Columbus, NM

Columbus is a quiet desert village in southwestern New Mexico, sitting just three miles north of the Mexican border and about a half-hour drive south of Deming. Most people know it from history books as the site of Pancho Villa’s 1916 raid, which briefly turned the sleepy settlement into a staging ground for General Pershing’s expedition into Mexico. Today, that dramatic past is preserved right in town at Pancho Villa State Park and the historic train depot museum, giving the village a distinct sense of heritage among the wide-open Chihuahuan Desert landscapes.

ATTRUnknown author Unknown author / Public domain

Day-to-day life here is small, sunny, and very laid-back. The 24-hour border crossing connects Columbus directly with Puerto Palomas, making it easy for locals to walk across for Mexican food, affordable groceries, and dental care. Families have a local elementary school in town, with older students commuting up Highway 11 to Deming for middle and high school. If you are looking for a slow-paced lifestyle, warm winter weather, affordable land, and endless desert skies, Columbus offers a peaceful spot off the beaten path.