Moving to Albuquerque (Rio Rancho, Hope: apartment complex, renters, crime rates)

[MAtoNM]

Hi all,

I have recently accepted a position out in Albuquerque and have been reading some posts to get a feel for the area (I've never been). The vast majority of you seem to really enjoy the area which is reassuring and everyone that I've spoken to says nothing but good things.

Being the realist that I am I know that not all sections are good. Could someone please tell me the best areas for a young, single profession to look for housing? I'd like an apartment complex b/c I think that will give me the best chance to get to know some people. I've heard great things about Rio Rancho and West Albuquerque. How is the northern section? Any surrounding towns someone could recommend? I will be working in Albuquerque so, untili I'm familiar, I'd rather not go too far out.

Thanks so much for your help. Hope you guys aren't too hard on this East Coast Girl.

[nm_photojournalist]

Originally Posted by MAtoNM

Hi all,

I have recently accepted a position out in Albuquerque and have been reading some posts to get a feel for the area (I've never been). The vast majority of you seem to really enjoy the area which is reassuring and everyone that I've spoken to says nothing but good things.

Being the realist that I am I know that not all sections are good. Could someone please tell me the best areas for a young, single profession to look for housing? I'd like an apartment complex b/c I think that will give me the best chance to get to know some people. I've heard great things about Rio Rancho and West Albuquerque. How is the northern section? Any surrounding towns someone could recommend? I will be working in Albuquerque so, untili I'm familiar, I'd rather not go too far out.

Thanks so much for your help. Hope you guys aren't too hard on this East Coast Girl.

Albuquerque Apartments for Rent with Ratings & Reviews by Albuquerque Renters at ApartmentRatings.com
& Apartments.com - Free Nationwide Apartment Search with the Most Visual Rental Listings Online.
should help you out, at least give you some ballpark apartment costs in Albuquerque.

Generally speaking the "Far Northeast Heights" is the most desirable area. The nicest neighborhoods at least. You can probably pick up an Albuquerque map at most major bookstores. I would recommend you'd want to stay north of Menaul Blvd. & East of Wyoming Blvd. The farther northeast you go from there, probably the more expensive the apartments. Of course, they vary also depending on their size, and "facilities," (pool, game rooms, workout rooms, tennis, etc.) Then there are what I call the "simple" apartments. Smaller, usually under 30 units, with no frills except a laundry room I live in such an apartment complex, which I "intended" to be in for just a year or two and now, 3 years later, I'm still here! The manager knows everyone by their first name, and it's easier to get to know your neighbors when there are so few, and you see them so often! LOL. My rent is also about $100-$150 below the larger places.

I'd also advise you to stay away from the SE or SW areas. Ditto near either I-25, or I-40. I assume you're in your 20's, so you may enjoy the "atmosphere" surrounding UNM on Central Ave., and Nob Hill just to it's east (the "uptown" of the Route 66 heydey in the 60's) which has many little shops, clubs, and restaurants where "thinkers" tend to gather at sidewalk cafes to "talk!" This would probably be the most "liberal" area, as is true around most universities. This is an older area, but the majority of the other apartment residents would probably be under 35 also.

Stay away from the Rio Grande Valley. (east of the Rio Grande to I-25)

The west side is booming, especially in Rio Rancho (a separate city, about 15 miles NW of downtown Albuquerque. It has it's own school district, fire, police, and one of the state's lowest crime rates. (So does the "far" Northeast Heights.) If you work in Albuquerque however, getting across the river (and back) from the West side and Rio Rancho, can be harrowing! Not enough bridges for the size of the traffic flow. That is one of the major pluses of living in the NE, especially if you aren't working downtown. If not, you can avoid using I-25, or I-40, to and from work. More harrowing!

On the west side...on a map...you'd want to stay north of Paseo del Norte @ Coors Blvd. (the latter is the main N-S highway on the west side). You might also be interested in being around the Cottonwood Mall on the west side (below RR), which is Albuquerque's largest, and newest. There are many apartments within a couple miles of it. Rio Rancho is about 7 miles north of the mall, on NM528.

I would not recommend any of the small towns around Albuquerque for a single woman. And...I'm not a Chauvinist Pig. :-)

I hope this gets you started. Welcome to Albuquerque! Coming from "green," you'll either love it, or hate it after 5 years. (It has to grow on you, LOL). Bring your bike...miles and miles of bicycle paths. This is a very outdoors oriented city, with skiing right next door on the east slope of the Sandia Mountains. Weather though is the #1 love of Albuquerqueans. Of course you have your fluke cold and hot spells, but year-round it's relatively mild, and of course...sunny! Good luck! Have more questions? Ask more questions!

[brandcutes213]

Hi there, I am interested in movin into this appartment,pls let me know the actual move in cost so i can prepare to move in right after my vacation,email me directly to (brandyferry020@yahoo.com) Have a Great day,

Brandy

[HowAmIinABQ]

Hi. Northeast side is uber safe. Still renting (apt) here since moving to the area over a year go. I'd recommend La Paloma Apts now that it is under new management (Moon Street & Academy). It is safe, quiet, has comfortable new apts, very decent location and nice pools/volleyball courts.