sorting out nm ... please give me your knowledge ! (Albuquerque, Los Lunas: apartment, rental)

[_orangepeels]

so, i have been doing some research and it's all a bit overwhelming.
i am planning to move to new mexico next summer and attend unm @ abq in the fall. i'd rather not live immediately in abq (unless you know something i don't). i'm looking to rent a home (not condo, apartment building, etc) about fifteen to thirty minutes out of the city. i'm moving from a city, so i'm looking for a more rural feeling. i'd like to be nearer to the mountains, but basic conveniences should be relatively close by (15 minutes for a 'large' grocer is okay). i've been (trying to) research the Tijeras, corrales, east mountains area, but it's always better to ask people that know.
based upon my single college student-ness, family-life stuff and schools and that sort of thing aren't much of a concern, but my budget is.
this is where (hopefully) you can help.
i plan on making a trip this winter and spend a couple of weeks making decisions, but i'd like to have a solid gameplan so i can utilize my time in nm.
ideally, i'd like
. semi-rural
. 15-30 minutes outside abq (at least outside of the main hub of the city)
. not an apartment building, but rent under 900 $

if you could maybe provide some insight into the outlying areas of abq and the rental situations, that is much appreciated
also, these places that i've mentioned- are they particularly industrial; are they more like the nm 'villages' ??

thank you for any help

[norm]

Check out Los Lunas. http://www.city-data.com/city/Los-Lunas-New-Mexico.html

[NM Appraiser]

To get that "rural" feeling most people move to the "east mountains (Tijeras - Edgewood, etc.)". I live about 11 miles south of IH-40 for several years - took an hour on many days - and winter time (with snow) added to the travel time and when you went to town (ABQ) and had something later that evening, you didn't go home for a quick snack or a clean up - you stayed in town and did something else (usually work). The commute to Los Lunas (as shown above) can be as long sometimes but that has been improved with the RailRunner ( Official Site of the New Mexico Rail Runner Express ). But I'd also suggest that you check out the statistics on other factors too - crime, auto theft, etc.

[ABQConvict]

East Mountains (incl. Tijeras) are your best bet especially if you are on a budget. I wouldn't rule out renting near campus for your first semester or so, though.


ABQConvict

[yukon]

I'd suggest a small apartment/guest house/casita in Los Ranchos de Albuquerque (hope I said it right!). Prices are well within your range of $900, you get the village feel, but are actually "in town". They're often posted on craigslist as "NW Valley".

[Zoidberg]

I suggest renting right next to the campus, like the student ghetto.

Albuquerque is semi-rural even in its urban areas in ways that many cities are not (unpaved alleys in spots, old houses with big lots in spots). If you're coming from a more archetypal denser city, you may not need the rural commute.

I'd be sure that the true rural was the only way to go before I committed to a ridiculous hourlong commute every day (more if you can't get your classes in a solid block). Outside of downtown and rio rancho/west side bedroom communities, UNM is what I would call the third largest source of rush-hour traffic in our fair metro area, edging out Sandia Labs. Before you add to that misery, try the walking/biking-distance thing.

[Towanda]

Originally Posted by _orangepeels

thank you for any help

The only help / advice I have after reading your opening post is this:

Capital letters are your friends.