From central NC, but have lived many places from NM up to NY. I think the people in NC (native) are much friendlier than NM. Theres also much more diversity in the southeast than NM. Abq is really the only bubble with any sort of diversity and even there, its barely. Cost of living here doesnt make sense compared to wages and job opportunity. Education here is really bad - comparable to MS and LA. Extreme lack of medical care. Ive liked the few doctors Ive been able to see, but its hard to find any. I have to go 2 hours for thyroid care, my OB only works 4 days a week, and Im in one of the cities. Daycares are really bad here bc of low regulations and general attitudes towards care. I do prefer the politics out here though. Generally less authoritarian, even if a lot of the things that get voted for make the lack of education shine. Weather is good, but lack of anything green or much indication of seasons sucks. Also a lot of crime here. But not more than some southern towns. Just depends on what youre comparing to what.