Quote:
Originally Posted by LostCaliMan
Though I have read about many places NOT to live, there has not been a whole lot on places TO live.
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As working professional transplants from the Midwest in 2003, my wife and I lived in the Northeast Heights (some would term it more the "Far Notheast Heights", although my portions teetered on being not-Far, just standard Northeast Heights).
When we first moved to ABQ, not knowing the area well (and prior to having children), we rented an apartment for 6 months on Eubank Blvd, near the cross-intersection of Academy. We could not have been any more pleased with the area. I wholeheartedly recommend renting as a new-to-the-area professional in this area of the Northeast Heights (in or near the Overlook Apartments - Eubank Blvd, and Academy).
Then, we purchased a house very nearby. Our home was an older (30+ years old), renovated single-story adobe - not much more than 1200 or 1300 square feet. It was in the middle of a "square" formed by the road boundaries north-south roads of Wyoming NE and Pennsylvania NE and the east-west roads of Montgomery Blvd. NE and Osuna Rd. NE. This area is more homes than rentals but we enjoyed this area as well.
Overall, we resided in this general area of the Northeast Heights of ABQ for 4+ years, and frankly, could not have been much more pleased. We loved the area.
Anyway, overall, here is how I broke down ABQ recently:
Albuquerque recommended zip codes:
NORTHEAST
87109 - Portions...generally more northern and/OR eastern (generally north of Montgomery and/or, east of Louisiana)
87111 -
87112 - Portions...generally more northern and eastern
87122 - (Pricey)
NORTH VALLEY
87107 - Northern areas most desirable, especially near Rio Grande Blvd.
87113
NORTHWEST
87114
87120 - Northern 1/3 or so of this zip
SOUTEAST
87123 - Predominantly in the "Four Hills" neighborhood, although this is pricey, as well as most all areas on Tramway Blvd. or east
RIO RANCHO (suburb on far North West)
87124
UNM / NOB HILL area
87108
DOWNTOWN
87102 - There are some very nice residential areas (perhaps a bit too pricey though) off of Downtown near the river
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In terms of quadrants:
Northeast:
Probably my personal favorite in the quadrants I mentioned. Older and more established in general than the Northwest, and thus more retail, restaurants, established infrastructure, etc. You will get many decades-old well established residential areas, as well as still some newer areas on the northern and eastern edges.
IN GENERAL, this is a pricier area in the quadrants I mentioned. However, especially as a renter, you kind find numerous rentals I am sure within your price range.
The Northeast is to me semi-"suburban" in feel, yet fairly urban still. A wide blend of people - long-time New Mexicans (including native ABQeans), cops, retired military, empty nesters, renters, young families with kids, affluent sorts, working professionals, elderly, families with high school aged kids, some working class / blue collar families, etc.
The Northwest tends to feel a bit more "new suburbia" with tons of fairly new (or recent) development - both in terms of retail, as well as residential homes and neighborhoods. If you are looking for "bang for you buck" per square foot in a newer home eventually, this is the place to look. For many, it lacks the "authenticity" or "real Albuquerque vibe" that other areas of the town have - and I don't necessarily disagree (I prefer the NE in a perfect world) - however, I likely would buy here due to all of the younger families that reside here. It has its pluses and minuses - big pluses are the home sizes / ages for their dollar. Minuses involve less established infrastructure (eg: more traffic) and maybe less of an authentic "feel".
Rio Rancho is a popular, rapidly growing suburb on ABQ's northwest side, and if you'd consider ABQ's NW side, you probably should throw Rio Rancho in that mix, too, as RR is in feel largely an extension of ABQ's NW side.
The North Valley is one of the nicest parts of ABQ...by the Rio Grande. Hotter on summer days and cooler on winter nights due to being in the valley. More "green" than most of ABQ due to its proximity by the river. The nice areas of the Valley are some of the pricier areas, but if you can fit the area in your budget, say, Osuna Rd. or Rio Grande Blvd. in the Valley, it has its real pluses - one of which is being so central in the city to everything. It has a similar urban/suburban kind of mixed vibe that the Northeast Heights has. As a renter, while I personally would probably opt for the NE Heights, this would be my close #2.
The Nob Hill/UNM/Downtown areas I noted zip-wise are more what you'd associate with a more classically "walking friendly" or "younger" (in vibe at least) or more "hip" area of the city...definitely quite urban. This is the place you'll find more nightlife, more music, more revelry. Lots of authentic and unique shopping. There are some quite affluent areas in this area as well, typically more liberal-leaning folks. There are some beautiful green, wooded areas in these neighborhoods, too, that seem again somewhat unlike the remainder of the desert city. To me, this was a great place to visit (but preferred living in the NE Heights), but to others on the board they wouldn't live anywhere else if they had the choice.
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I hope this helps you. I think you'd overall be doing quite well living in ANY of these zips / areas listed. If you have follow up questions, feel free to shoot. Partially it would be akin to where you'll be working, but moreover, if you prefer the more neighborhood type of feel, the bar/restaurant type of feel, or a mixture of the two.
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Moving to ABQ in a couple weeks
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