The truth about Albuquerque (South Valley, Las Vegas: rental, violent crime, house)

[wiegehts]

Some "Abq-Boosters" are describing a town I never experienced. There are other towns with good weather and that are so much more livable. The thing with Abq is you just can't get away form the petty crime, it comes to you, with the boom-boxes all night in every neighborhood, with the trash thrown, dirty diapers everywhere, with the beggars, with the vandalism, the stealing, the assaults, the tagging -- this is NOT seen many other places -- in N.M. it's the NORM but in the rest of the Southwest, no it's not the norm. The whole screwy state looks like a prison with bars on everything, including front doors and tiny bathroom windows. I've lived all over and hands down N.M. and especially Abq and Cruces were the worst places ever.

Just a word to the wise, don't fall for all the B.S. about it having some sort of special "aura" or something -- it's trailer-heads, whiney ethnics, preggers teens all over, the stupidest "workforce" in the whole country, clueless Midwesterner transplants, panhandlers, sex offenders haven, etc and etc.

[mindue]

First off let me explain a little about myself...I'm 29, engaged to a great man I had our 5 month old baby with. I moved here 3 years and 2 months ago and have had problems with employment and money. Not that I didn't struggle in Wisconsin, who doesn't struggle where they live? But that's besides the point....

I would suggest that if you're to move to ABQ you should first visit obviously. I can't see moving anywhere in the country (or world) without visitng a place first.

The good part of ABQ is that there's something here for everyone from restaurants to concerts and I love the fact that we're getting upscale stores like Anthropologie, MAC and White House/Black Market. I'm also a huuuuuuge fan of Urban Outfitters and completely stoked we're getting one soon.

ABQ is constantly growing and that's great for businesses and employment, but with that comes problems...and here's the problems I think the city needs to address:

1. Being proactive rather than reactive. ABQ needs to develop the street infrastructure better to accomodate a growing population. Traffic here sucks to say the least. They never bother to fix a problem unless a whole family is killed by a drunk driver or numerous people get into an accident at a particular intersection.

2. Schools here are horrible. Education is important and all the schools are overpopulated, rundown and in bad need of good teachers. Not to quote lame songs from the 80s but our children ARE our future!!!

3. Immigration here is horrible. I'm all for people moving to the US to better their lives and make a future for themselves, but the rate at which people are pouring in from the south is hard to manage. There are more people I run into that speak Spanish than English and I'm beginning to feel like an outsider in my own country. Not to mention the illegal immigrants get all the benefits from the government that hard working but hard luck people from the US should be taking advantage of, namely free health care and child care support. It seems like you can't get a break unless you have like 5 kids and are a single parent or are from Mexico.

4. Drivers here don't know their a$$es from a hole in the ground. Right of way laws somehow don't apply here and turn signals are a sign of weakness. Not to mention tailgators that put me, my fiance and our son's life in jeopardy. I never once got into an accident before moving here and got into two collisions within my first year here.

5. The cost of living sucks compared to how much (or little) they pay people. The minimum wage might be higher than other places in the country, but I feel for people when they only earn $8 an hour and have to support their families on such a nominal wage.

6. Intel has created a mass employment problem. It pretty much made Rio Rancho the big city it is today, but after laying off 3500 people in a year, it saturated the IT market and there are many well educated people that can't seem to get a job now. This makes a trickle down effect that can't be remedied with unemployment: we need more companies here, simple as that.

7. People here are RUDE. It's not just ABQ though, any big city has that problem: the people hate the traffic and experience rude people all day so of course they're more likely to be rude to others. But they also say stupid things to people as well....it's as though they don't have a 'nice filter' in their head to keep them from saying something that will offend. In Wisconsin at least someone would say something rude behind your back; here they will walk all the way across a crowd and say it to your face....

All in all, the good things about ABQ outweigh the bad. The climate here is great and the city is constantly growing. The people you run into that are awesome take your mind off the jacka$$es you do run into.

I just wish I could get a job to support my family....but I have Intel to thank for screwing up the jobs here.

[mindue]

And yes, the crime here is terrible. Moderator cut: inappropriate

The crime here is worst at Central Avenue (downtown) area, the 'valley' and close to the highways. Live and play in the West Side, Rio Rancho or the Northeast Heights if you can.

[finmqa1]

Originally Posted by mindue

And yes, the crime here is terrible. White trash, lazy foreigners and gang bangers run rampant here.

The crime here is worst at Central Avenue (downtown) area, the 'valley' and close to the highways. Live and play in the West Side, Rio Rancho or the Northeast Heights if you can.

Why don't you just move? The ABQ you describe is very different from the one I live in. But if I were to share your same level of unhappiness, I'd be gone already!

[observe]

Originally Posted by wiegehts

Some "Abq-Boosters" are describing a town I never experienced. There are other towns with good weather and that are so much more livable. The thing with Abq is you just can't get away form the petty-a$$ crime, it comes to you, with the boom-boxes all night in every neighborhood, with the trash thrown, dirty diapers everywhere, with the beggars, with the vandalism, the stealing, the assaults, the tagging -- this is NOT seen many other places -- in N.M. it's the NORM but in the rest of the Southwest, no it's not the norm. The whole screwy state looks like a prison with bars on everything, including front doors and tiny bathroom windows. I've lived all over and hands down N.M. and especially Abq and Cruces were the worst places ever.

Just a word to the wise, don't fall for all the B.S. about it having some sort of special "aura" or something -- it's trailer-heads, lazy-a$$es, whiney ethnics, preggers teens all over, the stupidest "workforce" in the whole country, clueless Midwesterner transplants, panhandlers, sex offenders haven, etc and etc.

Maybe if you would of moved out of the GHETTO part of town that you obviously lived in, you could have seen the good parts of the city. Also why don't you say where you're from in the southwest, since New Mexico is so screwy!!

[observe]

Originally Posted by mindue

And yes, the crime here is terrible. White trash, lazy foreigners and gang bangers run rampant here.

The crime here is worst at Central Avenue (downtown) area, the 'valley' and close to the highways. Live and play in the West Side, Rio Rancho or the Northeast Heights if you can.

You forgot to mention the MINDLESS people!!!!! LOL

[abqsunport]

Great post finmqa

mindue:

1. Being proactive rather than reactive. ABQ needs to develop the street infrastructure better to accomodate a growing population. Traffic here sucks to say the least. They never bother to fix a problem unless a whole family is killed by a drunk driver or numerous people get into an accident at a particular intersection.

I do agree with this. The city and state need to be much more proactive regarding traffic. However, traffic here is nothing compared to any city of any size. Also, I think we have actually reached a more proactive progressive mindset in this city.

2. Schools here are horrible. Education is important and all the schools are overpopulated, rundown and in bad need of good teachers. Not to quote lame songs from the 80s but our children ARE our future!!!

Well it depends how you look at it. Some schools do suck really badly, and some are actually very good. Also most schools are actually not that rundown at all and are kept in decent shape. Also, with the Lottery scholarship, going to school in New Mexico is highly beneficial. People who could not normally afford college can work hard and walk in for free. This is one of the best perks of New Mexico.

3. Immigration here is horrible. I'm all for people moving to the US to better their lives and make a future for themselves, but the rate at which people are pouring in from the south is hard to manage. There are more people I run into that speak Spanish than English and I'm beginning to feel like an outsider in my own country. Not to mention the illegal immigrants get all the benefits from the government that hard working but hard luck people from the US should be taking advantage of, namely free health care and child care support. It seems like you can't get a break unless you have like 5 kids and are a single parent or are from Mexico.

I actually really disagree with this post. Albuquerque really doesn't have that many illegals--especially compared to Tucson and El Paso. Obviously we have our fare share (we are only 4 hrs from the border), but I haven't really noticed that we are getting over run. Any other people have a view on this? I am really interested to see what other locals have to say on the issue. You actually have the same opportunity for free health care, just go to the UNM hospital and they HAVE to serve you. The program isn't geared just to illegals, but you have the same right as a tax paying citizen to get treated there. However, I personally wouldn't take advantage of the "Free" Health care, but heh, to each is their own.

4. Drivers here don't know their a$$es from a hole in the ground. Right of way laws somehow don't apply here and turn signals are a sign of weakness. Not to mention tailgators that put me, my fiance and our son's life in jeopardy. I never once got into an accident before moving here and got into two collisions within my first year here.

I agree here. We have horrible drivers--but the funny thing is, I have heard a person from every city say that about their own drivers. Hmm....

5. The cost of living sucks compared to how much (or little) they pay people. The minimum wage might be higher than other places in the country, but I feel for people when they only earn $8 an hour and have to support their families on such a nominal wage.

Perhaps people making minimum wage shouldn't have families if they can't afford them. I am sorry people, but as responsible adult, one should know that if they barely can support themselves, they can't support a child. I really feel for the people making minimum wage, but they have to be responsible. Also, there are plenty of jobs out here that pay MORE than minimum wage.

6. Intel has created a mass employment problem. It pretty much made Rio Rancho the big city it is today, but after laying off 3500 people in a year, it saturated the IT market and there are many well educated people that can't seem to get a job now. This makes a trickle down effect that can't be remedied with unemployment: we need more companies here, simple as that.

Well there is good news. Schott has moved here with plenty of jobs (1250?). Fidelity is coming with jobs. Eclipse plans to expand. Jobs are coming, there should be some resurgence.

7. People here are RUDE. It's not just ABQ though, any big city has that problem: the people hate the traffic and experience rude people all day so of course they're more likely to be rude to others. But they also say stupid things to people as well....it's as though they don't have a 'nice filter' in their head to keep them from saying something that will offend. In Wisconsin at least someone would say something rude behind your back; here they will walk all the way across a crowd and say it to your face....

Thats interesting, because I always here both sides. People here are so friendly and people here suck. I think it depends how you want to look at it. Also, wouldn't you rather have someone confront you face to face rather than behind your back????? Believe, compared to parts of the nation, people here are pretty friendly. However, compared to other parts of the nation, people might seem rude. Life is interesting that way, it really depends on what your day to day attitude is. If you say hi to someone, chances are they will say hi back.

The crime here is worst at Central Avenue (downtown) area, the 'valley' and close to the highways. Live and play in the West Side, Rio Rancho or the Northeast Heights if you can.

I don't agree about the valley as a whole. i do agree with the South Valley however, there is indeed some crime. Crime here is only really bad if you are involved with a gang, in the drug scene,etc. If you can keep keep your nose out of bad things, and know areas to avoid (Broadway South of Central, the Warzone, etc) you will be very happy. 95% of Albuquerque is very safe. Just caution away from the other 5%.

Observe:

Maybe if you would of moved out of the GHETTO part of town that you obviously lived in, you could have seen the good parts of the city. Also why don't you say where you're from in the southwest, since New Mexico is so screwy!!

I agree observe! Well said!

[AndyJ]

There seems to be a dichotomy on this board reflecting the love/hate attitudes of people toward Albuquerque. I'm not inclined to get involved in the argument because I love this city and state and there are *few* things and circumstances that would ever change my mind. Unfortunately, the comment about immigration in this state is skewed, at best.

According to MPI | Data Hub, New Mexico is 27th in terms of the migration of foreign born individuals into the state in 2006. The percentage of foreign born individuals in the state (mostly Mexican) is higher at 10.1%, giving the state a ranking of 18th. The states that contain more foreign born residents (and presumably, more nonnative English speakers) than NM include: Washington, Illinois, and Massachusetts, which all have much larger populations than we do. Whatever your opinions and politics are regarding immigration, it pays to research these kinds of topics before commenting on them, and subsequently analyzing the meanings behind these sorts of statistics. For the record, I take a conservative stance toward illegal immigration.

The "Great Argument over Albuquerque" will probably never be settled, and that's just as well with me. I like my city; if you don't then there are 279 other MSA's you can choose to inhabit, most affording many of the same economic and lifestyle options that Albuquerque has and more, and thousands more MISA's and small towns to fit whatever lifestyle you are looking for. Financial/familiar/career restraints be darned - people's lives are nobody's but their own, and the ability to better one's life lies with the individual.






EDIT: Just a quick note on an old adage I've long been taught - "treat others like you would like to be treated." As made evident by my post, I don't particularly agree with some people about how they feel about ABQ. That doesn't mean that I insist people see things my way, and I certainly would hate to force a specific perspective on someone else. I know that I appreciate a degree of civility on this forum, as well as in life in general, and I'd like to requite the courtesy regarding differences of opinion that others have shown me in various conversations on this forum by suggesting that mine is simply an opinion, and nothing more. Happy MLK Jr. Day to all, and here's wishing for a great 2008 for all as well.

[abqsunport]

I completely agree again AndyJ

[AndyJ]

Thanks abqsunport, I enjoy reading your posts and find myself in agreement often, but the darn site won't let me rep you again until I spread points around. Truthfully, I enjoy reading any perspective about most anything on this board, which is the reason I frequent it, no matter if I agree or not. Personally, I think this site would be a good resource for city governments across the country - truly a wide representation of folk's opinions regarding their communities, many of which would at the very least provide good discussion on the local gov't level.