In Better Call Saul, there are scenes where Saul goes around selling to seniors.

Looking at the city of Albuquerque, there are quite a few reasons why retirees might want to live there.

In fact, most of Better Call Saul and Breaking Bad were filmed in Albuquerque, so the city's atmosphere is well represented.

As you get older, the first thing you consider is money. When you're young, you might move to LA or New York for a job, but once you retire and your monthly income is largely determined by Social Security and pensions, the story changes.

If you sell a house in California for $800,000 or $1,000,000 and move to Albuquerque, you can find homes at relatively lower prices. This allows you to allocate the remaining money for retirement funds, making it a very realistic choice for those whose home is a significant part of their wealth.

The weather is also likely to appeal to retirees. Although New Mexico might sound like it would be scorching hot in the summer, Albuquerque is a high-altitude city at about 5,300 feet. It gets hot in the summer, but the humidity is low.

One of my least favorite things is hot and humid weather that makes you sweat as soon as you step outside, but that's less of an issue here. The temperature also drops relatively well at night. Having many clear days is another advantage.

As a result, you don't have to stay indoors all day as you age. You can take morning walks, ride bikes, and those who are a bit healthier can hike in the Sandia Mountains. There are also senior centers run by the city where you can participate in exercise, art, games, and various programs.

One of the scariest things about retirement is running out of money, but it's also about having nothing to do all day.

Having places to meet people, eat, and exercise is more important than you might think.

Unlike small retirement towns that have no medical facilities, Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico and has large medical systems like the University of New Mexico Hospital, Presbyterian, and Lovelace.

However, this isn't without its downsides. New Mexico has a shortage of medical personnel, so you may have to wait a long time to see a specialist. If you have a serious illness and need to see a specific specialist frequently, this is something you should definitely check before moving.

Another thing to consider is the altitude. Albuquerque itself is already about 1,600 meters above sea level. Someone who has lived at sea level all their life might find themselves saying, "Wow, why am I so out of breath?" after just a few days of walking here. The air is dry, and the UV rays are strong, so skin and eye care are also necessary.

And just like in Better Call Saul, not all retirees live in huge retirement communities. There are various forms of housing, including regular neighborhoods, apartments, 55+ communities, independent living senior housing, and assisted living for those who need help.

Ultimately, the appeal of retiring in Albuquerque isn't about glamour. It's not like LA, where there are countless Korean restaurants, nor does it have a beach. Instead, it offers a way to reduce housing costs, enjoy plenty of sunshine, and access basic medical and living facilities at a city level when needed.

What might seem like a boring city when you're young can actually look quite comfortable as you age; that's the strange charm Albuquerque holds for retirees.