Live in Albuquerque, NM?

[mikkiblueeyes]

DH was talking to a manager where he works that is getting transferred to Albuquerque, NM next month and the manager said he would like to bring DH with him to be a warehouse manager and straighten out the warehouse.

Currently we live in Chesapeake, Virginia.

So, anyone who lives there, what's it like?

Which neighborhoods (if we decide to go) should we be looking? We won't need a good school district, no kids in school anymore.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly!!

Thanks in advance!!

 

[yoopermom]

I was offered a job there six years ago, but DS was 10, and we just couldn't move him. If it wouldn't have been for him, we would have gone in a second! That clear dry mountain air was great for my allergies and chronic health issues.

City data dot com has excellent information and a forum on it (they tend to be realistic, if somewhat negative...).

Good luck, we'll all come visit you in January !

Terri

 

[zippitydoo]

I live in Albuquerque, NM I am also originally from the east coast. What would you like to know about Abq.

 

[mikkiblueeyes]

Which neighborhood to look for houses in? Things to do?

How do you like it? Good? Bad?

 

[brockash]

We just moved here about 8 months ago (DH in the military.) I'd say stay away from anywhere close to Kirtland AFB (not a good area.) Rio Rancho (a sub. of ABQ) is a nice area. Far west in ABQ is nice, and there are some nice places in NE Heigths. It's very dry (you'll miss the greeness of VA.) I'm also from the East coast and miss it terribly. There's a good amount of sun here. You don't get many gloomy rainy days at all. If you have any specific ?'s feel free to PM me.

 

[clm10308]

We are not in ABQ, but about 3 hours away in NE New Mexico. We moved in June from Houston. I love the climate and have no desire to move back.

 

[zippitydoo]

I would suggest living on the Northwest section of Albuquerque. We love the dry climate here. My Bf used to get really bad allergies in NJ now he really doesn't get allergies anymore but I do. So far this winter has been pretty good not really cold it also hardly snowed. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

 

[Thumper_Man]

We just moved here about 8 months ago (DH in the military.) I'd say stay away from anywhere close to Kirtland AFB (not a good area.) Rio Rancho (a sub. of ABQ) is a nice area. Far west in ABQ is nice, and there are some nice places in NE Heigths. It's very dry (you'll miss the greeness of VA.) I'm also from the East coast and miss it terribly. There's a good amount of sun here. You don't get many gloomy rainy days at all. If you have any specific ?'s feel free to PM me.

Welcome. I was born and raised in Santa Fe, NM; and have lived in NM for almost 40 years (I'll turn 40 this year). I currently reside in Rio Rancho, but still work in Santa Fe. It's been exceptionally dry here lately. Usually we can get some decent amounts of snow and rain when the La Nina weather pattern isn't affecting our state. I can agree with this assessment of places to live. The west side is forever expanding and there are a lot of new developments that are constantly going up. I would stay away from the South, Southwest side.

As far as things to do. Usually depends on the time of the year. Now during the winter there isn't much to do. There hasn't been much snow and what we did get is melting. Skiing/snowboarding is popular this time of year. There are casinos around. They occasionally bring in performers. Most of the big name performers come during the summer to the Hard Rock Pavilion. Popejoy hall is the place to see traveling Broadway shows if that's what you're in to. During the summer, a lot of people take off to the mountains to go hiking and camping. Nearby lakes if you like to fish. These are just a few things to do. Sorry, no big theme park like Disney around. There is a small amusement park, but it's more like a traveling carnival type of park. Still fun to go to. In October, there is the Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta. This is a very popular event for Albuquerque. 60 miles North is Santa Fe. Every year in September they celebrate the Santa Fe Fiestas on which one night they burn a 50 ft. puppet called Zozobra. During the summer we also have a minor league Triple A baseball team called the Albuquerque Isotopes. Farm team to the Los Angeles Dodgers. DW and I love to go to the games. Not very expensive (well at least to get into the game anyways) and good way to spend a summer evening. These are just a few things I can think of off the top of my head. If I think of more, I'll be sure to post them. If you want more information, feel free to send me a pm and I'll do my best to answer any questions for you.

 

[Thumper_Man]

We are not in ABQ, but about 3 hours away in NE New Mexico. We moved in June from Houston. I love the climate and have no desire to move back.

So I'm guessing you live in the moutainous areas. How were the winds the other night. Saw the warnings for that area.

 

[pilesoflaundry]

A lot of people from the east coast, especially VA have a hard time adjusting to the desert and mountains. I'm not in Albq. but in another desert area a few hours away. I like the climate a lot and prefer the lack of trees and grass because my dd has bad allergies to both pine and grass.

I know plenty of people that hate the desert and the TX/NM desert areas though and that is the biggest complaint I hear from others.

 

[m&m's mom]

I grew up in NM and hopefully this won't be insulting but, the way I describe Albuquerque is, it's absolutely gorgeous if you look, up but can not be so pretty in certain areas at eye level.
The mountains surrounding Albuquerque are so beautiful.

 

[Dancind]

Long time Albuquerque resident here, DH is a native. I would mention the dryness and the altitude as things you will need to adjust to. We are as high as Denver.

I guess the climate is the best thing about NM. Not a lot of snow, no hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, ice storms. We get a few spectacular thunderstorms in late summer. Doesn't get too cold most days in the winter. Gets up there in the summer, but it's a dry heat!

We have a couple of really big movie theaters, tons and tons of restaurants. Lots of local small theater groups, and the University has touring theater as mentioned. Pretty good art scene, especially if you venture up to Santa Fe.

We do still have a higher than average crime rate. Not helped by the economy. I don't know what price home you are looking for, but there are some really nice pockets of homes around the city. Far Northeast heights has some newer beauties. Four Hills, Ridgecrest, Altura Park, and Old Country Club area have more classic large homes. We live in the foothills, Northeast heights. I do not like to venture to the West side and Rio Rancho because of the insane traffic.

What part of town will your husband be working in?

 

[IDoDis]

I've lived in Albuquerque for over 35 years -- a child transplant from Wisconsin.

The weather here is phenomenal where the sun shines over 300 days a year. We had temps in the 60's today. We get all 4 seasons, but our winters are relatively mild (although we can get a whopper storm once in a blue moon), but plenty of snow in the mountains to play and ski in. We have very low humidity, so the hot temps don't feel nearly has hot as they do in places where it's humid. The weather downfall is the dryness and winds in the spring which leads to forest fires. That's the only natural disaster we experience here.

The food is some of the best you'll ever find if you like New Mexican fare. We live and die by our chile. You can get green chile on anything here from hamburgers to scrambled eggs. The red chile makes a great gravy on anything, too! Our state colors are "Christmas" for the red & green chile.

Our mountains are spectacular to look at every day. Very majestic! And the sunsets are amazing which cast a purple hue on the Sandia Mountains. "Sandia" means "watermelon" in Spanish which is the color of the mountains at sunset.

Albuquerque is a very culturally diverse city that swings more liberal on politics, although we are considered a "swing state" and can go either way at times.

Albuquerque was rated #1 in Parkland in 2011 among 100 cities.

We number 1 or number 2 in the ratings for the lowest gas in the US. It fluctuates. Right now we are #2.

Albuquerque is the official hot air balloon capital of the world and home of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta which is held every October. Google it. You will be amazed and even more amazed when you are driving to work and have hundreds of hot air balloons floating over your head each morning.

The bad:

There are bad pockets of the city. Stay away from the south valley, areas along Central Ave, and the Southeast Heights except for the Nob Hill area. The northwest side (referred to as "the west side) is newer, but less green. I don't know your price range for homes, but the most expensive are in the far northeast heights. You can get more bang for your buck with a nice newer home in Ventana Ranch which is a community on the west side. A lot will depend on your DH's work location. He won't want to travel east across the Rio Grande during the am rush hour and west back across during the pm rush hours. If he drives during non-rush hours he'll be fine.

The spring winds can be quite awful. Spring is my least favorite season which starts in mid to late February.

PM me if you have specific questions. I also recommend you check out the city-data forum for Albuquerque. Lots of good info here:
http://www.city-data.com/forum/albuquerque/

 

[mikkiblueeyes]

Sysco New Mexico, LLC
601 Comanche NE
Albuquerque, NM, 87107

He would be working at this Sysco. I've looked at houses online. Where's the grass!!?? We've lived in Virginia for almost 20yrs.

This would be a great opportunity for him if it's offered and the money is right.

We love Broadway shows (well, i do and i drag him with me, lol), plays, antiques, flea markets, thrift stores and eating!! hahahaha

It's just everyone is here including our 3 grown children. I think one might go with us, not sure about the other.

Not sure of the price range on houses since I wasn't sure what neighborhood to look in.

Thanks for the info!! I'll look online at those neighborhoods.

 

[Dancind]

OK, that helps. The warehouse is on the east side of the river, pretty much near the center of town. Not many nice neighborhoods close by, but some to the north towards Paseo del Norte. You could check out Taylor Ranch, which is just across the Montano bridge. You would probably want to rent for a while and then decide what area you want to live in.

Lots of antique shops and malls here. Albuquerque is a big shopping area for dealers from CA and the East coast. A major flea market takes place every Saturday and Sunday at the fairgrounds, except during the Fair of course. There's a big one in Santa Fe too. You will find different goods here than your current city, but that can be fun!

And if you want green, you might look for something along the river, in the northwest valley. Pricey in some areas, but the market is down a bit.

 

[Dancind]

Wanted to add, if you want to garden, definitely look at the north valley. My in-laws own a home in an area called Lee Acres. My SIL has a garden there, and grows the best tomatoes I have ever had! I have soil envy, being up here in the NE heights. The NW valley is all about traditional homes, horses etc. There's an organic farm there, and several wineries. It's the most uniquely NM area in the city.

If we could have a do over, we would buy there. I chose the NE heights because I was working on the base.