Moving to Albuquerque? Read this! (relocating, work, home)

[ApartmentNomad]

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

Why do some people feel the need to slam places for being monocultural and insular? It's the most common situation in the world. Why not bash Asia, Africa, or Latin America?

Good point. We wouldn't have all these distinct, unique, cultures to celebrate if they hadn't developed in varying degrees of isolation from one another. I realize there has been much less absolute isolation than we might imagine and international trade has been a long-standing dynamic force leading to the mixing of culture; but still, I think we can talk about relative isolation. Outside of centers of trade or border areas, the norm has probably been something mostly monocultural.

Personally, I tend to be a xenophile (lots of Sagittarius in my birth chart), so I like living in a place where I get to be around people from other backgrounds. Also, I happen to be drawn to music from many different cultures (Afro-Latin, Arabic, Greek, Japanese), so it's nice to live somewhere that might given me the opportunity to enjoy those things. But I don't see the need for criticizing homogeneous communities just for being homogeneous. If they are chasing anyone who looks different out of town, with a shotgun, then that's a different story. Although, to take a less extreme instance of insularity, I also agree with Brantacanadensis that people making comments like this is obnoxious: "can't people have normal names like we do in Minnesota?"

So I'm ambivalent about these issues, but I do think there's a really glaringly obvious irony in the fact that all these different cultures liberal types like me like to "celebrate" (I don't usually use that term, actually) wouldn't exist if they hadn't had a chance to develop as distinct practices.

[Vesmir]

Originally Posted by 6 FOOT 3

The whole SE is a third world ghetto and looks like Juarez ??? What world are you in......A few places on Central and Zuni are bad (yes bad) but not the whole SE Heights. How do i know?? I live and work in the SE Heights for the last 8 years and 3 months. Is Ridgecrest thirdworld? Is Nob Hill thirdworld? Is Gibson thirdworld? Is Kirtland AFB and Sandia National Labs thirdworld? Is south Eubank and the Nano Tech park out there third world? And i'm from El Paso (andress high school) so i know all about Juarez so i have to laugh at this....

You said ''if you don't like Hispanics stay away??'' Why.... I'm Anglo and a Southerner and it doesn't bother me at all including living and working in the S E Heights area but i'm probably not WHITE enough for ya either....

Lack of infrustructure?? 2 Billion dollars of freeway construction and another 2 Billion in Capital outlay money's are being spent here. Maybe Minnesota should worry about its own Infrustructure as you just had a bridge COLLAPSE there !!

As far as no running water...... well there in North Florida and Southern Georgia are there towns and places with NO running water so i guess those states are also thirdworld.....

Yeah there is crime here as in all 50 states have crime as you can watch the CBS Evening news and see almost every nite there is some horrific crime in one of the 50 states in this country....

Yeah our salaries are not as high as alot of states but the cost of living is lower here as thats why alot of retirees are moving here as their retirement check/monies goes farther....

No one here ever said this state is perfect or a Utopia or low crime or low poverty ...yada yada yada .......but its not a THIRD world country that some of you love to come on here now and then and make it out that way.

Don't worry as we won't go on the Minnesota forums and Crap on your state as you did ours.....

I'm considering a move to Albuquerque and am glad for this forum. Being a "white bread" myself from CA, I welcome diversity but am very surprised by both sides of this argument. I guess statistics will help bring the truth out and hunting for good websites that show real data on crime, cost of living, etc. Would like to hear from anybody who has suggestions for good resources on that type of infomation. Thanks!

[Steve Hazzard]

Originally Posted by Vesmir

I'm considering a move to Albuquerque and am glad for this forum. Being a "white bread" myself from CA, I welcome diversity but am very surprised by both sides of this argument. I guess statistics will help bring the truth out and hunting for good websites that show real data on crime, cost of living, etc. Would like to hear from anybody who has suggestions for good resources on that type of infomation. Thanks!

In my humble opinion, anyone with a "diversity" problem should visit kkk.com or the National Socialist Party website and see the ugly face of racism (PC is "racialist") close up and personal! We all have race and ethnic prejudices; the trick is to look at the "big picture" rather than the "microworld" that exists inside our minds!

[SAI126]

Originally Posted by LLD

Albuquerque and New Mexico, like other places, have their positives and negatives. And there are lots of articles and opinion pieces that will support a variety of perspectives. One of the really great things about city-data is the variety of perspectives. But it is not the place to promote or convince others your lone perspective is the only or correct perspective.

I haven't posted much here, and think I've managed to stay out of trouble the few times I have. That being said, this thread disturbs me. It's way too PC, aren't people entitled to have their opinions? Much of what lukeache says is accurate, and this is coming from a poster who's seriously condering a move to New Mexico in 09. All areas have problems, and in general our society is on a downward spiral socially, culturally, and economically. There, I voiced an opinion, is that something wrong? I don't share lukeache's perspective on some things, but it doesn't make him a bad person, and doesn't change the fact that he's right in some of his criticisms. Not only that, but I don't think anyone should be demonized for missing the pre Immigration Act of 1965 USA. I myself have doubts about the long term health of our nation in this new age of "diversity". I guess that makes me a racist too. It's all so ridiculous, and it's all in keeping with a dumbed down society we now live in. I'm very aware of the demographics of New Mexico, Albuquerque, in fact just about any area in the US. That being said I find Albuquerque and the state of New Mexico to be truly a "land of Enchanment". If you happen to see me in Albuquerque or points north in the state of New Mexico, I'm the guy with the open jaw and the wide eyed stare. When I miss the place I read or reread one of Tony Hillerman's books. If we decide to move there, you'll be getting nice friendly neighbors, even if I'm not PC and have strong opinions. I'm white, but enjoy everyone's culture and history, and meet people without fear of them, or a feeling of censure towards them. New Mexico does have a lot of problems, but it also has lots of assets, and seems to be one of the few areas that seems capable of managing growth without losing that which made it special and unique in the first place.

[nypark]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forum, I just registered right now...My partner and I want to move to Albuquerque in 2 years, I would like to ask any of you which side of the city is the best (safest being priority) to live in? I've been to Albuquerque once, and loved it, didn't do much though. I grew up in El Paso, so it can't be that more different or such a culture shock to me. I think people receive false presentations / ideas about certain states. Everyone keeps telling me, "you want to live in the murder capital of the world". I find it funny, because where I currently live (Capital region of NY) the crime is awful and sad. People get shot left and right, and there are always stabbings....6 foot 3, you need to write me, because I may know you...hahaha...I graduated from Andress High in 1988, (you have 80's guru under your post)...so ya'll let me know about Albuquerque, it would be greatly appreciated. I've been checking into Apartments to rent down there because I am excited, plus living there allows me to be near my family and friends in Texas, and have snow (which I love, but not like how it is up here, we just had a foot, and are getting another foot tonight, I hate shovelling all of the time in winter, and winter lasts like 5 months up here, or it seems like it...hahaha). Thanks for listening,
nypark

[6/3]

Originally Posted by nypark

6 foot 3, you need to write me, because I may know you...hahaha...I graduated from Andress High in 1988, (you have 80's guru under your post)...

Possibly....but i grad in 1981 so that would have put me about 7 grades ahead of you. Where in Northeast EP did you live. I lived in the Dyer st and Fairbanks area. If you go on the El Paso threads you may know the poster ''Muynay'' as he grad in 1988. He's also from my area of Northeast there.

Later...and Go Andress !!

[abqsunport]

Originally Posted by nypark

I would like to ask any of you which side of the city is the best (safest being priority) to live in?

The North-East Heights area is by far the safest. The further North You Go, the Safer It Gets. If you can Stay North of Academy, your as carefree as can be. If you can stay North of Montgomery, you still have pretty much nothing to worry about. If you stay North of Menaul, I would still say you are very well off. If you can North of i-40, you will be in decent shape, but be careful. keep in mind this involves a great deal of generalization. There are exceptions to the rule--there are some very safe areas south of I-40.

Just my 2 cents.

[nypark]

Originally Posted by abqsunport

The North-East Heights area is by far the safest. The further North You Go, the Safer It Gets. If you can Stay North of Academy, your as carefree as can be. If you can stay North of Montgomery, you still have pretty much nothing to worry about. If you stay North of Menaul, I would still say you are very well off. If you can North of i-40, you will be in decent shape, but be careful. keep in mind this involves a great deal of generalization. There are exceptions to the rule--there are some very safe areas south of I-40.

Just my 2 cents.

Ok....Thank You abqsunport....I heard Northwest also....but North it is...I wanted to hear from some real "Albuquerqueinnites"....haha. My friend in Florida said she loved Albuquerque, and loved the skies and mountains, which is a very big draw for me. I can't wait to be there, it is 7 degrees in New York right now, and it will feel like -17 tomorrow, with the wind...yuck...
Thanks again,
nypark

[nypark]

Originally Posted by 6 FOOT 3

Possibly....but i grad in 1981 so that would have put me about 7 grades ahead of you. Where in Northeast EP did you live. I lived in the Dyer st and Fairbanks area. If you go on the El Paso threads you may know the poster ''Muynay'' as he grad in 1988. He's also from my area of Northeast there.

Later...and Go Andress !!

Well, I tried looking for Muynay but I couldn't find it....I am still trying to figure out this forum site...hahaha...I actually lived on Panther Street....I have friends who's older brothers and sisters graduated during that time...Last names of Becker and Baker....(I remember them, they were all wild...hahaha). I will keep searching for Muynay....Thanks for the info.
nypark....

[MMAllen]

"Even" Espanola is not safe?



Um...most folks who live in NM will agree Espanola is not safe. I mean, if you are looking for a safe place to go, that is not at the top of the list. Just cause a town is a "small town" doesn't mean it's safe!

Sorry, your post made me laugh, that part.

Yes, Albuquerque has its share of drifters as will many warm climates and, especially, the wild west and desert, which have a loooooooong history of extranjeros coming through. It takes a while to live in Albuquerque and start to sort it all out. It's not going to fit any preconceived notions.

When I first got there, I was told "Whatever rules apply in the rest of the world do not apply in New Mexico." I found it quite true in many ways.

I think it's the kind of place you either hate or love, not much middle road feelings about it. You will learn a lot about yourself if you live there a while.

When I decided to move there from Chicago in 1979, it fit all my criteria for a place to settle in my late 20s: University town, lots of artists and writers, physically beautiful, no more killer winters. I met people my first week there who stayed my friends for decades and some still are, the ones who didn't die already.

I lived as a single there, I lived as a starving artist and a student at UNM and then as a well-employed professional. I lived in apartments and adobe houses, hovels and mansions. I lived deep in the city and out on the rural edge. I found my partner, my peers, my mentors.

You can make your life there, you can create yourself. It's a place for entrepreneurs and mavericks and risk-takers and people with their eyes open.

It's not a place to go for a high street lifestyle or to make lots of money.

I have lived a lot of places in the USA and elsewhere and few can show the kind of live-and-let-live climate that Albuquerque has. And, although nowhere on the planet is going to have 100% peaceful coexistence between different cultural and racial groups (because unfortunately we're human), the kind of coexistance that is possible and does exist in New Mexico, in Albuquerque, between various races, is really quite good. One reason I left Chicago, Milwaukee and New Orleans was the racism. I found Albuquerque to be a breath of fresh air in that regard. I also found that the strong familial context of the -- I think it's majority -- Spanish population in New Mexico makes up for a lot compared to any infrastructure problems. There is a stability there that you don't find all over the USA.

I had been gone for a year and went back this summer to Albuquerque. I thought there was some really beautiful stuff going on. The whole city looked really much cleaner and spruced up. I understand the mayor has made it his task to beautify the city. I see much has been done in just one year. Albuquerque is so beautiful...yes, it has its ugly parts. But have you taken a drive down Rio Grande Blvd NW lately? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. But you have to go 25 mph on that road. And it's worth it, just to be there.