New Mexico's 7 Best Retirement Towns Ranked
New Mexico is nicknamed the Land of Enchantment, and retirees have been discovering it is an enchanting location to spend their golden years. It boasts a mild climate, 300-plus days of annual sunshine, low living costs, deep cultural traditions, and a dramatic landscape. It is no surprise New Mexico has the fourth-highest number of seniors over the age of 65 in the nation. To discover if the Land of Enchantment will cast its spell on you, look below at the seven best towns to retire in New Mexico.
Los Alamos
This town is well known as one of the Manhattan Project’s development sites for the atomic bomb at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in the 1940s and was featured in the recent hit movie Oppenheimer. With a population of 13,179 residents, it strikes a good balance of small-town charm and access to amenities. Built on four mesas and near three national parks, Bandelier National Monument, Valles Caldera National Preserve, and Manhattan Project National Historical Park, there is ample opportunity for you to get outside and explore. History buffs will enjoy spending time at the Bradbury Science Museum and Los Alamos History Museum.
For personal health and well-being, this town is a standout. It was rated the safest town in New Mexico in 2024 by Safewise. Los Alamos Medical Center provides emergency care, surgical care, inpatient and outpatient services to the community. Connect with others through the Los Alamos Retired and Senior Organization, which promotes positive living with special clubs and events such as a book group, smart driver course, and field trips. For comfortable senior living, Aspen Ridge Lodge provides a selection of apartment sizes with amenities such as a fitness center, a beauty parlor, and meals.
Truth or Consequences
With a name like Truth or Consequences, you may guess this is an interesting town, and you would be right. Originally called Hot Springs, in 1950 the town chose to rename itself after a popular radio show of the time. The hot springs still exist, and you can partake in the healing waters at places such as River Bend Hot Spring, where outdoor mineral pools overlook the Rio Grande River.
To get out and enjoy all of those sunny New Mexico days, head to Elephant Butte State Park. All jokes aside, the park, with its over 40-mile-long reservoir, is the perfect place for boating, fishing, hiking, birding, and many other activities. Truth or Consequences, or T or C, as the locals call it, is also home to Sierra del Rio Golf Course, a highly rated public course set in the sprawling high desert.
Downtown is a pleasant location to spend time. There are many quality restaurants like Passion Pie Cafe, shops and art such as RioBravoFineArt Gallery, and for some history there is the Geronimo Springs Museum.
The town is a nice size, with 6,062 residents, and the cost of living is very reasonable, 22% lower than the national average. Housing is also affordable, with a median home cost of $107,201. The town's medical needs are served by Sierra Vista Hospital and Rural Clinic, a fifteen-bed facility with emergency and general surgery departments. Having 28.6% of the residents over the age of 65, there are several retirement community options, including Paloma Springs Assisted Living and Casa del Rio.
Taos
In the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico, Taos’s spectacular scenery is rivaled only by its thriving arts and cultural scene. The town’s population is 6,595, of which 34.2% are aged over 65, so you will be in good company with others of a like mind. With several museums and over 80 art galleries, you will not get bored by the lack of variety. Standouts are Millicent Rogers Museum, Harwood Museum of Art, and the famous Taos Pueblo, a Native American community with a history dating back over 1,000 years.
In Taos, you are completely surrounded by the great outdoors. Miles of trails cover a varied landscape through canyons, over mesas, and up mountains. The Rio Grande West Rim Trail has epic views and is a moderate 3.8-mile out-and-back adventure to the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument. In the winter months, you can ski at Taos Ski Valley, and when it is warm, which is mostly all year, grab your golf clubs and tee up at Taos Country Club. The course is semi-private and open to the public.
Holy Cross Medical Center provides the community with cutting-edge care and is in town, so your needs can be easily addressed. Taos Senior Living offers both independent and assisted living, as well as community-building activities and social events. While the median home price is a bit higher, at $375,543, this is balanced by the average cost of living being only 3% over the national average. If it is within your budget and in a place as unique as Taos, you are getting a lot for your money.
Alamogordo
If you are looking for a larger town, Alamogordo checks all of the boxes. With a population of 31,652, cost of living 16% lower than the national average, and a median home price of $168,289, this town is a great value proposition with all the extras you could want. In the Tularosa Basin of the Chihuahuan Desert, the town lies between White Sands National Park to the west and the Sacramento Mountains to the east.
In the historic downtown, you will find the Flickinger Center for Performing Arts, which presents a variety of theater and musical events. Maybe you will even want to join the Flickinger Guild, a group of volunteers that ensure the shows must go on. Also in town is the Museum of Space History, an impressive facility with exhibitions, events, and programs such as the Astronomy Club, where you can join fellow enthusiasts in monthly stargazing.
If any medical needs arise, the comprehensive CHRISTUS Health is right in town. Senior living options include BeeHive Homes, offerings include assisted living, respite, Alzheimers, and dementia care.
Ruidoso
Ruidoso is a picturesque town of 7,769 residents set high in the Sierra Blanca Mountain Range. At an elevation of 6,920 feet, you will be able to enjoy all four seasons, although in a mild way, which is one of the benefits of living in temperate New Mexico. Being in the mountains, outdoor activities are close at hand. Ski Apache, a resort owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe, has eleven lifts accessing the slopes of 11,981-foot Sierra Blanca Peak. In the summer, the mountain’s trails open up to hiking and biking, and, if you are seeking an adrenaline rush, the second-longest tour in the world. Ruidoso also abuts the 1.1 million-acre Lincoln National Forest and all the adventure it entails. If playing a round of golf is more your idea of enjoying nature, Rain Makers Resort and Club is just 7.2 miles from town. Recently rated as one of the best courses in New Mexico by Golf Digest, this stunning Robert Trent Jones II design is sure to challenge your skills and keep you coming back for more.
The mountain town vibe of Ruidoso is inviting, with restaurants, breweries, shops, and local art galleries to frequent. Downshift Brewing Company has live music events to enjoy in a relaxed atmosphere with your fresh beer and gastropub fare. Also downtown is the Ruidoso Public Library, a hub connecting the community with programs such as the Ruidoso Writers’ Group.
For healthcare, Ruidoso has a dedicated hospital in the Lincoln County Medical Center. The 25-bed facility offers a range of services, including emergency, general surgery, cardiology, and oncology. The median home price here is $272,504, and housing options include GoodLife Senior Living Ruidoso.
Deming
A town of 14,835 residents, Deming boasts culture, activities, and healthy lifestyle opportunities. City of Rocks State Park is just south of town. Here, you can hike amongst the spectacular rock formations and the desert botanical garden. Or, if a laidback day by the water strikes your fancy, local Trees Lake offers fishing, picnic spots, and easy paths to stroll. The five-acre lake is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, perch, and more. Also in town is the Deming Luna Mimbres Museum, which hosts presentations and special events and has over forty exhibits. To become more involved, the museum has volunteer opportunities that are integral to its operations.
The cost of living in Deming is excellent, 21% lower than the national average, and the median home price is $142,334. Mimbres Memorial Hospital and Nursing Home is in the middle of town and easily accessible. Multiple independent living and retirement homes are available, including BeeHive Homes, which offers assisted living, memory care, respite care, senior care, and elderly care.
Corrales
While Corrales is on the outskirts of New Mexico’s largest city, Albuquerque, it maintains its small-town feel with a population of 8,594. The crime rate is 64% lower than the national average, which is one reason why so many have picked this spot to retire. In fact, 33.3% of the residents are over the age of 65. Another reason to choose this bucolic oasis along the Rio Grande River is for the many restaurants, cafes, galleries, and eclectic shops that line the town’s main road. If enjoying a glass of wine in an idyllic setting is your thing, Corrales has an over 100-year history of winemaking. There are multiple local wineries to experience, such as Milagro Vineyards, where you can tour their operations and have a tasting of the fine selections on offer.
Access to healthcare is excellent, being close to Albuquerque and its many hospitals and clinics. Corrales does contain a Concentra Urgent Care clinic to conveniently handle most issues. The cost of living here is a major consideration, being 24% higher than average with a median home price of $646,537, so plan accordingly. Most residents of Corrales own their homes, but there are several senior living and retirement community options in the area, including Fairwinds - Rio Rancho and Casa de Paz Senior Assisted Living.
Finding Your Ideal Retirement Spot in New Mexico
New Mexico is a place where you can spend your retirement years enjoying friends, nature, and a great quality of life. Whether you crave striking out on dramatic trails, exploring rich cultural traditions, dining al fresco in the warm sun, or, most likely, combining all of the above, New Mexico has you covered. The easy availability of health care and low cost of living only add to the state’s appeal. If this is the lifestyle you are seeking, don’t hesitate to pick one of these seven best retirement towns and let the enchantment begin.
