I just moved to Albuquerque from the northeast, and barely missed 1 of the worst Wintertide blizzards on record.
My parents were snowed in at their condo and lost power for 2 afternoons, but were otherwise okay because of their storm generator and wood stove to keep warm. I was actually worried about them because they lost cell iPhone service as well and I had no idea if they were even okay and alive until the storm passed and the power was restored. I would rather avoid this kind of weather altogether, which makes Albuquerque a good venue to live. We get lows into the 20s while I was in winter, which is certainly chilly enough for snowfall. However, both of us respectfully get a light dusting of snow compared to the northeast where our parents live. And whenever both of us have a mild afternoon with warmer weather, I don’t even have to use our central heater! Since I have a heat pump, I barely pay as much for indoor heating to begin with. Heat pumps are popular in Albuquerque because they provide you an cooling system and a central furnace in 1 single machine. In both cases you’re utilizing the refrigerant cycle to transport heat from 1 location to another. When it’s time to cool your house, heat is pulled through the refrigerant to the compressor outside to be released into the air. To heat your house, the process is reversed and any ambient heat in the outdoor air will be absorbed and released into your house. Aside from being both economical and effective, I have heard that heat pumps are much more environmentally friendly as well. Either way, you couldn’t get myself and others to switch back to a official furnace even if you provided to pay me.