Greetings From Abroad :) (Albuquerque, North Valley, House: best city, home builder, neighbourhoods)

[Lostinspace78]

Hello, I apologise if the questions I am going to ask have already been answered. Yes, I have read hundreds of threads for the last week and right now I feel like I'm having information overload. So I thought I would just ask specific questions pertaining to my family's current situation.

We've been living/working abroad for the last 5 years and my SO has a great job opportunity in ABQ. We already plan to visit in a couple of months to spend a week or two exploring the area. My SO is from the Denver/Boulder area and I'm from Chicago. I must admit my research has me not very excited about the potential move based on my bias for urban/metropolitan areas. But I am very adaptable and willing to compromise for my wife who is super excited and has been house hunting already, lol.

So my questions/criteria are:

Who are the good quality builders in the area? Are there homes by builders we should avoid?

I will likely work from home for a bit while my SO will be working close to Stardust Skies Park along Pennsylvania St. My SO hates commuting by car (20min max commute time) and our max budget is $500K for housing, but willing to break it for an awesome house, though I'm a cheapskate and would rather be much under it For me having a backyard that my son can run around in is kind of important. I would prefer some space between lots. We would both prefer a home less than 10yo. Easy access to big box stores or chain food joints is not a priority what so ever. Again, my SO hates commuting by car (20min max commute time), so based on the sparse data given what neighbourhoods should we be looking at?

After some of the reading I've done I'm a bit bummed about the school situation there. Currently we live in one of the best educational systems in the world even though it is super expensive. So any private schools for elementary on up anyone would recommend?

How is road cycling/mtn biking in ABQ? Any roadies/mtn bikers on the forum care to comment on driver attitudes/safety and road conditions?

Not much more I can think of till get more coffee in my system, but my family is extremely laid back and able to adapt to most environments/situations with a smile on our faces, so feel free to to give me as many options as possible, thanks

[threecats407]

If you are talking about living in Albuquerque in a home less than 10 yrs old my guess is that you will be finding most of them west of the Rio.

[NMHacker]

Originally Posted by threecats407

If you are talking about living in Albuquerque in a home less than 10 yrs old my guess is that you will be finding most of them west of the Rio.

For the amount they are looking for they can look in any part of town. In that price range I would stay away from the big builders and go with a local quality custom home builder. The west side in the last 10 years new construction is primarily sub divisions with small tiny lots. Not what is sounds like they want. A little more space. Also, considering that the job is off of Pennsylvania and Montgomery and not wanting more than a 20 minute commute, knocks out most of the west side.

IMHO, in the 500k range. I would look at North Albuquerque Acres and Nearby, The North Valley and Four Hills.

[aries63]

Originally Posted by Lostinspace78

I must admit my research has me not very excited about the potential move based on my bias for urban/metropolitan areas.

Can you elaborate? This doesn't seem to jive with the later comment about wanting a yard with space for your child to run around, and having "space between lots."

You might look in the Tanoan community, it would be within 20 minutes of your SO's work and within better public school districts. Houses are still close together but many have decent back yards. It is near the Albuquerque Academy, a good private school: Albuquerque Academy, an independent, coeducational day school. | Albuquerque Academy

Albuquerque has 400 miles of bike paths/trails to delight roadies, as well as endless mountain biking in the area. One place to get an introduction to local mountain biking would be the foothills of the Sandias on the eastern edge of Albuquerque:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTfgRr-k9o0

[87112]

I have spent around 6 days in Albuquerque. From what I have seen it is just about the best city for bicycle riders. The terrain, scenery and vast bike lanes along with empty sidewalks make for biking heaven. I'm not saying riding on the sidewalk is a good thing but lets face it this ain't Hong Kong sometimes you don't see a soul walking the streets and the street is all yours for riding.

I have been back home one week from Albuquerque and my soul still loves it there and never left. I think you will love the city as much as me.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by Lostinspace78

How is road cycling/mtn biking in ABQ? Any roadies/mtn bikers on the forum care to comment on driver attitudes/safety and road conditions?

Nice bicycling area. Here are some threads you might be interested in reading:

Bicycle Groups???
Bicycle riders in ABQ...
Goatheads - Bicycle Tires
Interactive ABQ Bicycle Map
Looking for a used bicycle
Albuquerque third most bicycle-friendly city
Rude people on the Bosque bike trail.
convenient bike friendly area to live for early retiree
Getting Around By Bike In Winter?
ABQ Bike Events, Swaps, Shops
Bike Routes In ABQ