Population: Just over 2,000,000 in mid-2009. That works out to just about 15 people per sq. mile. And that works out to a lot of open space to explore at your leisure.

Cities: Just as from the time of the original settlers before 1,000 AD, the larger centers are along the Rio Grande: Santa Fe (the state capital), Albuquerque (the economic capital) and Las Cruces (the heart of the farming community). After those three, the rest of the state is dotted with small cities, towns and villages. [One note here… when I say ‘Albuquerque’ I really mean the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area. The two are joined at the hip… separated only by a county line.]

Climate: Before ‘finding’ New Mexico, I lived in a lot of places throughout the country. Without question, this is the best I have ever experienced. We range in altitude from sea level to more than 11,000 ft. – you can always find living conditions that suit you. Add low humidity to the mix, light that has excited painters and photographers for over a century and you will understand my enthusiasm.

Housing: Location matters, of course, just like everywhere else. But, outside of the tourist-expensive cities of Santa Fe and Taos, it is easy to find a good home less than 15 years old that costs under $200,000. Even in the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area. In fact, one of the joys of living in New Mexico’s largest metropolitan area is the ability to have your cake and eat it too . Albuquerque/Rio Rancho has all the conveniences of a major city with very little downside. Traffic is minimal by the standards of most cities this size – and commuting time for those with a daily destination remains well under 30 minutes.

Medical: A VA hospital, a major heart hospital, cutting-edge hospital attached to the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and financially stable HMO’s are all part of the mix. Next year, two additional hospitals will join the mix in Rio Rancho.

Lifestyle: Relaxed, a genuine mix of city, country and breathtaking scenery all wrapped in a climate that is second to none. Come and see for yourself… and take a look at my Retirement Site if you would like to request my brochure or my Albuquerque / Rio Rancho site if you wish to explore housing in the state’s largest city.

For 18 years I have been listing and selling homes in the Albuquerque area. For the last 10 years, I have been informing my clients about the local market on a monthly basis. (Click here to sign up for the Market Update.) Our economy has rarely marched in sync with the national economy and we have never experienced the big boom and bust swings that can turn a real estate market on its head in a matter of weeks. So, that frequency has always been enough – until now. A lot has changed in the last few months. And, crucially, events outside of Albuquerque are starting to have an impact.

• Credit sources drying up overnight.
• Mortgage programs that affect both high- and low-income families ending abruptly.
• And, why the heck should the failure of a bank in England or France or Germany cause problems with our sources of credit?

I’ll be trying to highlight some of those issues as they appear and include links to articles that are far more informed than I.

Come along for the ride…