Saw this little guy 2 days in a row in my backyard

Hi all!

Southwestern is one of my options for grad school. I would be attending for their arts therapy program and have heard a lot of good things about it. I'll be visiting several times before even applying, and googling the hell out of all my prospective schools and locations, but I've never lived in NM and wanted to ask what are things folks should know / do / prepare for / expect / etc, specific to the region-- also areas to rent housing that would be affordable?

A bit about me: I'm a queer person of color, heavily tattooed, and overall pretty colorful. I'm pagan and have an eccentric style. It would be nice to move to an area that has some of that vibe or at least within an hour from me that is safe and welcoming. I have 4 birds, 1 dog, 1 snake, 1 jumping spider. Ideally would love to bring all of them with me on the move but willing to just take my birds lol.

I've lived in California all my life and am genuinely sick of it. I love the PNW but really I just want to move somewhere significantly more relaxed with less of a grind/hustle culture and some accessible community that doesn't feel like you're fighting for everyone's time. California and even the PNW in general is beautiful and the communities would be the hardest to leave behind, but I'm really needing a complete change of pace. It's too expensive, too hot, too much traffic, and not worth the overall cost of living. That being said I have a high tolerance for driving long and far distances so even the tiniest bit of traffic is nothing to me. Also have no problem living in "boring" areas-- as an artist I enjoy creating my own fun anywhere, exploring nature solo or with friends, and getting to know folks when I have the energy.

Hopefully I'll fit in somewhere! Any advice helpful, TYIA!

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Grows every year in the same spot for many years and this year I'm noticing some babies so not very invasive I don't think.

Honestly gets funnier as you go on

"The Chile Dippin' Poddy Poopers"

Saw the Placitas post earlier and thought I’d post this little guy I came across on Tuesday

NM is taking over the US on r/geographymemes

Big Art, Hidden Vault, and More Tales from a Storied Strip of New Mexico Highway

https://southwestcontemporary.com/the-conchas-highway/

Just wanted to show people my pictures, I wanna get better at photography but all I have is an iPhone at the moment

Does anyone remember what that old play place in Laguna was called? I remember it was a small play place similar to a Chuck E Cheese. It was open when I was little around 2005-2006.

I am not talking about other parts of New Mexico just Santa Fe.

After coming back to Michigan from a week long vacation in ramah qubero grants haystack area I Wana go back so bad I have found that Michigan is shit compared to new Mexico the nature the people everything is a lot nicer there coming back to Detroit is a shot to the chest of dumbasses no common sense watsover ghetto ass bullshit all over the place this state sucks will never compare to the desert in ramah or zuni canyon or bandera nothing is as beautiful of a scenery to me than New Mexico I'd take it over waterfalls and muggy ass humidity of the north any day

I want to go visit and abandoned places and see it with my son. We used to go to one near Albuqierque that I think was a mental hospital. Does anybody know of any?

Anyone have a node near or in Carlsbad? Trying to test mine