I packed everything, and my dog into my SUV and moved to New Mexico with no real destination or plan. I LOVE it and live off Rte 66!

this video actually helped inspire me to make the jump. I moved 900 miles away from Missouri to Las Cruces New Mexico. I had never even visited Las Cruces before I moved here with all of my belongings. I sold everything in my house and everything in my life impact what I could in a two-door coupe and headed out.absolutely the most life-changing thing I've ever done and a decision I will never regret. I love it here so much I have made this place my new home. I plan on spending the rest of my life here and I'm quite sad that I wasted so many years I swear. I'm only 23 years old so I still have tons of life left to enjoy the land of enchantment. honestly there was just as much crime in Missouri as there isnt very much. Everyone here complains about crime and nothing to do but everybody thinks that about their hometown. The locals just don't understand that they are spoiled in Paradise.

The desert Southwest can seep into your soul,enlighten your heart,and free your mind if you let it!

I've been so drawn to Santa Fe and keep having these coincidences and synchronicities. What you're saying is exactly how I've been feeling and it's giving me chills! Santa Fe is calling me!

"I moved to NM because I had a feeling and no real plan...." Yep that sounds like NM.

I was born and raised in NM, and have lived here my whole life. I've often wondered if I would feel this way about other places if I traveled there. I think that someday I should move for a bit, but I can't imagine ever calling anywhere other than NM my home. Hope you're still in love with SF/NM in the same way. And thanks for representing our state so well.

I grew up in New Mexico but moved to Tx at age 12. I lived in Tx for 50 years but it was never home. We moved back here two years ago. There is something about New Mexico that grabs ahold of you and never lets go. What an amazing place and I am so lucky to be able to call it home.

I went to UNM and now have landed in Miami for the last 20 or 25 years. I visit my best friend every year. The second time I visited, we were in a tiny art/craft store, beautiful Navajo art. And suddenly tears started falling and all I could hear was, "why am I in Miami? I don't belong there." I am a teacher, my ultimate passion and I love my job. But I love my soul more. I'll be back in NM by summer. Tearfully leaving my chosen career but gloriously and joyously going home. You just gave me a reminder of my own strength and of the power of The Land of Enchantment.

Crazy! About a year ago, I started feeling pulled to New Mexico. I've been researching it and planning a trip out that way to check it out. I've never been out that way. But one day, I just woke up and said, "I'm going to New Mexico!" Everyone's asking, "Why? What's there? Do you know anyone there?" The answers to those questions: "I have no idea why. I have no idea what's there. I don't know anyone there." But I know I have to go there. Like its waiting for me. Weird huh?

I live in Connecticut and every time I told them at work that I was going on vacation to New Mexico they replied: "What''s in New Mexico?". They think it's just sand and lizards. Another dude at work told me that he had visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona and that he was not impressed. "It's just a big hole in the ground", he said. Some people just do not get it. That's their friggin' problem, not ours.

What makes New Mexico so nice compared to other states deserts, CA., AZ, NV. Is the cooler temps/higher elevations!🏜️🍻

This story is so familiar to me-I did exactly the same thing way back in 1998 and moved to Taos where I lived for 12 years. I left in 2011 but go back every year to my spiritual home. I felt compelled to share my experiences that I wrote a book called, Feel Your Heart and Follow Your Feet- A New Mexico Journey. A true story of my life unfolding in the most incredible way because I fell in love with The Land of Enchantment.

New Mexico has what the rest of the country lacks. Culture and depth of history. It's palpable in the stories, the legends, the archaeological ruins, the food, the names.

I fell in love with New Mexico many years ago. It has been an obsession with me to find a property, build a home and live the rest of my life there. I have no roots there. None. Yet I'm as excited as a school kid. Close on my property at the end of the month. Will move there in a year. Like a dream come true. Land of Enchantment? You bet.

Hi, here it is April 2022 and I am watching this with total understanding and fascination. I am getting close to retirement and have been going through all sorts of crazy feelings about not knowing what I want to do, feelings of fear about money, sadness about aging, wondering if everyone in my family will be ok, and on and on bla bla bla, then I listened to you. Now, instantly actually, I feel healed. Thank you!

i love this video, gives me the chills because it’s exactly how i feel..

people of the comments, I urge you to make the leap!!!!! Santa Fe New Mexico is a place that EVERYBODY needs to see and experience. I was called from Buffalo NY and made the leap two and a half years ago. I came here sleeping in my car and broke as a joke but it all got better!!!! if you put yourself out there, the universe finds ways to help you out. you get to meet amazing and beautiful people and experience things you have never dreamed of. I ended up working my dream job and then starting my own business AND found the woman im going to spend the rest of my life with. I suppose this goes for anywhere you are planning to move but I guess we are just stressing to take the leap and experience what the world has to offer :)

I moved from San Diego to New Mexico in March 2005, didn't know anyone except a family at the Santo Domingo Pueblo. I first drove through New Mexico and spent the night in Taos in August 1999. I was totally in awe, feeling a serenity and energy I've felt nowhere else. I kept coming back different seasons because I wanted to retire in New Mexico and wanted to experience different places and seasons in NM. Everytime I got off the plane in Albuquerque, I felt like I was "at home" with great energy and calm. I've never regretted moving here although I was born and raised in Callifornia which is a beautiful place but is far to stressful, crowded and expensive these days.

Brother thank you so much for telling your views about New Mexico, I Am originally from west Africa and I have lived in Texas, Massachusetts, California, Chicago, and Colorado . But the very first time I stepped my foot in New Mexico I knew that it's home for me. I have never been to anywhere that people show me the kind of love that recieved in New Mexico not even Africa where I came from. The people are so and happy the government are the best. The new Mexico police are so friendly they will talk to you in a very respectful way, omg I love everything about this state. Food house weather and ETC. Even know am in Alberta Canada working in Oilfield but my family are in NM and I will always call NM my home. One love Land of Enchantment peace be upon New Mexico.

I have a similar story about moving to Taos, where I lived for 11 years. NM really is the land of enchantment. I had a vision at the Pueblo on a visit before I moved and many things conspired to get me there 3 years later. I got a brand new life - no exaggeration - within a few months and much of that has stayed with me to this day 25 yrs later. Hopefully, it will turn into a finished novel soon. It was not always joy and bliss, but it was the answer to my soul's longing and it was healing on so many levels. I've wondered if I'm supposed to go back, but no answer to that question yet. I actually might choose Santa Fe this time, if I do return to NM. Good luck to you, and keep the youtubes coming! We can all benefit from them. You are doing the right thing by following your longing.Thank you!

Born in White Sands (just on the other side of the mountains from Las Cruces). Moved away before I could get any of my own memories. For the next 49 years I'd pine for this mysterious and 'enchanted' land I could not remember. I've always called it 'my homeland'. When I finally made it back, tears in my eyes, I thought to myself, "I'm home again." The week there went by so fast. I hated having to leave and I pine even more now than I did before. Your post made me smile and I'm so happy for you!

I thought I was the only one that has just had this random feeling of moving to New Mexico I’ve never been but I have been moving from state to state for years trying to find home yet New Mexico had never left my mind since I was a kid I guess it’s my next move I just have to find a way out of Ohio thanks for the inspiration I’ve been thinking of how to get there by bus or something 23 now and I feel I need to be there soon it’s a overwhelming feeling but it feels so good I don’t want it to stop

i too am pulled to new mexico i dont know why i cant explain it i just know that i'm soupost to go i am planning to move asap

I have to say, this was profoundly enjoyable and heart warming. Sincere, honest and spiritual...

I feel the same way. I thought I was the only one. I stayed in Las Cruces for about 3 weeks many years ago but since then I can't stop thinking about New Mexico, especially lately. I think it's calling. This was inspirational. Thank you.

So glad I spotted this video. l moved to Rio Rancho last May, 2015, for a job. I had never been there until my interview in February. I loved it, and life was beautiful. The happiest I had been in a long time. I left my family and friends also. I took my two dogs, and off we went. I saw the Sandia Mountains every day. and it filled me with hope and peace. Then out of the blue, I was terminated in September 2015. My dream was over as soon as it began. My heart broke to have to come back to Texas. I desperately tried to get another job there but nothing came to be and I moved in November. I think about my home, my job, the friends I met, the simple things that were such a treasure. I can't get past it though I have moved on back here in Texas again. I lost everything as quick as I gained it. I hope to go back if the opportunity arises again. I felt a peace there that I cannot find here.

It's called a midlife crisis, my dude. You definitely sound eclectic enough to fit in amongst the Santa Fe locals.

We lived in Placitas, a small Spanish village in the Sandia foothills, and I loved it! You’re right, NM got into my heart and under my skin and won’t leave. I also lived in Santa Fe in the 80’s when it was much less crowded. Now, we ‘ve decided to move back for our last years. Why? It’s gorgeous, inspiring, friendly, rugged, dry, spacious, starry, reverent, unpredictable, awe inspiring.

Nm is great. Besides Colorado it has huge and beautiful mountains. It's got mostly every climate except tropical believe it or not. NM even has mountains that has snow year round. It's got the plains in the east. The desert in the south and partly north. It's not nice weathered mountains with forests that are more beautiful than any other forest I've been to anywhere else in the country. Albuquerque isn't big but it's got a nice metro area and las cruces has the phenomenal organ mountains. If the organ mountains where in Europe, I guarantee they would be the most hiked mountains in Europe. We even have grassy plains with nothing but flowers. If you have ever been south of Taos, nm (Taos the city is ugly) it is probably the most beautiful place you have ever been to there was a time where I wa s only in the south desert part but when I traveled north it was very hard to believe I was in the state of New Mexico it was so beautiful. If you want metro area don't go to New Mexico. I see Gil's monsters and they are very cool and snakes, mountain lions, in one neighborhood they have desert where you can just walk and you see snakes, rabbits, roadrunners, etc. it is amazing and in my opinion New Mexico is the best state in the USA

I moved to new Mexico not knowing anyone and now I live in abq AND love it here. Don't listen to the negative nay sayers they're unhappy everywhere. .. The place is rich with culture with good down to earth people. The food is delicious. Love hiking the mountains, the river bosque here in Abq, bike riding along the river. Camping in Mts near here, skiing close to abq, even sleeping out side under the stars with my wife and dog in my back yard. I love picking pinon nuts every four years, beautiful weather! Monsoon season is nice! I love LIVING in NEW MEXICO!

I live in New Mexico too. I have a good job. New Mexico has its ups and downs. It depends how you make it. It can make some improvement.

It’s wonderful to hear and see other people that have felt the same way I have. Over a year ago I visited New Mexico and Arizona for the first time via a road trip. Half way through I got incredibly sick, and the last four days were miserable…. Yet ever since then I can’t shake the feeling I had when in New Mexico. I’ve always dreamt of leaving the Midwest (where I was born and raised) but never would have I imagined New Mexico is where I wanted to be. Now my long time partner is finishing up their schooling, and I’m getting more and more eager to make that jump!

This was inspirational to me. I too live on the East Coast and I have been researching the west Arizona/New Mexico for a very long time now. I am drawn to it. Whenever I start to search another location, I always come back to the desert. I have been to Santa Fe and Taos a loooong time ago, but it was absolutely beautiful. Thanks for making this video, gives me hope.

I'm visiting Albuquerque from Salt Lake City this weekend to apartment shop, and this video was so very helpful. Thank you so much for posting!

You beautiful, inspiring, glowing being!!! At the end of watching this I see that you filmed it 7 years ago! I‘m going for your other videos as soon as I post this comment. I can’t wait to see how your life has turned out. Thank you so much for sharing and for following the “bread crumbs” and your heart ❤️ It is an inspiring tale that relates somewhat to my own. My bread crumbs led me to a nights stay in Santa Fe on my way to a house sitting gig in AZ. (I’m currently living in CA.) Now that I’m here in AZ I can’t get NM out of my mind, nor do I want to. Thanks again 💗

I LOVE New Mexico. It has my heart. Land of Enchantment is so fitting.

I threw a dart at the map and moved to Las Cruces NM. I moved from Missouri and had never been to Las Cruces , not even when I had my car packed and driving there. Rolled up to a city I had never been to in my life and I've never looked back. I'm 23 and I've been here for 7 months now. Best decision I've ever made in my life. Moved here completely blind and with no plan besides to start over. Sold everything in my home , sold everything I had ever worked for , and it was an absolutely crazy journey to get here. Love it so much. This land is my land for sure.

November, 2021.... My wife & I moved to NM two years ago after roughly 15 years of research into NM during vacation time from work in WI. We finally chose NM as our retirement destination. We absolutely Love it here in Alamogordo. We had a nice home built very near the mountains. I am outdoors every day, hiking into the mountains, going to the Lincoln National Forest, exploring off road areas via ATV or via road trips. In a short two years we have made So many new friends. People everywhere here are much more friendly than so many other areas of the country. The weather is tremendously better than WI. Sure, nowhere is perfect, but overall this has been a wonderful move for us. We are HOME.

It's quite refreshing to see that I'm not the only person that has never been to New Mexico and is buying a house there just because I feel drawn to it. Just confirms that it is definitely a special place

It's crazy that I found your video. I just got back from a 2 week vacation thru the west, traveling about 4700 miles and going thru 10 states. Ever since I've been back I've had this overwhelming urge to move to New Mexico. I've been looking at land to build a house and even talked my son in law into taking a trip back there in a couple of months just this afternoon. I can't explain it !!!! I'm thinking rural central New Mexico... Maybe a little west of Socorro. Thanks for the video !! It makes me feel good to know that I'm not crazy !! :)

Yes!! I identify with this so much. I'm from Chicago, moved to South Carolina, and went back and forth between SC and Florida. I've seen a lot of the country because my parents like to travel, but even in this vast nation, I never felt like I belonged or fit in anywhere. 'Til now. I've been talking to a native Burqueño for over three years and we fell in love, so this year in March I finally took a chance and went to NM all alone and as soon as I landed in the sunport I knew I was already home. I could hear the city calling my name. It was the best week of my life, and because of that, I'm taking the leap and moving in with the love of my life in the land of enchantment! I have nothing tying me down to where I currently stay and this house I've stayed in for years doesn't equate to the familiar feeling that NM delivers. If you feel the beckoning call of NM, absolutely take the leap! Whether it's just for a small trip or you wish to drop everything and stay, you will not regret it!!

NM is fine (been here nearly 50 years) if you don't mind high elevations and lack of available oxygen.

New Mexico ain't bad. Been here all my life♥️ welcome to the land of entrapment- I mean, er... Enchantment.

I've visted NM a couple of times and have been wanting to move there for a few years now. I can't seriously talk to my friends, family, or other loved ones about it because everyone is just so set in their ways they can't possibly fathom doing something like this. It's reaching a point where I can't hold back anymore and I'm just going to have to go. You shouldn't stay somewhere just because you can and because it's the safest thing to do.

Norm, ..... Finally someone to verbalize my experience. I am in the process of preparing for a move to Santa Fe. I have set a move date of 2016 (that is, if I can wait THAT long).... Very odd... the hunger and yearning that I feel. After watching your piece, I feel in good company. I honestly feel less at home here in Nebraska, every day and an almost homesick feeling for Santa Fe. Thanks so much!!! Maureen

This is such a wonderful story. I’m so happy for you. Hope you’re still doing well in New Mexico. I had the same experience, but moving from Maine to Florida, so I totally understand.❤😊 Thank you for this video.

My mother is born and raised in NM and my father in CA. I moved here permanently in 1985 at 15 years old. San Diego is like paradise to a lot of people and I lived in it every day. Right by the ocean. After moving to NM I would always get asked why I would leave paradise to live here. This is paradise to me. I don't want to live anywhere else. Doesn't get any better than this for me.

Norm, I currently live in Springfield, MO and understand exactly how you felt and feel. I have always loved NM and have been thinking a lot lately about moving to the Los Lunas area. What can you tell me about it? Thx for your video

Beautiful video, thank you for sharing. I grew up in the desert when I was a kid in my home country, years later I met the Sonora desert in Tucson, Arizona, and it remains one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.

This is awesome man! Stumbled across this video just scrolling. I’m originally from Albuquerque and am now living in Las Vegas, Nevada while in the Air Force. New Mexico is truly an amazing place and I can’t wait to get back!

I've been coming to New Mexico ever since I was a kid and I always knew that one day I would live here. And in 2008 I sold everything and packed the rest into storage and my family and I jumped on a bus and headed to Santa Fe. It's been the best decision I've ever made. I now have a completely different life and even a different family and we live in the mountains of Pecos. New Mexico is my home and it always will be. This place holds a magic an old magic for those with the ability to feel it. And once you feel it no other place will call to you like this land will.

Norm, I've been having the same feelings about Santa Fe for over 10 years now. I live in the city of Oakland California and New Mexico keeps popping into my head over and over.

This is a case of "Breaking Bad" syndrom,

Thank you for sharing your story. It really resonates with my as a DC metro homeowner. My jobs have taken me to New Mexico and Arizona a handful of times over the last 6 years. The desert calls to me as well. I hope to return soon and explore a little more, not as a tourist but prospective resident.

Thanks, Norm. This vid speaks to me. NM makes no sense, but I can't stop thinking about it. Might just be 'grass is always greener', but ....hey there's no grass there so that doesn't apply! It's such beautiful place. I got a family and am really rooted where I am, but it might be a great retirement option, either as a snowbird or full time. AZ is another option and may be better for me in some ways. I'd want to be somewhere between a big city and middle of nowhere in either state. A visit is the first order of biz.

Santa fe is the high desert. phoenix is the REAL desert with Temps at 110

could be aliens calling for you. :) that's funny, when I was living in Los Angeles I had some friends that would talk about Santa Fe all the time so one weekend i rented a car a drove out there just to check it out, too. pretty cool place.

This story makes me think of an alien abduction

I had never been to Santa Fe until I moved here too. Pre-internet (or before everyone had it, at any rate.) So I looked it up in an encyclopedia. That was in 1992. Been here ever since. Never regretted it for a second. Glad you're here Norm.

I'm from Los Angeles and HATED the desert as a youth. Then at 16 I traveled the country for 8 years and landed in Minneapolis. Loved Minnesota for the next 16 years until moving to Albuquerque 11 years ago. I don't know what it is but for me the desert is the place to be. I like to consider Santa Fe as "WHERE THE DESERT MEETS THE TREE LINE" 💛

I've wanted to move to New Mexico since I was 12 years old. I've been feeling the pull to Santa Fe again, it's like this tug in the back of my mind. I feel it every time I look west. I'm constantly seeing things that remind me of NM. I've never flown anywhere, and right now I'm thinking about buying a plane ticket to NM to spend a couple days out there. I know I'm supposed to be there.

New mexico has it all.. Its goods its bads.. Beauty.. Food.. The people .. Im proud to be a new mexican..

Because it is the cheapest best place to live if retired, not if working. DO NOT expect to make money here

Something about the desert. The forest is very cool, but something about the desert...

I sold my Atlanta home in a month, put my dog in my truck and my belongings in a u-haul and headed west to Santa Fe leaving behind everyone I knew, going to a state I knew nothing about. Everything was completely irrational and consciously perfect at the same time. That was 15 years ago. About the only difference in your story and mine is that I stayed in a Motel 6 instead of the Super 8. Life is good ;)

My wife and I just moved to Las Cruces a couple months ago. We threw a dart at the map essentially. Closest friends and relatives are 14 hours away. We had paid off a lease before we even got here. The first time we seen our home , and las cruces , was when we came rolling in with a car packed with as much stuff as we could. And it’s a happily ever after from there. Absolutely love it. I don’t regret this wild decision whatsoever. I’m never going to leave here. Ever. This is my home

While living in Los Angeles in 1998 pursuing the Hollywood dream, this odd 4 letter word suddenly started appearing EVERYWHERE. I didn't know what a Taos was. It got so bad I finally drove and visited and had a MAGICAL life changing week. I visited NM on and off and have now lived in NM 3 times...twice in ABQ and now 16 miles north of Santa Fe. Taos is truly my special place, but there are no jobs there. I am one of those people you hear about where when I get fed up with things here and leave, I'm brought back. I've met other people who've left and come back 6-11 times.

I left L. A. and landed on 20 acres in the rural east mountains of Albuquerque, an hour from Albuquerque and Santa Fe in Santa Fe county and a walk to any of my neighbors. The isolation can be tough, but all I have to do is look at the view and Im content

I guess everyone is just happier where they're not from. I was born & raised in Santa Fe & have lived many places from Europe to California. Although I too love the ambiance & the beauty - I also know that there is very little opportunity (specifically for the locals) & that it very difficult to make a living. I must admit tho that I have my own prejudices about the place - for example: I tried to make a documentary there about the history of Santa Fe, but instead of getting help from Gov Richardson's Office when I asked for it - his assistant literally picked up the phone to call most of the entities that I needed to deal with & told them not to help me. Who at that level has the time for such nonsense? I was able to iron everything out with everyone but what alot of extra work that was. And why? I brought my mother in 2010 to live with us in Altadena, CA - and she loved it here. The first time we went back to visit Santa Fe was in 2012 & when we returned home, my dog died. The next time I took her to visit Santa Fe - my mother died while we were there. I hate St Vincent's Hospital (but it is the only hospital in town) - I hate the doctors there who cared so little that they shoved her off to a nursing home while she still had pneumonia & could not even stand, no matter how much I objected. She had good insurance too. New Mexico is a fine place if you come with money & the transplants always do better there than the locals. Thank you for sharing this video.

I did that when I was 21 and stayed for 14 years. I had nothing but my car and my clothes. I wound up in Bernalillo at the old convent where there were other artists and I traded work for rent. I ended up moving from there to Madrid and lived there for seven years. I loved Santa Fe. I have no regrets.

Hi Norm-thanks for posting this video. I'm moving to Santa Fe too and it is something I had been meaning to do for a while. Can you recommend any temp vacation homes or motels? Thank you!

Oh my goodness! Your bravery inspires me. Very interesting story. I live in Albuquerque, and I have been feeling a strong and urgent pull from the Colorado rockies, and I really want to move to Colorado, but my fear of leaving everything I have ever known behind always stops me. Great to hear your experiences went well. Cheers!

I know the feeling well. I left New York and moved to Arizona. A state where I knew no one, with no job, no home here, and two children, In that flow of this "knowing" I have found who and what I am, been a Sedona person and also on the periphery of New Mexico I was as well. The Sangre de Christo area hold that special something. A calling and question mark.

this was such a beautiful and empowering story, thank you for sharing. I have been feeling to pull and having callings to NM as well and am making that jump next month with just my dog, I have never been to NM and don't know anyone out there but I can't wait to see what's in store for me!!! All the comments on this video goes to show, who is meant to flow into the land of enchantment, will

I'm thinking seriously of moving to NM as well.. I lived in AZ for a couple years. Love the beautiful desert landscape, historic homes, and friendly people in the Southwest. Also love adobe homes and turquoise jewelry. I think NM still has a lot of tremendous places to live, and Santa Fe has much to offer.

I wish you well. I fell in love with New Mexico when my parents took me there on vacation when I was 10 years old in 1965. We went to Carlsbad and Cloudcroft. I was stationed at Fort Bliss and did a lot of field work in the south part of New Mexico. I have vacationed there a lot. I have always felt comfortable in New Mexico. I may retire there at least for a time. I would not be going there cold as you did. Best Wishes.

Witness protection program?

Thank you for this video. I myself have been feeling this calling to explore NM for a few years now. I can't explain it but that's one place that makes me feel "comfortable" in my mind, even though I haven't visited it yet. I am semi-retired now and planning a trip to NM sometime soon to explore and see how I feel when I am there. Thanks again for the information! :-)

Great story, Norm. I love also , and I always have. When I was a kid in Texas my family enjoyed many day trips and vacations there-camping, finding curios in the shops, it will be great for you. Tell us about your art lessons.

I moved to Las Cruces with my new husband at 16 years old.He was stationed at White Sands Proving Ground.i gave birth to 2 children while my husband went to colledge.We moved back to Massachusetts .And I've missed N.M.ever since.

Im so glad you made this video. I have been called to move to albuquerque for the last 2 years. Ive started packing slowly and getting rid of things i dont need. Been saving money up and preparing to go. Looking online at everything in NM and trying to figure out why ai am moving to NM. Im just drawn to it and i know i need to be there. And i hope its all in God's timing because its taking me a long time to save the money to move there.

This is crazy. I live in Lubbock Texas and I have the same feelings and thoughts so much so that my friends here are telling me to just go. I think I will soon. Thanks for making this video.

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your beautiful story! I had a very very similar experience when I moved to Idaho 9 years ago. And now I feel called to Chama NM.

Very inspiring...thank you :))) Going through the same emotions right now. Thank you!!

His story of taking the leap and finding his flow is no doubt inspiring. I have family in NM and have dreamed of moving there, but cannot. (It is not great for jobs or public schools.) Thing is, I don't know about the East Coast, where he was living, but on the beautiful but stressfully overpriced West Coast it is something of a cliche how many baby boomers pine for Santa Fe. The ones who move there tend to have money, they go there to retire and buy Native American art. I have seen so many: a TV executive who bought a small hacienda in Arroyo Seco, a divorcee who had an epiphany in a Starbucks about how his life should go, and then a coterie of New Agey older women dripping with chunky jewelry who blog about the pull of nature. Sincerely all the best to them, but let's be honest: you just do not see many families relocating there compared to neighboring states. My family is there, and I am priced out out here, but I don't feel like my family are the demographic who can make it work. I have loved NM for four decades. But nobody I know my age ever goes there. It seems to be a lot of people in Marin County or wealthy SoCal burbs who are drawn to New Mexico.

I've been wanting to visit Santa Fe for 12 years now. Since my childhood, I've had that pull to "go West". I'm jealous of you Norm, but I'm glad you've found a good life in NM. Maybe one day I'll get there too.

Hello Norm, my name is Mick Flaire, and I did not stumble upon this KZfaq video by accident. it came up as part of a search that I did for moving to New Mexico, which is what I plan to do in the coming months, to the Albuquerque area. I'm now retired & am going to move there to be an artist as a woodworker making canes and magic wands and hiking staffs, and also being a musician, jamming on percussion and keyboards, and also singing karaoke in the local bars and lounges, while living a much freer life than what I have here in northern California. Thank you so much, Norm, for your story! Your video is very inspirational and encouraging, and I look forward to being a New Mexican resident! Cheers!

My wife and I have been vacationing in the western US for the last 10 years. We are from St Louis. Over the years, our favorite state is New Mexico. After our last vacation trip to New Mexico (April 2022), we decided to move to Albuquerque while flying back home to St Louis. We realized that New Mexico was calling us. We have been talking about moving to New Mexico for many years. When we got home, we immediately started preparing our house to sell, contacted a real estate agent in Albuquerque and moved forward. Had multiple garage sales to sell the non-essential belongings and started packing. On June 30th 2022 we sold our house and had our earthly belongings packed in a moving van in our driveway. We drove 1000 miles to Albuquerque and checked into a Hilton Homewood Suites for a week. Found a temporary apartment and started house hunting. On the third house we viewed, we made an offer and it was accepted. We closed on our New Mexico home on Aug 5th 2022 and had the moving van deliver our belongings. The whole process was so easy and for the most part uneventful. (Moving is no fun, but it was worth it). We have been in New Mexico almost a year now. Being a professional musician, I find the music scene quite active in Northern New Mexico. My wife is gearing up her craft business. We simply love it here. Yes, there is big city crime in Albuquerque. There are many other large cities that are worse. The people are friendly, the mountains are beautiful, the weather is mild summer and winter, the air is clean.

Oh and by the way, my daughter is now living in New Mexico. It just happened after she took a trip across the USA. She loved it immediately built a network of friends got her teacher's certificate for yoga and met her love

Left NW Washington to live in a little village south of Albuquerque. Never been to New Mexico before, only found a place to live a couple weeks before we got there, after a month my wife and myself were gainfully employed. Ended up buying a house (foreclosure) and we were set! Family brought us back to the Pacific North West but we're coming back in a few years! LOVED IT! :) Can't Wait!!!

Wow. Have been contemplating moving to NM for a few years. Picked up in my 30's and moved to MO from IN. 20 years later I'm hearing the call to move again Congratulations Mr Morrison on following your call with no regrets

I'm doing the same thing. Moving from California to Belen, NM to a piece of land I've never seen, to a area I've never been, but I'm very excited about it!

Born and raised in the Mojave Desert. New Mexico, West Texas, Panhandle Texas, and Arizona, are all home. This land is so vast, one can easily get lost in the middle of nowhere. That's what makes it the Land of Enchantment - you get lost, to find yourself.

Santa Fe is overpriced, full of art dealers from New York, with very little rentals available, housing is also a problem in Santa Fe... The wealthy made this place hard for the average guy to live there... Also, Albuquerque has the highest crime rate in the country, for whatever reason, it makes you think about moving there.

I recently drove from GA to CA and loved New Mexico! I want to move there and this video is inspiring. I am thinking of Santa Fe but also want to look into some of the other small towns. I like some cold weather in winter. Santa Fe gets some of this does it not? I am retired so not giving up a job but am giving up everything else Norm mentioned. But I feel too like NM is calling me!

Congrats on doing what many people dream of doing, but who never take that step. It takes a lot of courage and I hope you are doing well. Ever since I read the book "The life of Milarepa" by Lobsang Lhalungpa (Tibetan scholar) I've dreamed of doing the same. Good luck and good health.

heck I just realized this was 3 years ago you must be doing great

I feel what your saying completely! Im born and raised Kentucky BUT same as you i had the same kinda feeling and experience in New Mexico... Las Cruces for me tho. So i moved to NM (Across the Country) right spur of the moment and when i got there even tho i knew noone, and had no life there, I was HOME! :) Sadly tho after 3 months and making some good friends, getting settled in, and finding a regular place to live i unfortunately had no choice but to move back to Kentcky cause i had No Luck finding any kinda work at all and ive never tried so hard to get a job but no matter what i did i had no luck and the little money i had was starting to run out. So very Sadly and not wanting too i had to move back to Kentucky. Ever since then tho, Ive felt like im homesick and just really miss Cruces and wanna go back. And i too feel that New Mexico IS truly The Land of Enchantment as well. Not really anything i cant fully put it all into words but it is. Theres just something about it... ~„,™™™

I have a friend who lived in New England, and in the early '90s he had the exact same experience when he visited Denver. He moved within a few weeks. It turned out terribly, and he's regretted it ever since.

Absolutely love your honesty. I am 50 and have lived in Canada all my years. I can't explain why but the pull for me to move to America is extremely massive for me. I keep looking at Sheridan Wyoming, a place I've never been before but it's pulling at me to move there. One cannot explain this feeling of why a place calls out to us but it does. I get your feeling for wanting to move to Santa Fe.