Population Estimates

[abqsunport]

I also even think they had Las Cruces underated in the rate of growth. However, only time will tell. And like I said, It'll sure be interesting.

So by math, a CSA of Albuquerque MSA + Santa Fe MSA (source Wiki)= 1,043,210

Interesting Number...I wonder if there will ever be an official CSA between the two Metro Areas

[mortimer]

finmqa1 wondered:

> ... don't see how Arizona will continue to sustain their growth.
> Maybe they are going to get rid of the golf courses to double their
> population??? I'm guessing they'll build a desalnation plant ....

I don't think any golf courses in Phoenix use anything but once-used
water for their courses any more.

The use comes from people like the neighbor I used to have
( Mr. my house is my ATM guy ).

He had fountains and waterfalls in the front yard and a
golf green and fish pond with reeds and crap in the back.

Why? Because it's cheap to waste water just like it's cheap to waste gasoline.

It has been proven that the only thing that will get people to conserve
anything is cost of that anything.

The largest water supply we have is our ability to use less.

When it stops only costing $2-3 to "burn" 1,000 gallons of water,
people will use less both here and in Phoenix.

[EnjoyEP]

On the whole water-for-Phoenix issue, I think mortimer's take is the most dead-on.

I will say that I know - especially today in 2009 - the worry over doom and gloom for the environment is kind of the trendy thing to get behind. However, while I am not an advocate of much of the water waste I have witnessed in Phoenix, I also recognize that people have been crowing about "drought" or "dry" killing Phoenix since 1970 and it hasn't come close to bear yet; remember...some of the (most of the) oldest civilizations on this earth have pitted millions of people suriving in...deserts. People are much more adaptable to, and utilize much more inginuity in, survival with desert climes.

Now...back to the original topic...

*Hypocrite alert!!* *Hypocrite alert!!* ("weeeee-ooooo....weeeee-ooooo")

I have sounded the "EnjoyEP is admittedly here being a big, fat, stinking hypocrite" alarm, so at least I can be honest.

Most folks here know my story. Semi-younish, a bit. Lived in ABQ 03-07, like the damned fool I am moved the family "back home", have regretted it immensely nearly every day since then, and yearn...no lust...to return.

I am a big pro-growth guy. I don't believe in trying to keep cities small. I don't believe in trying to stifle growth. I don't believe in the least of trying to slow growth, building, etc., to try to stifle the influx of new residents. I don't, I don't, I don't!

Having said that...now having been gone going on (sadly, horrifically sadly) nearly 2 years...having been back once (for a glorious week in FEB)...and having had tons and tons and tons of time to reflect, analyze, and contemplate (as well as living in comparatively a bigger community - the 1.7 million person metro Milwaukee), I think Albuquerque is absolutely freaking positively perfect as it is right now.

Now, admittedly my perspective is much, much, much different than those that have lived in ABQ for 10, 15, 20 years, or their entire lives. Moreover, we all have our own internal personal "agenda" (preferences, tastes, reasonings, etc., etc., etc.) that leads us to have certain ideals - including of which size the beloved hometown (ABQ) is.

So...I completely respect and understand why those with many, many more years invested in ABQ feel a desire for some sustained growth. And I also respect those that don't want ABQ to grow much (although my reasons are much different from most of others who don't want to see ABQ grow much). Essentially, I understand where most everyone is coming from.

But at the end of the day, I just find the city so perfect as it is right now - "big" at 850K metro or whatever, but not too big (to deal with pain in the a** rush hours, traffic, etc., etc., etc. - and the ability to hang on to the very unique, distinct, special ABQ and NM culture!!...which would be so hard to do if ABQ was significantly bigger with much transplanted growth). ABQ has enough for great, unique options (let's use sports as an example): big league college sports (UNM hoops and football), awesome Triple A baseball (incredible ballpark), however, it isn't *too big* where housing prices, costs of living, costs of entertainment, etc., are just soaring beyond belief.

ABQ as it stands right now is absolutely perfect. I guess I wouldn't in any way support being *against* its growth, and would continue to always support growth initiatives (like I always have) like the extension of Paseo Del Norte, etc. However, I guess my bottom line is this:

Even if - to the foolish detriment of peoples' own futures - NM and ABQ continues to be (shockingly) a more underrated, unfound gem even into the future (despite earlier signs)...so be it.

There is nothing in this country more comparable than driving up Osuna Blvd. on a mid-summer evening (85 degrees...temperature falling), towards the Sandia Mountains, people out working in their yards, that "smell" enveloping the air...a busy town, but not *too busy*...God, I miss that town. What a perfect place for people that wish to understand it.

I am pro-ABQ's growth as an entity (build a damn downtown arena!), but I don't find a need to see it happen significantly either; that Girl, she's perfect as she is right now on her own.