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Las Cruces and Los Alamos are very nice, active retirement communities with plenty of medical services. Each are within reach of ABQ if a specific need arises, but 98% can be handled locally.
A couple of my co-workers in Albuquerque go to Phoenix for treatment of rare, neurological conditions. And those with good medical coverage and financial resources go to Arizona or MD Anderson in Houston for leukemia or lymphoma requiring a bone marrow transplant or other obscure cancers. But most medical services are available locally and we have a good trauma center for burns, etc. There is talk of shortages of doctors but looking at the Sperling data, Albuquerque has more doctors per capita than Greenville, SC. Crime and population is similar although Greenville is growing and is probably a better place for a career or if you are interested in house appreciation. But for climate, quality of life, a live and let live libertarian philosophy, and freedom to be non-religious, I would choose Albuquerque.
Keep in mind, New Mexico taxes Social Security. That was one consideration not to move there when we decided to move to Arizona.
I mentioned this to someone that lives in NM. He is almost 70 and he told me he doesn't make enough to pay taxes. He lives in Senior Housing So maybe its taxed if retirement income reaches a certain figure. Or exemptions cancel out owing any taxes. I find it very odd a state, would even consider taxing SS Retirement. That's rather cruel especially a lower income person.
We are currently in Houston and searching for mountains too. We have finally decided on NW Arkansas for several reasons. The cost of living is MUCH better than other places we have looked into (Eastern Tennessee, West North Carolina, New Mexico, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and a few more). Some places may have been right on the price points, but very far from the grandkids back in Houston. So, we are Arkansas bound come June... Good luck on your search.
We live in north TX and are in the process of moving to NW Arkansas, will close on our new house there in about 3 weeks. For awhile we'll keep our home here in TX and will travel back-and-forth. By midsummer, we should be 100% settled in AR.
We wanted more moderate summer temps, 4 seasons but not overly-harsh winters, a walkable university city, plentiful cultural and outdoor activities, access to decent healthcare, activities and amenities for seniors, friendly and welcoming people, reasonable housing costs, within a day's drive from N TX extended family.
Fayetteville checks all those boxes and more.
Downsides are state income tax, 2 hrs to the nearest Costco, and higher grocery and wine prices. We can deal.
Las Cruces and Los Alamos are very nice, active retirement communities with plenty of medical services. Each are within reach of ABQ if a specific need arises, but 98% can be handled locally.
Las Cruces is is a long haul to Albuquerque but is next door to El Paso. LC does offer a lot for retirees.
Los Alamos is a small town and not retirement-friendly at all.
I mentioned this to someone that lives in NM. He is almost 70 and he told me he doesn't make enough to pay taxes. He lives in Senior Housing So maybe its taxed if retirement income reaches a certain figure. Or exemptions cancel out owing any taxes. I find it very odd a state, would even consider taxing SS Retirement. That's rather cruel especially a lower income person.
Here's a list I found of the states that tax social security:
So the lessons which we learned were that we have to find a place which is more acceptance of transplants, and suitable not only to our lifestyle but also more fitting to thinking/feeling on social, political and religious matters. Our new living environment has to meet not only the practical but also the emotional, mental and intellectual needs of both of us.
You have very valid points. Too many people retire to a place either for climate and/or COL and find themselves lonely without family or friends and totally bored. Although we retired upstate NY we have spent the last 10 winters in FL and this will be our last. The state may not have a state income tax, but the amount of construction, crime and traffic increases do not make it a desirable place for us any longer.
We will be retiring this summer of 2017 ♥
At first we were sure we would be going to Oregon.. However both my husbands kids are having their first baby and moving back by Seattle where they grew up .. ( they were in Oregon)
Don't want to live near Seattle since it is way to expensive and my husband said that would just be to long of a gray winter. So we are still deciding.. But we came upon researching ID.. always listed high on best place to retire list.. It makes the most sense. so we are looking this summer at CDA area.. since it seems the easiest to get to Seattle too .
I am flying to CDA next month to see just how cold it is .. ha ha..
so that may be a huge factor.. But seems to be a compromise of Oregon ( lots of rain) or ID, (snow and cold)
Don't want to live near Seattle since it is way to expensive and my husband said that would just be to long of a gray winter. So we are still deciding.. But we came upon researching ID.. always listed high on best place to retire list.. It makes the most sense. so we are looking this summer at CDA area.. since it seems the easiest to get to Seattle too .
I am flying to CDA next month to see just how cold it is .. ha ha..
so that may be a huge factor.. But seems to be a compromise of Oregon ( lots of rain) or ID, (snow and cold)
I assume ID is Idaho? But what is CDA???
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For awhile we'll keep our home here in TX and will travel back-and-forth. By midsummer, we should be 100% settled in AR. 
