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Mountains: just as nice as any in the other 3 states, ranging from rugged treeless desert ones in the south to beautiful forested 13,000 footers in the north.
Skiing and winter recreation: Colorado and Utah are famous for it but NM has equally good skiing at Taos Ski Valley, very challenging runs, near perfect conditions, tons of powder snow and sunshine.
Diversity: deserts, plateaus, red rock country, high plains.
Culture and history: MN is unmatched. Pueblo, Apache, Navajo, Zuni.
Beautiful old churches like at Chimayo.
Colleges: I really like NMSU in Las Cruces (My fave city in SW) and UNM in Albuquerque is good too.
I like all 4 states, they're in my top 10 but New Mexico speaks to me the most,
it's the Land of Enchantment.
Mountains: just as nice as any in the other 3 states, ranging from rugged treeless desert ones in the south to beautiful forested 13,000 footers in the north.
Skiing and winter recreation: Colorado and Utah are famous for it but NM has equally good skiing at Taos Ski Valley, very challenging runs, near perfect conditions, tons of powder snow and sunshine.
Diversity: deserts, plateaus, red rock country, high plains.
Culture and history: MN is unmatched. Pueblo, Apache, Navajo, Zuni.
Beautiful old churches like at Chimayo.
Colleges: I really like NMSU in Las Cruces (My fave city in SW) and UNM in Albuquerque is good too.
I like all 4 states, they're in my top 10 but New Mexico speaks to me the most,
it's the Land of Enchantment.
New Mexico is completely awesome. Way underappreciated.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
10,744 posts, read 23,801,634 times
Reputation: 14650
Quote:
Originally Posted by cacto
New Mexico is completely awesome. Way underappreciated.
I think New Mexico likes being under the radar. Time definitely moves a little slower here and its relative isolation is essential to how its retained a lot of its originality, character, and history. It's a perfect place for those who need an escape from the ratrace for a while.
Quote:
Originally Posted by LRUA
Mountains: just as nice as any in the other 3 states, ranging from rugged treeless desert ones in the south to beautiful forested 13,000 footers in the north.
Well since New Mexico borders Colorado, its northern parts naturally have good Rocky Mountain scenery and peaks. But I don't think New Mexico's Sangre de Cristos compare well to Colorado's San Juan range with its collection of 14'ers. Colorado kicks it up a big notch in the intensity of its mountains and also has better assortment of cool mountain towns (Durango/Silverton/Ouray/Telluride and many more) to visit.
I do however really like the Organ Mountains in Southern NM down by Las Cruces. They are strikingly sharp peaks of granite rising above a beautiful desert valley. Nearby White Sands is an added bonus. There is no place quite like White Sands at sunrise, it's an other worldly experience.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 11-01-2014 at 08:43 PM..
New Mexico scenery pales compared to the other 3 states! Nothing in nm compares to the Telluride/Ouray area, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Royal Gorge and Rocky Mountain National Park. It has a high high crime rate and I think the lowest HS graduation rate in the country! Albuquerque reminds me more of Colorado Springs than a real city! I am truly not a fan of our little brother to the south! Just my opinion of course! Colorado has the best Mountains bar none! The most, the tallest, the best variety, the most famous! Denver is the most urban city out of all these 4 states! And CU and CSU are the best college cities, and this also gets backed up in almost any ranking of best college cities! In fact it did show just that in a poll that was out a few weeks ago! As far as culture, no idea! Colorado has Mesa Verde. One of the best examples in the US! Colorado also has more ski resorts probably than the other 3 combined! More famous resorts! And draws far more skiers! Am I biased? Yes! But most polls back me up as well!
New Mexico scenery pales compared to the other 3 states! Nothing in nm compares to the Telluride/Ouray area, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Royal Gorge and Rocky Mountain National Park. It has a high high crime rate and I think the lowest HS graduation rate in the country! Albuquerque reminds me more of Colorado Springs than a real city! I am truly not a fan of our little brother to the south! Just my opinion of course! Colorado has the best Mountains bar none! The most, the tallest, the best variety, the most famous! Denver is the most urban city out of all these 4 states! And CU and CSU are the best college cities, and this also gets backed up in almost any ranking of best college cities! In fact it did show just that in a poll that was out a few weeks ago! As far as culture, no idea! Colorado has Mesa Verde. One of the best examples in the US! Colorado also has more ski resorts probably than the other 3 combined! More famous resorts! And draws far more skiers! Am I biased? Yes! But most polls back me up as well!
Nothing wrong with being a homer and Colorado's a hell of a state. All 4 are different flavors and taste's subjective. One thing about New Mexican scenery that can't be matched is the quantity and quality of all the pueblos (pueblos that are still occupied) and old Spanish churches. The Latino and Native vibe is the most unique and palpable, and the Colorado Plateau landscape there is pretty impressive. Shiprock, El Morro, etc. are pretty beautiful. Chaco Canyon can go toe to toe with Mesa Verde anytime.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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I think the coolest and most unique place in New Mexico is White Sands. It's like no other place on the continent, just pure white dunes, and cool little white lizards roaming the dunes with desert mountain peaks in the distance. Being there lifts your spirits up and its just so different from anyplace I've ever experienced. Even on the road into the park, you drive in on hard pack white sand.
New Mexico scenery pales compared to the other 3 states! Nothing in nm compares to the Telluride/Ouray area, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Royal Gorge and Rocky Mountain National Park. It has a high high crime rate and I think the lowest HS graduation rate in the country! Albuquerque reminds me more of Colorado Springs than a real city! I am truly not a fan of our little brother to the south! Just my opinion of course! Colorado has the best Mountains bar none! The most, the tallest, the best variety, the most famous! Denver is the most urban city out of all these 4 states! And CU and CSU are the best college cities, and this also gets backed up in almost any ranking of best college cities! In fact it did show just that in a poll that was out a few weeks ago! As far as culture, no idea! Colorado has Mesa Verde. One of the best examples in the US! Colorado also has more ski resorts probably than the other 3 combined! More famous resorts! And draws far more skiers! Am I biased? Yes! But most polls back me up as well!
Wow! You sure are excited! Aren't you! Oh my god!
Denver's nice enough as a city, but let's not get carried away here. There's tons of Midwest-looking suburbia just outside of Downtown Denver.
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