Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
First, thanks for all your helpful threads about life in ABQ. The city wasn't really on our list of places to relocate until I'd done my research here and I saw so many things we are looking for...
I'd love to hear what anyone who used to live in the OKC or Tulsa area could tell me their opinion of Albuquerque?
What is similar? What is different?
I'm specifically hoping to move somewhere with a different culture with a different emphasis - I am beginning to feel like some of the stereotypes about Oklahomans are true. As a married gay man, I would also like to move somewhere that will recognize our marriage and allow us opportunities to make friends and possibly a family some day.
Thanks for anything you can share! We'll be visiting in October and hope to get a feel for the place.
Although we are currently living in Denver for work, we were stationed at Tinker AFB (just outside of OKC) for two years before retiring to Albuquerque and will retire to ABQ again once the stars align. I think there are many more differences than similarities: the climate, flora, fauna, scenery and culture are actually worlds apart in my opinion. ABQ really is about as close as one can come to living in another country within the US, thanks to the strong Native American and Hispanic influence in food, architecture, customs and beliefs. To a newcomer, it can all feel like an assault on the senses, but in a good, festive way.
I can't speak to specifics in terms of the economy, job market, cost of living, crime rate or even politics, having been away for seven years, but in my experience OKC was more affordable than ABQ and both were bargains compared to Denver. Although it skews towards the Catholic conservative side (or at least my coworkers and friends did) I think ABQ is pretty laid back, not particularly judgmental and generally open to people from all walks of life.
Good luck to you whatever you decide and I look forward to your trip review sometime in October!
Do come for a visit and report back. You owe it to yourselves to get out of OK! I have never lived there, but know some folks who moved here from Tulsa 20 years ago and are still here, so I guess they like it.
Your economy is probably much better than ours right now, so that may be a factor to consider. Otherwise, if you like a live-and-let-live, very relaxed vibe, and you do not need lots of nightlife, and enjoy the outdoors, then this would be a great place for you.
Bellflower, I loved how you said it ... "about as close as one can come to living in another country within the US"! Denver was on our list of places to consider, but after learning of the pit bull ban we decided against looking there. Plus, the cost of living, winters, and traffic weren't ideal.
Aries63, you pretty much described my ideal new home in your last sentence. Oklahoma has a lot to offer as far as outdoor activities, but most of the year it is not comfortable to be outdoors. Oklahoma seems like a great place to live if you have very very conservative views (and think everyone else should, too). Many people do like it here.
I loved that you both mentioned a live-and-let-live attitude. I am very interested in that. I grew up near Roswell, and remember thinking that although it was mostly rural and conservative, the attitude was very unique compared to other places. Oklahoma has, in my experience, been more along the lines of live-my-way-or-you're-bad...
You both mentioned the economy, which is one of our concerns. My husband works in the healthcare industry, which normally makes relocating easy. I will have a harder time finding a job (I think) - I'd be looking for something in either graphic design or certain IT jobs.
We are anxiously awaiting October so we can experience the town!
Just an update. We'll be moving to ABQ in October! My husband was able to secure a job and I will remain with my OKC company working remotely. Can't wait!
It's been ages since I've been on this site...actually, I posted on here right before I moved out here. I grew up in Tulsa, so I totally feel your pain. I think you'll like that it's a lot more live and let live.
I've been here for 5 years and still love it. You'll find the weather out here fantastic. It's high desert....you couldn't pay me enough to move back to Tulsa.
Also, I've met more than a few people from Oklahoma here. Most I've met really really like it. The people I met that didn't, well they were looking for more of a Dallas feel. And that's ok.
I live in Tulsa, and lived in ABQ for a few years in the early 90's , my parents are still in ABQ. Its all about what you love. I love Tulsa, would never want to live in ABQ again. Its too brown and dry. But there are many aspects to ABQ that I absolutely love! The mountains are gorgeous, the weather is pleasant, love the shopping and energy in the city. If you love the water, you will be very disappointed in NM in general. I really remember only one or two lakes at all. As you know, Oklahoma has a lake every 20 miles.
Oklahoma is definitely a more conservative place. That's one thing I could do without.
I'm a southern girl, so Oklahoma will always have my heart, but I do love to visit Albuquerque. Its a totally different type of city! Good luck!
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
