What's Albuquerque /really/ like? (Hope: school, entertainment, traffic)

[blackmagickatt]

I have lived in Albuquerque now for two years and would disagree that it is absolutely the worst place I've lived. This is my third long term move and I can only count down the days until my husband changes jobs and we can move back to the east coast. Although I do not think it is fair to compare ABQ to a more established and historically rich area such as DC there are certain factors that need to be addressed. Crime is only an issue in certain areas of the city. Pollution, at least air pollution is not bad at all - especially by comparison. Water however is completely unsafe to drink unfiltered or unbottled - our house, on the westside was said to have very high levels of arsenic, yummy. As far as entertainment - if you are not into drinking yourself silly to forget where you are, there is not much entertainment. I suppose it is more for family life - so if you don't have 13 munchkins to entertain you...and by entertain i mean run around the neighborhood causing absolute chaos as all my neighbors children do, then maybe you should try living somewhere else. Also noted - the culture here is horrible. I am an art historian by education and have always heard that NM was a great place for art. Untrue my friend, unless you are only into burying your head in the sand and seeing Southwestern art. The people are not about diversity - As far as the museums go there are no in house collections of modern and impressionist or post-impressionist art. Yep, unless it has cowskulls and cacti and speaks spanish....it's not cultured.

[Zoidberg]

I find this account troubling. If you move to Albuquerque's west side, it's usually not to find culture (well, bacterial culture maybe) and art, but it's to buy a newer affordable home to raise children, surrounded by other newer affordable homes and families doing the same.

If you lived near Old Town or in Santa Fe, I imagine your experience and viewpoint would be far different. There are more museums per capita in this metro area than almost anywhere in the US. If you only consider certain genres of paintings to be art, then you might be disappointed here, but you'd be in the minority. If I wanted to see Rembrandt's art, I wouldn't go to Tokyo. If I came here to see southwestern art and didn't see any, that'd be a much better reason for disappointment.

You implied the arsenic was in your water for pollution reasons; arsenic occurs naturally and it's very difficult to remove from water systems. It's also almost harmless even in the levels out there. They actually feed trace amounts of arsenic to cows, because even though it's poisonous, it has some nutritive properties as well.

[mortimer]

Zoidberg worried:

> I find this account troubling. ...

> blackmagickatt griped:
> > I have lived in Albuquerque now for two years and would
> > disagree that it is absolutely the worst place I've lived.

I would also "disagree that it is absolutely the worst place"
[sic], but then I *like* it here and moved back on purpose.

> > This is my third long term move and I can only count down
> > the days until ... we can move back to the east coast.

I can easily see that someone used to East coast or West coast
life would not like being here in Albuquerque. I'm not troubled
by them saying that they don't like it here because I'm not
really interested in seeing this place fill up.

I like it here because of the open space and the more people
who find it distasteful the better. However, if someone is
interested and shares my feelings, then I welcome them.

I don't much care what culture we have here other than 'red
or green.' All I want from the area is the ability to see
sunsets, clouds, mountains and go hiking in them - especially
when the Aspen trees change color.

[abqsunport]

Originally Posted by blackmagickatt

I have lived in Albuquerque now for two years and would disagree that it is absolutely the worst place I've lived. This is my third long term move and I can only count down the days until my husband changes jobs and we can move back to the east coast.

Well you said that this is your third long term move, does that mean you just can't find a place you like? You could be a person who just can't see anything but the bad in every place you live. I know one of these types of people and he often brings down the morale

Although I do not think it is fair to compare ABQ to a more established and historically rich area such as DC there are certain factors that need to be addressed.

Oh yeah, and Albuquerque was founded in 1706, 84 years earlier than D.C. So actually, Albuqueurque would be more historically rich. And an hour away from Albuquerque is Santa Fe, the oldest capital in the United States. (Established in 1515, 92 years before Jamestown!) Next time check your facts before you make false and ignorant statements.

[observe]

Originally Posted by abqsunport

Well you said that this is your third long term move, does that mean you just can't find a place you like? You could be a person who just can't see anything but the bad in every place you live. I know one of these types of people and he often brings down the morale



Oh yeah, and Albuquerque was founded in 1706, 84 years earlier than D.C. So actually, Albuqueurque would be more historically rich. And an hour away from Albuquerque is Santa Fe, the oldest capital in the United States. (Established in 1515, 92 years before Jamestown!) Next time check your facts before you make false and ignorant statements.

Some people just look for reasons to be negative....even though they don't know what they are talking about, all I can say to those people is SEE YA...Albuquerque is better off without the negative vibe people!

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by abqsunport

Oh yeah, and Albuquerque was founded in 1706, 84 years earlier than D.C. So actually, Albuqueurque would be more historically rich. And an hour away from Albuquerque is Santa Fe, the oldest capital in the United States. (Established in 1515, 92 years before Jamestown!) Next time check your facts before you make false and ignorant statements.

You see more history in DC, I think thats what she was saying. In Santa Fe, you have the Palace of the Governors to show for it being the oldest capital, thats about it (right?). In DC, there are monuments, statues and museums all over. If one doesnt like to learn about native and Spanish history, theyd be bored silly in ABQ. I think thats where she was coming from. I think.

Oh, I just wanted to let everyone know that Santa Fe is the most beautiful city in the SW! Ive visited twice now and love it. Along Cerillos Rd is kinda shabby, but Old Town/Plaza is phenomonally gorgeous. Two thumbs up!

[Towanda]

Zoidberg, mortimer, abqsunport, and observe:

LOVED your posts on this page!!!!

After reading blackmagickatt's post, I wanted to respond immediately...but then I saw that you said all the things I would have said .... and much better.

BRAVO!

[liveit2day]

) Horrible Traffic
It's not the horrible traffic but RUDE drivers. I am a transplant and have lived all over the US and I have never encountered such rude drivers. Even the drivers in BOSTON were more courteous than ABQ drivers!!! They drive like maniacs and you have to be careful to make sure you have GOOD CAR INSURANCE since many drivers here aren't even insured. (GRREEEAAAT.)
2) Bad Pollution
I have asthma so I watch for this one. When it there is a high pressure system on ABQ the pollution is so bad, the horizon looks brown. So, yes, pollution can be pretty nasty here.
3) Rough/Protective Culture
Yes, this is true. NM has a HORRIBLE reputation for one of the highest domestic violence rates in the country as well as notorious gang activity. Gangs went from being localized within a community/city to statewide. Furthermore, Gangs can be found in EVERY part of the city. My family lives in a supposed family-oriented part of ABQ and a few weeks ago there were a series of cars tagged with gang signs in my neighborhood. Again, our neighborhood has/had a GREAT reputation.
4) Tight/Poor Housing Design
I disagree with poor housing design. No where else can you find such unique house designs (while it may take a little time to acclimate to the adobe), even the "cookie cutter" homes are unique to the area.

[shaddow]

Are there any worthwhile gated communities in Albuquerque or Rio Rancho? My wife and I are retiring and returning. I also have a 90 year old mother who needs a good nursing home. Real estate agents are eager sell, but I would like to hear from someone who, from expirience, knows gated communities and nursing homes in Albuquerque.

Shaddow

[abqsunport]

Tanoan is a very elite gated community. There are several gated communities in the Far North East Heights. Every single one of them is nice. They are all in great parts of town.