This garden is the “Critter Cafe” featured on the Placitas Garden Tour. Courtesy photo.

 

Top 10 places to retire in New Mexico
  1. Silver City
  2. Boles Acres
  3. Truth or Consequences
  4. Eldorade at Santa Fe
  5. Corrales
  6. Placitas
  7. Los Alamos
  8. Ruidosa
  9. White Rock
  10. Sandia Heights

 

Among the top places to retire in New Mexico are some local gems, according to Stacker and rankings from Niche.

The Niche rankings measured cost of living, health care, recreation and weather, among other factors.

The Village of Corrales ranked fifth and Placitas came in at 6th.

“Corrales is a wonderful place to live, no matter your age,” said JoAnne Roake, Corrales mayor. “But we do have many wonderful and talented people of a “certain age” join us every year, coming from all over the world.”

Corrales, she said, offers a small town feel, safe environment, an active and vibrant senior center and recreation center, and a library that “serves as a community hub.”

“Walk, bike or ride horses along our pathways and in the Bosque,” Roake said. “Revel in the fact Corrales has beautiful vistas and open space. When I tell people I live in Corrales, they always say, “Corrales? Oh, I love Corrales.'”

 

Many retirees seek out easy access to indoor and outdoor recreation, from walking trails and water access to museums and theaters. Many desirable retirement destinations also have good proximity to major cities, ripe with arts, culture, and health care resources. But those choice locations carry the drawback of a high cost of living, often due to pricey housing costs, that will not suit retirees often on fixed incomes.

Low crime rates make a difference, as well.

Keep reading to discover the best places to retire in New Mexico.

#25. Paradise Hills
– Population: 4,656
– Median home value: $182,100 (81% own)
– Median rent: $1,121 (19% rent)
– Median household income: $62,070

#24. Jarales
– Population: 2,026
– Median home value: $148,000 (82% own)
– Median rent: $614 (18% rent)
– Median household income: $40,613

#23. Peralta
– Population: 3,576
– Median home value: $190,000 (87% own)
– Median rent: $533 (13% rent)
– Median household income: $51,118

#22. La Luz
– Population: 1,222
– Median home value: $77,500 (75% own)
– Median rent: $589 (25% rent)
– Median household income: $29,559

#21. Tularosa
– Population: 2,944
– Median home value: $103,300 (84% own)
– Median rent: $575 (16% rent)
– Median household income: $41,282

#20. Las Cruces
– Population: 102,102
– Median home value: $155,200 (54% own)
– Median rent: $788 (46% rent)
– Median household income: $43,022

#19. Elephant Butte
– Population: 1,352
– Median home value: $135,400 (87% own)
– Median rent: $928 (13% rent)
– Median household income: $43,846

#18. Socorro
– Population: 8,460
– Median home value: $135,600 (62% own)
– Median rent: $636 (38% rent)
– Median household income: $41,271

#17. Raton
– Population: 6,047
– Median home value: $83,700 (67% own)
– Median rent: $723 (33% rent)
– Median household income: $31,034

#16. North Valley
– Population: 13,449
– Median home value: $221,500 (80% own)
– Median rent: $852 (20% rent)
– Median household income: $53,744

#15. Ruidoso Downs
– Population: 2,573
– Median home value: $130,900 (47% own)
– Median rent: $522 (53% rent)
– Median household income: $28,646

#14. Los Ranchos de Albuquerque
– Population: 6,114
– Median home value: $447,700 (73% own)
– Median rent: $760 (27% rent)
– Median household income: $64,732

#13. Valencia
– Population: 2,018
– Median home value: $165,200 (85% own)
– Median rent: $545 (15% rent)
– Median household income: $65,139

#12. Santa Fe
– Population: 83,922
– Median home value: $280,800 (63% own)
– Median rent: $1,080 (37% rent)
– Median household income: $57,972

#11. Ranchos de Taos
– Population: 2,178
– Median home value: $305,500 (91% own)
– Median rent: $526 (9% rent)
– Median household income: $42,664

#10. Silver City
– Population: 9,627
– Median home value: $134,400 (53% own)
– Median rent: $666 (47% rent)
– Median household income: $31,620

#9. Boles Acres
– Population: 2,173
– Median home value: $156,300 (89% own)
– Median rent: $582 (11% rent)
– Median household income: $52,034

#8. Truth or Consequences
– Population: 5,894
– Median home value: $85,300 (64% own)
– Median rent: $493 (36% rent)
– Median household income: $23,988

#7. Eldorado at Santa Fe
– Population: 5,823
– Median home value: $386,400 (93% own)
– Median rent: $1,647 (7% rent)
– Median household income: $78,073

#6. Corrales
– Population: 8,588
– Median home value: $447,600 (91% own)
– Median rent: $1,094 (9% rent)
– Median household income: $85,580

#5. Placitas
– Population: 4,686
– Median home value: $366,700 (87% own)
– Median rent: $1,168 (13% rent)
– Median household income: $80,224

#4. Los Alamos
– Population: 12,666
– Median home value: $308,100 (67% own)
– Median rent: $1,042 (33% rent)
– Median household income: $116,116

#3. Ruidoso
– Population: 7,791
– Median home value: $180,700 (79% own)
– Median rent: $770 (21% rent)
– Median household income: $50,114

#2. White Rock
– Population: 5,751
– Median home value: $301,500 (92% own)
– Median rent: $1,253 (8% rent)
– Median household income: $135,964

#1. Sandia Heights
– Population: 3,571
– Median home value: $465,700 (97% own)
– Median rent: $1,345 (3% rent)
– Median household income: $107,1