seen a considerable increase in population since Covid. Many are moving on after a tough winter though since it’s a hard place to live without serious financial security and/or a pioneering mindset. I have a very hard time imagining myself living in a place with high population density. Come visit us, we’re friendly and the scenery is gorgeous, drop some money in our economy and move on. 😊

[@JacobWillits]

Nes mexico isnt about spending a lot of money its about having a good time with great people. The bonfires in the desert under the stars. those city slickin manhattanites never got to expirience it. It was always fun when the music is playing andnits dark. Man I love that stuff.

[@plztnboy]

NM has a ton of scientists living in Sante Fe, Los Alamos and Albuquerque, working on nuclear stuff. Visited the famed national labs several times on business in the 1980s and 1990s - always enjoyed my trips. Countryside reminds me of the African savanna - semi-arid, with hardy, small trees and tall grass. Scenery with mountains, a few snow-capped peaks in winter, plains and Indian settlements is unique. Sante Fe has an upscale feel to it, with its art galleries.

[@JacobWillits]

A lotta national secrets go on in new mexico. The manhattan project for example. A lot of secret aircraft fly around in areas where if they crash there isnt a big population going around snooping

[@derekisthematrix]

Interesting that "progress" is measured by increases in population (and apparently sports teams). I plan to retire to NM someday and the lack of people is a huge driver. Note: I understand that a growing population leads to a greater overall economy but I'm simply trying to bring light to the fact that more people doesn't always mean 'better' and often results in the opposite)

[@Enemy_Operator2534]

Bill Gates is right!

[@wellnesscoach73]

san antonio texas.

[@5DNRG]

So true....👍

[@ifonly2074]

Take them! Please take all the Californians who have moved to AZ!

[@veeta1631]

progress is being equated to economic success & if that was not the goal for moving, then yeah lack of population is actually for sure better.

[@TradeWise1000]

I’m am from ABQ and moved after college. I would have loved to stay but there is not a lot of great opportunity for jobs. I would also love to move back, now that I am a remote employee but the poverty makes it hard sell for my partner. Abq really needs to make stricter codes for maintenance of property and address rampant and apparent drug abuse issues. I doubt I will move back which is ohh so sad.

[@shaan702]

Phoenix might be nice in the winter but it is hell on earth in the summer. It regularly hits 105 and it’s super humid. I’d rather have to wear layers in the winter than have to get in a car that’s 140 or more after sitting in the sun.

[@Daniel_PU239]

So I lived in California all my life (I'm 51) but moved to Santa Fe NM in June of last year because I got a job at "the lab". And I got to say that I really do love this place because the vibe is so different. I know people complain about ABQ's crime and drugs, but when you compare it to the hoods in Cali and NY (i got a buddy from NY that agrees with me), ABQ isn't all that bad to tell you the truth. Now, I know, I don't live in ABQ, but I go down there a lot. One negative about this place is that there are not many job opportunities out here. If you are not working at the lab, then you better hope to find work out in ABQ cause those are LITERALLY the only spots that you are going to find any kind of sustainable work. Anyways, I love it here, and I love Santa Fe, and working for LANL is amazing. There are a ton of things to do here in the winter and summer. Still getting use to waking up in the snow, but I love it anyways. And as far as the population comparison with our neighbor Phoenix, I think its a major plus for us. It is soooooo f*cking quiet out here and I love that. I'm from the San Fernando Valley (just over the hill from Hollywood) and I swear You could set your watch to all the helicopters that are constantly in the sky...noise pollution is bad out there, not to mention the air quality. Unfortunately though...you do get use to the smog out in SoCal. Lol, when I was flying into Burbank Airport a few months ago to visit the family, you literally fly into a a brown cloud of smog when we were landing. Everyone inside the airplane started laughing on that fact. And even though I don't live there anymore...it was still a bit embarrassing.

[@Seekthetruth3000]

Is it expensive to live in Santa Fe? Thanks.

[@antcantcook960]

Crime stats don’t agree with you, Albuquerque is worst ranked regarding crime than NYC and LA. But your buddy told you, so….

[@doorknobsarecool9503]

@@antcantcook960 yeah and nyc and la have relatively low murder rates compared to other US cities

[@tanyaraven9492]

@@Seekthetruth3000 Housing in SF is expensive. Otherwise probably not more expensive than most other places.

[@SBC97281]

Geography plays a huge part in the differences. BUT, Arizona has had an economic goal of investing in infrastructure for as long as I can remember. New Mexico exported college graduates for decades with a great University system and few companies to attract them to stay. Arizona has on of the oldest continuously operating irrigation systems in the western hemisphere and has followed that tradition since.

[@scott9269]

FWIW I am from Portland but moved to Albuquerque about a year and a half ago. Jobs are plentiful and pay well here if you are in the trades, have certifications, degrees or other special skills, with a far lower cost of living than Phoenix. Landscape is beautiful and I'm enjoying going on trips throughout. While not a food mecca like Portland it has some of the best I've ever had. If one really wants to go somewhere for a trip flying out of the Albuquerque Sunport is always fast.

[@scott9269]

@Daniel E. lol no. If it wasn’t for the high cost of housing I wouldn’t have left.

[@diegofianza3525]

My history professor, Dr. Whitehurst of Old Dominion University, wrote his dissertation by contrasting historical development of riverine cultures. I believe he contrasted ancient Egypt and Amazonian peoples. I really miss that old man, I would spend hours talking to him in his office. He was a former member of Congress and served as a tailgunner in the Army Air Corps in the Second World War (He would was say "The Second World War...not WWII the war was NOT a movie). I truly think he would like this piece. (He's still alive at 98 years young. )Thanks.

[@garryrichardson4572]

Your part about comfort at the 7.21 point makes perfect sense. We live at 186 m/610 foot above sea level and its quite good for Tasmania. 85 % of Australia live close to the coast, all our capital cities are coastal.

[@gabrielvaldez5712]

I was born in CA but raised in Albuquerque, NM (16 years). I remember ABQ growing back in the mid 90's then slowing down around the early 2000's, which is also around the same time that I left for military service. I moved back after, but left again. NM has unique food for the region, Green Chile is put on everything and anything, New Mexican food is absolutely worth a visit. The landscape is very diverse from high deserts, plains, to mountains and forests. However, the state is very poor, and the education system is horrendous. The local and state governments are terrible, and the crime/homelessness has gotten worse year over year and no amount of money that's thrown at it has helped. For me I will never move back, and if I had to choose between AZ or NM I'd choose AZ almost every time. I still love green chile, biscochitos, sopapillas, and the Dukes/Isotopes.

[@rt3box6tx74]

Abq thrived post ww2 to the point that my cousins who lived there only attended elementary and middle school half-days due to lack of school infrastructure. My Aunt and Uncle (AF mechanic veteran) somehow bought a TEXACO gas station that sold tires, did light mechanic work and oil changes, known as "Full Service". They had a plumb location to start and eventually owned 2 such gas stations at retirement. Any time our family passed through town my dad bought new tires, had hoses and belts replaced, bought new battery etc. Abq was beautiful, pristine and even Old Town was lovely and safe. It was the first place we children were allowed to pick our own menu items. Imagine eating your first plate of authentic Mexican food at 5 yrs old, with lovely senoritas dancing between the crowded tables under huge tree trunks through the corrugated tin ceiling? The best part was is the guitar music and sopapias w/honey.

[@fabulousr2d2]

I few weeks ago when I was driving through, my truck felt the poverty right when we entered the state coming from Colorado lol

[@ambercrombie789]

What is "Dukes/Isotopes"?

[@garythomas4936]

@@fabulousr2d2 ... and did it feel the crime also?

[@rt3box6tx74]

@Jj Being rich in minerals does nothing for a state that lacks the leadership to fight being a victim of global corporate manipulation, a.k.a "State Capture", in the form of targeted vulture "capitalism" by global investors endeavoring to eliminate their competition. Case in point, the huge molybdenum mine east of Questa, NM. That mine's operations were juggled between management cos at least 3 times in 30 yrs - there were probably transitions I didn't notice, so it could have easily been more. There were yrs when there was no discernable activity at the mine. The acres of fenced and paved parking lot and outdoor equipment storage could be observed from a highway. They were often dormant. Frankly the mine was a total mystery, since I've been a come and go resident to a tiny mountain village east of Questa. Then my NM neighbor, who is a permanent resident of the area had a diesel mechanic son who went to work there, so I began learning tidbits of info. His job was outside the mine, but nevertheless I learned a great deal during neighborly conversations. I researched the open pit portion of the mine via Google earth before that platform was developed to the scale it is now. Driving by, it was quite evident that the tailings from the underground portion of the mine were being dumped in a way that would threaten the NM highway between Questa and Red River with avalanch and long term closure, eliminating quick access to Taos, NM. The alternative option to Taos is through mountain foothills, by a winding 2-lane hiway that requires twice the travel time. In the event of a tailings avalanch it appeared the river flowing beside the highway would potentially be blocked and flood the upstream village of Red River. The moly mine was purchased for demolition. The extensive underground parts are being imploded. I haven't had an update on the reclamation of the open pit mine in a couple of yrs. The permanent closure of the moly mine was predicted to take at least a decade. Taos County has lost a major, non-seasonal industry where blue collar residents had high-paying employment. I guess cannon liner raw materials are today's buggy whip. I can also tell you a similar tale of woe about the Valle Vidal Unit of Carson National Forest, 102K acres with elevations from 7700 ft to 12,500 ft. donated to the state of NM by Penzoil in 1982. NM didn't have the expertise or finances to manage the huge wilderness tract, so they cried "help" and passed it on to the Federal Gov't to manage. There is a huge elk herd on the 102K "park" so the Feds have an excuse to keep it closed during elk breeding season and elk birthing season. Thus the generous donation to NM's citizens has been choked to nothingness. Roads aren't being developed. The Valle Vidal Unit of CNF has not been incorporated into the Carson Nat'l Forest "plan". Only a tiny fraction of the "park" is accessible to the American public, during months elk aren't breeding or calving. Much of Valle Vidal's lower elevations are wide, sweeping grass covered valleys covering hundreds of acres, in addition to the foothills and mountains. US Forest Service offers the excuse that they're using VVU for "wildlife" preservation, the perfect answer to keep humans out. I don't think Penzoil made their generous donation intending on the exclusion of humans. The decision to resist development smacks of billionaire vulture influence as only someone like Ted Turner could pull off. Turner already owns large swaths of ranchland in north-central NM and across the state line north into CO. Adding Valle Vidal to his hoard of property, without spending a dime to purchase it is right up Ted's alley. He may have convinced The US Forest Svs to allow his buffalo herd to roam VVU. All factors that keep NM "quaint" and dirt poor.

[@Chompchompyerded]

A large portion of both the Colorado River and the Rio Grande River goes to water yards and people in Colorado's largely urban front range, running from Fort Collins through Boulder, Denver, and Colorado Springs, and including the city of Pueblo. They also take well over two thirds of the water out of the South Platte, which is over the amount agreed upon with the state of Nebraska, through which the river also flows, and where its water is used to irrigate a large portion of the corn, soybean, and wheat fields which contribute to the nation's bread basket. Milo is also grown there which is used primarily as feed for cattle. When you put a burger or steak on the table, that's essentially milo grown in Nebraska using Platte River water, converted into animal muscle and fat. The Front Range is very thirsty, and since it is forever increasing in population, it is forever taking more and more above its negotiated share of the water from those three rivers. Even so, they are projected to run out of water if they use every last drop in those rivers within the next 25 years. What do you do after you've bled three watersheds dry, have deprived many other states of their fare share to the point where it's affecting the nation's ability to grow enough food, Has it occurred to anyone that the problems we're seeing in Colorado and California might be sign of something? I mean, is it possible that we've reached and exceeded the carrying capacity of the land? Air pollution is heating up the atmosphere, and water is in short supply... soon food will be too (in some ways it already is, though it's kind of hidden because of how much food we import). Folks, you've gotta quit having babies. There are too many of us and we're trashing our only home, the Earth because of it. Don't hide your head in the sand and think that science will take care of it. Science can't take car of everything. It has its limits. Going to Mars isn't going to solve the problem either. There's not enough water there, and because the planet doesn't have any way to protect itself from solar radiation, any water we take there will leave its thin atmosphere in a little bit of no time. The only real solution is one no one (particularly politicians) is willing to tell you, and it's that there are way too many of us, and we need to cut waaaayyyy back on the number of children we bring into this world. The thing is, if we reduce our population by three quarters, we will be able to pollute our silly hearts out without affecting the environment much. Knock it down to an 8th, and we'll live in a paradise of plenty. It will be difficult, since along with declining population comes a declining economy, but what would you rather have? Humanity continuing to exist for thousands of years to come, or or a dead planet with no life left except for single celled extremophiles after 100? I fear I know the answer, and it's that most people don't care much beyond their own kids and grandkids. If it doesn't affect me then I don't care." To which I answer, "Nice legacy to leave your grandkids.

[@dukeford]

How does the Rio Grande and Colorado River water get to the Front Range? Is there a big aqueduct? Underground pipes? Maybe they transport the water by air. Or osmosis. 🙄

[@bingbong9844]

I’ve only been to NE NM, but what I saw was a state of absolute beauty. From the rolling plains, to the snow capped Rocky Mountains, to its cacti filled deserts.

[@ruthnolan13]

You forgot this: many if not most ex-Californians still want to be within a day's drive of the cities they left behind in CA, plus the beach, Disneyland, family & friends. Hence: Phoenix-L.A. 6 or 7 hour drive.

[@yragcom1]

I moved from California to Florida last year. I drove my car cross country, and out of all the states I crossed, New Mexico impressed me the most. It is a very beautiful place.

[@laurenwarwick6517]

Only friend I knew who lived in both states and Colorado called NM The Land of Entrapment. He found police patrols tagged out of state cars and also bikers to selective stops and tickets.

[@JacobWillits]

California is the real land of entrapment admit it

[@oldladyfromnm7590]

We were living in Winslow when my husband was offered a job in Gallup. Everyone we told in AZ made a face like they smelled something bad. We found Gallup beautiful, with plenty to do, great weather, nice houses and friendly, welcoming people of a delightful diversity. It is now 35 years later, and I am writing from Gallup in beautiful, blue NM.

[@dlhfm4281]

I’ve been to both states. New Mexico would be my permanent living residence if I had to choose. It’s not crowded at all and the Santa Fe area is so beautiful

[@johnpannebaker5757]

As a New Mexican, this is fascinating to see! I would also argue that because our largest city, Albuquerque, is surrounded by reservations, mountains and military bases which drastically limits it's growth potential unless you go for density instead of sprawl.

[@TubeAmerica]

And you think Arizona has no native reservations??? You need to check that thought! I'd be willing to guess that Arizona has much more native Americans.

[@TubeAmerica]

I just checked. AZ, is number 3 and NM. is number 5. #1 is CA. and #2 is OK. Texas is #4.

[@safekeeping2923]

And we should go up instead out out.

[@guydreamr]

Going for density over sprawl isn't necessarily a bad thing, according to many urban planning channels on here like Not Just Bikes, Alan Fisher, etc.

[@chuckgilly]

You can start by removing the military bases. Throw the bums out.

[@christieperry9221]

After driving thru NM several times in the past decade, I feel as though it’s a mindset that attracts settlers. We always stayed somewhere in Arizona and drove straight out of NM. All about the vibe. Subtle though it may be on the surface, the difference is stark when you dig deeper.

[@lance4670]

Not really. When you dig deeper it's not nearly as bad. GL in your ez bake oven tho

[@kenbagwell8551]

I totally get it. NM is different spiritually. That's what we're sensing.

[@dohc1067]

My family and I visited the ALB and honestly beyond the train access there is nothing really there except that horrendous wind. Fast forward 7 months ago we visited Phoenix and it was almost night and day. Yes the gas and hotels are😢 high, but the highways are well maintained and the food is affordable. I could imagine growing up there than being here in GA.

[@itsme-rt7nz]

You must have been in Albuquerque in the spring. We have terrible wind at that time, so I never invite guests to visit me between March and May. Try us again some other time. There is really lots to do in the great outdoors if you are not having to worry about sheltering from the wind.

[@mrgold3591]

I've lived in Phoenix and just didn't like the traffic, hot summers, freak storms, high electricity cost, hard to find good green chile, and high housing. Moved to ABQ and all those issue went away. New Mexico still has its issues just like every other state in the union. You have to take advantage of the opportunities. My son was able to get his undergrad and MBA from the Univ of NM with only $7000 of student debt.

[@poppyorangeflower]

Northern New Mexico is phenomenal! Contains gorgeous alpine regions like Colorado.

[@TheAnnoyingBoss]

And it has more water. The northwest and all down tge middle of the state is where all the water is at so outside of that is just dry sandy endlessness

[@ExploringJ]

Shhhhh!

[@danielmichaelfleiss2141]

As someone born in Buffalo, New York, I do consider, that the Queen City All Americans Defunct NFL Team, moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico, is an interesting part, of New Mexico’s history.

[@markarnoldsfinance2765]

I’m glad NM (where I live) did not boom in population because we have amazing diverse outdoor environments (Forrest’s from the Rocky Mountains, to deserts that include unique gems like White Sands national monument). I go to Phoenix and it is fun to visit but dealing with the traffic and overpopulation is not fun and is why I prefer Albuquerque, which is big enough to include many great big city-like activities.

[@nairsheasterling9457]

I mean, if you leave Phoenix, you get all of the above in AZ too? Also, what tf is a "big city activity?" XD

[@markarnoldsfinance2765]

@@nairsheasterling9457 there’s not a white sands national monument in AZ nor do the Rocky Mountains run into AZ like they do NM, so not sure why you are claiming AZ has those. As far as big city activities/amenities, we have things like Top Golf, an international airport, all the major retailers, etc. No need to think I was putting down Arizona because it offers it’s own beauty and unique qualities, but for me NM is what I prefer and that is coming from someone who has spent time and explored both states.

[@nairsheasterling9457]

@@markarnoldsfinance2765 You ever seen the White Mountains or San Francisco Mountain? How about the Mogollon Rim? My remark was that we have all the exact same climates and flora New Mexico does. Also, I'd hardly consider that "big city activities," but aight. It just sounds like a second Tucson. To your credit, you guys have Taos, and that's pretty radical.

[@markarnoldsfinance2765]

@@nairsheasterling9457 yes Taos is great! I’ll have to check out those places you mentioned.

[@nairsheasterling9457]

@@markarnoldsfinance2765 The White Mountains is eastern Arizona, near the Greer/Pinetop area. San Fransisco Mountain is the collection of traingular peaks between Flagstaff and the grand canyon - and also the highest point at 12,600ish feet. A real good hike in the pre-monsoon season summer.

[@sammijoywilson1068]

Another problem with New Mexico is it has a higher crime element, that's why I didn't move there. The southern half of Arizona is having severe water issues due to growth and it isn't looking good for the long term especially with so many people moving here. Just thought I would throw these to facts in. Love the content you have. TY!

[@roudyman777]

Arizona has no water issues for the urban population such as the Phoenix metro. All of the water issues plaguing the Southwest come at the expense of the agriculture industry, which consumes 80% of all of Arizona's water. Much of this is to grow the water-intensive crop Alfalfa which is then shipped overseas to feed cattle in the Middle East.

[@landscape674]

There are no water issues in Arizona.

[@elainefarr3155]

@@roudyman777 So,what do you plan to eat when you remove all the crops in Arizona? alfalfa from here is also used in the United States to raise our own meat, as well. I personally like to buy products that are made and grown as locally as possible.

[@jdredwine7224]

@@elainefarr3155 New Mexico also grows alfalfa.

[@elultimo102]

@@jdredwine7224 What about Spanky, and the rest of Our Gang? 😁 (OK, 'lll leave now).

[@davidjackson7281]

Geoff does a superb job on these videos. I subscribed. He is very intelligent and a great narrator.

[@Hypn0Guru]

I came from the crumbling rust belt nm, working in the mines out west. I would never leave and am glad more people don't know about it. It is the beautiful wild west out here. The most important thing to living in New mexico is bringing your own work. Jobs are very rare. The locals are extraordinarily poor and lack education especially outside ABQ. If you have any kinds of skills they are valuable here. The people are good and the friends you make in NM are very strong, folks have to rely on each other when they live 45m from a one pump gas station.

[@Oshiiiiiiiiiiii]

This Wisconsinite loves New Mexico. It's magical