New Mexico is a state that is dotted with small towns, where communities are close and life moves more slowly. We've focused on places with fewer than 3000 residents because people who live in towns of that size often do know each other by name. Check out these 15 friendly small towns in New Mexico that are tiny yet totally charming.

1. Madrid

This ghost town turned artists' haven on the Turquoise Trail has a population of 204 people. So, it's a fair bet that everyone knows each other. Aside from art galleries, the town puts on some great annual events such as the CrawDaddy Blues Fest in May and a memorable Christmas parade.

2. Tularosa

Tularosa is one of the bigger small towns on this list, with a population of 2,842. It offers good restaurants, traditional architecture, and views of the Sacramento Mountains. It's conveniently located close to White Sands National Monument.

3. Pie Town

When you hear a name like Pie Town, you feel compelled to add it to your bucket list. Several cafés in town dish up delicious pies, which run the gamut from standards like German chocolate to apple and chile. This town of 186 people even hosts an annual pie festival on the second Saturday in September.

4. Magdalena

Only 938 people call Magdalena home. The town makes a great base for visiting the Very Large Array or exploring the nearby ghost town of Kelly. Magdalena hosts an Enchanted Skies Star Party each year - a great opportunity for devoted and amateur stargazers alike.

5. Galisteo

Galisteo is teeny, with a population of 253. Visitors tend to discover it each year, when the town's artists host a studio tour to showcase their work. The village is notable for its adobe architecture, which includes a pretty church, and the Galisteo Basin Preserve - a relatively undiscovered hiking spot.

6. Pinos Altos

If you've ever wanted to swagger around John Wayne style, here's your chance! In Pinos Altos, it feels like the Wild West is still happening. Highlights of this town include several historic log cabins, a tranquil setting in the Gila National Forest, and the Buckhorn Saloon and Opera House. A mere 198 people call Pinos Altos home.

7. San Antonio

For a town with only 165 people, it's impressive that San Antonio manages to have a restaurant rivalry, like the one between the Owl Bar and Cafe and Manny's Buckhorn Tavern. Which serves up the best green chile cheeseburger? You'll have to stay long enough to visit both to decide. Don't worry, you can spend a day exploring the nearby Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.

8. Abiquiú

If it was good enough for Georgia O'Keeffe... The artist's Ghost Ranch and the red rocks that inspired her art are close to Abiquiú. With a population of only 231, it's still a peaceful place to nurture creativity. While you're here, stop by Echo Amphitheater, eat at Bode's, and dip your toes in Abiquiú Lake.

9. Questa

The 1770 people living in Questa are probably on a first name basis with each other - providing they're not too busy exploring this area's stunning wilderness areas and forests. The town is a great base for hiking in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Questa also provides access to the Rio Grande Gorge.

10. Hachita

With a total population of 49, you can bet the folks in this border town greet each other by name. Founded as a mining camp, Hachita hasn't grown all that much since.

11. Capitan

Capitan, with a population of 1489, has a distinctly small town vibe - waitresses all know their customers and locals quickly identify out-of-town visitors. Capitan is known for Smokey Bear Historical Park. Smokey was a real bear that was rescued from a fire in the area during the 1950s.

12. Maxwell

This old railways town has 254 residents. The main draw of Maxwell is its wildlife refuge. This peaceful place in Northern New Mexico is on the Central Flyway, a migration path for waterfowl. The imaginatively named Lake 13 is probably the best of the lakes and, if you're lucky, you'll spot hawks circling overhead or perched in the trees.

13. Fort Sumner

For a town with 1031 people, there's a surprising amount to see here. For one thing, Fort Sumner and Billy the Kid are virtually synonymous. The outlaw was shot to death and buried here.

If you visit, be sure to also leave time for the Bosque Redondo Memorial. After The Long Walk, the Navajo and Mescalero Apache were forced to live on this reservation in terrible conditions.

14. Folsom

Despite its teeny population of 56, Folsom is known far beyond the borders of New Mexico for the Folsom Man archeological site. There's also a cute little museum in the Doherty Mercantile building.

15. Mosquero

Believe it or not, Mosquero - population 93 - covers two counties. This cattle ranching town has an appealing main drag, decorated with murals.

Do you have experience living in a small town where everyone knows your name? Did you like it? Check out some of the most unique places in New Mexico for more ideas of places to visit someday.