LIVING
Being a landlocked state, New Mexico can offer white sands but not much in the way of actual beaches. But what New Mexico lacks in beaches it makes up for in sheer culture.
At face value, that may not sound like much. Every state’s tourist bureau will sing the praises of their home state’s growing and vibrant culture, but New Mexico stands out by drawing on more than 2,500 years’ worth of history and culture. 23 Native American tribes make their home in the state, their history and culture not just on display in museums but also in the clothes, art, architecture, and cuisine enjoyed by modern day New Mexico residents. The annual SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market offers the chance to immerse yourself in that art and culture at different times and dates but always at the same location in downtown Santa Fe.
And don’t be fooled into thinking the state only has sand and rocks for landscapes. Sand and rocks exist here in abundance, true enough, but so do mountains and forests. The geography can be surprisingly diverse here, especially for anyone expecting nothing but Georgia O’Keefe-inspired wild flowers and the random skull in the sand.
New Mexico residents enjoy the reputation of being laid back, artistic, and easygoing, mostly because it’s really hard to live in a place of such stark and natural beauty and not be yourself. As such, the state attracts a diverse crowd of artists, freethinkers, and UFO enthusiasts (Roswell, anyone?).
WORKING
As with most states, the medical and professional fields enjoy a healthy demand in New Mexico. But the top jobs in the state include wellhead pumpers, or the people tasked with operating power pumps and auxiliary equipment to produce flow of oil or gas from oil field wells. The oil and gas companies do a great deal of work in New Mexico, so technicians and field workers shouldn’t have trouble finding work. Speech therapists and medical caregivers also enjoy a healthy demand here, not to mention teachers and child care providers.
As with other states that feature desert climates, working in New Mexico will demand personal transportation. And because the desert climate can put a tougher strain on your vehicle, it will be vitally important to spend more time and energy monitoring and maintaining your vehicle than it would be in an urban environment. The New Mexico Department of Transportation does offer roadside assistance, but giving how spread out the environment can be, it would be smart to keep some supplies like motor oil, engine coolant, and jumper cables in your vehicle at all times. Having a water bottle probably wouldn’t be a bad idea, too.
WEATHER
Bet you can’t guess what New Mexico weather is like. Hot? Sure. It does have the Chihuahuan Desert, 200,000 square miles of sand and rock and the biggest desert area in North America, so hot weather should be anticipated.
But, surprise, the state experiences all four seasons, too. So in addition to the expected hot summer weather, New Mexico residents also get the other three seasons thrown in for good measure. Imagine seeing all the stars on a clear fall night or enjoying a fire on a chilly spring morning. There’s even the occasional snowfall, which brings the usual responses of shock and disbelief when it occurs, even if it’s less than an inch. There’s some cosmic rule that requires residents of a certain climate to panic whenever the opposite weather occurs, and New Mexico appears to be no exception. Still, finding jackets and winter gear won’t be a problem, and neither will getting your hands on sunscreen and sandals.
THINGS TO DO
Ever wanted to visit hot springs? Well, then you’ve come to the right state.
In addition to the usual offerings of museums, parks, performance venues, and historic districts, New Mexico offers a fair amount of hot springs. And what does one do in a hot spring? Bath, obviously. Hot springs offer the same feeling of cleanliness and relaxation as a good hot bath, only with a better view than the one offered from a traditional bath tub. New Mexico boasts more than a dozen hot springs to choose from. But remember to bring a towel and a bathing suit; just because it’s like a hot bath doesn’t mean you can treat it like it’s YOUR hot bath. Your fellow bathers will appreciate your courtesy.
In addition to gazing at the night sky, you may find yourself sharing a night viewing with artists searching for inspiration or a UFO enthusiast looking for proof we aren’t alone. The connection between Roswell and UFO activity has an odd origin, as the site of the alleged alien ship crash actually occurred 75 miles away from the town; it’s like if the Chicago Fire took place in Green Bay. Nevertheless, UFOs and Roswell go hand in hand here, and you won’t have to look far to find someone interested in little green men.
CULTURE
In addition to the Native American influences, the artistic and easy-going populace, and the UFO fans, New Mexico culture also makes use of adobe in its building material. The term “adobe” refers to any building material made from earth and organic materials, which can take some getting used to for anyone more familiar with stone and drywall. Still, the material won’t be easy to ignore here, the adobe working well with the state’s climate.
Chiles will be featured heavily in the food here, too. While that doesn’t mean that everything will inherently be super-spicy, the stews and enchiladas might challenge your taste buds, especially if your previous experiences with spicy food never stretched much further than chipotle mayo.
OFF WE GO TO NEW MEXICO!
Really liking the idea of moving to New Mexico? Desert landscapes, spicy food, and hot springs sound like the kind of scenery change you’re craving? Great! All that’s left to do now is figure out how to get there.
But not to worry; we can help with that.
Colonial Van Lines offers the experience and the expertise to put you at ease with such a big relocation. We’ll ensure your moving experience will put your mind at ease. Call a Colonial Van Lines professional and find out how easy a move can be. New Mexico awaits!
Those UFOs aren’t going to find themselves, after all.
Long Distance Moving to New Mexico
August 20, 2019