Turn your attention to New Mexico and specifically the Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Taos corridor. Facebook has recently added its presence to that of the research giants, Los Alamos and Sandia Labs. With a top-notch medical school at the University of New Mexico, excellent weather, outstanding healthcare, cheaper gas prices, and AMAZING real estate values (compared to Seattle, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco) it’s a hot area in many respects.
Dr. Nancy Southern, a long time mentor of mine, has been bringing successful innovation and systems change to academia and commerce for some time. I was happy that she had time to share with us recently in her New Mexico environment. Though modest, she is involved in projects as diverse as corporate culture change and advancing and improving relationships in culturally rich and diverse community groups. Already an inspiring individual change maker, she claims that this area, its people, and the burgeoning innovative milieu inspire her.
Within a two-hour drive we experienced skiing, art, Native American and new Mexican culture, haute cuisine, millennial start-ups, and some of the friendliest people you’ll ever meet. This area with its excellent airport may be the new best place to live. The landscape is spectacular and varied: alpine mountain forests and blooming deserts; perfect for outdoor types, social meet ups and relaxation, and down the road is the ever awe-inspiring VLA.
Dr. Shawn Michael Nichols