Nine Incredibly Appealing Towns in the Southwest

The Southwest is a region of the United States with abundant heat and deserts stretching further than the eye can see. It includes some of America’s biggest states, cultural centers with some of the densest urban sprawls in the country. Typically defined as Arizona, New Mexico, and parts of Nevada, California, and Texas, the Southwest covers a massive stretch of land and has a lot to offer.

With a unique culture, delicious cuisines, and stunning cities and towns, there’s much to love in the Southwest. This expansive region includes many well-known cities and hidden gem towns, with much to explore. Let’s look at nine incredibly appealing towns in America’s Southwest.

Carlsbad is a small city of 30,000 in the southeastern portion of New Mexico. If you’re a nature lover, you’ll find much to enjoy in Carlsbad. For starters, there are numerous great hiking routes, including trails that center around Sitting Bull Falls. There is also a walkable downtown area with a beach park. But the main attraction are the caves of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Be warned though! If you have a bat phobia, this area may not be for you.

Rio Rancho is a suburb north of Albuquerque in New Mexico. It is home to over 100,000, making it one of the bigger communities in New Mexico. Rio Rancho is an affordable city with a low cost of living with many great features. It has numerous historical churches from the town’s Spanish colonial past, great museums, and some of the best hiking in the state. You can find numerous trails and parks perfect for long strolls or bikes, and it’s a great city to explore.

Los Lunas is a New Mexico village home to over 15,000 residents. Los Lunas presents an intriguing option if you’re looking to live somewhere quiet and affordable in the Southwest. It has an interesting history stretching back hundreds of years and is surrounded by desert landscapes. If you want to head to a bigger city, the village is only 20 miles south of Albuquerque. Los Lunas has delicious Southwestern foods and a welcoming local community.

New Mexico isn’t all desert and sand. Ruidoso is a small village home to roughly 8,000, set in the Sierra Blanca Mountain Range. If you are looking for a mountainous lifestyle located in stunning terrain, Ruidoso is for you. The nearby Ski Apache Resort allows you to take advantage of the location with some great skiing, and the village has proximity to top-notch year-round hiking.

Farmington is a New Mexico city home to roughly 50,000 residents. It is located in the state’s Northwest, nestled in the San Juan River Valley. If you’re someone that enjoys outdoor recreation, chances are you’re going to enjoy Farmington because its unique location makes it perfect for adventuring. Farmington has some of the best trout fishing you’ll find, with numerous lakes and rivers great for water sports. There is also great mountain biking and hiking, all within a very affordable city.

Las Cruces is New Mexico’s second-largest city, a bustling cultural center located along the Chihuahuan Desert. It is known as one of the safer cities in the state, a historic metropolitan place with great museums and a variety of delicious restaurants. It is a popular place for retirees due to its low cost of living, active lifestyle, and pretty location. The city has gorgeous mountain views and walkable mountain parks, and quality farmer’s markets.

Amarillo is a Texas city home to roughly 200,000 residents. It is a city with great culture, including numerous art museums and a science museum. The city’s Historic District is where to go for antiquing, shopping, and dining, the perfect place to enjoy some famed Texas steak. The city is located near the Palo Duro Canyon State Park, a massive area with great trails perfect for exploring.

Canyon is a small Texas city home to roughly 13,000. It is a safe and quiet place to live with a low crime rate and an affordable cost of living. Canyon is only a 15-minute drive from Amarillo, so if you want to head to a bigger city, there’s one nearby. Canyon is close to Palo Duro Canyon State Park, is the site of the TEXAS Outdoor Musical, and has numerous museums and restaurants that make it a great place to live.

Odessa is a Texas city with roughly 120,000 residents. It has a thriving oil community with a major local economy, featuring a massive variety of shops, restaurants, and attractions. You can enjoy some of the best steak and ribs in Texas, visit the Odessa Meteor Crater, or stroll around some of the town’s great art museums and galleries. It is a classically Texas city, where the book and film Friday Night Lights was set.