Albuquerque or Tucson? (Santa Fe, Taos: to rent, high crime, neighborhoods)

[ajs123]

Hello, I've been fortunate enough to get a new job and have the choice of moving to albuquerque or Tucson. I've been to albuquerque twice for a short period of time and like what I saw, but I've never been to Tucson. Does any one have any advice on comparing the two cities?? I am a single female moving by myself and don't know anyone in either city. So I would like a safe place to live and I like the outdoors. I don't like all the new developements and prefer older more established communities. I really like the neighborhood east of tramway near Lomas ave. But will need to rent at first. Any help on comparing the two cities would be nice.
Thanks!

[AndyJ]

Hi ajs-

I am a student living in Tucson, but originally from Albuquerque, and I will be moving back next month. On the surface, the two cities are similar, but actually pretty different once you get to know them.

One of the first topics folks seem to bring up about either place on this forum is the crime in each city. The crime stats that this site gives for each city are similar, but I will say that I have felt less safe in Tucson during the time I've been here. I live near the University of Arizona, and gang related activity and drug problems aren't rampant, but not exactly mild either. I've spent a lot of time all over Albuquerque, though I am from the heights, which is generally regarded as safe. The area you described east of Tramway also has a good reputation, at least from what I have heard from people that live in that part of town.

Rent seems to be going up in Tucson, around $650 for 1bd, 1bath. Not sure what it is in Albuquerque, but I've been looking around as I will be renting when I return, and most places seem to be around $525-550 for the same.

As far as activites, both places have a lot to offer. Albuquerque seems to have better access to other areas of NM (Santa Fe, Taos, western NM, the Jemez, which is a great place to go if you like being outdoors) than Tucson does to other parts of AZ. Both places offer a lot to do outdoors, and both places are culturally diverse. Both cities are regarded as very "fit" (i.e. many places to bike/hike/excerise in general). I prefer the outdoors of New Mexico, mainly because it has more to offer in the way of rivers and lakes, as well as some awesome skiing.

Unfortunately, Tucson and Albuquerque are both subject to the epidemic of new development in the west. Albuquerque's west side has been booming for awhile, and Tucson has many areas where the sprawl seems unstoppable. Fortunately, both cities do have older communities like you described. The areas around the universities in each city are older, and Tucson has many neighborhoods that I would call rustic.

All in all, I prefer ABQ, but obviously I'm biased as I'm from there. I think you're best bet is to visit Tucson for yourself if possible, and to continue researching both cities. The chamber of commerce sites for each city are a good place to start, as well as the insights of other locals on this forum.

At any rate, best of luck in your move!

[ajs123]

Thanks AndyJ for the advice I really apreciate it. I would love to visit Tucson so I can compare for myself, but may not have the option I like that Albuquerque does seem more central as far as visiting a lot of other places. Your information really helps alot!

[observe]

I moved to Albuquerque 17 years ago, and I have been to Tucson a few times. The two cities are similar in alot of ways, size, both are progressive and have a southwest feel to them, both have State Universities. Albuquerque is a high desert city and Tucson is a low desert city, which factors in the 10 degrees difference in temperature almost any time of the year Tucson being the warmer of the two. Albuquerque to me feels like a slightly larger city, probably because the two freeways disect the city as to where Tucsons freeway runs more on the western edge of the city, and Albuquerque's downtown seems a little livelier. If you have alergies, Albuquerque is horrible probably because of the river and the tree's, there seems to be alot more greenery in Albuquerque which may be the reason for the bad alergy seasons here. One advantage Tucson has over Albuquerque is it's proximety to Pheonix. (lots to do there)
Anyway I think it's totally up to the individuals preference, visit Tucson and develope your own opinion. I don't think you can go wrong with eaither city.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by ajs123

Hello, I've been fortunate enough to get a new job and have the choice of moving to albuquerque or Tucson. I've been to albuquerque twice for a short period of time and like what I saw, but I've never been to Tucson. Does any one have any advice on comparing the two cities?? I am a single female moving by myself and don't know anyone in either city. So I would like a safe place to live and I like the outdoors. I don't like all the new developements and prefer older more established communities. I really like the neighborhood east of tramway near Lomas ave. But will need to rent at first. Any help on comparing the two cities would be nice.
Thanks!

Hi -

Albuquerque and Tucson have actually some very distinct similarities. Both are "desert towns" of a similar size, and actually when you are in both towns, both in some aspects have a similar "look" and layout, etc.

One consideration you might make is the weather - a huge difference between the two cities. Albuquerque is 5500 feet of elevation, so it is "high desert"...moderate weather overall, but 4 distinct seasons. Winter does exist in ABQ and you will likely see some snow (averages around 10 inches which usually sticks only for a few hours...so not much, but some). Summers in ABQ are often hot, but hot being 95 degrees or so...not unbearable. Tucson winters - like Phoenix - are quite nice overall, however, the summers tend to be very long and very, very hot, where temps of 110, etc., aren't out of the norm.

So if you don't mind extreme heat, you may lean towards Tucson, because its winters, springs and falls are warmer. But just remember that summers can be 6-months and HOT. But, if you don't mind a little cold mixed into the year - both rather moderate temps year round (dominated by highs in the 60s, 70s, and 80s) Albuquerque would be better for you weather-wise.

Both are dry as bone desert and both get much sunshine annually (Tucson a hare more, but that is pretty insignificant).

Cost of housing is greater in Tucson than ABQ in general.

Tucson is a two-hour drive from Phoenix. Albuquerque is a 45-minute drive from Santa Fe and a four hour drive from El Paso.

Both have somewhat high crime stats, but both seem to be fairly isolated into certain pockets - this is especially the case in Albuquerque.

If you like the area east of Tramway in Albuquerque (it is a gorgeous area) bear in mind that temps are even cooler there than the "banana belt" of Albuquerque west of Eubank Blvd. Thus...if you do not mind (or like) cooler temps, ABQ may be the place for you.

The two are somewhat comparable, and I actually think Tucson is a really nice place (like Albuquerque tends to be polarizing). But I really think ABQ has many things going for it too.

I think the two cities are so evenly matched overall, that I would say it more would boil down to a) your weather preference (if pay / job are the same in either city), and b) the cost of housing issue which leans towards ABQ in favor.

I would vote for ABQ, but it is hard...both cities are definitely quality towns.

[ajs123]

Thanks for your help, I think I have decided on Albuquerque. Even though I haven't been to Tucson, I do think I would like the weather better than Tucson. Coming from Florida, I really miss the 4 seasons and not sure I would like the over 100 temperatures, even if they are low humidity.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by ajs123

Thanks for your help, I think I have decided on Albuquerque. Even though I haven't been to Tucson, I do think I would like the weather better than Tucson. Coming from Florida, I really miss the 4 seasons and not sure I would like the over 100 temperatures, even if they are low humidity.

You should love the weather in Albuquerque if you don't mind a bit of coldish days in the winter (and they are still much, much more mild than the NE, Midwest, Denver, etc.). Average of ~10 inches of snow per year in the city, which rarely sticks around for more than a few hours or a day (this year was the crazy exception). Average daytime highs in the heart of winter in ABQ are a rather mild 50 degrees (which feels very pleasant in the high desert when the sun is shining strong), the spring and fall average high is 70-to-75 degrees (the best weather of the year here if the wind isn't blowing too hard) and the summer 90-to-95 degrees with a hot sun but low humidity.

Frankly, while I always envy Tucson/Phoenix's weather in the wintertime, I think the spring-summer-fall weather in Albuquerque is nearly perfect, and in comparison to much of the nation, the winter isn't too shabby either (you can often ski in the morning in the Sandias and then golf in the afternoon in the city).

I think you'll really enjoy ABQ!!

[domino]

One difference I see is different outlooks of the two cities. Albuquerque is hands down the big fish in a small pond. No other city in NM rivals Albuquerque in size or economic importance to the state. Tucson is #2 in Arizona and only two hours from Phoenix, which is a very large metropolis. Which outlook you prefer is a personal matter, and both cities have much going for them. Albuquerque seems more in a rush to grow and develop, and Tucson less so, with Phoenix so close by.
I really like both cities, but prefer the attitude in Tucson.

[yukon]

Having grown up in Phoenix and now living in Florida, I'll take the desert HOT any day over Florida humid!

[k wingrove]

Tucson Hotter...Albuquerque higher (5280 feet) and has some snow in winter. Tucson more right wing. Albuquerque full ofwonderful things to do and see. Lots of art and good food. Good University and museums - lots of music. Can you tell I'm biased? I just moved here...I love it.