New Mexico is a special and unique place. Whether you’re fortunate enough to live here for many years or just for a brief time, it’s sure to leave an impression on you. Even if circumstances force you to move away, you may find that your heart still belongs to New Mexico. Here are some of the reasons why.

  1. Clean air

Flickr/Dave Hensley You can breathe here without choking on pollution.

  1. The smell of an approaching storm

Flickr/Todd Shoemake You can always tell when rain and lightning are on the way.

  1. Dramatic skyscapes

Flickr/YvettesArts I’m not sure if that’s a word but, if you’ve spent any time in New Mexico, you’ll understand why it should be.

  1. The stargazing opportunities

Flickr/Bureau of Land Management The lack of light pollution means that our night skies are remarkable.

  1. State parks

Flickr/Bureau of Land Management They are plentiful, beautiful, and varied.

  1. Our national monuments

Flickr/Tobias Haase Pictured: Capulin Volcano National Monument.

  1. All of the small towns, each with their individual personalities

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Exploring New Mexico’s numerous small towns could take a lifetime.

Pictured: Clayton, which is known for its dinosaur footprints.

  1. Driving the back roads

Flickr/Pierce Martin You never know what you’ll find around the next bend.

  1. You’re surrounded by expansive views

Flickr/Lane B Pictured: the Rio Chama.

  1. The scenery is almost universally lovely…

Flickr/Bureau of Land Management …and it’s diverse as well.

  1. Little traffic

Flickr/Ken Lund Compared to some places, our version of “rush hour” is a breeze.

  1. Peace and quiet whenever you want it

Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski It certainly feels like there are more cows than people.

  1. Loads of ways to enjoy the great outdoors

Flickr/Bureau of Land Management Rafting, hiking, horse riding and so much more.

  1. Our wildlife, especially the birds

Flickr/Larry Lamsa The quail are totally adorable.

  1. We have a mix of cultures

Flickr/Linda Paul Our cultural landscape is as rich as the natural one.

  1. New Mexico has a long history

Flickr/The Shared Experience It stretches back for more than 1000 years.

  1. Our food bursts with flavor.

Flickr/Jenica Other places seem like the Land of Bland.

  1. The people

Flickr/littlemoresunshine So many overlook our state, but those who appreciate it are our kind of people.

  1. Fall foliage

Flickr/Michele Ah, the aspens…

  1. The sight of farolitos at Christmas…

Flickr/Katina Rogers …along with the scent of piñon wood smoke drifting through the air.

We all have our own reasons why our hearts belong in New Mexico. What are yours?

Flickr/Dave Hensley

You can breathe here without choking on pollution.

Flickr/Todd Shoemake

You can always tell when rain and lightning are on the way.

Flickr/YvettesArts

I’m not sure if that’s a word but, if you’ve spent any time in New Mexico, you’ll understand why it should be.

Flickr/Bureau of Land Management

The lack of light pollution means that our night skies are remarkable.

They are plentiful, beautiful, and varied.

Flickr/Tobias Haase

Pictured: Capulin Volcano National Monument.

Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM

Exploring New Mexico’s numerous small towns could take a lifetime.

Pictured: Clayton, which is known for its dinosaur footprints.

Flickr/Pierce Martin

You never know what you’ll find around the next bend.

Flickr/Lane B

Pictured: the Rio Chama.

…and it’s diverse as well.

Flickr/Ken Lund

Compared to some places, our version of “rush hour” is a breeze.

Flickr/Quinn Dombrowski

It certainly feels like there are more cows than people.

Rafting, hiking, horse riding and so much more.

Flickr/Larry Lamsa

The quail are totally adorable.

Flickr/Linda Paul

Our cultural landscape is as rich as the natural one.

Flickr/The Shared Experience

It stretches back for more than 1000 years.

Flickr/Jenica

Other places seem like the Land of Bland.

Flickr/littlemoresunshine

So many overlook our state, but those who appreciate it are our kind of people.

Flickr/Michele

Ah, the aspens…

Flickr/Katina Rogers

…along with the scent of piñon wood smoke drifting through the air.

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