Requesting help on a property decision (Albuquerque, Corona: how much, house, university)

[tommodonahue]

I have narrowed my property decision down to two choices, based on how nice the house is and the vicinity to the University (for my significant other)

- Property A is on Arizona Street (Constitution Ave NE and San Pedro Drive NE) = 4KM from UNM

- Property B is on Vasser (Lomas Blvd NE and Girard Blvd NE), < 1 KM from UNM

I'm looking for a property within the 'UNM Ghetto'... close enough to the University where students would be willing to drive to 'hang out' at the house. Somewhere nearest the cafes and bars that students hang out at. I've seen the most cafes and bars (On google maps) near Property B. There are some however, near Property A. I definitely want my significant other to be integrated into the 'student life' in Albuquerque as much as possible.

It seems that Property B is closer to 'what is happening' at UNM, but Property A is much nicer and less expensive.

Thanks for any input.

[ziaAirmac]

If you're really placing 'connection to UNM', in the top spot, the Vassar property wins hands down. Just beyond Lomas is about as far as you'll regularly see students walking in. After that you start using the bus. The area around Lomas and Girard starts to 'feel' like UNM, while the area around Constitution/San Pedro feels like the land that Coronado Center, the State Fair Grounds and time forgot. It's part of the characterless subdivide expanses in Albuquerque that people sometimes complain about. You're not in the heights, but you're not in the valley. The zoning is weird (or seems to have been at some point) so there's a mix of all sorts of properties. The Vassar property is also close to the cultural center of Nob Hill and there's a Sunflower Market (Grocer), True Value Hardware/Ace Hardware and the mini Los Cuates/Los Cuates (NM food) locations nearby. There's a church right at Lomas and Girard that we don't attend, but we've been to some of their community events, including a spaghetti night, and it was a very inviting place.

To be fair, if I had to come up with three nice things to say about the Arizona property, I'd say: proximity to I-40, proximity to Coronado Center/Uptown (Apple store, Trader Joe's!), and proximity to one of the nicer parks in town (Jerry Cline park, with a long walking path, and a dedicated foot bridge over I-40 to the Winrock Studios.). Note that none of those have to do with connection to life at UNM.

[aries63]

I would second, third, and fourth everything ZiaAirmac said.

It's a tough trade-off. It would depend on how much I'd save by living at the Arizona St. location, and how awful the Vassar place is. You pay more at Vassar because you can walk or bike to all your classes within minutes, where on Arizona St. you'll bus, bike farther, or drive and have the hassle and expense of parking on campus (or shuttling in from an off-campus lot).

The "UNM Ghetto" in my experience refers to the area south of Central Ave. across from UNM. Vassar north of Lomas is just called the "North campus" area.

Good luck!

[lisdol]

Yes, what they said.

Unless there is a significant difference in price that is untenable, or there is a deal-breaker in terms of living conditions at the Vassar location, I'd for sure go for Vassar.

That completely eliminates the need for transportation to UNM other than foot. A bike, in my opinion, would hardly make a difference - it might get her there a bit faster but it really would be a quick, pleasant walk.

[tommodonahue]

Ah, ok it's not that the property at Vasser is a 'dump'.. it's just that the property at Arizona is very very nice.

Lots of good information. I guess i'll have to see the properties in person. Will be there on 6 April.. coming up soon.

[lobo]

You have to weigh what is more important. The Arizona property is not considered a UNM area that students would walk or bike to. The Vassar property is in the area you desire, but may be more run down. It's a trade-off. If you really want people to come over more that live in the UNM area want to be able to walk to places where same-minded people are hanging out, then you'd be happier on Vassar.

[tommodonahue]

The property on Vasser is 215,000 and the one on Arizona is 200,000... are these 'normal' property values for these locations?

[rybert]

There's a nice little Dog Park over near the Arizona property.

I'd choose the Vassar property.

Of course... are the amenities the two homes offer very different?

Bigger garage on one? New furnace in another?

[ralthor]

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

The property on Vasser is 215,000 and the one on Arizona is 200,000... are these 'normal' property values for these locations?

They are a little higher than the median for Albuquerque, which makes sense. Price starts to go up a lot for properties near UNM.

To me those seem like normal prices, but its impossible to tell without seeing them (or at least knowing the square footage).

I agree with everyone else, I would not consider San Pedro/Constitution in the 'UNM area' at all.

[Zoidberg]

Both of these locations seem too far out to get the majority of students to travel to them just to hang out.