With its many unique natural wonders, mountain ranges and desert areas, the exotic Native American and Spanish culture, combined with the magical quality of its light and salutary nature of its air, New Mexico is one of the most popular states. It is known as the Land of Enchantment. Today, New Mexico’s almost 2 million residents are among the United States’ most diverse populations, with an ethnic make-up of approximately 45 percent non-Hispanic, 42 percent Hispanic and almost 10 percent Native American.

New Mexico real estate prices have traditionally been some of the lowest in the nation. With the inflow of people from other states, prices have increased dramatically. A single family home in Santa Fe will set you back in the $500,000 range, while the same home will run half that in Albuquerque. Taos homes vary entirely on the specific structure. Appreciation rates for New Mexico in 2005 were nearly 12 percent.

The Albuquerque – Santa Fe metro area includes six major communities, making it the center of the state’s commercial and governmental activities. These are the most popular places. The overall cost of living in Albuquerque is 18% below the national average, with a median home price of $170,800 in the Albuquerque metro areas. Santa Fe, one of the oldest cities in the USA, is a much more expensive place to live, with median home prices rising above $400,000, with few homes selling for anything below $250,000. Helping to balance the costs of some of the more expensive areas, New Mexico’s residential and commercial property taxes are among the lowest in the United States, with tax rates depending on the property type and location. Though Santa Fe is very expensive, but if you can afford it, it is a nice place to live. It’s beautiful, has a strong and flourishing culture and many of the events and issues that take place here are interesting and entertaining. This area has very good weather. The high-desert offers the delights of sunshine (about 300 days per year) and low humidity but not the scorching temperatures of the lower elevations. Sometimes it’s even snowing here.

Austin Texas homes are much cheaper, but still built to last, than houses in many other big cities because the heat and the dryness of the area, as well as the fact that it is in Texas state, scare most people away. You should not be scared away by any of these conditions. Go out and look at the new homes in Austin Texas; you’ll be surprised with weather and home quality. Although there is many things wrong Texas, Austin is very different from most of the rest of the state. In the first place, Austin Texas homes are often newly built, and benefit from superior water and city services, so even though it is dry around you, there is no worry about droughts. If you are buying a home in Austin Texas, you are likely to be living next to some of the most interesting and progressive neighbors anywhere. This is because Austin is such a Mecca of culture and art. There is a great music scene, a pretty left wing political scene, and arts and literature are also not far behind.

You could move to the southwest, New Mexico. New Mexico is primarily a large rural state that has much to offer in the way of real estate, year round outdoor activities, and cultural events and celebrations. Prices of New Mexico homes vary throughout the state and greatly depend on geographical location. Santa Fe is the capitol of New Mexico, which is located in the north central part of the state. Los Alamos, home of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, is just thirty minutes west of Santa Fe, and just forty-five minutes southwest on I-25 is Albuquerque, the largest city in the state. Historic Route 66 passes directly through Albuquerque complete with nostalgic cafes and businesses along the way. Further south is Truth of Consequences, then Las Cruces, the second largest city in the state, where I-25 ends and I-10 begins, taking motorists forty-five miles south to El Paso, Texas, and the Mexico border? To the east is the infamous alien town of Roswell, and to the west is Silver City nestled in the Gila Mountains.