Rio Rancho NM or Prescott Az Hmmmm? (Albuquerque, Corrales: work, home)

[rotorhead]

One weird thing about Prescott is that all the locals pronounce it "Press-kitt", sounds like bisquit. Prescott is really more of a mountain town, and has much more of a small-town vibe. Most everyone there commutes to work in Prescott Valley or elsewhere as theres not many jobs in town. Prescott also has more churches than any other city I've lived in, seems that about every third person living there opened their own little splinter sect. They actually brag about having more churches than bars, and I'm sure thats true. On the other hand, the bars there are mostly adjoining the historic town square and they do a good business on weekends with the tourists up from PHX.

Its a far different situation in ABQ, which is probably where you'll be working if you move to Rio Rancho. Yes, you can get all the necessities of life on the west side, but...most of the jobs are on the east side. It seems that everyone is stuck in traffic over the (too few) bridges back and forth every morning and evening. There is no real boundry or break between ABQ and Rio Rancho, its continuous city between the two excepting the actual channel of the Rio Grande river. The metro area is pushing 3/4 million these days, and its pretty much just another big city, but with lots of leaky flat roofed "pueblo" houses and above average Mexican food. Yes, there are a lot of good things about ABQ, particularly if you don't have school age kids. But, its no mountain town, and NM is infamous for its low wages and above average housing costs.

Best course of action is to visit them both, spend a weekend. Its only about 8-9 hours drive between them, you could easily get a good look at both towns in a weeks vacation time.

[Zoidberg]

My take on Prescott: Expect the average age, as well as the cost of living, to continue to climb. It already feels like an old folks' town, a place Phoenicians go when they decide they're ready for a slower and cooler pace of life. Unfortunately, they don't bring good spirit and friendliness with them (did not seem like a friendly place to me). It also seems to lack in terms of services one might expect from a community its size, and is very ripe for congestion as it continues to grow.

Rio Rancho could not be more different. Although it and Prescott may have similar populations according to the census, Rio Rancho will probably outpace it in the future, and despite its efforts to diversify its tax base, still behaves a lot like a bedroom community for greater Albuquerque. As much as I dislike it versus Albuquerque east of the river, I'd pick it over Prescott any day of the week.

[mortimer]

A better comparison would be between Prescott and Silver City or
Farmington. Rio Rancho is a suburb and would better be compared
with Tempe or Chandler.

Prescott is a small, isolated town. Some people commute to Phoenix
from there, but they are generally people who can't do math and
don't place any value on their time. Sometimes, you can make the
same argument for Rio Rancho citizens who have jobs across the river,
but it's more shades-of-gray for me than the black-and-white Prescott
commute.

[Harry Kantz]

Shopped both areas last week and found pricing to be very similar.

Plenty of houses available in both spots. We were looking in the $ 250K range but plenty available below that range. Distressed pricing everywhere.

Also, shopped Flagstaff, Colorado Springs, and Santa Fe and didn't find similar bargains.

Harry

[abqsunport]

Hmm, you will find that Rio Rancho and Prescott are very different. Perhaps you may also want to look into Corralles, New Mexico as well as Edgewood, and Placitas. Just a suggestion

[mortimer]

rotorhead posted from the Great White North:

> ... "Press-kitt" ...

He's still here looking in on us. He still cares!

[ChasP505]

Originally Posted by 99raptor

Planning on Rio Rancho? Tip #1 Learn Spanish. Tip #2 Learn to shoot a gun.Being 15 minutes from Albuquerque [which is 75% hispanic] [and has a crime rate parrelling Detroit or Philly]both of these tips are essential.

#1 - Agreed. Let's face it... Old Mexico has effectively re-annexed New Mexico by flooding us with non-English speaking illegals. Also, the name of the state might tip you off about what language besides English is popularly spoken here. If you prefer French, move to Quebec.

#2 - Definitely keep a gun in your home and learn how to use it. And don't hesitate to use it if someone enters your home. Best advice is obtain a concealed carry permit. And support our 2nd Amendment rights at every opportunity.

Albuquerque is closer to 43% Hispanic according to recent census, but if you factor in all the illegals from Mexico and Guatemala, that percentage may very well be over 60%. Remember though... "Hispanic" is not synonymous with Spanish speaking. My observation is that much of the "Hispanic" population stopped speaking Spanish as a first language in the home generations ago.

Regarding crime... What can I say? Albuquerque needs a mayor (and the USA needs a President) like Rudy Giuliani of New York City.

Personally, I live in a new planned community in Rio Rancho and I really enjoy living here. (I formerly lived in Taylor Ranch and prior to that owned a home in North Albuquerque Acres.) My work commute to the Eastside of Albuquerque can take anywhere from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how many illegals are driving on Paseo Del Norte. (Their unregistered, uninsured vehicles tend to stall, have tire blowouts or swerve into other vehicles causing multi-car crashes and severe traffic delays.)

I believe the new neighborhoods in Rio Rancho represent some of the best values in the Albuquerque Metro Area today. And many builders are finding themselves with too much inventory so they are cutting prices and offering Buyer incentives unimaginable just one year ago.

Rio Rancho continues to struggle with the misinformed and smug perception of it by Albuquerque residents, particularly those from the Eastside and North Valley. Most people who denigrate Rio Rancho haven't been here in the last 25 years and are merely perpetuating 25 year old stereotypes.

[ABQConvict]

Originally Posted by ChasP505

#1 - Agreed. Let's face it... Old Mexico has effectively re-annexed New Mexico by flooding us with non-English speaking illegals. Also, the name of the state might tip you off about what language besides English is popularly spoken here. If you prefer French, move to Quebec.

Why the continuous BS on this. There ARE more Mexican Nationals in the Albuquerque metro than ever before, but guess what? You don't have to talk to them. They are certainly not in any position where you need to communicate with them if you don't want to. Maybe if you plan to work in a restaurant kitchen or lanscaping/construction it would be helpful to speak a little Spanish but that is true virtually everywhere in the U.S. Your tone is alarmist and hyperbolic.

Originally Posted by ChasP505

#2 - Definitely keep a gun in your home and learn how to use it. And don't hesitate to use it if someone enters your home. Best advice is obtain a concealed carry permit. And support our 2nd Amendment rights at every opportunity.

I'm a 2nd amendment supporter but give me a break. This isn't Fort Apache: The Bronx. Why not just set a pail of rocks on top of you door so when the mean baddies try to get in your house, BONK! That would be effective AND funny. Set up a camera and you'll have a hit on YouTube!

Originally Posted by ChasP505

Albuquerque is closer to 43% Hispanic according to recent census, but if you factor in all the illegals from Mexico and Guatemala, that percentage may very well be over 60%.

Made up statistics have only a 39% chance of being true 81% of the time. All I know is that when I go around this town there are white, anglophones EVERYWHERE. If you are not white and/or an English speaker you are in a foreign land.

Originally Posted by ChasP505

Remember though... "Hispanic" is not synonymous with Spanish speaking. My observation is that much of the "Hispanic" population stopped speaking Spanish as a first language in the home generations ago.

Hey, that's actually true! You can't do that!

Originally Posted by ChasP505

Regarding crime... What can I say? Albuquerque needs a mayor (and the USA needs a President) like Rudy Giuliani of New York City.

Or Batman; with a big Zia on his chest.

Originally Posted by ChasP505

Personally, I live in a new planned community in Rio Rancho and I really enjoy living here. (I formerly lived in Taylor Ranch and prior to that owned a home in North Albuquerque Acres.) My work commute to the Eastside of Albuquerque can take anywhere from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on how many illegals are driving on Paseo Del Norte. (Their unregistered, uninsured vehicles tend to stall, have tire blowouts or swerve into other vehicles causing multi-car crashes and severe traffic delays.)

Oho! Yeah. Also my wait in line at the grocery store varies due to the illegals who invariably choose shopping carts with a wonky wheel.

Originally Posted by ChasP505

Rio Rancho continues to struggle with the misinformed and smug perception of it by Albuquerque residents, particularly those from the Eastside and North Valley. Most people who denigrate Rio Rancho haven't been here in the last 25 years and are merely perpetuating 25 year old stereotypes.

How could we, what with all the illegals blocking the bridges with their multi-car pile-ups blasting tejano music. Also, those cowboy hat shaped hardhats give me the willies.

ABQConvict

[ChasP505]

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

Why the continuous BS on this. There ARE more Mexican Nationals in the Albuquerque metro than ever before, but guess what? You don't have to talk to them. They are certainly not in any position where you need to communicate with them if you don't want to. Maybe if you plan to work in a restaurant kitchen or lanscaping/construction it would be helpful to speak a little Spanish but that is true virtually everywhere in the U.S. Your tone is alarmist and hyperbolic.

As a teenage recreation leader working in an urban rec center in NY, I HAD to know some Spanish. As a factory foreman in NY, I HAD to speak to the Puerto Rican workers. As a general manager of a group of retail stores in Albuquerque, I HAD to speak with my customers (we never ever hung an Anglos Solamente sign on the door). As a rental property manager in Albuquerque, I HAD to understand my tenants' needs... in Spanish. When I go to my nearest Blakes Lotaburger, knowledge of Spanish helps when ordering a LotaCombo. Alarmist and hyperbolic? I don't think so!

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

I'm a 2nd amendment supporter but give me a break. This isn't Fort Apache: The Bronx. Why not just set a pail of rocks on top of you door so when the mean baddies try to get in your house, BONK! That would be effective AND funny. Set up a camera and you'll have a hit on YouTube!

So what you're saying is the Albuquerque area has NOT seen a rash of violent home break-ins recently? OK, make funny jokes. When a meth head pushes in your door, beats your wife and rapes your daughter, you may want to post THAT on YouTube.

One of my daughters is a UNM student. On the way to class last year a car pulled up to her and the men inside grabbed her and tried to abduct her. My daughter studies martial arts and she managed to break free and run away to safety. So you don't need a gun in this city?

Originally Posted by ABQConvict

Made up statistics have only a 39% chance of being true 81% of the time. All I know is that when I go around this town there are white, anglophones EVERYWHERE. If you are not white and/or an English speaker you are in a foreign land.

I didn't make up that statistic. About 5 years ago our local news media reported that the most recent census showed that the Hispanic population of Albuquerque had surpassed the Anglo population by less than 1%. I believe the numbers were 43.7% and 43.2% respectively. I remember talking with my Hispanic boss about it.

Oh, by the way... I'm not an "Anglo"!

[abqsunport]

Chas, I think I am going to disaggree with you. You don't need a gun to live in this city safely, what you need is common sense. If you can avoid going to seedy neighborhoods and stay out of compromising situations, you will be safe 99% of the time.
It is very unfortunate about what happned to your daughter, but does that mean you need a concealed weapon? (BTW, I used to be a contributer to the NRA). You may feel safer with a gun, but you by no means need a gun.

Rio Rancho is nice, but it is simply a suburb completely dependent on Albuquerque. When the majority of citizens don't depend on jobs in Albuquerque then they can say they are truly self-sufficient.

There are not nearly as many illegals here as you try to claim. When is the last time you were walking into a store, and you saw more than a few people who could ONLY speak spanish? It just doesn't happen all the often--from my experiences atleast. And from my experience, it isn't the illegals that cause the wrecks, it is the SEMIs.


Crime is no joke, you are right Chas. However, nothing is truly quite as bad as you depicted, and for you to even suggest that happening to someone else is truly a horrible thing. ABQConvict wasn't attacking you, he was just disagreeing; so don't overract and say horrible things that will give you a bad reputation on these forums.