Work at VA; where to live? (real estate, to rent, safe area) - City-Data Forum

midelka · 02-20-2010, 06:44 AM

I am considering a job at the VA and would like a nice, safe place to live. Have a son in high school. A boring, charmless neighborhood would be fine as long as it has a good school and some amenities and is safe. How far away would I have to live from the hospital which seems to be at the far SE of the city?

Thanks

cottonwoodheights · 02-21-2010, 10:36 AM

midelka, don't live in the local Highland High School zone (87106, aka the VA hospital area), unless you want crime, a bad school, and high priced real estate. I'd look in Uptown (87110) to start, and then expand north and east.

Tago · 02-21-2010, 03:16 PM

midelka...it would be helpful to know some of your preferences other than access to the VA and schools...are you planning to rent or buy? Price range? How tolerant are you of commuting? Schools are not great here in NM...(sorry folks, but it's true)...so be prepared. Do you plan to stay on after your son graduates?

aries63 · 02-21-2010, 06:33 PM

Highland has a bad reputation but still I know a family whose kids went there and one got into Yale. I think it depends more on the kid than the school. The dropout rate is bad (around half), but maybe that ends up being a positive for the kids who stick it out to the end.

I have a friend who works at the VA and lives in the uptown area, around Candelaria and Louisiana. There's a large area of the east side that's within a reasonable commute.

rybert · 02-22-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cottonwoodheights

midelka, don't live in the local Highland High School zone (87106, aka the VA hospital area), unless you want crime, a bad school, and high priced real estate. I'd look in Uptown (87110) to start, and then expand north and east.

Ananswerable platitude...

Harvard, Yale, Pepperdine, Rice, etc... people I know that graduated from Highland...

midwest liberal · 05-29-2010, 05:42 PM

I recently moved here for a job at the VA and ended up near Eldorado High School, it is a very easy drive to work and seems like a safe area. The class sizes are large but when I registered my son for next year, everyone seemed really friendly in the school. The VA is a great place to work and I hope it works out for you.