From Temecula to Albuquerque (Rio Rancho, Los Lunas: relocate, real estate, gated)

[Matisyahu]

I've been living in Southern California for over 15 years now. I'm planning to move to Albuequerque because it is to expensive over here.
How's Los Lunas? Is it a nice place to live?
I'm also concerned about crime in Albuquerque. I can say that Temecula (where I live right now) is extremely safe. You can't even see grafity.
The reason I want to move to Albuquerque (or to a small town near by) is to have a bigger house, and to offer a better life to my family.
Is it stupid for me to think about moving to Albuquerque?
I'll appreciate your advice.

[Informer]

Originally Posted by Matisyahu

I've been living in Southern California for over 15 years now. I'm planning to move to Albuequerque because it is to expensive over here.
How's Los Lunas? Is it a nice place to live?
I'm also concerned about crime in Albuquerque. I can say that Temecula (where I live right now) is extremely safe. You can't even see grafity.
The reason I want to move to Albuquerque (or to a small town near by) is to have a bigger house, and to offer a better life to my family.
Is it stupid for me to think about moving to Albuquerque?
I'll appreciate your advice.

I encourage you to read through the New Mexico threads because I don't wish to be redundant here. The New Mexico threads should give you a pretty good answer to most of your questions about Albuquerque.

The only information I can tell you about Los Lunas is it's south of down town Albuquerque, slightly warmer in the winter then Albuquerque metro and more humid in the summer. Real estate is a little more reasonable then Albuquerque. They have some fine New Mexican restaraunts there also ( but you will find many excellent eateries throughout the area).

It's stupid not to check out an area throughly before you relocate - so no, your not being "stupid" your doing the right thing by checking it out first.

Good Luck...

[Crackerjack]

You asked about crime in Albuquerque and there are good areas and bad areas in the city just like any big city. In the Los Angeles area it is the same; areas where you want to stay away from but other areas that are great to live in, so I wouldn't discourage you from moving to Albuquerque but I think the question should be for people to answer who live in Albuquerque "where to live and avoid in ABQ?". I know people who live in Rio Rancho and they feel fairly safe and a friend who lives near the Tramway and he likes it but I heard from all of them that it isn't very safe down in central Albuquerque but hopefully others will write in and tell you where to live and where not to live there. I can tell you Los Lunas isn't far from Albuquerque but I am wondering too how is the crime there? If you like it more rural and laid back, Moriarty, Edgewood area is a nice place. There are people who have ranches and horses and such that live out there.

[ArenasNM]

I live in Los Lunas right now so I pretty much know everything that you'll need to know about this place. I know the good areas and the bad areas. I know the where the good communities are and the bad ones. And also there is Los Chavez and Tome if you like that open land. Depending where you buy in Los Chavez. Los Chavez is located on the west side of the Rio Grande river between Los Lunas and Belen. Tome is located on the east side of the river between Los Lunas and Belen. So what do you wanna know about Los Lunas? Any specific questions?

[SandKMcVaugh]

Heres a biased opinion from some one who lived in Peris, Ca just a half hour from you and worked in Temecula for almost 20 years. Yes Temecula is nice but GET OUT of CALIFORNIA!....I excaped to Nevada and living in Tonopah untill Augest when I'm finnaly moving to Demming, NM. I don't care where you move to in the US theres going to be simalarities to Temecula anywhere you go but like I found out you'll be happier and safer than in California. The other thing I found is the farther East you go( to a Point) the nicer people are just like on this forum also you'll find the cost of living a lot cheaper the closer you get to the middle of the country. As to Albuquerqeue, I've seen the city and I do like it. They have some good food and events as well as a lot of history for your kids to learn, especially Indian history. I had an Uncle that lived in Mountainare(I think thats how it's spelled). He worked for NM DOT, he used to take me all over the place to anchient Indian locations and help me find all kinds of things like pottery, arrowheads and one time I even found an axe.
As you can see I fell in love with NM a long time ago.

[Crackerjack]

Thanks ArenasNM for responding as it is good to hear from someone from Los Lunas. I think from what I gathered from Matisyahu's post is he is concerned about crime and what areas in Los Lunas and Albuquerque to avoid. I am familiar with the Rio Rancho and Moriarty areas but not Los Lunas and I wanted to know myself if Los Lunas is a safe city to live and do you like living there? What area would you personally avoid? In ABQ too? I know for myself I try to avoid down into central ABQ but I feel Rio Rancho and Moriarty are pretty safe. Do you feel safe walking at night in Los Lunas? Thanks ArenasNM for your answers!

[Crackerjack]

SandKMcVaugh, I think I know Mountainair if it is the little town of about 1,000 or so on Highway 60, not far from Willard. Manzano Mts State Park isn't far from there and the Pueblo Missions Monuments are around there. Go east from Mountainair to Vaughn or down to Ancho and you'll hardly see a soul! Not many people out that way!

[ArenasNM]

CrackerJack,

Well most of the crime that happens is in Medow Lake which is considered Los Lunas. Its bugs me because it gives it a bad name because of that area. Its a pretty far drive fromt the town so you really don't have to worry about the people who live there and since they built a new high school up there then the kids from over there shouldn't be in town all the time. So I guess that is the worst place that is a part of Los Lunas. The good place and for sure good place in Los Lunas is next to the interstate. It is growing there. Not as big as Rio Rancho big its growing. New houses are being built on the hill. I know a gated community is going up there. There is a bunch of places to live up there and all new houses. There is crime everywhere but I'd say the safest area is closest to the interstate and thats also where all the businesses are. Pretty easy to get around in that area and right next to the interstate for Albuquerque. I don't know too much about Albuquerque. Just what I hear in the news. Let me know about anything else you wanna know . Like if your looking for open land with a house to give you more room between neighbors or house by house neighborhoods

[Crackerjack]

Thank you for the info ArenasNM! I have added Los Lunas to the list of good places to live in the Albuquerque area. I know Moriarty, Edgewood, Cedar Crest and Rio Rancho are areas I think are good to live as well. I have been through Los Lunas many times and noticed all the new areas popping up like Bernalillo is doing. It is good to know fron someone there that it is a good place to live as well. I have always liked it down the Rio Grande where Los Lunas is located and I look for that area to really grow in the next few years.

[ArenasNM]

Your welcome Crackerjack. Its a really nice area and its not near the city which I like. And the area I live is spead out. So its good to have that option if your not looking for close neighbors. I'm glad to know that I could help