Chicago to Albuquerque (scorpions, teams, hockey)

[valleylilly34]

Whoops, didn't proofread. Oh well, can you scan the rest of the postings to make sure no one else makes the same mistake. You should probably notify them as well.

[karmathecat]

No, it's overkill if you do it all of the time.

[Chaparral]

Originally Posted by valleylilly34

Whoops, didn't proofread. Oh well, can you scan the rest of the postings to make sure no one else makes the same mistake. You should probably notify them as well.

Scanned. Everything's OK. It was just you.

Chap

(PS - Note to self: Try to be kinder to the newbies until their skin thickens up. )

[EnjoyEP]

Valley -

It isn't my intent in the least to get you angered with my ensuing post, because I am not trying to "argue" with you personally; I *am* going to "take on" a few items in your post, but just in friendly disagreement...again, nothing personal - and you are quite entitled to an opinion - just going to give my take in reaction to a few of your comments as kind-hearted debate:

As I currently live in the Upper Midwest - Milwaukee, WI (neighbor of MN's and just an hour north of Chicago) - and lived in ABQ from 03 until mid-07, have been back for a week once since and am returning again in fall, hoping to relocate back soon, I think I have a similar life experience perhaps.

1. I do note that you list that you reside in "Belen"...yet you are talking ABQ. Yet, in some of your responses, you seem to perhaps be mixing a "Belen point of view" and an "ABQ point of view"...surely, I am certain that you get up to ABQ often, so you likely encounter ABQ quite often, however, I do think it would be important to distinguish between the small town Belen on the much bigger city ABQ - I am kind of familiar with Belen, and certainly life in the two areas is much, much different despite their geographic proximities.

2.

Originally Posted by valleylilly34

I would stay in Chicago lol, the midwest is much nicer.

Some would agree with you. Many, many folks up here in the Upper Midwest just love it here; many have lived here their entire lives. Many (my parents likely included) could never imagine living elsewhere, or seriously considering living elsewhere.

Transversely, others would heartily disagree...myself included. I find the Milwaukee area, for instance, to be OK - it has its good and its not-so-good for my tastes. To me, ABQ is quite superior, but, just to me. Also to me, I would go absolutely nuts / bonkers living elsewhere in the Upper Midwest in rural areas or smaller towns and despise it. And many have similar tastes to mine. But again, some don't.

The Upper Midwest and the Albuquerque area have one thing in common - they are both quite polarizing. People tend to really like the areas or really not.

3.

Originally Posted by valleylilly34

The winters are cold here even considering I lived on the Canadian border for 14 years. Hardly any snow, but freezing anyways.

Originally Posted by valleylilly34

I know what cold is, I grew up having temps as cold as 70 below with windshields. Once its past 32 its just cold. All I am saying is that people think ABQ is warm in the winter and to me personally, 30-40 is not warm. Its still cold. You still have to wear a jacket. So...if you want somewhere warm, move to florida.

This is one of the areas where I have the largest disagreement with your take.

Now, I will cede one of your points...sometimes people set themselves up for disappointment with ABQ winter.

They see ABQ in the heart of the American Southwest, and if they are not educated to the area, or the high desert, they just assume ABQ is like Phoenix or Death Valley or Miami or what have you with temps...not realizing that ABQ is a mile high, just a few hundred miles south of Colorado Springs CO, etc.

So when there is that off-day with a high of 38 only, or a few inches of snow, they are shocked, expecting that everyday in ABQ's winter will be 65 and balmy.

Heck, even I can admit that as much research as I did on ABQ before settling there, and as passionate as I was for the area, I was caught off guard by a couple of days in the winter, expecting ABQ's winter to be a tilt more akin to, say, El Paso TX's winter.

So yes, if someone never wants to take the shorts off, or never wants to have to wear a coat, the point is ceded - ABQ is not for them. HOWEVER...let's also then remember that Atlanta GA, Louisville KY, Memphis TN, Dallas TX, Birmingham AL, Oklahoma City OK, etc., etc., etc., ALSO are not "warm" cities by that definition, as those also will pick up fairly regular winter "snows" or cold bouts...and none of them are balmy throughout the winter.

In fact, truly *warm* winter climates in the sense of not ever having to wear a coat are pretty limited in the US...some of the Gulf Coast areas / some (although not all) of Florida, SoCal, etc. You can throw Phoenix and Tucson in there too, of course they too will have days with highs in the low 50s and lows in the 30s.

I guess what I dispute strongly though is you classifying that winters in ABQ are largely in their 30s or 40s. Remember, that the AVERAGE HIGH for the three coldest months of the year in ABQ - December through February - is 50 (FIFTY!) degrees!! And with ABQ's almost-always present high-altitude deset sun, 50 in the high desert feels much warmer than most people associate with 50.

While sure, there will be a handful of days where the high doesn't make it out of the 30s (although really only a handful; I believe ABQ averages only 4 days a year with a high lower than 40 degrees) and a number of highs only in the low or mid 40s, let's also remember that there will be a very high amount of days in these three months where the highs hit the mid-to-upper 50s and even low-to-mid-60s...once you hit that 55 to 65 degree range in ABQ with that strong sun, you can easily be in short sleeves and open up some windows in the house.

Now, while admittedly the winter high in the three months of Dec - Feb in ABQ is "only" 50 degrees, let's also remember that winter starts late and ends early. In an area like Milwaukee or in much of MN, winter starts more in late-October / early-November and doesn't truly conclude until mid-April at best. We had a day in early June here in Milwaukee where the high didn't eclipse 50. Early June.

Winter nights in ABQ can be chilly for sure, with the average high of 50 dipping to an average low of 25...respectably below freezing. And certainly, there will always be a number of winter nights that hit the teens, and usually a couple that might even teeter into the single-digits (although again, those single digit low nights are fairly rare).

Here, let's remember that Belen's nights are respectably chillier on average than most of ABQ's nights in the winter, due to Belen's geographic proximity in the valley.

Beyond that though, let's remember that while 25 degrees on an average winter night is chilly, most cities in the US would kill for that being their average winter lows. For 3 months of the year, 25 isn't even the average winter *high* here in Milwaukee!! And also remember, while you have the chilly night ahead of you in the winter, you have that beautiful winter daytime warmup to look forward to the next day.

A few good markers of winter's "temperate" side in ABQ (albeit I agree - not scorching warm):

-The heart of the majority of ABQ is a USDA gardening zone 7b. This is signficantly higher than most of the northern 2/3 of the US. You can grow semi-cold sensitive vegetation in ABQ that you couldn't in much of the US, and certainly not even close to in the Upper Midwest.

(Remember, Belen is more of a zone 6 or 6b due to its close proximity to the River in the valley).

-Golf is played year-round in Albuquerque. Outside of maybe 4 or 5 days per year due to being too chilly or a touch snowy, tourists and locals alike are teeing it up year round in the Duke City. One can't say that for months and months on end in the Upper Midwest.

4.

Originally Posted by valleylilly34

It's really windy here in the spring, but Chicago is the windy city so you're probably used to it.

Remember though, ABQ largely is absent of the "spring" weather that affects most of the remainder of the nation at that time - severe t-storms, tornadoes, spring flooding, blizzards, ice storms, etc.

Also, remember that spring in ABQ hits early - by late February some fruit trees are sprouting their blossoms. By March, ABQ's weather is regularly in the 60s and 70s. Lilacs bloom in ABQ in late March / early April.

Transversely, here in Milwaukee (which is semi-temperate compared to much of the remainder of the Upper Midwest), 60s / 70s aren't regular until May, Lilacs don't bloom until early June, and things haven't "greened up" until May.

And its pretty frigging windy in the Upper Midwest in March, too. You just don't notice it as much because you are more prone to indoors still.

5.

Originally Posted by valleylilly34

Get ready for lots of petty crimes like having your car broken into 6 times over the course of 4 months (in nice areas...I'm not even talking about the ghetto area).

Are you sure that you're talking Albuquerque and not Belen here?

I know I lived in an older, very middle-class (not even close to upper-middle class) area of the NE Heights in ABQ just off of Montgomery Blvd., and in 3.5 years of owning a modest home there with 2 cars always parked outside, I never had one incident...once. Throw in 6 months in an apartment with nada an incident, and that is over 4 years.

I am not going to act like petty crimes can't or don't happen in ABQ - they certainly do. I have two good-hearted senior relatives who live in ABQ, and a couple of times they've gotten their RV window shot out. So I do know it can happen.

However, I know many, many others in ABQ who've lived there for years and never had an incident.

I also just have to comment that part of living in a city of 500,000 to 1-million and beyond, petty crime and taking precaution to it / dealing with it, is sadly just a part of every day life. This isn't exclusive to ABQ. You could go to almost any "city" section on the CD Forums - any state - and you'll see a few complaining about this...I don't care if it is Miami, Tucson, Phoenix, Seattle, Omaha, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Tampa, Jacksonville, etc., etc., etc., sadly, you'll see similar complaints of petty crimes. Unfortunately, this is just a part of every day life in a semi-big or big city.

6.

Originally Posted by valleylilly34

This city is poverty stricken,

No its not.

7.

Originally Posted by valleylilly34

English is the second language in many areas

I dunno. Maybe a little bit, but you could say this now about Chicago and almost every other big city in the US, Milwaukee too. Certaintly Denver.

I do know that I am gringo as gringo as gringo can be and speak only a lick of Spanish - barely any - and never once had even a semblance of a problem in communcation with folks. In El Paso? Yeah, you could tell it was a minor issue once in a blue moon. In Albuquerque? I never had an issue, and I worked professionally in my job in all segments with all types of folks in ABQ - including the South Valley.

7.

Originally Posted by valleylilly34

Health care is in many ways lacking.

Such as?

People will always throw this one out there regarding whatever biggish city they have a problem with, but I rarely see examples.

I know my wife birthed two children in ABQ and our healthcare was just fine. I had a doctor, my wife had a doctor, my kids had pediatricians, and they were fine. No better or worse than anywhere else.

8.

Originally Posted by valleylilly34

The school systems applaud their 60% graduation rate.

I will agree with you in this facet - overall, public education in the area is pathetic.

But again, I defy anyone to show me a semi-big or big major city in the US where their public school systems are successful.

This isn't exclusive to ABQ, or even close, in a big or semi-big city. Almost no one has a largely successful public school system in a city of any size.

This is a failing largely of family / parental structures, societal norms, and beauracracies.

Again, I won't defend ABQ's public school system - largely, with the exception of some alternatives (there are some very good public schools in ABQ's system) - I wouldn't go public in ABQ. All I am saying though, is you could say this about most any semi-biggish city in the US.

9.

Originally Posted by valleylilly34

Traffic is always backed up, it's like no one works.

This is another one - like the winter comments - where I have to strongly (respectfully but strongly) disagree with you.

Have you ever done a rush hour in Chicago? Hell, on a Saturday morning in Chicago? What about DFW? Phoenix? Denver?

Albuquerque's "traffic" compared to almost any other city of size is a joke.

Sure, at peak rush hour times, traffic in ABQ can be clogged on I-40 and I-25, and the 'river bridges' such as Paseo and Montano get backed up.

But I think you are trying to compared ABQ's traffic (a metro of nearly 900K) to that of tiny International Falls, MN.

People that live in the mega mass that is 11+ million Chicago land, home of the occasional 3 hour one-way commutes, would absolutely laugh or scorn the notion of ABQ having any real traffic. Even little Milwaukee, my current town of a metro of 1.5 million, has far, far more significant traffic and jams than ABQ does.



Anyway, you like the Upper Midwest and I love ABQ - wanna switch!!??

[valleylilly34]

Thanks for your response EnjoyEP. I enjoy talking with others about their opinions, because thats what they are, opinions. I like that you picked parts of my post agreeing with some, disagreeing with others. I did live in ABQ for several years, just recently moved to the Belen area for work. I started my post in general to give some negative points about ABQ as it seems that everyone depicts this town as a sort of "paradise," I just wanted to throw out some of the negatives about it. I would hope that when I move someday, someone would give me a different viewpoint as well.

I do not completely hate this area (I'm happy as could be right now, its raining) like I read in your 100+ reasons to love ABQ, I agree with some like the way chile smells in autumn (love that smell) or the balloons floating above you as you drive to work. Albuquerque has good points and bad points, just like any city and I wanted to point some of my opinions out. I have driven in bigger cities, LA for example during rush hour and yes, it is bad, but ABQ can get horrible trying to cross the river during rush hour. I wanted to point those things out before he up and left chicago. Yeah traffic may be a little better, but you can still sit on I-40 for an hour. That yes, ABQ is rated highly in Forbes as a top place to live, but it has its problems, just like anywhere, it is no where near perfect.

And the weather, what you said in your post about how the winter months can be surprising, yes they can. When I moved here I never planned to wear a winter jacket again and I was majorly dissapointed. The winters are warmer, Im just a fan of snow.

Yes the school systems are bad elsewhere as well, but I came from MN (some of the best schools in the nation) but NM was really really bad. I was doing stuff in 9th grade here that I had done in 4th back home....

Crime-Yes some are lucky and never have problems. Me on the other hand, not so lucky. I know other cities have crime blah blah blah but you can turn on the news here and hear about some murder almost every night. And as far as poverty, if you look at city data's stats abq is at 15%, to me that seems high. I can't believe anyone could drive by wyom and zuni and not think those poor people live in poverty, or martineztown.

So basically, I was just trying to warn the guy that abq is not perfect. Yes, it has high crime, the school systems are bad, nm is a poverished state compared to the majority, health care isn't the best. Can you live with that? If yes move to abq, if not...keep looking. I wasn't trying to offend anyone, just stating that abq has issues just like anywhere else in the world.

And again, I appreciate your post, as far as I'm concerned ppl on here have nothing nice to say to anyone with a different opinion. Who cares if you like it here and I don't. You should be interested in peoples opionions, not rip them one because they don't share the same views as you. Is my opinion hurting you? If anything, give me a run for my money and prove me wrong with statistics, not how I misspelled a word, thats just childish.

[abqsunset]

Originally Posted by ChicagoChad

Hello,

I currently live in the Chicago area where I have spent most of my 36 years. However, I am now ready to make a move to a better climate and Albuquerque is on my short list. I am a self-employed web designer so finding employment is not a concern for me as I do all my work from home which makes my relocation options very open.

I do have a few questions that I would appreciate some answers to:

1. Has anyone who has relocated from a large metro-area such as Chicago felt isolated is Albuquerque?

2. Can you offer 5 names of apartment complexes you would recommend to someone relocating to Albuquerque? ($500-$600 dollar range for a one bedroom)

3. From what I have read so far the NE part of Albuquerque seems to be the best place to live. Is this correct?

Those are my main questions for now. I will probably be visiting Albuquerque in the next couple weeks for a few days and would like to visit some of the apartment complexes recommended here.

Thanks,

Chad

Chad,
1. Moved from Houston to ABQ in 2001 then left ABQ for San Antonio in 2006 (what a mistake!) will be moving back to ABQ soon. No isolation here in my opinion. but that is the greeat thing of the SW and ABQ. It is a relatively large town about 500 grand or so. Santa Fe only 50 mins north as well as Taos (2 1/2 hours) and Denver on six hours away. If you like the outdoors then ABQ would fit you for sure.
2. APTs---I agree with earlier post you could rent a house for reasonable price about 700-900. Apartments in NE side that look decent are ones near Academy and Tramway. There is one in front of an Albertson's and one behind it can't remember the names and another across Tramway between Spain and Academy on a street called Cortaderia (I lived in the these before renting) These were really nice with a great pool. For you price range there are some on Indian School (It think called The Summit) that are decent. Also this area (UNM) is great location as you can be anywhere in 15 mins. If you live in NE heights area downtown will be about 20-25 mins...stil not that bad compared to other large cities.

[georgste]

BTW, great thread guys!
Wow, never realized how close the surrounding cities are to ALBQ which makes it a metropolitan area of close to 850,000. Too big for me.
I spent my 20's and 30's in LA which is not dense like cities in the midwest, but traffic is still very congested in that spread-out city. Hated it. Never felt isolated with all 'em damn people around me all the time. If you are a true hermit socially, you will love the SW desert living. I feel isolated all the time and love my privacy. If you don't love being alone, then get a family before you move to the desert area. Great place for retired people. Love that manana vibe. Live every day to the fullest. Enjoy every day like its was your last.
ALBQ looks like a beautiful city, but the winters look harse compared to the southern part of NM. Also, good point made about sunny days. The more, the merrier for me but you have to sacrifice a lack of rain. If you love green scenery, don't come here. Move to a place that is cloudy and rains a lot.
Hispanic? My God, aren't there more whites than hispanics in ALBQ? I have lived on the Texas border. Now those towns require that you know how to speak Spanish. Any cities found outside of the Texas border towns are actually bilingual. This means that hispanics are fluent in both Spanish and English.
You pro sport freaks. Stay in the Big City.

[movingsomewhere]

Hmm...Albuquerque has more white people than hispanics, why would you feel like you won't fit in if you're white?

I'm in Chicago, considering a big move to albuquerque as well.

Originally Posted by mortimer

joanie55 mentioned:

> Alb ... if you're not Hispanic (and I get s--- for this all the time)
> you're never really going to fit in. .....................^^^

If, by getting [fee-cee-s] for "this" view, means that people disagree,
then I'm officially dishing out some excrement.

I don't feel like I don't fit in. Never have (here, in my 25th year in ABQ).
I don't know any Anglos who feel that way. It doesn't mean they aren't
here ( and feeling "unfit"), but I don't know any. ( I probably wouldn't
like them. I'm small-minded like that. )

> It's a Hispanic town

I don't agree. <=== not giving shee-ite, but am disagreeing.

There's a lot of Hispanic influence here.
It was originally a *Spanish* town.

> ... there is some resentment toward "white" people,
> especially Californians who moved there and raised
> the housing costs.

People EVERYWHERE resent people with money coming in and
changing the character of the place they live. It is not a Hispanic thing.

> It's also a blue collar town, which I also grew tired of.

I have the opposite impression. <=== not giving shee-ite, but am disagreeing.

[theta1602]

Well, I grew up in the South Suburbs of Chicago, so I know exactly where ChicagoChad is talking about! I also got out of there, and went to Gainesville, FL by way of Indiana. Don't ask. My wife and I are researching moving to ABQ from Gainesville. Here's my two cents:
1. Isolation doesn't bother me. There was nothing around Lafayette, IN, and absolutely nothing around Gainesville. Also, whenever your friends or family come to Florida, they go to Daytona or Orlando then say "oh sorry, we forgot about you up there." At least if people come to Santa Fe, they HAVE to come thru ABQ!
2. I also miss my White Sox, Bears and Blackhawks, but that's what the internet's for. Also, try finding hockey in Florida. At least there's ice out there! Plus, UNM I'm sure can't match the insanity for the Florida Gators here. These people are truly out of their minds.
3. Singled out for being white? Please, I grew up in Park Forest, I don't wanna hear it.
4. At least there's more outdoor activities in ABQ that isn't outrageously priced. If you don't want to deal with the nonsense and rip-offs of Rat World and their ilk, you better like getting sand everywhere at the beach, or avoiding creatures in the rivers. After that, hope you have cable or satellite.
Finally, the myth of southern hospitality is a joke here. ABQ really can't be worse than here. This is a small country town filled with snobs who think they have West Palm Beach money. Think Beverly Hillbillies with an inferiority complex. And a Lexus.

[Steve-o]

Originally Posted by theta1602

Also, try finding hockey in Florida.

Have you not heard of the Panthers or Lightning? At least you have choices of 2 NHL teams in Florida, in NM you get the NM Scorpions, thats it.