ABQ #1 on US News 2009 Best Places to Live (Albuquerque, Bernalillo: mover, crime)

[yukon]

w00t!

Here's the link:

Best Places to Live - USNews.com

And the text:

With the decade winding to a close, Americans have grown increasingly reluctant to gas up their moving vans. Last year, the Census Bureau's national mover rate--which represents the percentage of Americans 1 year and older who moved within the past year--hit its lowest level since 1948, when the bureau began tracking the data. And who can blame us? In the face of a terrifying banking crisis, a historic housing crash, and a grueling recession, relocating to a new city isn't exactly on the to-do list. But despite the uncertain economy, the nation's diverse topography presents an enviable menu of great places to find work, retire, or just change your scene.

In selecting our Best Places to Live for 2009, U.S. News took a thrift-conscious approach: We looked for affordable communities that have strong economies and plenty of fun things to do. The cities we selected are as distinct as America itself--ranging from a quaint suburb to a live-music mecca. But whether you prefer hiking through the Rocky Mountains, pulling a fish out of the Atlantic Ocean, or grilling hot dogs at a college football tailgate, here are 10 places that will fill up your daybook without emptying your wallet.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Along the banks of the Rio Grande, with the Sandia Mountains in the background, is the beautiful city of Albuquerque, N.M. The sunny climate and endless landscape have long drawn writers, poets, and artists to this spot, which includes an unconventional mix of American Indian, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures. But it's not just freethinkers who drift to this Southwestern city of 511,000. Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, and Intel Corp. have helped develop the area into a manufacturing and research hub. They provide a stable anchor for the local economy.

Albuquerque's clear skies, calm winds, and abundant sunshine present plenty of opportunities to explore its natural splendor. Each October, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta fills the sky with more than 700 colorful hot-air balloons. Fourteen area golf courses are open year-round and allow duffers to tee off against spectacular backdrops of volcanoes and mountain peaks. Meanwhile, Albuquerque's foothills and network of trails make the area a wonderful destination for biking. Still, "it's kind of undiscovered at the same time," says Will McConnell of the Albuquerque Bicycle Center.

And the methodology:

To find our Best Places to Live for 2009, we scoured our database of 2,000 locales scattered throughout the country. These 2,000 places represent areas with populations of at least 10,000 and crime that's at or below the national average. We also added all cities with populations of 100,000 or greater. From there, we looked at areas with strong economies, low living costs, and plenty of fun things to do.


I disagree with only one observation..... "calm winds". Huh? They must have visited in August.

[mike0421]

I don't think ABQ is #1, I think that list is in alphabetical order.

[PinkPumps]

I just read it as a featured article on Yahoo! I cheesed when I saw ABQ. I'm so excited about my move!

Just saying

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by yukon

w00t!

Here's the link:

Best Places to Live - USNews.com

And the text:

With the decade winding to a close, Americans have grown increasingly reluctant to gas up their moving vans. Last year, the Census Bureau's national mover rate--which represents the percentage of Americans 1 year and older who moved within the past year--hit its lowest level since 1948, when the bureau began tracking the data. And who can blame us? In the face of a terrifying banking crisis, a historic housing crash, and a grueling recession, relocating to a new city isn't exactly on the to-do list. But despite the uncertain economy, the nation's diverse topography presents an enviable menu of great places to find work, retire, or just change your scene.

In selecting our Best Places to Live for 2009, U.S. News took a thrift-conscious approach: We looked for affordable communities that have strong economies and plenty of fun things to do. The cities we selected are as distinct as America itself--ranging from a quaint suburb to a live-music mecca. But whether you prefer hiking through the Rocky Mountains, pulling a fish out of the Atlantic Ocean, or grilling hot dogs at a college football tailgate, here are 10 places that will fill up your daybook without emptying your wallet.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Along the banks of the Rio Grande, with the Sandia Mountains in the background, is the beautiful city of Albuquerque, N.M. The sunny climate and endless landscape have long drawn writers, poets, and artists to this spot, which includes an unconventional mix of American Indian, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures. But it's not just freethinkers who drift to this Southwestern city of 511,000. Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, and Intel Corp. have helped develop the area into a manufacturing and research hub. They provide a stable anchor for the local economy.

Albuquerque's clear skies, calm winds, and abundant sunshine present plenty of opportunities to explore its natural splendor. Each October, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta fills the sky with more than 700 colorful hot-air balloons. Fourteen area golf courses are open year-round and allow duffers to tee off against spectacular backdrops of volcanoes and mountain peaks. Meanwhile, Albuquerque's foothills and network of trails make the area a wonderful destination for biking. Still, "it's kind of undiscovered at the same time," says Will McConnell of the Albuquerque Bicycle Center.

And the methodology:

To find our Best Places to Live for 2009, we scoured our database of 2,000 locales scattered throughout the country. These 2,000 places represent areas with populations of at least 10,000 and crime that's at or below the national average. We also added all cities with populations of 100,000 or greater. From there, we looked at areas with strong economies, low living costs, and plenty of fun things to do.


I disagree with only one observation..... "calm winds". Huh? They must have visited in August.

yep probably the person or persons doing the study came in Oct, Feb or some month that none of us have heard.

I love these studies, as they give loyalists bragging rights, but I don't put much into them. Studies and stats can be viewed in many ways. All in all, ABQ does have a lot to offer.

Nita

[rybert]

There must be something to these ranking/lists. We pop-up in them pretty often.

[desert sun]

Originally Posted by rybert

There must be something to these ranking/lists. We pop-up in them pretty often.

maybe they just like the way the word ALBUQUERUQE rolls of the tongue

[yukon]

Maybe it's because COPS doesn't film here anymore

[rybert]

They don't? Too bad... where else will they find cross-dressing truckers?

[Poncho_NM]

Mayor Chavez pushed to stop the filming of Cops a few years ago, but the Bernalillo County Sheriff allowed it. That's the last I heard. I don't know what the current status is. I have a suspicion that this Street Patrol, by the same producers might replace Cops....


Rich

[urbanabq]

Originally Posted by rybert

They don't? Too bad... where else will they find cross-dressing truckers?

Haha. That was my favorite episode...oh how I miss Albuquirky