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Ironically, the only time I've ever been a burglary victim was when I was living with my family in a "very nice" semi-rural suburb of Philadelphia, with an admirably low crime rate. I have lived in at least a couple buildings in which apartments were burglarized while I lived there, but have been lucky.
I've mentioned this before but I think it's a really advantage that my current building has some elderly residents who are home most of the time and who are always keeping an eye on things.
Either which way, my airline tickets have been purchased and I can only expect good things happening for me and the fam. In the end life is what you make of it.
OP: while I don't meet your definition (having grown up in Santa Fe), I spent quite a few years in Connecticut and Northern Virginia before settling back in Albuquerque. I feel it's important to mention that I was in some of the richest counties (per capita) in America, so it's not exactly apples to apples, but I read your question like you were fishing for fairly subjective opinions.
The first thing I dislike about Albuquerque is the lack of investment and care for things in the 'commons'. I'm talking everything from parks/recreation to paths/right of ways, bus stops and venues. Our infrastructure sees a fraction of what infrastructure out east sees, and yet every time you get into an elevator, or sit in a seat at a venue, or use a restroom there's always some indication of a complete lack of respect for the commons. You go into a restroom in a retail establishment and it's always like you stepped into the maintenance section where the public isn't supposed to venture. It's like being in a town run by kids. And yes, you can repair and paint, but it's obvious where that's done, and it still leaves the impression that people don't give a crap.
It's so deep seated in the culture that even local chain businesses eventually fall into this sort of daze about it. So many times I've walked into a local national chain store and thought: "I'm guessing it's been awhile since anyone at corporate has been here. I'm in the (fill in the name of a chain store) that time forgot.". I think the chain stores stick out because you can make such a direct comparison. You can think to yourself: "You know, I've been in Subway's in ten different states in who knows how many cities and this obviously the saddest one I've ever stepped in to.".
And it's not just the vandalism. It's the loitering. It's the trash. It's the carts shoved into everyone's cars like the walk to the cart corral two spaces down was gonna kill you even though you just walked an hour through China-mart filling your cart to capacity with crap you're gonna throw out in six months. It's the speeding through neighborhoods and blatantly running stop signs. It's the booming bass rolling out of cars at all hours of the night.
I've got two young daughters. I've hit about every park in this town and it never ceases to amaze me what people are willing to do to even the nicest, newest equipment. Here's an example from a couple days ago, at a park on the much lauded "NE" side:
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I took the pics hoping the city still tracks individual taggers so they can add this one to the bill. I don't know what's more galling, that you'd be willing to do something like that, or that you'd be willing to sign your masterpiece afterwards. Here's another recent example. It's damage, not tagging but how long has this been like this?:
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I was at a drive through ATM at a Wells Fargo. Someone tagged the ATM machine. I went inside to notify the person at the customer service desk and pointed out that if they check right away, they probably have video of the vehicle. They could get make, model, maybe a plate and who knows...maybe a face... all connected to this tag to hand over to APD. They just looked at me like I was crazy and finally said: "Oh, they hit that thing all the time.". Oh, well that makes it OK then.
The second thing I dislike coming from out east is the lack of enough police presence to keep down the petty crime. The best deterrent for vandalism, petty crimes and the late night dealing in the parks is regular, random patrols. Something our undermanned, overworked force could never hope to provide. Our guys are busting their butts running from one incident to the next all shift long.
Minor things that bug me about the Abq area:
* Sleeziness of the Downtown area. (That area has so much positive potential that isn't being tapped).
* Abundance of billboards
* Lack of concern for the low-achieving and poorly-managed APS, which discourages some potential companies from relocating here.
I haven't experienced the wind, yet. Luckily, I experienced some wind in Iceland that put my previous evil wind knowledge (CoS) to shame. Let's hope it stays that way after spring!
It gets like Keflavik out in the E. Mtns towards Moriarty. Albuquerque is not at all as windy as Kef.
I live out in the E Mtns and frequently retrieve my plastic lawn furniture from the fenceline.
Still not as windy as Kef though - I have yet to see a dumpster roll by.
OP: The first thing I dislike about Albuquerque is the lack of investment and care for things in the 'commons'. I'm talking everything from parks/recreation to paths/right of ways, bus stops and venues. Our infrastructure sees a fraction of what infrastructure out east sees, and yet every time you get into an elevator, or sit in a seat at a venue, or use a restroom there's always some indication of a complete lack of respect for the commons. You go into a restroom in a retail establishment and it's always like you stepped into the maintenance section where the public isn't supposed to venture. It's like being in a town run by kids. And yes, you can repair and paint, but it's obvious where that's done, and it still leaves the impression that people don't give a crap.
The second thing I dislike coming from out east is the lack of enough police presence to keep down the petty crime. The best deterrent for vandalism, petty crimes and the late night dealing in the parks is regular, random patrols. Something our undermanned, overworked force could never hope to provide. Our guys are busting their butts running from one incident to the next all shift long.
My two cents.
What you are discribing was no different to what I grew up with in Sunset Park Brooklyn. Honestly, I doubt a major city with a population of over 500k could be as better. None of the major cities on the eastern seaboard could bat an eyelash. I look at it this way, from what you discribed, if ABQ can get these sort of things taken care of, it will only better the lives of those who current live there, and start attracting bigger businesses and more affluent families.
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