Socorro is a compact, friendly college town anchored by New Mexico Tech with a walkable historic downtown, an active local scene, easy access to desert and mountain trails, and excellent birding and stargazing—comfortable and interesting for multi‑week clinical contracts.
For quick weekend options, Belen is roughly 43 miles north and Truth or Consequences about 73 miles south for more shopping, dining and hot‑spring or refuge day trips, so larger‑scale amenities are within easy driving distance.