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I have been looking at jobs in Albuquerque through my employer, Fidelity Investments. We have a site in Mesa Del Sol. I am thinking of taking a trip to see the area, see if I'd like it. Does anyone have any info they can share about this area to live/work in? I understand it's a new booming area and am wondering if you think a Bostonian transplant would like it there. I hate the winter, hate it, detest it. I am also single, 42, no kids and looking for a change in my life. Been in Boston all my life.
Any and all feedback/advice appreciated. Also how is housing? Rents in Boston are ridiculous: $1200 for a 2 BR no heat/hw included. Is renting decent?
Last edited by catsnmusic; 11-11-2008 at 12:48 PM..
I moved here from Boston in 1992 to go to college.
It was a change - things are more laid back here. People actually acknowledge you. I couldn't stop taking pictures of the Sandias the first two wks I lived here. It was August, and I would just sit out in the sun and soak it up. The weather is much nicer.
We do have winter, and it can snow, but nothing like Boston. You might never see a dirty snow mountain in a grocery store parking lot again.
It is much more a car culture here. Right before I moved, I lived in Somerville (between Porter and Davis Squares), and worked at Harvard. I was around the corner from Star Market. I could walk pretty much anywhere I needed to, and could hop right on the T when I wanted to go into Boston. There, public transportation was so common, and just about everyone used it. It was often easier than driving somewhere. Here, while they are pushing it, it just is not the same. That was my big disappointment - but one I got over after I bought a little beater car to get around in.
Hope this helps!
Oh, wanted to add, if you do want to live somewhere that still retains an urban feel (walking places, lots of people) you may wish to look at the area around UNM/Nob Hill. Living on campus that first year and being able to walk to shops and places to eat really helped cushion my culture shock.
Catsnmusic, let me address the winter issue since you hate it, you say.
I grew up in Mass, and lived for a very long time in NYC. Winters here are a piece of cake in comparison. BUT just how much do you hate winter? If its strong enough to make you
want to escape all cold weather and snow, you may have to think twice.
Temps can get cold here in the winter, below freezing most nights. And it can occasionally snow. Usually small amounts that melt pretty rapidly. But occasionally a bigger fall. This is high desert, not low like Phoenix which is considerably milder.
The compensating factors are that it's mostly sunny, it doesn't snow often, there are virtually none of those dreary icy cloudy days that you have in New England, and the deserts start moderating in February.
one of the best features about ABQ is the weather. Yes, the winters can be chilly but the sun shines most of the time. The worst part of the weather is the wind;;;yuck!!!!
You will find NM very different from Boston is many ways, but it should be a pleasant change. No, it isn't very urban, like mentioned the area around the university is the closest to urban.
There are lots of trendy developments with neat shopping in the Paseo Del Norte area...even then you call see for miles..Albuquerque is surrounded by moutians on a couple of sides and mesa to the west..
Come with an open mind,expecting a new life and life style and you will be fine, if you look for Boston in Alb, you will hate it.
Hi ABQSunseeker,
I hate this about winter: freezing my butt off everywhere I go, no matter what time of day it is. Sleety, icy, dangerous driving, snowbanks everywhere you turn, sheets of ice on the sidewalks everywhere you go after a snowfall. Mostly it's the temperature. I hate the 10 degree days getting blown to bits walking around south station where I work. Don't even want to walk two blocks to go get lunch so I stay in.
I used to work at One Financial Center, so I kwym about winter and ice and winds.
Housing is a lot cheaper here. And comparatively newer, if you are used to turn of the century triple deckers, or even the old two family homes.
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