ABQ or Tacoma (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: new home, earthquakes, camping)

[dpgtfc]

So we have a choice to live in either of these places. My wife has job offers in both. ABQ actually pays a bit more (and with a bigger bonus), but both seem to be having a rough time in the tech field (which is my field).

Pros of ABQ-

1. Lower cost of living
2. More sunshine, warmer summers
3. Potentially less allergy problems for the wife

Cons of ABQ-

1. Dry (I have dry cracked feet in the winter here in Mo)
2. Smaller city, nothing around for hours aside from Santa Fe and a smattering of mountains
3. No Fresh Seafood

Pros of Tacoma

1. FRESH seafood at our fingertips
2. 3.5 million metro area - lots of restaraunts, varied ethinic foods
3. More to do outdoors - I love camping and hiking.. wife doesn't

Cons of Tacoma

1. Higher cost of living
2. Cloudy 200-220 days a year (not a problem for me though)
3. Near a volcano and earthquakes are more frequent than ABQ

I could probably think of hundreds of other pros and cons. We have been to both and found both areas to be beautiful and certainly better in our opinions than Missouri.

I'm thinking the biggest PRO in ABQ is the lower cost of living. My wife was offered a job in Tacoma for 61k with only a possiblity of a relocation bonus up to 5k. In ABQ she can get a sign on bonus of 10k and the job is offering 65k.

The biggest pro for Tacoma is a combination of the fresh seafood and having so many things to do. Tons of parks, loads of water (can't really swim, but eh, I'm not a big lake/ocean swimmer anyway, I prefer a pool), mountains, camping, and so much more.

I would love some opinions or have you guys sway us towards ABQ. It is going to be a huge decision for us either way.

[hopeful transplant]

I lived in the Seattle area (Kent) for over 20 years. Before that I had lived in Vancouver BC for about 15 yrs. After that I moved to Nevada and then CA. I now love my new home in NE NM. I miss several things about these areas though, particularly the northwest. I love the seafood.....yes it's fresh, reasonable and very plentiful. The weather on the other hand is something that you'll probably enjoy for the first few years, especially if you haven't had an abundance of rain where you are. The rain smells wonderful and it just 'drizzles' alot of the time, but those grey days will eventually get to you. If you plan to go camping or hiking and the weather has been gorgeous all week while working, guess what, Sat AM will bring you showers....it seems to happen all the time. You could probably find work in the 'tech' field, although Microsoft has laid off alot of people recently, but there are several good companies up there. The shopping is wonderful and the scenery is breathtaking. On a good day you will fall in love with Seattle/Tacoma, it's hard to beat, but again, the honeymoon period usually lasts a few years and then if you haven't grown fins and webbed feet by then, you'll be anxious to get some sunshine on your bods. There was one summer when we had about 10 days of sun, not raining, just grey, overcast and pretty darn depressing really. I probably haven't helped but feel free to PM me if you have any questions you think I might be able to answer for you. I'm actually heading up there next month for a few weeks to celebrate my Grandsons 1st birthday. My kids still live there and I have several friends that I visit yearly. I just hope it doesn't downpour, (and I mean really really rain...hard) while I'm there. I've had that happen and it's not nice when you can't see the road to drive....

[Towanda]

I think you should pick Tacoma.

If fresh seafood is extremely important to you and yet you never mentioned the excellent New Mexican cuisine we have here so I am assuming it's not a factor....

And if you really believe ABQ is just a "smaller city, nothing around for hours aside from Santa Fe and a smattering of mountains", then I am not sure you can appreciate all that this state has to offer....

And seems like you will always be pining for seafood and more activities.

Go with Tacoma.

[hopeful transplant]

dpgtfc - I wanted to also mention to you that I don't live near the ABQ area at all, so I can't really say much about the city, but will stand up for the state of NM. I've only been to ABQ twice, once to the airport and once shopping for furniture. Yes, Towanda is right, the NM cuisine here is awesome. If you love seafood and that's one of your considerations picking the area, then the northwest has what you want. However, you will find about 300 more days a year here where you can hike, camp, fish, enjoy sunshine and really find nature. It's not even a consideration for me to go back to the Pac.NW. I would only do it if it was necessary for family reasons.

[dpgtfc]

Originally Posted by Towanda

I think you should pick Tacoma.

If fresh seafood is extremely important to you and yet you never mentioned the excellent New Mexican cuisine we have here so I am assuming it's not a factor....

And if you really believe ABQ is just a "smaller city, nothing around for hours aside from Santa Fe and a smattering of mountains", then I am not sure you can appreciate all that this state has to offer....

And seems like you will always be pining for seafood and more activities.

Go with Tacoma.

We visited ABQ once. Ate at a place in old town, but was the first and only time I've had whatever New Mexico cuisine is. It was ok I guess- I wouldn't move there based on one type of food though. Seafood isn't a MUST, it is a strong pro though.

And ABQ "IS" a small city. This is a fact, not an opinion. Your metro area is only slightly bigger than St. Louis. Kansas city has a bigger metro area, and it is far from a large city. That isn't me saying it lacks culture or atmopshere and I never said there was nothing to do.

Smattering of mountains... compared to the Pacific NW, yes. Desert is beautiful, but the sun beating down on me isn't my favorite thing, so I probably wouldn't go hiking in it very often. So that leaves the mountains. Since you guys don't have lakes nearby...

You are awefully defensive of a relatively offhand comment. You obviously love your state, and it does have a lot to offer, otherwise we wouldn't have narrowed our choices to two cities (my wife is a Physical Therapist, and even in these economic times, she can get a job ANYWHERE in the US with no problems). Now why would you think I can't "appreciate" what 'your' state has to offer, if we narrowed it down to these nearly opposite choices?

Obviously I CAN appreciate what it has to offer. Compared to the Pacific NW, Albuquerque is isolated, compared to the pacNW, ABQ IS lacking in activities. If you can't see that you are blinded by our own fantatacism towards your state.

[Towanda]

Originally Posted by dpgtfc

You are awefully defensive of a relatively offhand comment. You obviously love your state, and it does have a lot to offer, otherwise we wouldn't have narrowed our choices to two cities (my wife is a Physical Therapist, and even in these economic times, she can get a job ANYWHERE in the US with no problems). Now why would you think I can't "appreciate" what 'your' state has to offer, if we narrowed it down to these nearly opposite choices?

Obviously I CAN appreciate what it has to offer. Compared to the Pacific NW, Albuquerque is isolated, compared to the pacNW, ABQ IS lacking in activities. If you can't see that you are blinded by our own fantatacism towards your state.

Wow.

You asked for our opinions.

I gave you mine based on what you posted.

Sorry if you didn't like it. It was really not necessary for you to label my opinion "fantatacism" whatever that is.

[dpgtfc]

Well, I'm sorry if I offended you, but I pretty much read your post as "Don't come here, we don't want your type here" more than as an opinion. I just get the impression from these boards that if you say "We like these two cities the best, City A offers this, while City B offers that" and you mention any "cons" about a particular city you get the axe grinders on telling you to not bother moving there.

Also I remember your posts from before, and you REALLY love Albuquerque.

Obviously we like it or we wouldn't be planning on moving there. We have it narrowed down to two cities we really like. I wanted input. I know you gave it, but perhaps I misread it, and if I overreacted I am sorry. It is truely a very difficult decision to make, as even as different as they are, they both offer enough pros that they are pretty much equal decisions. Hence the post.

[lalahartma]

I lived in Olympia, WA for a couple years and have lived in Colorado Springs for a few.

I loved Olympia, but mold doesn't love me. I had serious health problems there. When I lived there (late 80s early 90s) I thought of Tacoma as a stinky hole to be driven through to get to Seattle. Probably not a fair assessment, but the paper mills do product prodigious amounts of pollution.

Having lived in a dry climate with lots of sun makes my probable move to ABQ a no brainer. Also I am getting spoiled by the mild weathers here, and am looking forward to even less winter and a longer growing season. Of course winter is not an issue in western WA, except for the rain.

Western WA is gorgeous, tho! And probably an easier transition from MO.
And Seattle _is_ a world class city!

[casden]

Honestly, I don't really know Tacoma so I can't give you advice there - but I know the surrounding area, and I have to say that after bearing Chicago winters for a while now, I don't think I can stomach more cloudy and damp days, no matter how lush and green a place is. Don't get me wrong - I do love Chicago, but the weather has become an issue at this point in my life. I'm becoming a sun-worshipper as I get a little older (44 yrs old now).

I've been to Seattle many times and only passed through Tacoma though. Seattle was quite beautiful and that part of Washington is very beautiful, but it seemed that the days I was able to enjoy that beauty (of the great outdoors)were limited by the clausterphobic-inducing clouds and drizzle. So I was forced to be confined indoors - enjoying all those indoor things that there are to do in that area.

All I remember about Tacoma was the atrocious smell of the paper mills which permeated the air as I drove on the freeways there - it smelled like rotting flesh.

As far as Albuquerque, I've been there many times too, and I really think it's beautiful too. I really enjoy the historical, cultural, artistic and ecological landscape of New Mexico, and Albuquerque is like the portal to all of that, plus I really liked the fact that if I chose I could enjoy more than 300 days of beautiful sunshine and outdoor activities. I don't care what anyone says - grayness and cold damp weather for long periods of time have dire affects on your outlook on things. Thank goodness, we're finally getting some humane weather here in Chicagoland (after months of almost below freezing temps) - "Let the sun shine on me!" is my new motto. So my choice would be Albuquerque - hands down.

Anyway, you and your wife should decide based on where you feel you'll be most satisfied and happy 5 years from now, and further maybe. I'm sure you'll make the right choice and be happy since you're doing your research here. Good luck!

[observe]

Originally Posted by dpgtfc

Well, I'm sorry if I offended you, but I pretty much read your post as "Don't come here, we don't want your type here" more than as an opinion. I just get the impression from these boards that if you say "We like these two cities the best, City A offers this, while City B offers that" and you mention any "cons" about a particular city you get the axe grinders on telling you to not bother moving there.

Also I remember your posts from before, and you REALLY love Albuquerque.

Obviously we like it or we wouldn't be planning on moving there. We have it narrowed down to two cities we really like. I wanted input. I know you gave it, but perhaps I misread it, and if I overreacted I am sorry. It is truely a very difficult decision to make, as even as different as they are, they both offer enough pros that they are pretty much equal decisions. Hence the post.

Sounds like you already made up your mind, why are you asking for opinions here..........Tacoma is your city!!