Life in New Mexico

UNM Health is located in Albuquerque, a 300-year-old city steeped in the history and culture of the southwest. The city’s metro region, which includes the home of Sandoval Regional Medical Center, Rio Rancho, is home to roughly half of the state’s 2 million residents, and Forbes Magazine recently designated it as the top ranked metro area in the U.S. for business and careers.

Residents find Albuquerque’s climate of warm days, cool nights, low humidity and lots of sunshine an ideal place for outdoor activities. There are endless recreational opportunities like hiking, bicycling, golfing, playing tennis and skiing. That doesn’t even take into account perhaps the most popular event held in the city each year: the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the premier event of its kind in the world. Albuquerque features an enjoyable blend of history, culture (including the annual Gathering of Nations Pow Wow) scenery, climate and business for a prosperous UNM Health career.

Our Unique History

The area’s history can be traced back to caves in the nearby Sandia Mountains which were inhabited by Sandia Man some 25,000 years ago. Over the centuries, three cultures – Native American, Hispanic, and Anglo – have blended to produce a wealth of music, art, language, architecture and, of course, food. New residents soon debate the merits of red and green chile and Indian fry bread. New Mexico’s terrain ranges from high desert to the forested mountains, and its state capital, Santa Fe, is the oldest continuous state capital in the U.S.

In addition to rich history, the “City Different” provides visitors with cultural opportunities, such as the world renowned Santa Fe Opera, unique shopping and dining on the historic Old Town Plaza and some of the best culinary options you’ll find anywhere. The wide variety of the state’s scenery includes turquoise-tinted blue skies, the spectacular red-gold sunsets of the southwest and rugged desert and mountain vistas. New Mexico has a rich regional flavor that, when combined with friendly people and affordable housing, contributes greatly to the quality of life here.

You can discover even more of what Albuquerque and New Mexico have to offer by visiting the Albuquerque Convention and Visitor Bureau or the New Mexico tourism websites.