Enjoy a vacation lifestyle permanently

One of the greatest benefits that retirement provides is the opportunity to choose where you want to live. Located at 6,920 feet in elevation within the Sierra Blanca mountains of southern New Mexico, Ruidoso is a good option for retirees who want to be close to the natural beauty of the American West.

Hike, ski, fish, bike, soak in the scenery—whatever your lifestyle, Ruidoso has it. In addition, the area's reasonable housing costs and cost of living allow retirees to enjoy a vacation lifestyle permanently.

Here are six reasons that make Ruidoso a great place to retire.

• Population: 8,013 (2020)

• Share of population age 60+: 27.50%

• Cost of Living: The cost of living in Ruidoso is 7% lower than the national average.

• Housing: Ruidoso housing is 25% lower than the national average.

1. Outdoor living

Ruidoso is one of the prettiest New Mexico mountain towns with 20% of the village’s perimeter snuggled against the 1.1 million-acre Lincoln National Forest. Residents here enjoy quick-strike access to village lakes and parks, ponderosa and aspen forests, and serious mountain-grade hiking and biking. The 12,000-foot Sierra Blanca Peak looms large over the village and Ski Apache offers year-round activities with plenty of outdoor adventure. Go zip-lining, horseback riding, or relax with fishing, golfing, paddling, and more.

2. Plenty to do

Whether it's a golf course or mountain views, a great retirement town should have the things you are interested in doing. This might mean a historic site where you can volunteer as a docent or a scenic walking trail along the river. For a break from outdoors living, take in a show at the Spencer Theater for Performing Arts or tap into the local university's lifelong learning curriculum. In Midtown are several art galleries and a scenic, well-supported public library is situated alongside the popular Links recreation trail.

3. Mild four-season climate

With plenty of dry, sunny weather, residents in Ruidoso experience a four-season climate ideally suited for a greater connection to nature. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 28°F to 81°F and is rarely below 18°F or above 88°F. In Ruidoso, the summers are warm with brief afternoon thunderstorms and the winters are cold but sunny and the snow that falls tends to evaporate quickly in the sunshine and semi-arid climate.

4. American West heritage

Ruidoso offers history buffs a region rich in Native American cultures, famous forts, museums, and time-honored traditions along with legendary characters and cowboy folklore. The Mescalero Apache reservation covers 720 square miles of land adjacent to the village with the Mescalero Apache Tribe owning and operating both Ski Apache Ski Resort and the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino. Nearby Fort Stanton and Lincoln Historic Sites are two of New Mexico’s most visited historic attractions with the Hubbard Museum of the American West located in neighboring Ruidoso Downs.

5. Cost of living lower than the national average

Housing is the largest factor in the cost of living, with the average house price in Ruidoso at $216,708. That’s nearly $79,000 less than the U.S. median home cost of $295,300. And with a cost of living, 7% lower than the national average, retirees can make their money last longer in Ruidoso, New Mexico.

6. Accessible healthcare

Opened in May 2020, the new $38.1 million Lincoln County Medical Center offers 25 private patient rooms and a range of services managed by Presbyterian Healthcare Services. The New Mexico Hospital Association (NMHA) recognized Lincoln County Medical Center as a Quest for Excellence Award winner for their work in continuing to improve the quality of care for patients, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.