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My job has an office in Albuquerque, where I can transfer to. I currently live in Los Angeles, I pay $1775.00 a month for a 860sq ft 2bd room apartment (which I share with my mother and daughter), in a somewhat crime ridden neighborhood near LAX, If I want to have a better lifestyle, I can move to a different part of town, and rent a studio or maybe a 1 bedroom for the same price. I've done some research on the net, and I keep seeing statistics that ABQ is a horrible place to live in. The reason I came on here is to hear some feedback and opinions from people that actually live in Abq, and not from statistics. Is it really that bad to live here?
Maybe if you don't have a job or are working min wage it surely sucks. Not sure if your wage will transfer, but at that price you are talking about renting the nicest houses in the nicest neighborhoods. For maybe $1300 you can rent a 2000+ sq/ft 3+ bedroom house in a nice area.
It also depends on what you want. You won't get direct flights everywhere, try the best restaurants, go see professional sports, for the most part you won't see shows, concerts, be around celebrities or extremely wealthy people, you won't live in an area that has the amenities supporting millions and millions of people. If you need those things ABQ won't work for you.
I think it probably comes down to the outdoors and the culture. You could spend every weekend going to see places around NM and be active in the outdoors. Instead of the big things LA has we have lots of smaller (some larger) culture events. Between ABQ and Santa Fe there are probably few weekends that go by that there isn't something interesting happening. If you find the cultural events lame and don't do the outdoors you will get bored.
Crime can suck if it happens to you, but you shouldn't have much issue at what it sounds like your price range would be and it probably a lot better compared to your current situation.
You shouldn't have a commute longer than 30 minutes, and depending on your office and location probably a lot less (more time to be bored).
If you want people to care about your status or go around to 'be seen' you will be disappointed, no one will care. This also applies to business. The major complaint is life just happens slower here, not has much rushing. Sounds great, but if you are a go getter it might feel frustrating. The easiest example is our legislators are only in regular session 90 days for every 2 years.
The entire state of NM supports 2 million people, I don't know how you even try to compare that to LA.
Depends on what you want out of your life and what you want to do with all the free time you will suddenly have.
I've done some research on the net, and I keep seeing statistics that ABQ is a horrible place to live in. The reason I came on here is to hear some feedback and opinions from people that actually live in Abq, and not from statistics. Is it really that bad to live here?
My first visit to the ABQ area was in the late 60's. My wife and I have lived continuously in the ABQ area since 1998/99. We currently live in Rio Rancho. We have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren in this area. We are now retired in this area. We currently have no plans on moving.
I am sure that some people think "ABQ is a horrible place to live in". That can be said about every location.
You really need to come visit out here if have not already done so.
I'm originally an East Coaster but have lived in ABQ most of my life, by choice. Los Angeles would be my idea of a horrible place to live. But if you are adjusted to life in LA, it can be hard to get used to living somewhere else, and a place like NM might seem "backward" to you.
I am packing to move to Albuquerque right now, leaving the L.A. area after 30 years. I spent the better part of a year researching ABQ and other cities with reasonable costs of living. Nothing made me think Albuquerque might be "horrible" or anything approaching it. (What a strange thing to say.) I'd suggest the OP spend some serious time reading the threads here -- the good and the bad are both easily found.
I'd suggest the OP spend some serious time reading the threads here -- the good and the bad are both easily found.
It's been my experience that people with negative experiences are far more likely to express their displeasure than are people lauding their positive ones. IOWs, there can appear to be a strong bias when researching any locale on these forums.
Maybe if you don't have a job or are working min wage it surely sucks. Not sure if your wage will transfer, but at that price you are talking about renting the nicest houses in the nicest neighborhoods. For maybe $1300 you can rent a 2000+ sq/ft 3+ bedroom house in a nice area.
It also depends on what you want. You won't get direct flights everywhere, try the best restaurants, go see professional sports, for the most part you won't see shows, concerts, be around celebrities or extremely wealthy people, you won't live in an area that has the amenities supporting millions and millions of people. If you need those things ABQ won't work for you.
I think it probably comes down to the outdoors and the culture. You could spend every weekend going to see places around NM and be active in the outdoors. Instead of the big things LA has we have lots of smaller (some larger) culture events. Between ABQ and Santa Fe there are probably few weekends that go by that there isn't something interesting happening. If you find the cultural events lame and don't do the outdoors you will get bored.
Crime can suck if it happens to you, but you shouldn't have much issue at what it sounds like your price range would be and it probably a lot better compared to your current situation.
You shouldn't have a commute longer than 30 minutes, and depending on your office and location probably a lot less (more time to be bored).
If you want people to care about your status or go around to 'be seen' you will be disappointed, no one will care. This also applies to business. The major complaint is life just happens slower here, not has much rushing. Sounds great, but if you are a go getter it might feel frustrating. The easiest example is our legislators are only in regular session 90 days for every 2 years.
The entire state of NM supports 2 million people, I don't know how you even try to compare that to LA.
Depends on what you want out of your life and what you want to do with all the free time you will suddenly have.
LOL, I moved to LA about 3 years ago, before that I live for 17years in a place called Gila Bend Arizona, my nearest neighbor was 11 miles away. So I'm not really looking for any of the stuff you mentioned. I'm looking for an apartment in a good part of town, with good schools for my 13 year old kid.
I am packing to move to Albuquerque right now, leaving the L.A. area after 30 years. I spent the better part of a year researching ABQ and other cities with reasonable costs of living. Nothing made me think Albuquerque might be "horrible" or anything approaching it. (What a strange thing to say.) I'd suggest the OP spend some serious time reading the threads here -- the good and the bad are both easily found.
Hey Nazz, thanks for the feed back. I currently live in Inglewood Ca, and I'm to get to the small town setting. Again, all I went by was other peoples opinion on other forums. Maybe they didn't like their living situation, and decided to post the negative instead of the positive. I'm just tired of LA
Hey, Rob. ... I am sad to leave L.A. but am sick of paying most of what I bring in for housing. It is absurd. $1,800 or so will bring a decent house rental in ABQ, I'm almost certain.
I have been feeling pretty good about Albuquerque in recent months, getting used to the idea. (I've visited several times and my son is there.) What can I say -- after weighing the good and the not-so-good, I'm moving there. That's my endorsement. Good luck to you.
Before moving to Alb I lived in the Westchester part of LA. I was there during the 1984 Olympics and didn't care for it.
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