Favorite NM City/Town (Albuquerque, Las Cruces: employment, schools, campgrounds)

[EnjoyEP]

Mr. 6'3" suggested I start this poll...a great idea! Here it is:

1) Vote for your favorite town/city in New Mexico.

(I realize that I had to leave some off like Red River, Cuba, Portales, Artesia, Bernalillo, Belen, etc., as the list would've gotten really long. I tried to be as thorough as possible. I did include an "OTHER" selection if you would rather vote for another city. If you take that one, then state it if possible and tell us why you like it!).

2) State what you love about that town/city.

I realize NM has a TON of great cities/towns, so yes, it is hard to vote for only 1! But vote for your favorite of the most favorites!

[EnjoyEP]

I voted Albuquerque. While I love various towns in New Mexico, Albuquerque to me is the best still. Great weather. The biggest city but yet the right size to me. So much culture, so many fun events, so many things to do. I love Albuquerque.

For me, the list for a "top 5" probably would go:

1) Albuquerque
2) Las Cruces
3) Rio Rancho
4) OTHER - Corrales
5) Truth or Consequences

[EnjoyEP]

2 for ABQ and 1 for Santa Fe...but let's hear some comments, too, people!

[6 FOOT 3]

Well for me it's Alamogordo and the areas close by it. Although not the prettiest or progressive nor great employment opportunities i still admit it is my choice.

I can live in a town of 40,000 with the small town quality of life issues there and yet only 1 hour from Las Cruces and/or El Paso for all the large city amenities. I remember when i lived there how cool it was to go from the Chihuahuan Desert to Pine Trees in 20 minutes up to Mountain Park or La Luz Canyon which goes all the up to Cloudcroft on it's back side.

There's Campgrounds and Mountain Streams and Lakes with Fishing, Hunting, Hiking Trails and Mountain Biking and Horse Riding as examples. You can dirt bike or 3 wheel/4 wheel the numerous miles of dirt trails in the mountains there. In the winter there's Snow Sking and Snow Mobiling and Intertubing the hills and drinking hot chocolate and just having a blast.

In my travels thru out the Rockies years back i found that Alamogordo reminds me and looks like Bozeman, Montana and the surrounding area with it's rugged landscape and blue collar attitude. I like the fact that if my 4x4 pickup is covered with dirt and mud it's no big deal there where as in El Paso or Albuquerque people are like dude....you need to wash your truck....lol....I could go on but i think you get the drift.

On the downside...i do admit that the economy is not very good as it's a service economy that caters to Holloman AFB and the retirees who live there. It's trying to lure industry but it's hard when not on a major interstate. Also the people are always voting down bond issues for roads and schools so while the tax rate is lower the schools are very old and the roads are old and cracked and badly needing paving. Also couild use more parks in the new housing areas to the south and north of the city in the high growth areas.

Anyway i hope it keeps growing and brings in new business and industry so i can move back one day.

[Dancingearth]

I don't feel like I can vote because I haven't been to enough of the cities and spent time getting to know them so I can't pick a favorite (and favorite for what--living, visiting?) I like Santa Fe and Madrid. I seem to drive through towns getting to activities. Angel Fire was very resort like in a beautiful valley. I like the older towns--Chama, La Cienega, Mora. I'd like to get to know ABQ and visit the towns in the south. I never thought about this before but if you asked me favorite towns in WA I could mention three but in New Mexico, it is the land and history that are my favorites. Can I pick Chaco Canyon?

[trappedinNM]

Where is Las Vegas? Red River? Red River is a great NM town, certainly worthy of a few votes.

[penelopelp]

Since I could only pick one, I picked Albuquerque. It is such a great place to start out a vacation to the Four Corners. It is also the right size for us to live in at this point in our lives. It is beautiful, and is filled with interesting people!

[BrianH]

Ruidoso and Clayton

[Tim Rankin]

My fav's are 1) Albuq 2) Silver City 3) Alamogordo.

But I gave Silv City a sympathy vote because my guess is Albuq and/or Santa Fe will be getting the most votes.

[GregW]

I have not samples very many but so far Socorro is leading the pack. I also had a very nice time in Alomogordo and White Sands. the most memorable was the drive to and back from Mogollon.

This summer we will look at the northern part of NM. Las Vegas and Raton among others.