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Independent Living in New Mexico

Overview of Independent Living in New Mexico

New Mexico has been called many names, including “The Cactus State” and “The Sunshine State,” but perhaps none are more fitting than “Tierra del Encanto,” or “The Land of Enchantment.” The state received this nickname for its natural beauty, which includes vast, painted deserts and tall, majestic mountains. From Santa Fe’s distinct architecture inspired by the region’s native Pueblo peoples, to the more modern appeal of Albuquerque, New Mexico’s cities have an undeniable charm as well. The Land of Enchantment truly has something to offer everyone and is an ideal place to retire.Currently, A Place for Mom partners with more than 20 independent living communities in New Mexico. The median monthly cost of independent living in New Mexico is about $2,800.

Top-rated Independent Living facilities in New Mexico

12
12 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

Sandia Vista Senior Living

500 Paisano St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123
9.8
Review Score
101 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I'm happy to say that she really enjoyed her brief stay there. Unfortunately she didn't stay long because her disabilities caused her to be in and out of hospitals. Extremely positive and cheerful...

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8
8 Photos available

Fairwinds - Rio Rancho

920 Riverview Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
9.7
Review Score
93 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Evelyn - I'm a current/former resident or client

Of all the facilities that I previewed online (I wasn't able to make in-person visits), I was most impressed with the friendliness of the people that I talked to. Others tried to "sell" me, while Fairwinds...

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12
12 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available

Brookdale Santa Fe

640 Alta Vista, Santa Fe, NM 87505
9.6
Review Score
49 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Chris T - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff and personnel made us feel very welcome and were supportive of our very specific and unique needs. They took such good care of my mother and were so kind and helpful. We would recommend them to...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Albuquerque

See top facilities
12
12 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

Sandia Vista Senior Living

500 Paisano St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87123
9.8
Review Score
101 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I'm happy to say that she really enjoyed her brief stay there. Unfortunately she didn't stay long because her disabilities caused her to be in and out of hospitals. Extremely positive and cheerful...

Get Pricing
8
8 Photos available

Paloma Landing

8301 Paloma Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
9.5
Review Score
36 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Sandra - I live or lived in this community

I would definitely and have recommended to others that Paloma Landing is the best place to live. Everyone is very friendly. This includes residents as well as all staff members. Everyone from Day 1 makes you...

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1
1 Photos available

Albuquerque Grand Senior Living

1501 Tijeras Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106
9.5
Review Score
98 reviews
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

Prior to moving to Albuquerque Grand I walked or relied on public transportation to get around. As I got older it became more difficult for me to get to the store or laundry mat. Since moving to Albuquerque...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Rio Rancho

See top facilities
8
8 Photos available

Fairwinds - Rio Rancho

920 Riverview Dr SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
9.7
Review Score
93 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Evelyn - I'm a current/former resident or client

Of all the facilities that I previewed online (I wasn't able to make in-person visits), I was most impressed with the friendliness of the people that I talked to. Others tried to "sell" me, while Fairwinds...

Get Pricing
11
11 Photos available

Neighborhood in Rio Rancho Community

900 Loma Colorado Blvd NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
9.5
Review Score
16 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Dede - I'm a current/former resident or client

The meals at the Neighborhood are tasty and varied. Between the dining room and the Bistro, there is always something which is appealing. I would like to give a shout out to the wait staff. They are...

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14
14 Photos available

The Rio Grande

2331 Westside Boulevard Southeast, Rio Rancho, NM 87124
9.2
Review Score
26 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Edna H - I'm a current/former resident or client

Managers are always available and more than willing to help with whatever one needs. Staff members are friendly and very efficient. Many residents are very friendly and willing to help new residents get...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Santa Fe

See top facilities
12
12 Photos available
2
2 Floor plans available

Brookdale Santa Fe

640 Alta Vista, Santa Fe, NM 87505
9.6
Review Score
49 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Chris T - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff and personnel made us feel very welcome and were supportive of our very specific and unique needs. They took such good care of my mother and were so kind and helpful. We would recommend them to...

Get Pricing
13
13 Photos available
3
3 Floor plans available

Las Soleras Senior Living

5011 Las Soleras Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87507
9.2
Review Score
24 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I live or lived in this community

I moved our of Las Soleras a year ago. I really enjoyed my stay there. Friendly people, excellent meals, nice surroundings. I may go back at some point.

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13
13 Photos available
5
5 Floor plans available

The Legacy at Santa Fe

3 Avenida Aldea, Santa Fe, NM 87507
8.9
Review Score
20 reviews
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

I chose this community because it was the brightest, cleanest, and most cheerful / modern one we visited. Overall Legacy has been great. We haven't had to use the upper care levels yet, so I can only speak...

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Top-rated Independent Living facilities in Las Cruces

See top facilities
21
21 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

The Village at Northrise

2880 N Roadrunner Pkwy, Las Cruces, NM 88011
9.1
Review Score
16 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Skip P - I'm a current/former resident or client

My mom was a resident of the memory care unit, the staff was friendly, and caring, with the residents. [New resident] the director was extremely knowledgeable, and personable. The meals they prepared were...

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74
74 Photos available
6
6 Floor plans available

Solstice Senior Living at Las Cruces

151 North Roadrunner Parkway, Las Cruces, NM 88011
9.0
Review Score
41 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Jeff - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

Housekeeping is good. The meals are great, especially the choices. Communication is good with the family. Move-in process is good. Staff is very friendly and keep an eye on your loved one. This facility is a...

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17
17 Photos available

Desert Peaks Assisted Living and Memory Care

5525 Cotton Bloom Ct., Las Cruces, NM 88007
8.8
Review Score
31 reviews
Starting at
$X,XXX/mo
Anonymous - I'm a loved one of a resident or client

The staff is good, but there is a bit of a lack of communication. Security is good for keeping patients safe and not roaming around outside. The move in process was easy, and the facility was clean. I would...

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New Mexico laws and regulations for independent living communities

Since stand-alone independent living communities don’t provide senior care services, they don’t need to be licensed in New Mexico. However, several of our partner communities are part of combined senior living facilities that provide assisted living services. Known in the state as Assisted Living Facilities for Adults (ALFs), these communities are licensed by the New Mexico Department of Health’s Health Facility Licensing and Certification Bureau.[01]

If you choose a combined ALF as your independent living community, it may be helpful to understand some of the laws and regulations that will impact the assisted living portion of the facility:[01]

  • ALFs must provide three meals a day in addition to evening snacks.
  • Caregivers must support seniors with medications, laundry, housekeeping, transportation, social activities, and activities of daily living (ADLs).
  • Staff must include an administrator, direct care staff, and a licensed nurse.

Check out our New Mexico assisted living laws and regulations page for more detailed information.

Rental laws

Before moving into an independent living community, you’ll sign a contract that should include the details of your rental agreement. Just as you would for a traditional apartment, we recommend first familiarizing yourself with your rights as a renter in New Mexico:[02]

  • You have the right to quiet enjoyment of your unit, meaning that your landlord cannot freely enter.
  • You have the right to a written rental agreement.
  • Your landlord must keep the community and your unit safe and in good working condition.
  • Your landlord is responsible for making repairs.
  • Your landlord is also responsible for supplying access to running hot and cold water, heating and air conditioning, and proper waste containers.

View the full New Mexico renter’s guide for more information.

Reasonable accommodations and modifications

If you’re a senior with a disability, you also have protections under the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These include the right to reasonable accommodations and modifications.

Reasonable accommodations are adjustments to rules and policies in your community. These include assigning accessible parking spaces, moving rental payment dates to match disability payments, and living with a service animal in a community that doesn’t allow pets.[03]

Reasonable modifications are changes made to your unit’s physical environment. These include bathroom grab bars, entryway ramps, and doors that are wide enough for a wheelchair.[03]

New Mexico Department of Health contact information

NMHealth
1190 S. St. Francis Drive
Santa Fe, NM 87505

Phone: 1-883-796-8773

Let our care assessment guide you

Our free tool provides options, advice, and next steps based on your unique situation.

Survey reports

New Mexico’s Licensing Authority requires on-site inspections, known as surveys, and annual license renewals.[01] If the independent living community you’re interested in is part of an Assisted Living Facility for Adults (ALF), you can access its license and survey reports online.

Visit New Mexico’s Health Care Provider Search and select “Assisted Living Facility” in Step 1. For Step 2, search for a community by the county, city, provider name, or all. Next, click “Submit.” Click “View Reports” under the name of the facility you’re interested in, and click within each survey report to view the results.

References

  1. New Mexico Compendium of Residential Care and Assisted Living Regulations and Policy. 2015 ed. Assisted Living Facilities for Adults.

  2. New Mexico Legal Aid. (2018). Renter’s guide.

  3. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Reasonable accommodations and modifications.

Top cities in New Mexico for independent living

8.9
Rio Rancho, NM
12 facilities
8.6
Santa Fe, NM
13 facilities
8.5
Las Cruces, NM
10 facilities
8.4
Albuquerque, NM
44 facilities
6.5
Alamogordo, NM
6 facilities
Taos, NM
2 facilities

Find independent living in other states

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal or financial advice or create a professional relationship between A Place for Mom and the reader. Always seek the advice of your health care provider, attorney or financial advisor with respect to any particular matter, and do not act or refrain from acting on the basis of anything you have read on this site. Links to third-party websites are only for the convenience of the reader; A Place for Mom does not endorse the contents of the third-party sites.