Just Moved Here, And Feeling Unsafe (Albuquerque, Kirtland: landlord, university, gated communities)

[PINAYPIE]

Originally Posted by Suebrown67

We just tranferred here to Kirtland AFB 6 weeks ago. We came from Andrews AFB, Md 15 minutes outside DC where we had been stuck for 19 years. I feel 1000 times more safe here in Abq than I ever did back at Andrews. I don't feel nervous about being out after dark, the people here are so much nicer in general, and I am still amazed how they will hold doors open for each other. Back in Md, it was typical for the door to slam shut in your face.

We absolutely love it here, and when I retire in a few years, there is no way we are moving back east. We love the weather, the overall attitude, the lack of traffic (even in rush hour), the lower cost of living, and all the awesome food places here.

We are totally enchanted with this place

Just arrived here in KAFB about 3 weeks ago and like you, we absolutely LOVE IT!

And yes, the food

[mmposting]

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

It is obvious from your string of posts that you are dominated by a sense of fear

Not a fair statement. I'm simply trying to provide a more realistic description of Albuquerque. Admittedly, I am very biased against Abq. due to the experience of growing up as an Hispanic kid in a gang neighborhood in the South Valley. The amount of violence and brutality in that environment made life difficult, is something I personally wish I had not endured, and is definitely not something that "normal" America understands.

thus I am not surprised that you are also easily insulted.

Joking about "wearing a steel vest so the guys with knives can't stab" ...

okay, you know, that's kinda funny and all ... the sarcasm doesn't fall on deaf ears .... but the topic is serious. There truly are quite a lot of people hurt due to these issues.

[rybert]

Your version of Albuquerque is very specific and pretty well insulated from the rest of the city. I would say that the amount of violence and brutality you had in your life is not something that "normal" Albuquerque understands.

[ABQConvict]

Yeah, I grew up in the Bronx in the 80's when the murder rate was through the roof, every available surface including people's cars were covered in tags and there were 2-3 serial killers on the loose including the famous Son of Sam. My first girlfriend's cousin was a victim of one of those killers. At certain train stops, there would be cops to escort high school students across the street to the bus stop there because you would be harassed, mugged or raped. All in all it was a ****ty scene (though it has gotten a lot better since then).

I guess that is how I have developed a sense of humor about dangerous neighborhoods and one thing a can't stand is when people blow a neighborhood's danger potential way out of proportion (like the 'warzone').


ABQConvict

[Shmikker]

could it be a classic case of culture shock?

[nichole.hopkins]

I was born and raised here. Im from the South Valley which is considered "ghetto"- in reality its just a rural, mostly hispanic VERY old part of the city. I LOVE the South Valley!!!!! Ive also lived for 2 years in the war Zone, right off Kathryn and San Mateo. A single 19 year old woman. I was NEVER bothered except by homeless people on occassion. I recently moved to Uptown, a "nice" area in the NE heights near Coronado Mall, and had my car severly vandalized, and had filed 3 police reports ranging from the vandalization to harasment from fellow tenants. Goes to show.....everything is relative.

In Abq the general rule of thumb is- be friendly and dont bother anyone, people will do the same. Its by no means a scary place to live. I still feel FINE walking alone at night downtown or in my "ghetto" neighborhood. And the people in the "ghettos" are often very friendly...we watch out for each others houses while on vacation, etc. its very tight-knit.

[lilac2]

You know it is logical that there are more crimes in any city with a great climate, just as the crime rates are higher in the northeast in summer than in winter. You just have more warm months for criminals and druggies to be out in. And more of the car thefts are the older cars without smart keys. In a city without winter snows and road salt cars last longer, so more older cars to steal.

[CzarinaGina]

Hi Todd,

I joined this forum looking for the same information. There is a chance my family will be moving out of Phoenix and ABQ is on the list of possibilities. I have found one source of crime info that I'm using to get an idea of specific areas crime rates and maybe this link will be of help to you too.
Albuquerque Crime Map - Showing Crime in Albuquerque, NM - Crime Statistics - Crime Alerts - Crime Stops Here

Gina

[spottie]

We moved here about 7 months ago and just love it. The crime rate was a lot higher where we came from (Jackson, MS) but even there I didn't worry too much. Most of the violent crime was not from strangers - mostly it was domestic or people shooting their friend because they had a disagreement about a football team, or drug deal stuff. Don't know if its that way here, but it wouldn't surprise me.

[shananscot]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

Actually, I've driven all over town. I've been downtown, uptown, to Old Town, and driven the length of Central as well as some other streets.

To call me unadventurous is a bit of an insult. Actually, I'm just being cautious about a new place with a MUCH higher crime rate than Manhattan, where I felt perfectly safe.

My question on this forum was about the safe and not-so-safe areas, which you have chosen not to answer.

Thanks anyway.

Todd

My husband and I lived at Kirtland AFB for 3 yrs. I drove up and down that "war zone" everyday to the University hospital. Both night and day. And there is nothing wrong with that area. I think the looks you thought you were seeing were all just in your head. That area is not the "war zone" anymore. I got out of my car all the time at Wyoming and Central at a gas station. I went to the walmart on San Mateo and Central. I drove down Central from University to Wyoming on a freaking scooter for Gods sake and nothing ever happen to me. Nobody tried to rob me, I never saw a gun. The worst I ever saw was a drunk or high person walking down the sidewalk. I even drove my scooter from Louisianna down Gibson to University and never had anything happen. Stop looking for problems and enjoy the city. I just moved last month and miss it like crazy. I have lived all over the US and the world. There are worse places, ABQ is one of the best places I have ever lived.