Silver City was a cool town, used to be a great restaurant there, "Curious Kumquat". The "big ditch" is a very pretty trail to walk, and there seemed to be lots of artists studios and galleries.

I also enjoyed Cloudcroft. Between all the biker bars there we found an excellent book store to peruse.

Taos/El Prado/Arroyo Hondo is a beautiful area along the Rio Grande (lookup "black rock hot spring"). There's a pub out there, off the grid, with a patio looking out to the mountains and live music broadcast from the solar powered radio station, "KTAOS"

It's super pretty down there. No idea what it's like to live in the area, but I wouldn't mind finding out.