Moving to ABQ from Utah (with kids that needs good school) (Albuquerque: crime, new house)

[johnnyw]

Hi,
I'm a college research professor and being offered a great job in ABQ. I’m looking for an area with good elementary schools (if there’s any). I live in a very safe area (Lexington MA) where the biggest crime is probably driving 5 miles above the limit. I have a boy who shows some talents in science and would like to continue developing his skills in a good school. After reading the posts in this forum, the problems that concern most people are the crimes and schools. I understand that every city has its own problems, but would like to find out more before accepting the job offer. Question 1: What are the safer areas to live (within 40 minutes from Sandia Labs/Kirkland AFB)? I don’t mind (actually a preference) to live outside of ABQ. Question 2: What are the better elementary schools around there? Question 3: What are the average housing costs (rent/buy) for those areas?
Thanks!

[karmathecat]

Coming from MA, which has some of the better public schools in the country, you really cannot prepare yourself for how bad they are here. NM has ( depending on how the statistics are skewed ) about a 65% HS graduation rate.
How old is your son? What's your opinion of Chicago/Everyday Math? Most schools here teach it .
If your son is elementary school level, think NE heights for school location as there are some public elementary schools there that are decent. If he is middle school, 21st century charter is good, AIMS at UNM is better.
Personally, if you can afford it, I think the best option is private with several of the charter schools being a close second.
For living, Ridgecrest, Four Hills and NE Heights are all good choices.
On the east side where you will most likely be looking, you can find nice, new houses here for 250-500k plus, depending on location, house size, lot size, etc.

[johnnyw]

Thanks for the quick reply. My son will be 6th grade this coming fall. Would you please recommend some private/charter schools there?

[berncohomes]

Both Foothills north and south are also good area's to live. Just my 2 cents.

[rybert]

You have a preference to live outside of ABQ?

[karmathecat]

Bosque Prep, Albuquerque Academy are both highly regarded. Both private.

AIMS at UNM, 21st Century, are both highly regarded charter schools. They are part of the public school system and you can get information about them at Albuquerque Institute for Mathematics and Science, Albuquerque New Mexico for AIMS ( which is for 6-12th grade ) and www.21stcenturypa.org for 21st Century ( 6-8th grade )

Charter schools here are enrolled by lottery which happened in the Spring, so you might find your child on a waiting list.

[Zoidberg]

Sandia Labs' employees are to be found all over, but a majority of them live north of I-40 and E of Louisiana Blvd. Many of them also send their kids to public schools in the area, which are just fine.

Be sure to do your homework on charter and private schools; there are some that are exceptional, but many are not worth the hassle. If you live in a good part of town (as described above) you should have no need to divert your kids.

As far as expense, check Zillow.com or Trulia.com for specifics. By Boston standards you will be amazed what $150k gets you. $250k is about the upper ceiling I'd consider; upwards of that I think it's more about status (location, location, location) than anything else.

[lisdol]

Since you mentioned living outside of the city....

We have many Sandia Labs employees out here in the E. Mtns. I used to live in Arlington, so I am a little familiar with Lexington. Before you rule out living east of ABQ, check out Cedar Crest and Sandia Park.

My daughter has a boy in her class who has both parents working at the lab. Dad is a physicist and I am not sure what mom does. They live in NW Edgewood, which might be an area you'd want to check out as well.

Check out Sandia Prep in Albuquerque for school as well. My daughter's teacher (who lives right down the street from us) sent her daughter to school there for high school.

How can you be moving from Utah when you live in Lexington, MA??

[floridabonds]

Go for the private schools. My sister lives in Acton, MA, so I'm familiar with what you are used to. You'll never find it out here in the public school system. Try Albuquerque Academy (grades 6-12) and think of it as an investment in your child's life. Try to stick to the east side of town - Far NE Heights is very nice. We're moving out of state and I'm very happy to leave the Albuquerque Public School System.

[Yep thats right]

Yes a private school or homeschool for sure. The school system here is the absolute worst. I have lived here 44 years and am finally leaving this gawd awful arm pit of the USA. Tax payer money for the schools is very high and they do not use it for our children. We always had to pay for our childrens education to see to it that they got a good education. Sad but just the truth.