Where to live in Alb. area (Albuquerque, Las Cruces: relocating, job, housing)

[Roundtruck]

Just a possibility of relocating, the job would be in Rio Rancho. Just the two of us, kids are grown. In our past we lived many years in Arizona, so we know about desert living. From what I have read, it seems like East may be better than West? We are not too fond of windy conditions, is one area better than others? I don't care for acreage or even too big of a lot, but would like a nice home. Mountains nearby would be cool. I'd love to find something under $300K, what do you think? (Also, I haven't seen much listed with more than a 2-car garage. Aren't they building them that way there?)

[linearity]

I don't know if this is too late to post, but I thought I'd try to help you out. Rio Rancho is a very nice suburb of Albuquerque. If you have kids, then I've heard they have one of the nicer school districts. Depending on where you live in Rio Rancho, the wind storms can get bad, but only because there's new housing developments w/o xeriscape and/or grass. But I don't think you can escape the wind in Albuquerque/Rio Rancho area. It's just a bad fact of living here. I live in NE Albuquerque. NE Albuquerque is considered a nicer area. Schools in the Eldorado district adn La Cueva district are good. Houses in the La Cueva District (Far NE/NE Heights I think would be the term for this area) are appreciating very quickly. And yes, being up east close to the mountain is considered a more desirable prestigious area to live, just beware of hte schools if you have kids. Manzano HS district may be the district for some of hte far eastern homes, however it's not one of the best out there. HTH

[Roundtruck]

Thanks for the reply. Our kids are grown, so that is not an issue. I am not particularly interested in a large lot, it seems like many of the areas I have seen on the web are on 2 or 3 acre parcels. I'd be more interested in less land and more house. Can you get something decent in the Tijeras area for $300K or less? Or is that a good place to look? I am used to a commute, so that is not too big of a problem either. I currently live in a small community nestled between the number 1 and number 3 "safest cities in the US". I guess I'd miss that eh?

[Crackerjack]

Since commuting isn't an issue with you, I'd consider Edgewood. Cheaper to live there then Tijeras and low on crime. Moriarty, even cheaper but flat land. Edgewood is foothills and a nice town. You should be able to find at least a 2000 square foot nice home there for what you are looking for including some land. Lot of people moving there because it is a nice community so you may have to shop around to find a home but worth it.

[Crackerjack]

Roundtruck, I read in your other post that you are wondering about crime there. In Edgewood, it is a pretty safe town. Rural and so is Moriarty. My Granny lived in Bernalillo almost all her life and never had any trouble. I've lived in the Rio Rancho area and Moriarty area and didn't have any trouble. Also Cedar Crest and Tijeras are fine as well as Los Ranchos Del Albuquerque and Paradise Hills and the area around the tram. There are some bad areas like all big cities but compared to Phoenix, ABQ is really not bad at all but there is crime in areas and just be aware of it but in the right areas, it is a nice place to live. If you want a safer smaller town, Silver City is nice or for a larger city but not huge is Las Cruces.