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There is absolutely nothing wrong with being cautious and aware of what is around you, no matter where you are. Particularly late at night in the funkier parts of urban areas. I'm a professional musician, so I'm often out late at night around attitude-adjusted people.
I've been in ABQ for about a week now, and I've never felt so unsafe.
I'll admit that some of the feeling comes for the disorientation of being in a new place, but some of the feeling is quite real: everywhere I go, I hear stories of people whose cars have been broken into or vandalized. The drug addicts that aggressively beg for money on the streets (particularly around the university) can be quite threatening. At one place in Nob Hill where my wife and I considered renting, the landlord addressed our concerns about the flimsy windows that could be easily pushed out of the frame by a thief by saying "we haven't had any robberies here... yet."
Most of my coworkers, and the few people I knew here prior to my move, all live in gated communities, or in places with bars on the windows. That feels like living in prison to me. I don't want to live with that kind of isolation.
My biggest mistake yet was taking a wrong turn off Central past San Mateo and ending up in what I understand is called "The War Zone". We passed several police cars clustered around a person (or a corpse) lying in the street. The glares we received from many people in that area made it quite clear that we didn't belong there and weren't welcome.
Both my wife and I work within a mile or two of the University, so we've chosen to live as close to our jobs as possible. This has left us with a very small area where we feel even relatively safe: basically, Central to Lomas, University to Carlisle.
I'd like to expand my comfort zone in the city, but I don't know what areas are safe and which are dangerous.
Can anybody here give me an idea of what parts of the city to absolutely avoid?
I consider myself very street-smart when it comes to big cities: I've lived in Manhattan and Chicago and never had a problem or felt the level of fear I live with daily in ABQ. It's hard for me to understand why I feel so different here, and have the sense that a city boy like me just doesn't fit in.
Any advice from local ABQ folks would be appreciated. I know many of you love it here, and I'm hopeful that you can help me find a way to feel safe and fall in love with the city live you have.
Todd
In the chart for this link Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed
Albuquerque crime is slightly higher than the national average.
If you feel unsafe, there are things you can do, personal security wise, to enhance your confidence of your surroundings. One of which is being vigilant, be aware of where you are, and of what you're doing, and the time of day in which you're active. Take some extra security measures for yourselves. Drive with your windows in the up position, doors locked. Try to keep your domicile secured all the time, even when you're home.
There are probably some websites which can tell you more about personal security for you and your family. Here is a link from the department of state dealing with personal security. Personal Security--At Home, On the Street, While Traveling
Good luck, and please try to enjoy yourselves while you're here in New Mexico.
Here's an answer...The area near UNM is a little sketchy and it is near all sorts of bad neighborhoods. Here is the upside: You could live in the NE heights and commute. I lived off Copper and Tramway during my years at UNM. The commute was like 15 minutes. That's the beauty of ABQ. You can live across the city and it is really not that bad to drive.
The area near UNM ... is near all sorts of bad neighborhoods.
The one just across the river is pretty bad.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Userdavey
I lived off Copper and Tramway during my years at UNM. The commute was like 15 minutes.
So's my commute.
I live near Paseo and Tramway and it's like 15 minutes.
It usually takes about 30-40 minutes, but that's like 15 minutes, but longer.
Going home yesterday - driving along Lomas, some nutball came blasting by me
whilst weaving in and out of traffice. He jutted in front of my ( missing by what
I estimate to be about 1/4" ) just past San Mateo.
He weaved in-and-out continuously as long as I had him in my sights.
I was behind him at EVERY light till he blasted a left at Juan Tabo.
With a good driver, his vehicle probably gets like 11 mpg.
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