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Albuquerque is a very dangerous, unpleasant, only modestly modern, rude, hateful, negative area that offers very little in the way of jobs and recreation, unless you like to hike or your idea of fun is a day trip to the tourist trap Santa Fe.
L&L, your ABQ and mine are very different. I'm truly sorry for you if this is what you encounter on a daily basis.
I totally disagree with you about available recreation. How about bicycling; canoeing/kayaking on the Rio Grande; playing soccer, baseball, softball or basketball at the local park; fishing and camping in the Jemez or other fairly close places; going to the zoo and the rest of the Biopark; walking through the bosque; hunting; winter skiing at Sandia Peak; exploring pueblo and other ruins; playing golf at the many courses in the area; visiting state parks and monuments; poking through old ghost towns not all that far away; retracing the old parts of Route 66; visiting museums; spending time in Old Town; attending all sorts of fiestas and other festivals; attending concerts and other shows at the local casinos and other venues; touring the Alan Houser Sculpture Garden south of SF; going to UNM, Isotopes and other sporting events; attending local plays and other performances; photographing a vast array of natural vistas and manmade cultural images; visiting the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and the National Hispanic Culture Center; casino gambling it's that your thing; listening to music at the Church of Beethoven; jazz and salsa at the ABQ Museum on Friday and Saturday nights; Zoo music nights; etc; etc; etc. We have found an overwhelming number of things to do, with multiple fun things to pick from on a daily basis.
1) Where, or what part of the country, did you come from?
Came from NYC, born and bred.
2) What made you take the leap and relocate in Albuquerque or nearby? Were you initially excited about the move or wait-and-see-how-it-goes?
I was really excited about the move. I expected quality of life and expenses to be way better here, hands down. The reason for moving were mostly that - felt like there was no way to get ahead in NY, especially on a teacher's salary, here I can own a home and everything is just easier, not as much of a rat race, people squabbling for privilege.
3) What do you think so far? Do you "miss" your original locale at all? Do you long for things you once had but no longer have? What are you glad you no longer have to deal with? Do you see yourself staying forever, or not sure?
So far, so good. There is a lot to do here, and not such a hassle to get to things like NY - you drive up, you park, you go. Of course, on the other hand I've increased my carbon footprint about 90-fold with all the driving around and not talking the subway. I thought I would miss the arts & culture in NY, but plenty of decent bands play here and things like the Turner to Cezanne exhibit that is currently at the Albuquerque museum are frequent enough and accessible - by accessible I mean affordable and easy to get into.
I miss getting paid more - it was harder to live in NY on a teacher's salary, but at least it reliably increased every year. I miss the cultural diversity, and the variety of good ethnic food. There are a lot of specific food things I miss. Turkey burgers are a big one. Thai food. An earlier poster said something about San Gennaro and I craved a zeppole. But it's getting so that if I left, there are food things about ABQ I would miss, too. So, it all works out.
I'm here for the long haul - if anyone can tell me where to find ground turkey to make my own turkey burgers! (Keller's is 97% fat free, makes terrible burgers, and the turkey at Smith's has flavor added, ick).
1)
An earlier poster said something about San Gennaro and I craved a zeppole. But it's getting so that if I left, there are food things about ABQ I would miss, too. So, it all works out.
I think the only thing I would probably miss is a good egg bagel.
Why?!? Why do you torture me so? I hadn't even thought about egg bagels. . .
Have you been to the Bagel yet? (Behind the Rio Rancho McDonald's on 528, with the Smith's)If you have, and not good enough, maybe Teas, across from the Walmart on Unser. If you have, and not happy, well....
Have you been to the Bagel yet? (Behind the Rio Rancho McDonald's on 528, with the Smith's)If you have, and not good enough, maybe Teas, across from the Walmart on Unser. If you have, and not happy, well....
Sorry. As I was reading your comment I was enjoying a nice egg, beacon & cheese on a egg bagel.
Okay, that is totally not contrition.
Rich, thanks for the tip. Tea's Bagels I found a little dry, but I'll try the other place - tomorrow is Saturday, perfect!
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