I'm not necessarily advocating for the state. The circuit I mentioned is very popular especially among europeans. I would recommend going in September or early October if possible.
I would personally move back to New Mexico, but I wouldn't paint a rosy picture of it. I like the culture, I'm sure it's not everyone's cup of tea. I definitely grew up around a lot of animosity from family members about New Yorkers moving to Rio Rancho, so it's nothing new:
That said, New Mexico has been able to east/west coast gentrification to a minimum (Luckily most people end up going to Phoenix or Vegas instead)
On tourism - tourism is pretty much destroying the world, probably thanks to instagram. The west is susceptible but much of it is protected by virtue that many interesting parts are more than 3 hours from a major domestic or international airport. August is fucked though, partially because of the long European holiday, never do anything in August.
I would personally move back to New Mexico, but I wouldn't paint a rosy picture of it. I like the culture, I'm sure it's not everyone's cup of tea. I definitely grew up around a lot of animosity from family members about New Yorkers moving to Rio Rancho, so it's nothing new:
https://www.nytimes.com/1987/12/06/business/rio-rancho-s-tan...
That said, New Mexico has been able to east/west coast gentrification to a minimum (Luckily most people end up going to Phoenix or Vegas instead)
On tourism - tourism is pretty much destroying the world, probably thanks to instagram. The west is susceptible but much of it is protected by virtue that many interesting parts are more than 3 hours from a major domestic or international airport. August is fucked though, partially because of the long European holiday, never do anything in August.