A Guide to New Mexico Living

New Mexico is located in the southwestern region of the United States. It contains many different types of geography and is not just desert like many people believe. The landscape ranges from desert to mesas and mountains. The northern parts of the state are dominated by heavy forests and beautiful snow-capped mountains. The east side of the state is dominated by high plains, popular with ranchers, as is the northern part of the state.

New Mexico's Economy

Tourism, military, and the oil and gas industry are the major industries in New Mexico. They provide most of the jobs and account for a large amount of the government spending in the state. The National Park Service manages many different areas in the state including the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, White Sands National Monument and the El Morro National Monument. In addition to all the national parks and monuments, New Mexico is home to six national forests. Federal jobs make up close to 12% of the state's total employment thanks to numerous military installations and the two technology labs, Los Alamos and Sandia. New Mexico is also the third largest producer of crude oil and natural gas in the country, which accounts for a large part of the state's economy.

The major industries in New Mexico are not the only reasons why people move there. The state provides economic incentives to businesses that operate out of the state. These incentives include tax exemptions and credits, mostly based on job creation. Governments within the state are allowed to provide land and buildings to bring in new industries, especially in the technology and film industry. As of 2007, these incentives have brought in almost 100 film projects to the state.

Moving to New Mexico

Jobs are important, but the charming scenery and vast open spaces are what drive most people to move to New Mexico. Imagine waking up every day to watch the sun rise over the mountains or a lush forest. Imagine spending all day hiking in the national parks or even on your own land. There are many opportunities to own large ranches or even a small cottage in the mountainous north. If you like living in the city, the larger metropolitan areas include Albuquerque and Santa Fe. No matter where you look, New Mexico is filled with opportunity and wide open spaces to enjoy.