Albuquerque compared to Tucson? (living, cost of living, move to)

[Grass4]

Awesome information. Thanks everybody.

Guess all that's left is to pay a visit to ABQ and see for myself.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by miamiman

Tucson actually receives more rain than Albuquerque in an average year. Albuquerque's average rainfall is only 8.5 inches compared with Tucson's average 11.7 inches. The 3.2 inches makes a huge difference in the greenery of the desert around Tucson and the desert around Albuquerque.

Good point.

I was somewhat speaking in generalities, as to most folks in the US, the difference between the very, very scant 7 or 11 inches of precip is so miniscule, but indeed, to those grizzled vets of Southwestern living, there can be a fairly substantial difference.

It is funny...my wife had business colleagues in ABQ that hailed from Tucson. Whenever they'd come to ABQ - especially in the summer monsoon - they always noted how much drier they felt in ABQ.

I guess I didn't dwell on this as most people would be boggled to consider Tucson a "wetter' place than somewhere, but it is true...although overall very, very similar, while ABQ will get a few more cloudy days per year, ABQ in general is also drier than bone-dry Tucson.

Originally Posted by miamiman

Tucson's summers are significantly cooler than Phoenix's. Tucson's highest average daytime temperature is 102 and the warmest average overnight low is 74. Phoenix's highest average daytime temperature is 106 with the warmest average overnight low at 84.

I guess my standard of comparison was more from a daytime high perspective. Both cities have ungodly hot daytime highs for months on end.

I will agree though that Tucson - with the higher altitude as well as the much smaller population (and thus heat island effect) - enjoys a much more pleasant and needed evening cooldown than Phoenix does. Phoenix just has so much concrete, pavement, buildings, etc. - it is just so huge in that Valley - the heat just doesn't escape in summer evenings which makes a huge deal.

Yet, Tucson has hellish hot summers too. Maybe a different degree of hell than Phoenix's, but it is sort of like this:

In winter, it might be 12 degrees in Chicago, 6 degrees in Milwaukee, and 0 in Minneapolis - at the end of the day, who really gives a rat's behind which one you are in, right? They are all freezing cold. Same for 104 in Tucson and 109 in Phoenix.

(Although I have been in Vegas at 116 and will cede that once you eclipse, say, 114 or 115, you enter the "next zone" of incredible heat).

Originally Posted by miamiman

Tucson's mountains receive snow, as well. Mount Lemmon has an average annual snowfall of between 180 and 200 inches at its summit. It's also home to the southernmost ski area in the continental United States. Keep in mind the summit of Mount Lemmon is only an hour's drive from Tucson.

Right, but the *city* of ABQ itself will get generally 3 or 4 snowfalls every winter - some winters more and some less - and you'll almost always see snow on your yard - many times in inches - in ABQ every winter. This is in the city, not the mountains.

Of course, the Sandia Mountains outside of ABQ pick up generally huge snowfall totals annually.

Transversely, to get measurable snowfall in Tucson is a once-every-five years type of event.

In winter 06, we actually had a massive snowfall in ABQ that required massive shoveling, etc. Tucson...this never would happen.

ABQ's climate, in fact, could be said to be throwing Denver and Tucson in a blender...in terms of temps and snowfall (although temps skew more towards Denver and snowfall more towards Tucson) and the result would be ABQ.

Originally Posted by miamiman

I'll agree with you again on Albuquerque having one of the better climates in the United States. There are areas towns (Sierra Vista and Willcox), not too far to the east of Tucson, which have summers that have high temperatures that are almost exactly on par with Albuquerque, while feature winter temperatures that are about 10 degrees warmer than Albuquerque.

Hmmm...I don't know much about those towns. I will have to research.

However, with temps in the summer near ABQ's and 10 degrees warmer in the winter, then yes indeed...I would agree with you fully...those towns probably have even better climates.

I guess the thing is about ABQ though is that it is still a "near best climate" type of town but also being a semi-major city; for instance, Las Cruces, NM probably has a superior climate to ABQ (only a few degrees hotter in summer and generally 8 to 10 degrees warmer in winter), and while LC is an ever-expanding city of 100,000, I still wouldn't say it is a "semi-major player city" like ABQ is.

At the end of the day though...outside of southern west coastal cities, I think one of your best bets ever to find an "ideal" climate is to hit a high desert city. To me, Tucson is a bit too hot but getting there, and then you've got El Paso, TX (perfect) and Albuquerque, etc., if one wants an ideal climate, looking to the high desert is a good place to go.

Originally Posted by miamiman

I would have to disagree here. I would personally prefer autumns and springs with temperatures that are usually between 75 and 90 than around 60 or 65.

Yeah, I guess this is one we'll have to agree to disagree on.

First off, I would say that while springs and falls in ABQ get there good shares of highs in the 60-65 range, they also get an incredibly high amount of 70s and 75s, with some 80s thrown in to boot.

To me, in the high desert, pretty much "perfect" temperatures are in the range of 68 to 82 degrees. You get a TON of these in spring and fall in ABQ.

To me, 90 in the high desert with the piercing, burning sunshine gets to be toasty. Not unbearable by any means, but not as pleasant as 75. Tucson'll get a boatload of 84ish to 92ish in springs and falls, which to me is certainly better than the garbage we endure up here in Milwaukee, but not quite as in the "sweet spot" like ABQ is.

Originally Posted by miamiman

I am not sure if I agree about Albuquerque's Southwestern culture being more distinct than Tucson's. I would argue that Tucson embraces its Southwestern culture very strongly. Architecture, art, the environment, and Hispanic and Native American culture are strongly embraced in Tucson.

Respectfully disagree here.

Tucson is unique and neat, and far better than Phoenix. However, ABQ has a blend of Southwestern culture and Mexican culture, but then also the very unique and distinct NEW MEXICAN culture which is just so ingrained and different.

I would compare Tucson's general culture to a more refined El Paso culture whereas in ABQ you are in the Southwest, near Mexico, but also in NEW MEXICO USA.

Originally Posted by miamiman

Phoenix, on the other hand, seems more interested in becoming an extension of Southern California than part of the Southwest.

Couldn't agree more. And the thing is, I actually like Phoenix. But this one I agree 1000% on.

Originally Posted by miamiman

Agreed. Tucson does have a sales tax of more than 8 percent. Not sure what the sales tax is like in New Mexico.

ABQ's is less, but property and income tax are more. You'll pay more tax $$ in ABQ (although offset by the lower costs of housing).

Originally Posted by miamiman

According to C-D Tucson actually has a slightly lower COL than Albuquerque ($184,700 vs. $184,000).

To me that is boggling.

I guess costs of living indexes always are so dependant on circumstances.

To me, a dad of 2 and married - and a home owner (sole income family) - cost of living is probably measured far differently than, say a single college aged kid / grad or a widowed senior, etc.

To me, housing makes a huge deal in cost of living, and it is just so much better in ABQ.

To me, Tucson seems far more pricey, but admittedly, the CD index likely is spot-on. I guess it just depends what one's set of economic circumstances are.

[vegaspilgrim]

After now having lived in LA for 6 months, I actually think high desert locales have a better climate than coastal SoCal. (It's only the last 6 months that I've realized how much of a desert rat I really am...) LA gets very hot and humid in the summer which to me feels totally gross and no monsoon season to cool things down and freshen things up. I prefer crystal clear blue skies and 100+ mile visability to smog, haze, and mist. I also like getting a taste of snow as well. My favorite climate (and natural place) in Arizona is Sedona, which is maybe just a slight notch warmer than Albuquerque. Tucson is absolutely freaking incredible during the monsoon season. I used to take daytrips there in August and September just to experience the smell of the desert rain there. But on the other hand, when I was in Albuquerque last August it rained hard at about 9:00 at night and the air had a similar pungent smell afterwards.

For me, exploring Tucson, getting a taste of a REAL southwestern city is what led to my interest in Albuquerque. To me Albuquerque has the best of what I like about Tucson PLUS a much better economy and a much better city for young people PLUS closer to home PLUS even tastier food PLUS a more reasonable year-round climate (IMO). I also really like the UNM/ the Lobos... and there is no freaking way I could ever live surrounded by Wildcats 24/7, being a Sun Devil myself. For me ABQ as a place to live (as opposed to vacationing) has a clear advantage over TUS.

[worktolive]

To me, ABQ feels more like a city whereas Tucson doesn't really have a city feel, it's more of a large town with a university to provide some culture. In fact, I was shocked to read that the population of the greater Tucson area was approaching 1M, I would have guessed more in the 300-400K range just from the "feel" that I got when I was there. Maybe that's because ABQ is not near any other cities whereas Tucson is so close to Phoenix???

I also would have to give the nod to ABQ in the weather department. I just can't stand the heat (dry or otherwise). ABQ is at the upper range of my tolerance in the summer, and that only because most days are in the 90's not 100's, and summer is relatively brief. I also really like having four seasons, especially since winters are mild and short and summers are not unbearably hot.

[stingraynm]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

After now having lived in LA for 6 months, I actually think high desert locales have a better climate than coastal SoCal. (It's only the last 6 months that I've realized how much of a desert rat I really am...) LA gets very hot and humid in the summer which to me feels totally gross and no monsoon season to cool things down and freshen things up. I prefer crystal clear blue skies and 100+ mile visability to smog, haze, and mist. I also like getting a taste of snow as well. My favorite climate (and natural place) in Arizona is Sedona, which is maybe just a slight notch warmer than Albuquerque. Tucson is absolutely freaking incredible during the monsoon season. I used to take daytrips there in August and September just to experience the smell of the desert rain there. But on the other hand, when I was in Albuquerque last August it rained hard at about 9:00 at night and the air had a similar pungent smell afterwards.

For me, exploring Tucson, getting a taste of a REAL southwestern city is what led to my interest in Albuquerque. To me Albuquerque has the best of what I like about Tucson PLUS a much better economy and a much better city for young people PLUS closer to home PLUS even tastier food PLUS a more reasonable year-round climate (IMO). I also really like the UNM/ the Lobos... and there is no freaking way I could ever live surrounded by Wildcats 24/7, being a Sun Devil myself. For me ABQ as a place to live (as opposed to vacationing) has a clear advantage over TUS.

Nice... that was a fun read. I guess I'm quite the "desert rat" myself, though Northwestern coastal areas have an appeal of their own to me. Couldn't agree with you more on the rain... Boise, Tucson, Austin, Albuquerque... I'd never really thought about why, but the rain in those areas was always rejuvenating, whereas the rain in DC, Miami, and Chicago just brought me down. I think I've always had a subconscious appreciation for what you just pointed out.

And couldn't agree with you more on the food. I may have to make the jaunt to El Modelo for lunch today, just 'cause the Southwestern/Mexican craving has struck me after reading "tastier food". I'm surprised that Hatch chiles aren't classified by the ONDCP/DEA. If that day came, they'd have to pry the chiles from my cold, dead hand.

[rybert]

I must talk about ABQ + New Mexico waaay too much at work...

I found the action figure of a Tusken Raider on my desk the other day.



Are they trying to say something about me being a "Sand Person?" lol

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by vegaspilgrim

After now having lived in LA for 6 months, I actually think high desert locales have a better climate than coastal SoCal.

Actually, I agree with you fully vegas. I actually *like* the four seasons and getting some winter / cold / snow...just very limited, temperate doses like ABQ provides.

I personally couldn't argue someone that states that southern, coastal California getting better year-round weather than ABQ (or other similar towns) - especially near the coast - as it is hard to argue temps in the 50 to 85 degree range for so much of the year. Yet, citing all other factors, I tend to agree with you about the virtues of the high desert.

[observe]

[quote=miamiman;6552905]Agreed. The exception is that Tucson actually has a metro population of slightly under 1.1 million.


This information is wrong, according to the latest US census figures for 2008
Tucson Metro is 987,623
Albuquerque Metro is 853,775

Also you have to take into consideration that Tucson's Metro is comprised of all of Pima county which is HUGE in area......9,186 SQ MI
That alone would equal about 5 counties in New Mexico, Bernalillo County is 1,166 SQ MI. Even though Albuquerque's Metro is spread out to 3 Counties, the 3 counties are still significantly smaller in the area they cover.
So if you take that into consideration, (hypothetically speaking) you could also add Santa Fe County which is only 40 miles from Bernalillo county. That would put Albuquerque's Metro at over 1 million.

That's why Albuquerque has the feel & look of a larger city than Tucson.

[bradly]

We have a thread about this exact same topic on the General US Forum, and Well.... Albuquerque Won, thats all there is too it. More People just choose ABQ over Tucson.

[ABQSunseeker]

But this isn't a popularity contest with win and lose. Grass4 simply wanted some information from people who know both cities as to how they compare. Anyone could reasonably choose to live in Tucson, or vice versa without being wrong. Everyone has to find the right fit.