Chicago to Albuquerque (Rio Rancho, Columbus, House: for sale, real estate, apartments)

[veggggies]

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

Please PM me!

[chloemom]

Chad - If you're moving from the north side of Chicago/Evanston, etc. you will like Nob Hill - if you're coming from further north or west, you will like the ne heights - it will all be cheaper than most of Chicagoland -

It is not totally hispanic, in fact, we found Mundelein to be more so - go figure!

[ChicagoChad]

Hello All,

I just wanted to say I am actually in ALB as I am writing this. I arrived about 6pm Thursdays night.

I haven't driven around the city streets yet, I am going to be doing that all day Friday. However, I must say just from an overall visual of the city from the interstates the photos online do NOT show the real ALB. It is honestly a breathtaking city especially coming into the city from the west and seeing the city lights with the Sandia mountains in the background. I just do NOT think a photo can capture the reality of that view it is something you have to see first hand.

So anyway my first impression is very good now I am going to go to the street level and look around.

Sincerely,

Chad

[cbus2abq]

Nice! let us know what you think... I might be making my first trip out there as well. I'll be in the same boat regarding apartments, wondering about a new town, etc

[El Perro Patron]

I lived in Chicago for over 8 years. One of the main reasons I chose Albuquerque is because it had most of the conveniences of a modern city without the noise, dirt, crime, congestion and traffic of Chicago and similarly humungous cities. Do I miss a few things about Chicago? Sure? There' isn't nearly as vibrant a music scene here. And if I want good Italian food, there's a couple places to chose from, instead of the 20 I had in Chicago. But the important thing is that I can actually breath here, both figuratively and literally.

[AmoreLeo]

Chad, what's the word?

I am a Chicagoan (by way of Mpls) of 13 years, and my mom has lived in ABQ for 3 years. I am considering moving down there, too, now that my grad school experience is almost over.

I'm curious how you liked the place. As a creative person myself (writer/photog), I thought the ABQ environment was much more conducive to thinking and "being" artistic, much more so than Chicago (even though it's a beautiful city that I will always love!). Because your design work might be affected/inspired by your surroundings, I wondered how you felt about the ABQ landscape.

So fill us in: What have you discovered about ABQ?

[infragrrl]

Dear Chad.....

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

I lived in Lincoln Park for several years and now live in ABQ so I think I can comment here from direct experience.

In short, absolutely! The isolation here is absolutely staggering, the cultural vacuum is quite real, and the lack of real community is shocking. Again, if I had lived my whole life or grown up in rural NM then I'd no doubt think ABQ was larger than life - it is by far the biggest city in the state. So to many locals, the fact that there might be a one or two plays on friday is proof to them that there is much to do culturally speaking.

However I've lived in many big cities and several countries as well. From my standpoint I find people to be very isolated here and insulated, mostly in family culture and other natives. Compared to a big vibrant metro area like Chicago where on any given night there are dozens of interesting events and venues to choose from, your choices here will be quite limited.

For what it is worth, I'm hispanic (though not mexican), fluent in several languages, and I find it no better - in terms of culture and community - because of my background. Hispanic is a very broad term - kind of like saying WHITE. More accurately one can speak of being perhaps, Mexican or Mexican American or Puerto Rican as opposed to hispanic. What you find in NM is a strong Mexican and Mexican-American presence and subculture. All of which is very different than other Latino cultures.

NM is the land of Mañana. Depending on your point of view, it can mean people are very laid back and never in a rush - OR - that you are surrounded by absolute apathy and nothing ever changes or gets done. It is quite commonly referred to as the land of entrapment - ask anyone that and you'll get an opinion.

I've spent time in Mexico as well and find that this concept is quite alive and well so probably that's where it originates from and found its way to NM.

The flip side to all this, as I'm trying to remain pragmatic - is that the isolation can also serve as a vehicle to introspection, and even as an enabler to personal change. You have a lot of time to think, in a sense, and the landscape is quite vast so very little is beyond contemplation. Whether anything changes as a result of your contemplation is another story.

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)

I've lived in several at various times before getting a house and can't really recommend any - Pinnacle, Sun Villiage, Sedona Ridge, The Palazzo. They all had problems in one fashion or another. Apartment Ratings :: The leading source of apartment reviews by renters for renters. has a list of current reviews on apartments that might be helpful.

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

I lived in the NE for a while and thought it was OK but have since found the North Valley more to my liking.

[mortimer]

infragrrl quoted the Original post:

> > 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)

> I've lived in several at various times before getting a house and
> can't really recommend any - Pinnacle, Sun Villiage, Sedona Ridge,
> The Palazzo. They all had problems in one fashion or another.

I can't think of an apartment where I've lived that didn't have "problems in one fashion or another."

I'll bet that there is almost no one who can report on a complex that *didn't* have "problems in one fashion or another."

I also find it interesting that people are always asking for names of places to check out. After getting suggestions like the "Flora-fauna Arms" or the "Sweet and Wonderful units" apartments, the poster is left to figure out where these things are located.

I would do it this way:
---------------------
(1) I would drive around till I found an area that I liked. Then
(2) I would look for apartments that looked promising. After that
(3) I would stop in and check them out. Finally,
(4) I would post here asking if anyone has had any experience with this or that complex.

[ChicagoChad]

Sorry it has been awhile since I have posted. Just thought I would share a few photos I took while on my trip.



(Taken in a Rio Rancho subdivision.)



(Heading East from the Rt. 66 Casino going into ALB.)



(Somewhere in the northern Rio Rancho area.)



(Heading west towards ALB Sandia mountains straight ahead.)



(The foothills of the Sandia Mountains.)



(Looking out of hotel room Rt. 66 casino. Sandia Mountains in the far distance.)





(Some ALB homes.)





(Rt. 66 Casino)

[ChicagoChad]

So what were my opinions:

Plus Side:

1. I actually did find it a very relaxing place just based on the scenery alone. The midwest is very flat and boring and just being in the mountains makes it very appealing.

2. I felt completely safe in the northern area of ALB and Rio Rancho. Did not visit the southern parts though.

3. Rio Rancho reminded me of many of the suburbs of Chicago. Like Orland Park, IL for example which is fine to me.

4. It is not to big, but also not to small. Nothing compared to Chicago, but that is not a bad thing. The traffic in Chicago is much, much, much worse. I drove around ALB during rush hour and I had no problems or at least not like you have in the Chicago area.

5. Perfect weather was around 55-60 when I was there. In the dead of winter.

6. Seems to be a lot of outdoor activities to do.

Negatives:

1. I could definitely see someone moving from a larger city such as Chicago or New York feeling very isolated. I mean you can literally drive from one end of ALB to the other in like 30 minutes then that is it. Nothing but desert after that. lol It would be like taking the South suburbs of Chicago and then dropping it in the middle of the desert.

2. If you like looking at tall buildings downtown like in Chicago or New York you will be very disappointed.

3. No major sports teams. Which would be odd for most people moving from large cities.

I am still contemplating my final decision on whether to move or not. My big thing is I wonder how quickly the beautiful scenery would just become old. Kind of like someone visiting Chicago for the first time and thinking how beautiful the large buildings are, but then after 6 months becoming bored with them.

I just really wonder if the scenery and weather would be enough to keep me happy for a long time. I would miss my White Sox and Bears also. lol

Well anyway if you have anything else you would like to ask me feel free!