Neighborhood Questions (Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Corona: apartment complexes, rentals, crime)

[morilla]

I posted this earlier today with the wrong year (09) so am trying again, with some changes.

Hello everybody. Could anyone suggest a comfortable neighborhood for me?
I will be working in Los Lunas, but am plannig to rent an apartment in Albuquerque. Having never been to ABQ, my new employer has recommended that I live in the NE or NW area (to avoid property crime I would guess?). Other than having decent (clean, sound, maintained) housing, I am looking for the closest thing to a community environment as possible. I understand the advantages of being near a university too, but am not a kid (40, single, no dependents), meaning I don't want to be in a student ghetto with a ton of noise. I am coming from Michigan and am no stranger to the rougher parts of towns--though I don't go running into crack houses on a regular basis! My concern, I suppose, is that I not live in an overly isolated, sanitized environment. I have read good things about Nob Hill. I like older neighborhoods in general.

A little about me:

1) I love to walk outdoors/love nature
2) Need a modicum of quiet in my living space
3) Have a pet (cat)
4) Like to meet people and go out and night
5) Like music and movies and other cultural amenities
6) Am looking for a 1 bedroom apartment in mid price range

I am looking to move in the next few weeks, so write back soon! Thanks.

[abqsunport]

Loot at Areas in Nob Hill, Downtown, Uptown Area (Menaul and Louisiana), Eubank and Montgomery, Paseo and Wyoming, Paseo and Barstow, North West Side.

[trappedinNM]

It depends on where you are going to work in Los Lunas, and if you plan on driving or taking the train. ??

[morilla]

Thanks a lot for your reply, Abqsunsport. This is a start.

[morilla]

Originally Posted by trappedinNM

It depends on where you are going to work in Los Lunas, and if you plan on driving or taking the train. ??

I was planning to drive. I have heard of the train, but have no idea where it goes. It would be great to have that option.

[trappedinNM]

Originally Posted by morilla

I was planning to drive. I have heard of the train, but have no idea where it goes. It would be great to have that option.

There are new apartments near the Jefferson train station. There are also quite a few options near the downtown station. In Los Lunas, the train station is at 314 and Main. The drive is about 25 miles; lots of traffic also. Depending on where you work in Los Lunas, I'd recommend the train.

The down-side is that the area around Jefferson does not have too much in the way of shopping, etc in the immediate vicinity. It is getting better. 2nd street, as well as crossing the river to Cottonwood. Downtown has an active bar-scene, theatres, and restaurants.

It really depends on your lifestyle.

Official Site of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express

[morilla]

Thanks for your reponse and the link, trappedinNM. The train schedule won't fit my work schedule, but I'm glad to see there's some public transportation available. I will have to take advantage of it in my spare time.

[outtheresomewhere]

Hi,
My girlfriend and I are moving down to Albuquerque from Missoula, Montana in a few months. We're in our 20s and looking for a quiet neighborhood that's not too far from fun spots, but not necessarily in the heart of the young/hipster districts. Mostly just someplace quiet and safe. We're interested in recreation and sightseeing. We're really excited to move down there. Any suggestions?

[honu1]

If you can find a rental near Nob Hill this would put you in waking distance to restaurants and shops. If you want to be able to hike almost from your door, try to find something in the foothills of the Sandias. There are tons of apartments in the NE heights region and a few new complexes to the south as well. Along the Bosque, there are fewer apartments. I have a friend who lives in The Beach apts there and loves it because he can take his dog and walk / bike ride up and down the trail by the Rio Grande. Some don't consider this to be the best area of town, but he has never had any problems and has lived there for several years.

I loved it when I lived in ABQ and was outdoors hiking and doing amateur photography (or snowboarding in winter) nearly every weekend.

[ziaAirmac]

We're in the Hoffmantown area and love it (just north of I-40 and east of I-25). The homes are older, so they're on the reasonable side of Albuquerque's housing prices. for being in the middle of town, the streets are wide and surprisingly quiet. There are some lease/rentals and apartment complexes in the area too. People are always walking/strolling in the evenings to one of the big local parks. I-40 is only blocks away, and between I-40 and I-25 you can get anywhere in town. Hiking in the foothills of the Sandias is just blocks away, and so is shopping at Coronado Center or the new open air Uptown. There are a number of bike/walk paths that tend to follow our drainage system from the foothills to the valley. If you can get near one it's a great way to be able to get exercise and unwind at the end of the day. One thing I would mention is that if you can avoid having to commute through the Big-I (the I-25/I-40 interchange) daily, I recommend you do. It's not that bad in general but can be a lot of daily stress avoided if you live/work in the same quadrant. Enjoy!