Only in Your State | New Mexico | By Juliet White
For many New Mexicans (and also for people considering a move to the Land of Enchantment), finding a family-friendly place to call home is crucial.
In 2016, Niche created a list of the best places for families in New Mexico. The list assessed factors like the quality of public schools, cost of living, the percentage of residents 14 years old or younger, diversity, and family-focused amenities. Several years prior, Nerdwallet created a similar list, based on the standard of public schools, affordability, and economic growth. We placed the towns listed on both lists in order, according to their Areavibes score (Areavibes assesses overall liveability). After that, we used Areavibes to rank the remaining towns and cities on the list.
So, based on every factor that families need and want, here are the 12 best places in New Mexico to raise a family:
12. Clovis
Clovis has plenty of amenities and a low cost of living, which makes it good for young families on a tight budget. This city boasts kid-friendly attractions like Hillcrest Park Zoo and has a population of 37,775.
11. Farmington
Farmington tied for 12th place with Clovis. It offers excellent family-friendly amenities like parks and a riverfront. Public schools here are decent and 24.3% of the 45,877 residents are 14-years-old or younger, so there are plenty of kids around.
10. Portales
A lot of Portales residents (22.2%) are 14 or younger. Niche awards this city of 12,280 people “B”s for family amenities, the real estate market, and crime and safety.
9. Lovington
Lovington is a safe, family-friendly city of 11,009 residents. It has a large 14 and under population (29.7%), and the cost of living is fairly low.
8. Silver City
Silver City, population 10,315, is an affordable place to live that is ideal for active families. There are great playgrounds and parks, like Big Ditch Park, and the city is close to preserves and national forest land that will appeal to young nature lovers.
7. Clayton
With only 2980 residents, Clayton is still a relatively small town. However, the population is growing at a rate of 18.1%, which bodes well for the local economy. Crime and cost of living remain low and Areavibes awards the town 80/100 for liveability, which is pretty high. Besides, what kid wouldn’t want to live near dinosaur footprints?
6. White Rock
Areavibes awards White Rock 81/100 for liveability. Family-friendly amenities and the public schools here are excellent, however cost of living is a little higher. According to the last census, 5725 people call White Rock home. Those fortunate individuals are close to Bandelier National Monument (pictured is the Tsankawi section) and the Jemez Mountains.
5. Edgewood
Edgewood (like the remaining four cities) made both Niche’s and Nerdwallet’s lists because this town of 3735 has plenty of family-friendly amenities. It is convenient to Albuquerque, yet still scores well on safety. The town is expanding rapidly, which is a good sign for the local economy.
4. Artesia
Artesia, a city of 11,301 people, has many amenities that families appreciate, including eight parks! It’s close to Brantley Lake State Park too. The public schools here are good and the cost of living remains low.
3. Carlsbad
The 26,138 people who live in Carlsbad enjoy low unemployment rates, affordable housing, and a low cost of living – all helpful for young families just starting out. There are loads of recreational opportunities at places like Lake Carlsbad Recreation Area, Sitting Bull Falls, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
2. Rio Rancho
If you join the 87,521 people living in Rio Rancho, you have access to all of Albuquerque’s amenities like parks, while enjoying good local public schools, low crime rates, and affordable housing. The stable employment market also makes it attractive to families.
1. Los Alamos
This city, with a population of 12,019, offers boundless recreational opportunities, with proximity to both parks and national monuments. Los Alamos has excellent public schools, lots of amenities, and a fairly reasonable cost of living.
You may also be interested in knowing which places in New Mexico are safest, the cheapest, and the healthiest.
