by Sam E. Jones

Created on: June 18, 2010

If you ever visit Albuquerque, it’s easy to see why people would want to move there. The sun shines almost every day, the air is dry, and the people are as friendly as you’ll find anywhere in the United States. But there is more to it than that.

Albuquerque is growing so fast for two reasons: Hispanic migration and favorable conditions for retirement.

Because of its proximity to the Mexican border, New Mexico receives a lot of “visitor’s” from Mexico, Central and South America and a lot of Albuquerque’s growth can be attributed to illegal aliens. But it’s also home to one of the largest populations of legal aliens as well. And this is because a lot of those people that migrate to the United States see New Mexico and Albuquerque as a good place to live, and so they stay.

New Mexico and Albuquerque are also high on the list of places that baby boomers find they’d like to move to as a retirement place. Because the population is still so low relative to other popular retirement states such as Florida or even California, and because the air is so dry, older people find living in Albuquerque a comfortable and easy existence. This is partly due to the inherent culture of the American southwest, and partly due to the culture of those from south of the border. Albuquerque is a laid back kind of city compared to most of those in the north, or even those in other southern states. Life is lived slower and people aren’t in such a hurry to get somewhere or do something.

Also, even as it grows into becoming one of the southwest’s biggest cities, Albuquerque still holds on to that western rural feel and charm. Country music is still popular as are rodeos and horseback riding and cowboy hats. Albuquerque doesn’t try to hide or run from its image choosing instead to take pride in its distinctly southwestern, Hispanic, Indian culture and to showcase the beauty and splendor of its locale.

And that is yet another reason for the city’s growth. Sitting as it does, nestled up against the Sandia peak, Albuquerque is truly one of America’s most beautiful cities. With wide avenues and endless sunshine, Albuquerque is everything Los Angeles used to be.

One final thing; in contrast to the decaying cities of the north, Albuquerque is a thriving, vibrant metropolis that is literally exploding with youth and optimism. Young people everywhere are building things, or improving things or adding to the beauty that is already there. Albuquerque is truly a city for the young or old; for newcomers, or those that have roots going back centuries. Albuquerque has something for everyone, and more than lives up to its part in playing the center of life in the land of enchantment.

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