Albuquerque or Tucson 10 year outlook (Santa Fe, North Valley: rental, violent crime, home)

[strongman]

I posted a similar thread in the Tucson forum, so please excuse my reduncancy:

If you had the opportunity to purchase a second home for rental and in 10 years live there part-time during semi-retirement, would you choose ABQ or Tucson? I know it's tough to answer without knowing more details, but I guess the gist of my question is about the long-term outlook for these two cities and which, if either, would be more desirable? We live in Minnesota and I can envision spending a portion of the year in the SW.

Thanks.

[rotorhead]

I'd say that it depends on what you want out of it. If your goal is to completely avoid winter weather, go for Tucson. Albuquerque is about 3-4000 feet higher in elevation and in a different temperature zone, it does get some snow almost every year. Albuquerque has a larger population now and its getting larger faster than Tucson is. Albuquerque has more amenities such as restaurants, theatres, the biopark, the opera up in Santa Fe. Tucson has easier access to the ocean via Rocky Point, Albuquerque has more places within an easy drive, like Santa Fe, Taos, etc. Tuscon basically has Phoenix and Mt. Lemon, though some people like Sierra Vista and Tombstone, etc. The desert around Tucson is arguably prettier than the area around ABQ, the saguaros and organpipe cactus won't grow in NM. ABQ has the Balloon Fiesta, Tucson has the Gem and Mineral Expo. They both have decent airports with direct jet service from multiple airlines.

As far as the negatives, they both have their share. Both have a growing problem with water supplies, endemic violent crime, immigration issues, and a generally persistant economic malaise. Both are afflicted with cancerous urban sprawl and the total inability to say NO to land developers.

As far as the ten year forecast goes I'd say your crystal ball is about as good as anyones, but the two cities aren't starting from the same level to begin with.

[NativeTXn]

Originally Posted by rotorhead

Albuquerque has a larger population now and its getting larger faster than Tucson is.

Actually, Tucson is larger than Albuquerque, in both city wise and metro wise as well. According to the census estimates, Tucson's metro area is growing slightly faster than Albuquerque as well. Everything else in your post seems accurate though.

[mortimer]

NativeTXn posted:

> Actually, Tucson is larger than Albuquerque ...

That's how I remember it, but their overall population and area
are so similar as to be functionally identical - including the local
university, heights, valley, etc.

strongman wondered:

> ... purchase a second home ... would you choose ABQ or Tucson?

I'd choose Albuquerque, but many would choose Tucson.

If you hate winter, come spend a week in Albuquerque the first
week of January and see how you like it.

If the heat freaks you out, spend a week in late July in Tucson
and see how you like it.

After growing up in Ohio, Albuquerque winters are nothing and
Tucson summers are also nothing to me.

If you can't navigate the city (mostly) without a map, then IMHO,
you have no business buying a rental property for future retirement
there and are likely to lose money and have no place to live when
you *do* retire.

Do your homework first. Both places are places that *I* would
easily enjoy retirement - if I was so inclined to ever want to retire.

[observe]

Originally Posted by NativeTXn

Actually, Tucson is larger than Albuquerque, in both city wise and metro wise as well. According to the census estimates, Tucson's metro area is growing slightly faster than Albuquerque as well. Everything else in your post seems accurate though.

Your right it does have a larger population, even though Pima county is HUGE, they are counting people in their metro which are over 100 miles away. The metro area's themselves, Albuquerque's seems larger maybe it's beacause Albuquerque has two freeways & a larger downtown.
However the two cities are simular except for the weather, it all depends what you like.....High desert or Low desert.

[observe]

Also Albuquerque has a lot more things to do, ZOO, CLIFFS, ISOTOPES, T-BIRDS, SCORPIONS......Real Mountains in our back yard, camping, fishing, skiing....just to name a few.
Wait Tucson is just 2 hours from Phoenix...what was I thinking!

[abqsunport]

Originally Posted by rotorhead

They both have decent airports with direct jet service from multiple airlines.

Actually the Albuquerque International Sunport is substantially larger than Tucson International.

In 2006, ABQ handled 6,487,276 passengers where as TUS only handled 4,226,759.

However, gate wise they are about the same. TUS loses a lot of Traffic because if you are an hour north of TUS you are also an hour South of PHX. If you plan on flying often, than Albuquerque would be the better choice unless you plan on driving to PHX.

[devoe]

I would choose Abq . I enjoy the Abq scene due to the mild winters and a large playground of natural beauty . Summers aren't as hot as Tucson . Our population is not that hard to deal with unless you commute across the Rio Grande . I would not advise . Abq proper has many older neighborhoods that serve its residents well . Why buy in a tract subdivision in this day and age ? They cause more harm then good . North Valley , Old Town , Country Club Area will have you out walking . Many trails that offer easy walks . We are up and coming and I see no problem with making an investment and getting a return in a short time . Culturally we have the Native Americans / Hispanic / Anglo mix that makes living here unique . With Santa Fe to the north along with Taos , open desert to our south with many mountain towns that are worth the drive .I am hard pressed to think of a more engaging place .

[Xpat]

Thanks for starting this thread. We are currently living in Naples, Italy but are considering settling down in Tucson, Flagstaff, or Albuquerque. We've lived in all three cities but it has been awhile and much has changed. Albuquerque seems to have more character and culture but comes with lots of baggage (run down areas, traffic, etc). Tucson has a great outdoor scene and great food (if you know where to look). Flagstaff has the best of
both worlds but high housing prices and lack of decent jobs make it hard to pick. Appreciate any views from those with more recent experience in Tucson or ABQ.

We are looking to start a wellness business offering massage, holistic nutrition counseling, and perhaps even yoga instruction. In which city do you think such a business would be more viable?

[mortimer]

Xpat mused on Tucson, Flagstaff, and Albuquerque:

> We've lived in all three cities but it has been awhile and
> much has changed. Albuquerque seems to have more character
> and culture but comes with lots of baggage (run down areas,
> traffic, etc). Tucson has a great outdoor scene and great
> food (if you know where to look).

Tucson, IMO, has as much run-down areas and the comment on
food goes both for Albuquerque as well as Tucson. If you
haven't lived in these places for a while, then you'll find
both the 'baggage' and 'food' situation much changed.

> Flagstaff has the best of both worlds but high housing prices

I don't get this statement. Are you saying Flagstaff has
the least run down areas and the best food?

> We are looking to start a wellness business ... which city
> do you think such a business would be more viable?

I would say that the city that makes you the most happy is
the best place to start your business. Naturally, Tucson or
Albuquerque have a larger population base to draw upon.