Medical professional looking for convenient and safe housing

[Mike Horrell]

Albuquerque certainly has some shaky areas, but nothing like Compton or Harlem.
Still, that does not mean that you should ignore due diligence; there are areas
that I wouldn't dream of living near, never mind in. Most have already been mentioned.

One thing that a couple respected posters and I disagree on is the need to drive
through shaky areas compromising otherwise quite nice ones. I think that's a real
factor against areas such as Four Hills, others do not. I'd not only pay attention
to where you want to live but also how you get to other areas for shopping, entertainment,
work, etc.

FWIW...

[aries63]

I've heard that "War Zone" here applies to an area north of the Air Force Base that was built during the post-WWII boom, or that it has to do with refugees of foreign wars (like the Vietnamese), not that it has to do with street wars or anything (anyone else heard this?).

But some of the higher-crime areas (east of Rio Grande) include some areas off of Gibson between Broadway and Carlisle, and SOME of the areas north of the AFB, between San Mateo and Eubank, and south of Lomas. And South Broadway.

Broadstone: I think the philosophy is, "if you build it, they will rent (and hopefully ignore everything surrounding it)." It's a great location if you want to have quick access to the Sunport, AFB, UNM, CNM, I-25...

Congratulations on narrowing your search!

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by aries63

I've heard that "War Zone" here applies to an area north of the Air Force Base that was built during the post-WWII boom, or that it has to do with refugees of foreign wars (like the Vietnamese), not that it has to do with street wars or anything (anyone else heard this?).

No, I have never heard that, and I doubt that is correct. Kirtland Air Force Base's beginnings originated from some private airstrips in the 1920's and in the 1930's (before WWII and before the US Air Force existed), by the US Army and then US Army Air Corp...


I have seen the term "War Zone" used in a lot of cities I have been in throughout the US like in Miami, Boston, Bronx, Chicago...

ADDDED:

http://www.krqe.com/dpp/news/local/c...e_200901312341
An Albuquerque neighborhood is redefining itself, and it's an idea that has been percolating for six years.
Concerned citizens met once again Saturday to discuss renaming the ethically diverse Southeast Heights.
They want to get rid of the negative attitude toward their neighborhood, and the name "The War Zone."

Rich

[aries63]

Originally Posted by Poncho_NM

No, I have never heard that, and I doubt that is correct. Kirtland Air Force Base's beginnings originated from some private airstrips in the 1920's and in the 1930's (before WWII and before the US Air Force existed), by the US Army and then US Army Air Corp...

I have seen the term "War Zone" used in a lot of cities I have been in throughout the US like in Miami, Boston, Bronx, Chicago...

I know what "war zone" is supposed to mean, which is why I found it unusual when I heard these other explanations of the origin of the term applied to that area of Albuquerque. Could just be some revisionism to save the area's reputation. The airstrips were earlier, but the neighborhoods now known as the "War Zone" were definitely built in the 50's and later, during the post-war boom.

The news story you linked seems strange to me in that it refers to the area as "Southeast Heights", which to me is not the same thing as the "war zone" at all. At least the Southeast Heights Neighborhood Association is south of Nob Hill and west of Washington. Very nice and non-war-zonish.

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by aries63

The news story you linked seems strange to me in that it refers to the area as "Southeast Heights", which to me is not the same thing as the "war zone" at all. At least the Southeast Heights Neighborhood Association is south of Nob Hill and west of Washington. Very nice and non-war-zonish.

But that is an area that has traditionally been called the War Zone. And other people have added the tag to other areas.

So, in my opinion, don't make up words and make a clear distinction of what you are talking about...

Please identify exactly what area you consider to be the "War Zone" in Albuquerque and provide some verifiable data to why it is called that.




Rich

[aries63]

Originally Posted by Poncho_NM

But that is an area that has traditionally been called the War Zone. And other people have added the tag to other areas.

So, in my opinion, don't make up words and make a clear distinction of what you are talking about...

Please identify exactly what area you consider to be the "War Zone" in Albuquerque and provide some verifiable data to why it is called that.

I'm sorry, what words have I made up?

"Southeast Heights" means different things according to who you ask. If you look at this map from the city's official neighborhood association map collection, "SE Heights" is exactly what I linked to in my previous message, it's a small area just south of Nob Hill, including Hyder Park and the northwestern part of Ridgecrest. I don't know anyone who would refer to this area as any kind of "War Zone." Do you? Ever been there?

If you ask a real estate agent you'd likely get a different answer, as this suggests, which describes an area bounded by San Mateo on the west, Tramway on the east, KAFB on the south, and Central Ave. on the north. Note that the neighborhood mentioned above is not even within those boundaries. Although any real estate agent who knows the area knows about the Southeast Heights Neighborhood Association, it's very active and considered a very desirable place to buy, with some million-dollar homes.

"Southeast Quadrant" (to the Post Office) is of course a much larger area, everything south of Central Ave. and east of the train tracks. For the Police Department, the "Southeast Area Command" covers everything south of I-40 and east of I-25.

Since you asked my personal opinion, and as a resident of the Southeast Quadrant for the better part of 20 years, I've heard most people in this area use "War Zone" to mean areas east of San Mateo, west of Eubank, north of Gibson, and south of Lomas (with some important exceptions). Primary "War Zone" area centers around the Trumbull Village neighborhood.

Have I covered the definitions to your satisfaction? I promise I'm not making this stuff up.

[aries63]

I know this is now only remotely related to the OP's concerns, but I just wanted to add that even the deepest, darkest part of the "War Zone" I've described isn't all bad. I once helped a friend move to an apartment on Española St., in the heart of Trumbull Village, around 1994. He had fallen on hard times and had health problems, and ended up renting a cheap apartment there. He made friends with neighbors in his building (including some dubious characters) who helped him with his laundry and other things. He would ask neighbors to pick things up at the store for him, and other favors, and they obliged. It worked out pretty well for him. Eventually he had to move out to a group home where he died. I'll never forget when we were moving him into the "War Zone" apartment, some of the new neighbors were sizing him up and one said, "Jeez, what happened to you, were you in an accident or something?" And my friend snapped back, "I have AIDS. It means I can't run, skip, hop, or jump, OK? Can you give me a hand or are you just going to stare?" They were taken aback at first but they pitched in and helped unload his truck. Now that was chutzpah.

[marianne55]

I have a house to rent that is 3 blocks from the UNM medical school. It is very nice, with lots of shade trees. Let me know if you are interesated.