Moving to Albuquerque? Read this! (Rio Rancho, La Luz: debt, wage , work)

[Tim Rankin]

Originally Posted by yukon

I remember making "snowmen" out of tumbleweeds when I lived in the Mojave as a kid. Pretty cool.

Although I must admit, I think I'd rather see tumbleweeds blowing about in NM than roofs blowing about in FL

Tumbleweeds are a non-native plant, believe it or not. They were accidentally introduced from Mongolia. Now they're the Symbol of the West. I remember when I first moved to NM, one got stuck under my car - I thought I'd just rip it out of there with my bare hands. Man, was that a mistake...

[Tim Rankin]

Hmmmm. looks like I was the last post on this thread and no one is reading it anymore...but I just can't help myself! I have to say this about Albuquerque:

I spent six years living overseas and going to an American Int'l school. We had 26 nationalities in attendance, and I guess somewhere along the line I developed a taste for diversity...and culture. So what I can say about Albuquerque is this: It's for real. It's the only city where I can feel that I'm on vacation outside the good ole US of A but still be inside the good ole US of A. It is completely unique, and I mean that in a very positive way. Don't get me wrong - I love the US. But so many of our cities have become plasticized, so many of our original cultural differences have faded, and are instead viewed with suspicion, or even hostility. I drive around town with my radio tuned to some station on the low end of the FM spectrum, listening to some hybrid of mariachi and fiesta music. I feel as if I'm on vacation 24/7, and I love it. Albuquerque refuses to be defined by outsiders, and the city will not conform to any ideas of what an American city should be. I've only lived here 1 1/2 yrs, but I can say I'm proud to be a resident of Albuquerque.

[penelopelp]

Originally Posted by Tim Rankin

Hmmmm. looks like I was the last post on this thread and no one is reading it anymore...but I just can't help myself! I have to say this about Albuquerque:

I spent six years living overseas and going to an American Int'l school. We had 26 nationalities in attendance, and I guess somewhere along the line I developed a taste for diversity...and culture. So what I can say about Albuquerque is this: It's for real. It's the only city where I can feel that I'm on vacation outside the good ole US of A but still be inside the good ole US of A. It is completely unique, and I mean that in a very positive way. Don't get me wrong - I love the US. But so many of our cities have become plasticized, so many of our original cultural differences have faded, and are instead viewed with suspicion, or even hostility. I drive around town with my radio tuned to some station on the low end of the FM spectrum, listening to some hybrid of mariachi and fiesta music. I feel as if I'm on vacation 24/7, and I love it. Albuquerque refuses to be defined by outsiders, and the city will not conform to any ideas of what an American city should be. I've only lived here 1 1/2 yrs, but I can say I'm proud to be a resident of Albuquerque.

I'm still reading, and I really appreciate your comments. That has been my impression of Albuquerque on my two visits there, and that is why I plan on moving there in a few months!!!

[Wisteria]

Hi Tim,

Maybe you might start a new thread about what's good about Albuquerque. I know there are some similar threads, but it might be good to repeat, or introduce, ideas about the good parts.

I have been considering Albuquerque, however, I hear so much negative stuff, that it's hard to see it as a real resident sees it. I hear about crime, and run-down houses, and poor transportation, etc.

For me, I'd like to know if there are any parks that are in the Albuquerque area (not out in the mountains) that are good for hiking? What are areas to enjoy the outdoors inside the city limits? I often hear that the areas outside of Albuquerque, in the mountains, are great (I've been there), however, I do not hear of anything in the city of Albuquerque.

What areas near the university are good areas to live in? I was recently in the part near the Frontier Restaurant.

I like seeing positive remarks about Albuquerque -- thanks!
Wisteria

[ABQConvict]

Hmmmm, Albuquerque is pretty plastic americana with chile on the side to me but then again one's experience in America may vary.

That said, it could be worse!

Except for the mountains there is not much hiking to be done unless you like hiking on the west mesa which these days is becoming the west 'development'. There are some nice green parks but they are typically a square block.

Near the University is a nice place to live. Around the Frontier is relatively inexpensive and dead honest but a little weedy. If you are sheltered and have money you will prefer the Nob Hill area which is directly east of UNM. Also check out the area north and east of UNM (South of Indian School, West of Washington).

ABQConvict

[Wisteria]

ABQConvict: Near the University is a nice place to live. Around the Frontier is relatively inexpensive and dead honest but a little weedy. If you are sheltered and have money you will prefer the Nob Hill area which is directly east of UNM.

I don't have lots of bucks, but I was in the Nob Hill area -- I didn't see a huge difference, to be honest. Maybe I just didn't see enough of it.

I was really hoping to hear about some hiking areas in town. Where I live now, there are tons of spaces for hiking -- lots of parks set aside just for that. (I realize it's a totally different kind of area, however, there are cities that do create spaces like that.)

So, basically, one must leave the city to get into nature? No really big parks with lakes, or paths, or things of that sort?? Or maybe it's just mainly urban sprawl....

Thanks.

[mortimer]

Wisteria pining for the fjords asked:

W> I was really hoping to hear about some hiking areas in town.

W> So, basically, one must leave the city to get into nature?
W> No really big parks with lakes, or paths, or things of that sort??
W> Or maybe it's just mainly urban sprawl....

but ABQconvict mentioned:

A> Except for the mountains there is not much hiking to be done ...

ABQ has more of the city block type of park than anyplace I've ever been
(in the US).

Do you count the outskirts of town as "leaving the city?" If not, there
are great hikes in the foothills on the Eastern edge of the city. From town,
it looks like it's all houses to where it starts to get steep, but if you are
actually inclined to get off your hiney and walk a bit, there is solitude
and beauty above the rooflines of the nearest housing.

Albuquerque is one of the great biking cities in the US with its favorable
weather and numerous arroyos. You can hike North to South and West
to East as far as your little hiney can carry you all over town and stay
off the roads using these paths.

All the way up and down the Rio Grande there are beaucoup trails in
amongst the cottonwoods. They are beginning to turn, but won't really be
golden with accompanying fragrances till late October and into November.

[Wisteria]

I'll have to check out the bike paths. Do they double as walking/biking paths? I'm assuming there must be a link someplace about the bike trails there -- does that seem like there is one??

I just like to spend weekends getting out and about, especially walking around and hiking. Biking is okay, but I prefer by foot. THANKS!

[mortimer]

Wisteria wondered:

> ... bike paths. Do they double as walking/biking paths?

Yes, but generally, there is one paved side and one unpaved which
might tend to be more desireable to walk on since you won't get
buzzed by cyclists who aren't mature/polite enough to warn you
that they are 'coming up on your left ...'

> I'm assuming there must be a link someplace about the bike trails ....

Good assumption: Biking in Albuquerque - City of Albuquerque

Really, you'd have to be a BDI not to be able to find a path since
the arroyos cut into all parts of the city. It will be easy to find and
follow. Visit Live Local Search
for close-up "Bird's Eye" views of all the paths and such.

[Tim Rankin]

Albuquerque is a very spread-out city, kind of like Okla City. The "downtown" area is really a very small part of the city as a whole. Like Mortimer said, most of the parks within the city are smaller, 1-block type parks - not really good for hiking. So it's not like Central Park/NYC or Rock Creek Pk/DC. But the hiking that's "in the mountains" is really within the city limits, where the foothills bump up against the Sandias. Where we live in the NE Heights, I can be at any one of 4-5 trailheads in about 10 min, and some of those trails go up to over 10,000 ft. Can't comment on biking.

I think some of the criticisms about transportation are valid - Albuq is not a city with good public transportation. It's not walkable like many east coast cities, unless maybe you're around the UNM area. Personally, I think you have to have a car. The criticism about rundown housing also has some truth - when we started looking for a house, many of the places we looked at needed lots of updating and repairs. At times it seemed like all the homes were "fixer-uppers." I think that's changed slightly now, with the slow-down in sales. But the value here was still a bargain, overall.

penelopelp - I only visited Albuquerque once before I moved here so you have me beat...