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Wife works at UNM as a secretary, I'm a public school teacher. in other words, not lots of money (but we do OK). Looking at houses, not a condo or apt. Would love a short commute, but not a deal breaker. No long (30 minutes plus) drives though. Small dog, no kids with us.
Trying to find a neighborhood without houses stacked on each other, but we don't need lots of land. can live in ABQ proper, no suburbs.
We know about old town, the Ranches, and Nob Hill. Like them, but concerned about house prices there though for someone of our $$$ group.
Will probably rent for a year while we get ready for the 15 year bank note.
We don't need to be by a mall, or city amenities, though we enjoy it. We don't want the burbs and its higher prices, but roomy yard a la The ranches would be nice for us and the dog. (we're used to an acre but we have also lived in the big city back east too).
Not paranoid about crime (or perceived crime). But don't want to get mugged either.
Probably next year we make the move. We're in the boonies in Western NM now and it's sure pretty, but missing people and activities.
I know I'm being vague, but mostly on purpose. Just seeing what you all have to say!
thanks........
There is far more to what I call "central" ABQ (specifically to the north and east of UNM) than Old Town and Nob Hill. Rents are more reasonable north of Lomas and south of Indian School / I-40, west of San Mateo. EASY commute to UNM (under 10 minutes). Traffic is never really bad in this "box" unlike what I have found when I have ventured out of it to the north and east (in the so-called NE Heights).
Small houses (2 BR, 1 bath, and up) in the $1000 to $1200 range are available, but if I were looking for a foothold and planning to buy a house in the next year, I would look at apartments and save money...several decent apartments on Indian School west of San Mateo over to University.
Do you know where you'll be teaching? If you wife works at UNM, I'd suggest living in the UNM area. There are plenty of affordable rentals. The north golf course area is very nice. However, to get a little more for your rental dollar, I'd suggest looking in the 'Uptown' area (north of I-40 between San Mateo and Wyoming, roughly, south of Montgomery). There's great shopping off Louisiana (coronado mall, uptown mall, target, trader joes, a new movie theater, etc.) It is also very central to Albuquerque, easy interstate access, easy to get over to the mountain. If you like suburbia, sprawl and traffic move to the westside. There you'll find the most affordable housing and the most new construction.
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