Albuquerque's Biggest Problem (Placitas: fit in, violent crime, gated)

[ckahn]

Originally Posted by trailtramp

For those that gripe that Albuquerque isn't cosmopolitan like Chicago, or doesn't have shopping like New York, or stars & night life like Los Angeles, or have big major sports teams...why don't you get off your butts and move to one of these places! Whats so great about Albuquerque is just that it is NOT like those other overcrowded, traffic snarled, shopping driven, polluted, concrete covered urban nightmares. (Although the sprawl is starting to get bad.). Culture? There is no culture in LA or San Diego or Dallas or Phoenix. Its all about keeping up with the neighbors no matter how far into debt you go; about paying more attention to which slimeball celebrity chick is getting laid by whomever rock druggie, rather than things in life that matter. Not to say that attitude doesn't exist everywhere, but so much less in NM.

There is such a breath of fresh air that hits when you get to the borders of New Mexico, knowing all that mega city crap is behind you. The state and most cities/towns embrace their history rather than cover it up. NM is almost like being in Hawaii. Once you get away from the tourist traps in the islands, the people are laid back, friendly, and embrace their culture. NM is similar in many ways, its just not in the middle of the ocean. Heres hoping it stays that way!

I agree with what you are saying after living in the overcrowded, overpriced, concrete jungle of San Diego for the last ten years. Spacious Albuquerque is a breath of fresh air compared to Southern California. Here my spouse and I can save our hard earned money and own something for once. Plus, continuing our college education is way more affordable here. Shopping and restaurants are plentiful and convenient. On a recreational level access to parks, winter sports, freshwater fishing, hiking/biking trails, theater, concerts, and even a nice choice of casinos are within a short distance.
I have had a couple of negative experiences: going downtown on Central which I avoid whenever possible (confrontation with rough characters and situations on more than one occasion) and our neighborhood was invaded by burglars 3 times this summer - a different house each time. We live in a quiet little neighborhood, hence why they targeted our neighborhood as easy prey. Yes, those experiences have left scars, but living in the big city was so much more frustrating in different ways.

[Alinka]

A few posts up I noticed one from catrinac regarding Sephora. Yes, a Sephora just opened formally last week- Friday- I think. But it is not located in a new high priced mall, it is in Coronado Center. Close to Sears, at least in the general area.

I had read about this a few months ago; the location choice was not what I would have expected. My experience with the store is very limited, I have been to one in San Francisco and one in NYC (where they seem to be on every corner). Also in both those cities they are free standing stores. Considering that I would have guessed Uptown, kind of near Coldwater Creek.

For all I know though, maybe they are often in malls. Anyway, this one is definitely in Coronado.

[trailtramp]

What is it about crime in Abq that keeps popping up in so many posts? Are the metropolitan police departments understaffed? Underfunded? Ineffective? Sure there are going to be areas of heavier drug abuse thus more crime...but is it like that everywhere around the city and suburbs? Is random violence a big issue?

We are in escrow on a property in Placitas and all this talk of crime is a little alarming, since we'll be working and commuting and spending alot of time in the city.

Getting out of San Diego because its turning into a third world country here. So much of the city turning really nasty, rundown and dirty. Hundreds outside of the home center stores looking for work. We now print voting ballots in 30+ languages here because its so diverse. So far though crime is relatively low for such a big city. Hoping that what I'm reading about Abq is more steam blowing from those with a few bad experiences than the norm?

[desert sun]

Originally Posted by trailtramp

What is it about crime in Abq that keeps popping up in so many posts? Are the metropolitan police departments understaffed? Underfunded? Ineffective? Sure there are going to be areas of heavier drug abuse thus more crime...but is it like that everywhere around the city and suburbs? Is random violence a big issue?

We are in escrow on a property in Placitas and all this talk of crime is a little alarming, since we'll be working and commuting and spending alot of time in the city.

Getting out of San Diego because its turning into a third world country here. So much of the city turning really nasty, rundown and dirty. Hundreds outside of the home center stores looking for work. We now print voting ballots in 30+ languages here because its so diverse. So far though crime is relatively low for such a big city. Hoping that what I'm reading about Abq is more steam blowing from those with a few bad experiences than the norm?

You asked if the metro police departents are understaffed-- well I know they are hiring as they have a certain goal of officers they want,there have been more than a few incidents where the cops are the thugs.

Random violence is not a big issue,everything is more related to drugs, gangs or domestic violence but I think thats how it goes in any city, lots of property crime here though. Every part of the city has crime but I would say its more concentrated in the Southern areas of the city.

I know people like to bring up crime and all that alot but compared to other cities I dont think we have it all that bad actually, ABQ may have a higher crime rate than San Diego though based on per capita but there are many smaller cities than ABQ that have more murders and so on like Tulsa,Birmingham,Little Rock,etc.

[rybert]

Originally Posted by trailtramp

What is it about crime in Abq that keeps popping up in so many posts? Are the metropolitan police departments understaffed? Underfunded? Ineffective? Sure there are going to be areas of heavier drug abuse thus more crime...but is it like that everywhere around the city and suburbs? Is random violence a big issue?

We are in escrow on a property in Placitas and all this talk of crime is a little alarming, since we'll be working and commuting and spending alot of time in the city.

Getting out of San Diego because its turning into a third world country here. So much of the city turning really nasty, rundown and dirty. Hundreds outside of the home center stores looking for work. We now print voting ballots in 30+ languages here because its so diverse. So far though crime is relatively low for such a big city. Hoping that what I'm reading about Abq is more steam blowing from those with a few bad experiences than the norm?

You'll be fine. Don't buy into the hype.

[lemon&lime]

Since Albuquerque isn't "about" vanity all the nicer malls and stores should be shut down at once; people can shop for all their clothes at Wal-Mart and K-Mart, since having nicer clothes shouldn't matter. All the better, higher quality salons should be shut down too. People can get their hair done at Super Cuts. All the better, higher end grocery stores should be shut down-- Smiths grocery or Wal Mart should work just fine. The nicer, higher quality restaurants including The Flying Star should be shut down... "down to earth" people should do just fine at Mc Donald's, Burger King, Dairy Queen, etc.

You can take your chicken McNuggets and go hike up at the foothills...where the rich people live, the people who are probably vain like me and wish Albuquerque was a little nicer town.

Originally Posted by rybert

ABQ is not about vanity at all... never has been.

[rybert]

Wow... what are you talking about?

In comparison to every other town I've ever been in... from Europe to Califonia and over to Japan... ABQ has been the least obsessed with keeping up with the Jones'.

Yes, I don't think ABQ needs stores like Gucci or Burberry... they are not necessary... JCP and Dillards is expensive enough for this town.

I can't stand that people move here and want to change it right away... that's absurd. When a stray wolf wants to join a new pack, it must first show humility... then after contributing to the pack, it can begin to influence its community decisions.

I don't shop at Wal-mart (see:China). I don't shop at K-Mart... their mens clothing is actually more expensive than Target. I sure as heck don't think any less about the people that do... because.. here's the rub... most people in NM can only afford to shop at those places. I shop at JCP and when I have enough money for a nice button-down or some new chinos, I go to Dillards... the rest goes into savings.

Why would I be against Flying Star... hello... they are local!

Less is More.

[stingraynm]

Originally Posted by trailtramp

What is it about crime in Abq that keeps popping up in so many posts? Are the metropolitan police departments understaffed? Underfunded? Ineffective? Sure there are going to be areas of heavier drug abuse thus more crime...but is it like that everywhere around the city and suburbs? Is random violence a big issue?

We are in escrow on a property in Placitas and all this talk of crime is a little alarming, since we'll be working and commuting and spending alot of time in the city.

Getting out of San Diego because its turning into a third world country here. So much of the city turning really nasty, rundown and dirty. Hundreds outside of the home center stores looking for work. We now print voting ballots in 30+ languages here because its so diverse. So far though crime is relatively low for such a big city. Hoping that what I'm reading about Abq is more steam blowing from those with a few bad experiences than the norm?

I live in the Northeast and stay home most nights and just hit up the neighborhood bars on occasion. The farthest south I go are Central, Downtown, and direct to the Sunport. I hang in Downtown only in the daytime. Living here since March, I've never had any issues beyond the odd incidents of staredowns and hand gestures from wannabe kids, which you'll find in any actual "city". (For a good example, I'm from Boise and it's no worse here than there. That says a LOT!) Really, though, with my work-n-home lifestyle I may not have sufficient experience to make me an authority on the frequency of bad elements around here.

My dad lived in Santa Fe for a while, and when I came here he warned me about crime in ABQ but added that it's very segregated. For the most part, it seems true. If you don't go looking for trouble, trouble won't find you.

[mrgoodwx]

Originally Posted by trailtramp

What is it about crime in Abq that keeps popping up in so many posts? Are the metropolitan police departments understaffed? Underfunded? Ineffective? Sure there are going to be areas of heavier drug abuse thus more crime...but is it like that everywhere around the city and suburbs? Is random violence a big issue? ......

Hoping that what I'm reading about Abq is more steam blowing from those with a few bad experiences than the norm?

Trailtramp, I would suggest looking at FBI and other statistics on crime and deciding for yourself. Statistics also have issues, but individual perceptions are incredibly limited and biased. If someone has been here a while and hasn't been a victim of crime and doesn't know anyone who has, that person is likely to feel very safe. Personally, I do feel pretty safe, but, in the 20 years I've been here: I narrowly escaped a carjacking, my wife was involved in an intentional auto "bumping" scheme in which a few gang members tried to get money out of our insurance company, a friend of ours was hit by a stray bullet while walking out of a convenience store (she's okay now), the son of another friend was beaten senseless and left disabled because he unknowingly wore the wrong colors in the wrong city park. So...I tend to believe the statistics that suggest Albuquerque has more than "average" crime. So far, I've also chosen to continue living here because there are still a lot of things I like about Albuquerque. You need to be street savvy in any city. And, if you're fortunate, perhaps you will go many years without crossing paths with the wrong dude, or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

[stingraynm]

Originally Posted by mrgoodwx

Trailtramp, I would suggest looking at FBI and other statistics on crime and deciding for yourself. Statistics also have issues, but individual perceptions are incredibly limited and biased. If someone has been here a while and hasn't been a victim of crime and doesn't know anyone who has, that person is likely to feel very safe. Personally, I do feel pretty safe, but, in the 20 years I've been here: I narrowly escaped a carjacking, my wife was involved in an intentional auto "bumping" scheme in which a few gang members tried to get money out of our insurance company, a friend of ours was hit by a stray bullet while walking out of a convenience store (she's okay now), the son of another friend was beaten senseless and left disabled because he unknowingly wore the wrong colors in the wrong city park. So...I tend to believe the statistics that suggest Albuquerque has more than "average" crime. So far, I've also chosen to continue living here because there are still a lot of things I like about Albuquerque. You need to be street savvy in any city. And, if you're fortunate, perhaps you will go many years without crossing paths with the wrong dude, or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Ugh... yeah, my dad had heard about that stuff and was relaying it to me, and the local news on a daily basis definitely shows our area to have a lot of real sociopathic scumballs. Also, apparently ABQ is a favorite on Cops.

If one thing can come from my time here, it's this: If a secure neighborhood is worth it's weight in rent/mortgage to you, the far Northeast part of town seems to be a relatively safe area. In the same sense, I've heard Rio Rancho is unincorporated, which allows their police force to focus on that specific area. Someone else would have to tell you if they're spread as thin as ABQ, though. Rio Rancho grew up fast, but it still seems better than ABQ demographically.