Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am coming from Baltimore, MD. Unlike other would be relocators, I scoff at your pathetic murder rate. I am working downtown (Broadway). I have a wife and a very young child. I am gathering that the consensus for livable areas for my sitch is NE heights or westside/taylor ranchish area. Some are saying RR is safe, yet I am reading about 3 homicides there over the weekend.
I am intirgued by Tijeras/Cedar Crest but it sounds like folks are pretty down on the commute, though I've yet to read any good explanation of how bad it is. A lot of the negativity comes form the fact that "it snows."
However I lived in Durango, CO for 10 years prior to moving to Baltimore and I lived 30 miles out of town in the mountains and never had issues commuting in the snow. Thenagain, I didn't have to drive with a bunch of yellowplates on I-40. (I would insert the appropriate emoticon for "hey I'm just ribbin you guys/gals" but am unable to discern which one that is.)
I did drive through ALBQ new years 06-07 after a pretty good snow and was less than impressed with the state's ability to take care of the roads.
I am also intrigued by railrunner and avoiding the dreaded new mexco driving scene altogether, but have not seen many that actually use this to commute. Any thoughts? I would love to live in Placitas, but understand it's pricey. Is Los Lunas the hellhole many here have made it out to be?
TIA -
PS - I read all about this place called "search function" but I have googled "search function, NM" and am getting nothing, am I missing something? (inset sarcasm emoticon)
Are you looking for a suburban area? Nearby Small town?
I would suggest if you are working downtown, you can cut your commute altogether and just find a nice place near downtown/UNM/Nob Hill/North Valley - there are plenty of nice areas within a 5 minute commute of where you'll be working - you'll just have to visit and seek out what you are looking for.
Have you been to Albuquerque? Keep in mind that housing in suburban neighborhoods in the SW are often more closely packed than the housing in the older neighborhoods. That is, density doesn't vary much from one area of town to another. Areas closer to downtown will be older, an eclectic mix of very nice and run-down, as well as full of history and character. It really depends on your budget, but if you are looking for newer housing I would suggest the Northeast Heights over Rio Rancho as the commute will likely be easier (bridge crossings over Rio Grande create traffic issues that will only get worse). You'll also be able to more easily access the mountains if you so desire. Tijeras/Ceder Crest are somewhat in a different world, and offer more rural living if that's what you're looking for.
Los Lunas is not bad, but a bit removed from town and doesn't offer anything that much closer areas to town don't. You'd be commuting just for the sake of commuting, which is a bit ridiculous. Really, you should visit, and be open-minded about all areas of town. Don't simply go by what you read on here.
The Rail Runner is nice. It only goes north-south, so would likely only work for your commute if you decide on either Bernalillo (older area closer to the river than Rio Ranch) or Los Lunas.
I am coming from Baltimore, MD. Unlike other would be relocators, I scoff at your pathetic murder rate. I am working downtown (Broadway). I have a wife and a very young child. I am gathering that the consensus for livable areas for my sitch is NE heights or westside/taylor ranchish area. Some are saying RR is safe, yet I am reading about 3 homicides there over the weekend.
I am intirgued by Tijeras/Cedar Crest but it sounds like folks are pretty down on the commute, though I've yet to read any good explanation of how bad it is. A lot of the negativity comes form the fact that "it snows."
However I lived in Durango, CO for 10 years prior to moving to Baltimore and I lived 30 miles out of town in the mountains and never had issues commuting in the snow. Thenagain, I didn't have to drive with a bunch of yellowplates on I-40. (I would insert the appropriate emoticon for "hey I'm just ribbin you guys/gals" but am unable to discern which one that is.)
I did drive through ALBQ new years 06-07 after a pretty good snow and was less than impressed with the state's ability to take care of the roads.
I am also intrigued by railrunner and avoiding the dreaded new mexco driving scene altogether, but have not seen many that actually use this to commute. Any thoughts? I would love to live in Placitas, but understand it's pricey. Is Los Lunas the hellhole many here have made it out to be?
TIA -
PS - I read all about this place called "search function" but I have googled "search function, NM" and am getting nothing, am I missing something? (inset sarcasm emoticon)
sounds like the East Mountains may be your thing then, the commute can be bad due to snow, but if you lived in Durango then it should be all good.
and I dont think there were 3 homicides in RR, its pretty quiet there, and Im not sure what scoff means but go ahead and scoff all you want. If you are gonna work in downtown, then maybe you should look into living in downtown.
and how can you come from the Baltimore area and dread the driving scene here?
Jimmy + Timmy,
I live in Baltimore City now and have been dreaming of an ABQ move for a while (still waiting for things to get in line for that).
I visited for a week last year and loved it. You are correct in scoffing at the murder rate - it is overall a much less violent place than Charm City (but so are places in Afghanistan, I hear).
I had no trouble piloting my rented Taurus around ABQ, that includes no problem with drivers. ABQ is also better suited to walking and biking, both of which I did throughout the city. Drivers are more courteous toward bikers there than in Baltimore, that's for sure.
I don't know if you have family in Baltimore or any other reason to return for visits, but one or two non-stop Southwest flights can't be beat.
Are you looking for a suburban area? Nearby Small town?
I would suggest if you are working downtown, you can cut your commute altogether and just find a nice place near downtown/UNM/Nob Hill/North Valley - there are plenty of nice areas within a 5 minute commute of where you'll be working - you'll just have to visit and seek out what you are looking for.
Have you been to Albuquerque? Keep in mind that housing in suburban neighborhoods in the SW are often more closely packed than the housing in the older neighborhoods. That is, density doesn't vary much from one area of town to another. Areas closer to downtown will be older, an eclectic mix of very nice and run-down, as well as full of history and character. It really depends on your budget, but if you are looking for newer housing I would suggest the Northeast Heights over Rio Rancho as the commute will likely be easier (bridge crossings over Rio Grande create traffic issues that will only get worse). You'll also be able to more easily access the mountains if you so desire. Tijeras/Ceder Crest are somewhat in a different world, and offer more rural living if that's what you're looking for.
Los Lunas is not bad, but a bit removed from town and doesn't offer anything that much closer areas to town don't. You'd be commuting just for the sake of commuting, which is a bit ridiculous. Really, you should visit, and be open-minded about all areas of town. Don't simply go by what you read on here.
The Rail Runner is nice. It only goes north-south, so would likely only work for your commute if you decide on either Bernalillo (older area closer to the river than Rio Ranch) or Los Lunas.
I am definetly longing for greater space. Here in baltimore and really anywhere in the metro Baltimore/DC area, it is very hard (unless you are very rich) to get anything but a rowhouse/townhome/condo apartment. There is always someone on the other side of the wall here. So when you do the satelitte view of RR, it's better than here, but not really appealing to be stuck in spawl.
So that is why I am thinking of East Mountains, Placitas, los lunas because there is affordable housing with acreage. But I suppose for renting short term I should be looking North Valley. I am taking a week off to look around and figure it out.
Jimmy + Timmy,
I live in Baltimore City now and have been dreaming of an ABQ move for a while (still waiting for things to get in line for that).
I visited for a week last year and loved it. You are correct in scoffing at the murder rate - it is overall a much less violent place than Charm City (but so are places in Afghanistan, I hear).
I had no trouble piloting my rented Taurus around ABQ, that includes no problem with drivers. ABQ is also better suited to walking and biking, both of which I did throughout the city. Drivers are more courteous toward bikers there than in Baltimore, that's for sure.
I don't know if you have family in Baltimore or any other reason to return for visits, but one or two non-stop Southwest flights can't be beat.
Good luck and please take me with you
I really lucked out getting a transfer to ALBQ. Totally fortuitous, so I am very psyched. Open spaces, you can see the stars, none of this damned suffocating huimidty and the cost of living in ALBQ is a fraction of what is here. Not to mention some decent (New) mexican food, adobe houses, mountains, river rafting, well I'm getting carried away...
I think the murder rate in ALBQ is like 1/38 or so of Baltimore, so yeah, I'm not real scared of the 20, 25 murders in ALBQ this year. I lived in Denver for awhile and had to visit clients in five points (which is basically the worst part of denver ). I used to think that was the ghetto. Dude, five points is the suburbs compared to the real thing out here. Scary stuff.
I really don't find driving here that bad, though bike riding is suicide here. People here do things like use turn signals, drive the appropriate speed in the appropriate lane, and in general know what they are doing. Yellowplates, as NM drivers are derisively known in SW Colorado, do not do these things. The quantity of cars in Baltimore is annoying, but the quality of drivers seems decent.
And no-one has explained to me what is so charming about "charm city." is it the endemic violent crime or the heroin junkees roaming like dead eyed ghouls around inner harbor? Everyone I ask can't seem to remember. Still, Baltimore was far nicer than what i expected. If you think people are paranoid about ALBQ crime on this forum, go read the Baltimore forum! They make it sound like a nonstop episode of "the Wire." I expected to be rolled in a day and probably shot within a week. So far, neither has occured! Hopefully I'll survive another month!
You should seriously consider the near east mountains, north of I-40/Cedar Crest area and a little further east but close to I-40. You get the acreage and views which your family will love, especially the freedom to run around for the little one.
As for snow, the closer to I-40 you are the less problems you have, I-40 is usually made passable pretty quickly, it's the drive to I-40 where most get stuck.
And no-one has explained to me what is so charming about "charm city." is it the endemic violent crime or the heroin junkees roaming like dead eyed ghouls around inner harbor? Everyone I ask can't seem to remember. Still, Baltimore was far nicer than what i expected. If you think people are paranoid about ALBQ crime on this forum, go read the Baltimore forum! They make it sound like a nonstop episode of "the Wire." I expected to be rolled in a day and probably shot within a week. So far, neither has occured! Hopefully I'll survive another month!
Baltimore is what you make of it. The charm is there, but it can be pretty damned hard to find sometimes. I've moved around a lot and have lived in gorgeous places like Vermont and Seattle, but now I get my charm fix from being the third generation of my family to inhabit my neighborhood in NE Baltimore. I walk the same streets that my father and grandfather did, and that has meant a lot. An ancestor of mine was a famous war hero from 1812 and has a statue downtown - that's pretty dang neat, too.
But is it charming enough for me to raise a family here and be faced with the same dilema as you, J&T, of paying a fortune for something medicore, simply to be in a neighborhood that isn't bombed out or a school district that graduates over 40% of its students? That's an easy answer.
The problem with this town, IMHO is that everyone's too damn sentimental. This was once a great city, but getting cozy with warm visions of Bethlehem Steel, Haussner's and Memorial Stadium isn't going to move us forward. The institutional racism is holdings us back too. And nobody wants anything - no highways, no transit, no improvements of any sort.
Do I feel guilty for feeling these things? Absolutely. This is a Catholic city, after all. But the opportunity is out west. The optimism is out west. I'll leave the hopelessness and the humidity here and hang out in the petroglyphs, drive my truck 85 mph and eat green chile on everything.
Good luck to you and yours on your house hunt. I didn't explore the east mountains, but I'm sure they're gorgeous. I'll bring you some Old Bay and Natty Boh when I make it out.
But is it charming enough for me to raise a family here and be faced with the same dilema as you, J&T, of paying a fortune for something medicore, simply to be in a neighborhood that isn't bombed out or a school district that graduates over 40% of its students? That's an easy answer.
Maybe that can be Albuquerque's slogan?
"Come to Albuquerque! We can graduate at least 40% of our students in neighborhoods that don't cost a fortune!"
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
