Miscellaneous questions about Albuquerque (Hope: real estate, apartment complex, rentals)

[casden]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

#2-- Which school do I want to go to get a MS in Accounting degree? Which school offers lowest costs, or the best bang for my buck when it comes to achieving this? (So far I have applied to UA, CU Denver, SDSU, USC, UNLV. I am now considering applying to UNM. If I had to choose which program to go to right this second, I would choose CU Denver, where I should get in-state tution). While I could always go to school in one city and then relocate again somewhere else, I would rather plan on staying wherever I go to school, especially if it's a school where I'd be paying out of state tution.

I think if your going to Medical School, getting a degree in Anthropology, or a degree in Engineering UNM is a good school (although I'm not sure how it compares to CU Denver). I do know that UNM has consistently been rated as a top 10 school for Medicine (especially for Primary Care) in the country. It's up there with Johns Hopkins and Yale when it comes to Medicine.

[vegaspilgrim]

Thanks for the advice, NM Mom! You're right, I never know what my life might be like in 5 years, but the point is, I don't want to be a "drifter" always moving from place to place. I want to find a place and settle down, becoming part of a community, staying put through the ups and downs. And the cards are already stacked in favor of Denver, since I'm from there anyway. I have met many adults much older than me who do indeed feel they are "stuck" in a place. Sometimes it not really about a place, sometimes people are in life situations where they feel unhappy and "trapped," like unhappy marriages, debt, lousy jobs, etc, but being in a place you don't like certainly doesn't help. So I think it is a valid concern, now that I'm free and easy, I want to do it right! And that's exactly why your advice is more likely than not what I'll end up doing. The CU Denver thing might be the least exciting option, but it is also the least stressful option-- as you said, there would be no pressure. I already know what Denver is all about, so there shouldn't be any major suprises. UNM still is a possiblity though. And you can bet that whether I live there or not, I'll be visiting New Mexico a lot more in the future. I think NM is one of the most underrated states in the union. I hope it stays that way too and NM doesn't turn into the next Arizona. Anyway, thanks for your great reponse!

[yukon]

At the various CPA firms I've worked for over the years, the school from which the accountant graduated never seemed to be an issue like it is in some industries. Ranking in the class, and in some cases community involvement, seemed to have more importance in hiring than the actual school. If you're wanting to work for a big 4, the school might be a tad more important depending on what segment of accounting you were interested in.

I'll admit, I'm more partial to the smaller local and regional firms, myself. Having worked at both (big 4 and little guys), I've found the variety and client interaction to be much more interesting and rewarding with the little guys (in tax, anyway). Granted, the big guys look better on a resume, but there's something to be said for quality of life, and the little guys seem to respect it a lot more than the biggies do.

[vegaspilgrim]

If anybody here is still following this thread, I was wondering if you could take a look at another discussion on the Denver forum titled, Denver vs Albuquerque. The OP of that thread already decided in favor of Denver and moved on, but since then I've kind of "taken over" the thread with my own questions. Some posters on that thread responded with some pretty unnerving stories about their experiences in Albuquerque. Is what they're saying true?

[AndyJ]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

If anybody here is still following this thread, I was wondering if you could take a look at another discussion on the Denver forum titled, Denver vs Albuquerque. The OP of that thread already decided in favor of Denver and moved on, but since then I've kind of "taken over" the thread with my own questions. Some posters on that thread responded with some pretty unnerving stories about their experiences in Albuquerque. Is what they're saying true?

Well, I haven't perused the whole thread, but I will say that a certain post from a certain character from back east was pretty laughable.

I'll try to read through it when I get a chance, and hopefully formulate a better answer for you.

[AndyJ]

vegaspilgrim -

I haven't read through every post on the aforementioned thread, but here are some general observations about ideas and opinions that Denver posters had about ABQ (not going to list any of them by name):


1. One poster pointed out that many New Mexicans are of Mexican or hispanic descent, but have lived here for many, many generations. This is completely true, although there certainly are immigrants and first generation Americans as well. I love the hispanic culture here, although I'm white. One poster seemed to imply that Santa Fe has much more of this culture than Albuquerque, but I disagree; I simply think it's much more concentrated in Santa Fe (eg in and around the Plaza), and therefore seems more prominent. On that note, Albuquerque has much more in the way of other cultures, such as Asian, Irish, German, etc., but of course it's nothing like L.A. or NYC or any large city (I don't know about Denver).

2. Another poster had a story about Mexicans and people of hispanic background being targeted as perpetrators of crimes. I believe there is truth to this. I will say I'm not basing this opinion on any stats I have in hand, but rather on the sad truth that minorities (a term used loosely in NM) are more easily accused of and convicted of crimes they didn't necessarily commit. This is one of those areas where people are going to agree or disagree, but the truth is that it's in no way unique to ABQ.

3. Santa Fe is 60 miles (~45 minutes, the way most people here commute) from Albuquerque, not 90.

4. It seemed that several posters agreed that Albuquerque's urban growth is similar to, or has the potential to be similar to that of Denver. Rio Rancho was referenced once or twice, and at least a few posters seemed to lament the kind of growth evident in suburbs and cities like RR, and I guess places like Highlands Ranch, Littleton, etc. (I will admit to not having been to Denver in some years, and as such I'm unsure of where the growth is now - I'm going to see some college ball games during March Madness and I'm very happy to be able to visit again). Maybe I can compare ABQ better with Phoenix - Rio Rancho reminds me of Peoria, whereas the westside of Albuquerque is like Goodyear or Buckeye maybe - new homes springing up overnight, although the difference is that Albuquerque's growth cannot go unchecked forever. The city is bordered by federal and reservation lands, and the legal and political battles that are bound to emerge between developers, tribes, and the government aren't going to be pretty. I know that posters on the ABQ and NM forums live on the west side and areas of new growth, and they can certainly shed better light on this issue than I can, seeing as I live in a relatively older area of town.

5. There were posts in reference to Coloradoans feelings about outsiders moving in, but this is applicable to NM as well. People who have lived here for a long time and/or grew up here are not always comfortable with people who move here from places like TX, CA, or back east. It has to do with attitudes, both those from native residents and those moving in. I know I have been quick to judge outsiders in the past, but I've been able to move past that attitude, as some I've met a lot of great, intelligent people who moved here to get away from whatever hectic, big city life they previously led. Yes, there are snobs and jerks who come here from elsewhere, but there are also snobs and jerks who lived here their whole lives.

One more bit about the "outsiders" thing: in Montana, people who move in from CA or TX are often advised to get their license plates changed ASAP - some Montanans are known to go ahead and rip them off of out of state cars, because of a widely held opinion there that people from the outside just don't have the same set of values as the people who've resided there for a long time. I've never heard of anything similar here in NM (probably has happened at some point), and most of the people I know embrace new neighbors, regardless of where they are from.

6. Finally, one I just couldn't ignore. Car theft is not a "guilded craft" among high schoolers here. Not saying it hasn't ever happened, but putting it the way that poster did was pretty stupid.


So, anyhow, this is just my two cents, long-winded as it was. Looks like you may be leaning towards heading back to CO; it also seems you've more than done your homework on these forums, and you have a good idea of what's best for you, which is great. Best of luck in whatever you end up deciding.

[abqsunport]

Justed posted this on that Denver v. ABQ thread on the Denver forum.

I have to say, I feel like most of the posts about Albuquerque are a bit...outdated. Much of what you guys say applied 15 years ago.

Crime in Albuquerque is largely isolated. If you are in the South Valley, the War Zone, or similar areas, you are indeed going to feel unsafe. Where did the impression that Nob Hill is a really nice area to live in come from? Its nice to hang out in, and live in if you are a young hip person. It is not the place to raise a family, or settle down. If you want that, you are in the wrong part of town. The far northeast heights is the nicest part of town. Homes generally range from 200,000 to 2,000,000. However, the median home price is probably in the 400,000s. This is the areas around Academy and North. Rio Rancho is okay, but it is simply a suburb.

The claim that the job market in Albuquerque is bad is simply false. It was true 15 years ago, but not presently. Forbes just ranked us 13th in the Nation as best place to get a job. Denver was 16th.
Table: Best Cities For Jobs In 2008 - Forbes.com

Albuquerque was also the best place in 2006 to start a business, and 6th in 2007 (by Forbes).

Albuquerque was also the fittest city in 2007 because of its ample outdoors ammentities. The difference between Denver and Albuquerque is that ABQ's recreation is within 2-25 minutes away, Denver's can be over an hour away.

Denver-Boulder CSA is like 3,000,000 people. Albuquerque-Santa Fe combined MSA is barely 1,000,000. So shouldn't Denver be more urban? Why should anyone expect ABQ Downtown to be close to Downtown Denver? This is such a ridiculous comparison.

I say this with all sincerity: Race Relations are on the whole very good in Albuquerque. Hispanics, Anglos, Natives, Asians, and the small number of Blacks get along very well. Gangs are isolated, crime is isolated. If you can stay out of drugs, then you are safe from crime.


Interesting, I have never heard of Patron and I have lived in New Mexico my whole life...


Quote:
Unlike the 80s and 90s, our young are choosing to stay here or come back as they realize what they had once they moved away.

Believe it or not, that has become true for Albuquerque. The majority of people who come here for the military stay here. Something like 50% of out of state students who attend UNM stay in New Mexico.

So whether or not your personal choice is Denver or Albuquerque, they are both very nice cities. Believe me, they both have their fair share of problems.

[vegaspilgrim]

Thanks for your posts, AndyJ and abqsunport. I'm not trying to start some kind of flame war here-- just want to hear all different points of view. It seems like different people can have radically different experiences of the same city, and the experiences of visitors can be very different from residents. I haven't totally made my mind up; I am probably going back to Denver for at least one year, but that's not certain yet. If I really end up liking Albuquerque when I take my trip there (probably in May, I'll try to stop there for a few days on the way back to Denver) and find myself wanting to keep coming back, I could just as easily decide to move there in a year's time once I finish up the one-year master's degree. As some people have said, I can drive down there in a half day's time for a job interview. And UNM is still a consideration. What I've heard about some people's experiences makes me a little nervous, but it's probably fear of the unknown more than anything else.

With regards to gangs, if you were to come across gang members, is it possible to just ignore them or do they get in your face? I don't look, dress, or act anything like a gang member-- would I have problems? What age do these punks tend to be, and how dangerous are they? If I were to move to Albuquerque, I am pretty certain that I would live in the Northeast Heights (a big area, I know, but somewhere in that general area). I'd be living in an apartment complex or renting a condo/townhouse starting off. Are there any parts of the NE heights with significant gang problems?

[abqsunport]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

With regards to gangs, if you were to come across gang members, is it possible to just ignore them or do they get in your face? I don't look, dress, or act anything like a gang member-- would I have problems? What age do these punks tend to be, and how dangerous are they? If I were to move to Albuquerque, I am pretty certain that I would live in the Northeast Heights (a big area, I know, but somewhere in that general area). I'd be living in an apartment complex or renting a condo/townhouse starting off. Are there any parts of the NE heights with significant gang problems?

Pretty much if you stay out of Gang Affairs (ie Drugs), you will be fine. You are better off not dressing like a gang member--that is a good thing. This will mean you are not a threat. Gangs have problems with rival gangs. The gang scene is kept pretty much in the lower income areas (ie Belen, some areas of Los Lunas, the South Valley, Martineztown, War Zone, etc.) Don't fret, just be smart.

[desert sun]

you wont have no problems,they dont mess with you,especially if you dont act or dress like a thug.I noticed in some of the smaller towns in NM they tend to kinda wonder about you since everyone knows of new people comming in,but Albq is big and I dont see that here.