New Mexico and Albuquerque

With an average of 310 days of sunshine a year and low humidity, our climate lends itself to outdoor living, be it in the city, on the outskirts (bordered by 10,000-foot mountains on one side and the nation's 4th largest river on the other), or elsewhere in the state. The city has several hiking trails for all fitness levels. Men’s Fitness Magazine named Albuquerque No. 3 of America’s Top 25 Fittest Cities. In addition to the rugged outdoors, the climate encourages the urban outdoors with outdoor dining, farmers markets and festivals, and a great extension for anyone's indoor living space. As we like to say, “you’re only bored here if you want to be”.

In addition to one of America’s Fittest Cities, Albuquerque also was on Travel & Leisure’s Editor List of Favorite Trips of 2012 and is regularly named as one of the best places to travel on a budget. We also top greenest cities and cities with the cleanest air lists.

Albuquerque is the Hot Air Ballooning Capitol and home the International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon festival in the world and the current record holder for most balloons launched in an hour. The festival is held every October with visitors from all over the world.

Established in 1706, Old Town Plaza is one of the oldest and most haunted spots in the United States. Its original Pueblo-Spanish architecture is still preserved and this area remains the cultural heart of Albuquerque. It’s a great place to walk around, shop, and grab some traditional Mexican food at one of the oldest structure in the state.

Albuquerque is also considered an epicenter for research and development and New Mexico has two of the 17 national research laboratories. Sandia National Laboratories is located at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque and Los Alamos National Laboratories is located two hours north. Intel develops and manufactures technology at their Rio Rancho location, on the northern outskirts.