do you regret moving to albuquerque? (Valencia: apartment complex, skateboarding, high crime)

[lemon&lime]

to move back. 13 boxes are packed. I'm scared but hopefully it will all work out. I didn't regret moving to Albuquerque the other two times, in '97 and 2000, and in fact have somewhat regretted leaving. The winters in Salt Lake have worn me out.
Looking forward to a bright, sunny winter!!

[lemon&lime]

....or maybe not. Albuquerque is not a safe town, period. Was just reading about a certain new, colorful downtown apartment complex that has terrible security. Yes, there are zillions of places in Albuquerque to live. I am scared already, just dreading it really... I'll probably wind up in the heights or the west mesa, the last places I would want to live, all because downtown is apparently still unlivable. Disappointed.

[jghoo]

Catrinac,

I sorry if I missed it, but what brings you back to ABQ?

[lemon&lime]

I'm a Texas transplant who refuses to go back. I don't quite have the skills for snow (ie, places like Salt Lake and Denver) and don't have the desire to live in California. I've done Oregon, etc. Albuquerque is a place I started visiting when I was in my late teens. I moved there in 2000 then moved away before a lot of the expansive development started. I miss the weather & feel my wardrobe would be put to better use there, and that it would be easier for me to relax and just be myself, something that is hard to do around a community that is 70% Mormon. The crime in Albuquerque floors me, though.

Originally Posted by jghoo

Catrinac,

I sorry if I missed it, but what brings you back to ABQ?

[ApartmentNomad]

Originally Posted by catrinac

....Was just reading about a certain new, colorful downtown apartment complex that has terrible security.

The security at my downtown apartment complex consists of some senior citizens who are home most of the time and keep track of what's going on. Works for me.

[ABQSunseeker]

I've never for a moment regretted my move to Albuquerque (well, maybe just a moment after the huge snowstorm at the tag end of 06!). Partly it's a matter of expectations. If some people compare the city to other trendy destinations they may find themselves disappointed.

For myself I've always been pleasantly surprised by the quality of life here and I like the feeling that ABQ is on the upswing towards a real interesting future. Hopefully, it won't hurtle into the mess that Phoenix and Vegas have become.

Catrinac, I can understand somewhat your concern about crime and it has been an ongoing concern of mine also, but I've never once felt threatened or victimized by crime here. It feels very different from the crime ridden city that New York used to be where most of us were likely to be victims at some point or another

I think there are many, many good neighborhoods here in ABQ. I'm not sure why you don't want to live in the heights or the west mesa unless you don't like the feel of suburbanized areas and prefer a more urban feel? Nob Hill may offer you an alternative to downtown that feels safer.

[bradly]

Originally Posted by Nedely

That's odd. I live in a newer neighborhood that still has a few builders around selling homes. They're no longer building of course, but the prices of their houses have fallen quite a bit because of the housing market. I think if this market keeps up, that waiting list is going to get longer and longer, the few homes available will be scooped up, and apartments will be scarce.

Yep i live in a newer area too and they are building a few, actually they have built about 23 in the past 3 months slower than hell, typical for this type of economy. That list consists of over 5,988 people whom want a new home built in albuquerque now to many it sounds odd but yes its true. Pulte and fuller the two most largest home builders in the state will begin in 2009 to build homes as planned, as apartments go.. well there are a few permits in the office of request to build apartments.. and there are some even going up, for example the largest complex being built right now is the apartments across the riverside plaza on coors of of montano.

[rybert]

Originally Posted by ApartmentNomad

The security at my downtown apartment complex consists of some senior citizens who are home most of the time and keep track of what's going on. Works for me.

LOL! Same here!

[ABQConvict]

Originally Posted by ApartmentNomad

The security at my downtown apartment complex consists of some senior citizens who are home most of the time and keep track of what's going on. Works for me.

Awsome! Seriously.

The crime situation in Albuquerque has to be the the most overblown topic I have ever witnessed. Yes, the crime statistics point to a high crime rate. Nevertheless, statistically the Earth's surface is some 73% water and your body's composition is even a greater part water. Do you feel wet right now?

Also, if downtown is so unlivable, why do I know so many nice, well-adjusted, successful people who live there. In houses! Without security guards!!! OMG!!!1!!ONE!!

N.B.: Wow. That is the first and hopfully last time I will ever type 'OMG'.

Catrinac, I hope you can come to Albuquerque and find some peace here because it is obvious that you have an earnest appreciation for this city and I wish you the best in your relocation.

ABQConvict

[ApartmentNomad]

To comment just a little more on crime, I feel very safe here during the day. There are some parts of the downtown that I'm still not real comfortable walking at night, but overall it's not remotely what I would consider a dangerous neighborhood.