You’ve found a place to live, you have a job lined up, and you’re psyched to become a New Mexican. But relocating to a new state involves more than moving vans and forwarding your mail. It’s often a major adjustment. Inevitably, there are going to be some surprises along the way.
- It’s really pretty here.
Flickr/Marc Soller The landscapes here will take your breath away. Even driving the same road in the opposite direction often yields a new set of gorgeous views.
- The great outdoors.
Flickr/Jerry The Land of Enchantment is filled with fantastic state parks and wilderness areas. So naturally people here are pretty outdoorsy. Just make sure you’re in good shape before you commit to hiking with a local - they will power up a mountain like it’s a stroll in a park.
- New Mexico is much more than desert and cacti.
Flickr/ Claudia Dunitz People seem to envision New Mexico as a land of parched earth and relentless sun. Sure, you can find places like that, but there are also forests and lakes to explore.
- We get excited about rain.
Flickr/Jared Tarbell Don’t even think about complaining if it rains. We’re thrilled to have the moisture.
- Storms are dramatic in New Mexico.
Flickr/Robert Adams This is particularly true in summer. You can often smell the ozone in the air before a storm.
- Contrary to popular belief, it snows here.
Flickr/Joe Hall Sometimes a lot.
- Mountains.
Flickr/ Daniel Weber New Mexico has an abundance of mountains and many towns are at higher elevations than folks from out of state are used to. Don’t worry; you’ll adjust.
- It’s very dry.
Flickr/Rose Davies With our low humidity, there are times when your skin may feel a bit like this.
- Incredible cuisine.
Flickr/theturquoisetable New Mexico has great food and lots of farm-to-table restaurants.
- Sneaky chile.
Flickr/Marianne Masculino New Mexicans are known for loving chile, but newbies are often surprised at the many dishes that incorporate this ingredient. Even when you didn’t think you ordered chile, it appears! Green chile apple pie anyone?
- The driving distances between places.
Flickr/Tom Blackwell New Mexico is the fifth largest state in the nation. If you drive from Anthony in the south, to Chama in the north, expect to be in the car for a little over six hours (according to Google Maps).
- You need to be able to function without a cell phone.
Flickr/uditha wickramanayaka Not all the time. But there are a surprising number of places where cell reception is sketchy. Be prepared to go it old school now and then.
- Some customer service reps will be convinced that you’ve moved abroad.
Flickr/Ron Mader Be prepared to review basic U.S. geography! Also, Internet searches invariably pull up a few results for Mexico.
- Awesome people.
Flickr/nick v Congratulations - now you’re one of them!
If you’re a New Mexico transplant, what surprised you the most when you moved here? And for all the New Mexicans whose family trees have deep roots, what advice would you give to new arrivals?
Flickr/Marc Soller
The landscapes here will take your breath away. Even driving the same road in the opposite direction often yields a new set of gorgeous views.
Flickr/Jerry
The Land of Enchantment is filled with fantastic state parks and wilderness areas. So naturally people here are pretty outdoorsy. Just make sure you’re in good shape before you commit to hiking with a local - they will power up a mountain like it’s a stroll in a park.
Flickr/ Claudia Dunitz
People seem to envision New Mexico as a land of parched earth and relentless sun. Sure, you can find places like that, but there are also forests and lakes to explore.
Flickr/Jared Tarbell
Don’t even think about complaining if it rains. We’re thrilled to have the moisture.
Flickr/Robert Adams
This is particularly true in summer. You can often smell the ozone in the air before a storm.
Flickr/Joe Hall
Sometimes a lot.
Flickr/ Daniel Weber
New Mexico has an abundance of mountains and many towns are at higher elevations than folks from out of state are used to. Don’t worry; you’ll adjust.
Flickr/Rose Davies
With our low humidity, there are times when your skin may feel a bit like this.
Flickr/theturquoisetable
New Mexico has great food and lots of farm-to-table restaurants.
Flickr/Marianne Masculino
New Mexicans are known for loving chile, but newbies are often surprised at the many dishes that incorporate this ingredient. Even when you didn’t think you ordered chile, it appears! Green chile apple pie anyone?
Flickr/Tom Blackwell
New Mexico is the fifth largest state in the nation. If you drive from Anthony in the south, to Chama in the north, expect to be in the car for a little over six hours (according to Google Maps).
Flickr/uditha wickramanayaka
Not all the time. But there are a surprising number of places where cell reception is sketchy. Be prepared to go it old school now and then.
Flickr/Ron Mader
Be prepared to review basic U.S. geography! Also, Internet searches invariably pull up a few results for Mexico.
Flickr/nick v
Congratulations - now you’re one of them!
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