Thinking of moving to ABQ

[Tim Rankin]

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

But one thing is for sure. No one likes Texas.

I must come to the defense of Texas. Texas is a great state and resource, provided we use it wisely.

Give West Texas to NM, the panhandle and the upper 2/3 to Okla, the lower 1/3 to Mexico, and the eastern sections to Arkansas and Louisiana. Maybe we could make DFW & Houston autonomous city-states to retain their unique charm.

[ABQConvict]

Well, I've come around on Texas having met many really great people from the state. That doesn't, unfortunately, change the fact that people like to dislike it.

Hey, I'm a native New Yorker. I am fully aware of what it is like to be disliked for no particular reason other than being an easy target. I'm sure Californians will tell you the same.

ABQConvict

[mindue]

As with any city there are good things and bad....

Here are rules I live by:
1. The drivers here SUCK!! Watch out for them whenever you're behind the wheel.

2. Stay away from downtown at night if you don't want to be assaulted coming out of a restaurant at 10pm. Namely: Central Avenue. There are tons of restaurants here all over the place and many places that I feel safe going to even late at night.

3. Nite life here is different than in Chicago. Stores and restaurants close much earlier so 10pm restaurant time will consist mainly of iHop and Cracker Barrel, lol.

4. Live in the West side, Rio Rancho or the Northeast Heights. Stay away from the 'valley' - all ABQ'ers will agree with me on that - lots of crime there and lower class people.

I've been just fine by following those rules....My fiance lived in Boulder and said the people there are uppity and the cost of living there is horrible.

[Chaparral]

Originally Posted by mindue

Stay away from the 'valley' - all ABQ'ers will agree with me on that - lots of crime there and lower class people.

As a 35+ year ABQ'er, I will politely disagree. To me, "the valley" is an overly broad term. Had you said South Valley, I might be more inclined to agree with you on a general basis.

However, the North Valley is one of the nicest, most desirable places to live in the entire city (generally speaking). Basically, if money were no object, the North Valley would be my first choice of places to live. And I wouldn't necessarily associate "lower class" with this part of the city either.

Another couple of personal experiences/observations:

I've never been "assaulted" or otherwise accosted by anyone Downtown, at any time of day. Not saying that these things never happen, just that I've never had it happen to me or anyone I know.

Over the course of the years, I've found the drivers in/from Colorado to be among the most lacking in basic skills or courtesy. Take that for what you will.

Chap

[ABQConvict]

Originally Posted by mindue

Stay away from the 'valley' - all ABQ'ers will agree with me on that - lots of crime there and lower class people.

Yes. Lower class people are unprincipled and viscious.

But seriously, I can understand avoiding crime-ridden areas, but what do you mean by stay away from "lower class" people? Poor people? People who drive used cars? People who listen to Ranchera music?

Most of the people in the "Lower class" are the people whose families have lived in this area for hundreds of years. If they are giving you the evil eye it is likely because you are an immigrant who speaks a foreign language (English) and has imported a foreign culture (McDonalds, ABQ Uptown) and are living relatively "High-on-the-Hog" sending your kids to LaCueva and Sandia HS while they make do with Albuquerque HS and Rio Grande HS and a 1989 Ford F-150 with no back bumper.


ABQConvict

P.S. The valley (esp. South) is the authentic Albuquerque. I like it even though I am sometimes made to feel like a stranger there. Because, basically, I am.

[mortimer]

ABQConvict mused:

> Most of the people in the "Lower class" are the people whose
> families have lived in this area for hundreds of years.

Careful. You make it sound like those families are just a bunch of inbred hill-rats.

I don't keep track of such things like lineage because it smacks of blue-blood elitism whether you are pointing to your legitimacy via royalty or how long you have been squatting in a place.

The whole time I have been here, I have met many people in positions of authority and respect who also have long roots in Albuquerque. It's just like any family. Some strive for 'more' and some are comfortable with familiarity.

> P.S. ... South ... I am sometimes made to feel like a stranger there. Because, basically, I am.

You could be talking about Dixie there too.

In Albuquerque, I continue to meet many people who are 'old Albuquerque' who don't differentiate between me and their familiars. It has a lot to do with you you treat others.

I've also met a lot of incorrigible xenophobes. Screw-em.

[fltunmsam]

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

That belies the old adage:

You know why all the trees in New Mexico lean in one direction?
Because Texas sucks and Arizona blows.


ABQConvict

P.S. There are a lot of family ties between Northern NM and Colorado going back to the Spanish colonisation. But one thing is for sure. No one likes Texas.

OK!!!Just wait a minute! not everyone from Texas is Bad.some of us are quite nice .you know............NM has a rep toooo . i have heard that it is the US's largest kitty litter box. or wait is it arizona? mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! you be the judge.

[Tim Rankin]

Originally Posted by fltunmsam

NM has a rep toooo . i have heard that it is the US's largest kitty litter box. or wait is it arizona? mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm! you be the judge.

The US's largest kitty litter box is my wood mulch backyard. I have yet to find a way to keep the little critters away.

[Agape51]

I

have yet to find a way to keep the little critters away.

Sprinkle a combination of paprika and red chili powder on top of the mulch. The cats breath it in, it irritates their sinuses and they flee the area.