New Mexico Area Code Change
I know. I can't believe it either. All my life I've lived with "505" as my area code, and now I'm being forced out of my comfy "505" into the big "575". I guess this means New Mexico is growing up. Sigh.
Beginning October 7, 2007 New Mexico will be split into two area codes. Northwestern New Mexico including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Farmington, and Gallup will keep the "505" number while the remainder of the state changes to the tune of "575". The good news is that we have almost a year of grace before "575" becomes mandatory.
What this means is that beginning October 7, 2007 and ending October 5, 2008 residents who will eventually be using the "575" area code will be able to use either one. We will have a year to inform our loved ones out of state and our business clients, or put ourselves back on the "Do Not Call" list. After October 5, 2008 callers will get a recorded message to redial the number using "575", and by January 11, 2009 the change will be complete. At that time if you try to call someone in the affected area using the old area code you may get a surprise and find out that Grandma's phone number has been taken over by some guy named Bud. Do yourself a favor and check out the map of the changes here. Grandma will thank you.