Albuquerque vs Vegas vs Phoenix vs Tucson (hotels, homes)

[Tiger Beer]

Albuquerque vs Vegas vs Phoenix vs Tucson

Was thinking in several categories.. jobs, wages, housing, libraries/bookstores, movie theaters, etc.

Particularly cost-of-living in relation to jobs and housing prices.

Can anyone take on these four cities.. or one or two of them and give some comparisons?

[finmqa1]

Hi Tiger Beer,

Obviously Phoenix will have more job opportunities than all the cities mentioned. However, ABQ bodes well against these cities. Median income in ABQ is higher than Tucson, and only slightly less than Phoenix. Homes in ABQ are quite a bit cheaper than both Phoenix and Tucson, so your dollar will certainly go further here. Vegas on the other hand largely depends on the hospitality and tourism industry. And because it is the gambling mecca and land of luxury hotels and retail there is money to be made. But like the other two cities the cost of living will be significantly higher.

Now I personally would never compare ABQ to the other three. First ABQ is a more laid back, casual type of town. We are just starting to see the population influx these cities have been seeing since the late 70s. They grow at a much faster rate and because of that have many more amenities than us. The other major difference is climate. They are desert environments, while we are high desert, meaning we have four season as opposed to six months of spring, and six months of summers. And while I love all four cities and would be happy living in each. I believe is at an advantage by just recently becoming a boom-town. ABQ is still affordable (housing wise), and while we have urban sprawl as they do it is still early enough in the game for ABQ to plan a beautiful, environmentally friendly, well planned city. We have already surpasse the others with our conservation efforts, and for that I think we are certainly on our way to becoming a world class city. But if you desire big city amenities, give us a few more years.

[jch928]

Originally Posted by finmqa1

But if you desire big city amenities, give us a few more years.

Finmqa1,
Great post. Could you be more specific though about what these "big city amenities" are in your opinion? Some examples maybe?

Thanks!

JCH

[councilor j]

Phoenix sucks,its like a giant suburb, it dosent have much more to do than Albuquerque does,but they have a couple more million people,Tucson seems to be alright,and Las Vegas has no downtown just a strip of gambling and all that,I wouldnt raise kids there, Albq. is the better city.

[Towanda]

Just my own personal opinion....I love Albuquerque with all its problems.....and I hope it never reaches the point where it can be compared to Phoenix, Tucson, or Las Vegas.

[finmqa1]

jch928 - The big city amenities I would like to see, a truly great performing arts center, world-class cuisine, professional sports, theater, better shopping (although we're making progress there), a central park, better mass-transit, and improved infrastructure. I would also love to see more density, and more people living downtown so that our downtown truly becomes a vibrant area that people can shop, walk, eat, and play. Tucson is also working to bring life to its downtown as is Phoenix. The problem with Phoenix is, they may have all the big city amenities but they are spread out over a very large area, meaning most people probably don't enjoy these things on a daily or even weekly basis. Hopefully our city's effort and those of the private sector will bring some life back to our downtown.

[Waterlily]

Originally Posted by Towanda

Just my own personal opinion....I love Albuquerque with all its problems.....and I hope it never reaches the point where it can be compared to Phoenix, Tucson, or Las Vegas.

I've got to agree with you there. Albuquerque is much nicer. I have been to all those cities.
I'd have to say that there are probably more jobs in Phoenix because of all the construction and growth.

[AndyJ]

I'm from Albuquerque, but go to school in Tucson. The two cities are comparable in size, and similar on the surface of it, but on the whole I would rate ABQ as a nicer place to live. Tucson has its pros, but in my opinion they are outweighed by its cons. There are a lot of jobs in Tucson, especially in technology sectors, and housing is off the charts. Unfortunately, that means that Tucson comes with higher price tag, and I believe Albuquerque is cheaper than either Tucson or Phoenix. Tucson has a lot of crime, and the city seems to be very apt at mismanaging its own resources. Personally, I believe ABQ has A LOT more character than Tucson and Phoenix do (I really don't see that Phoenix has any character at all, other than endless suburban sprawl - Tucson at least has the feel of a college town, and is culturally interesting). As far as big city amenities (i.e. stuff to do), I honestly believe there is just as much to do, if not more, in Albuquerque than in its Sonoran cousins.

Really don't know much about Vegas, other than it seems almost as unpleasant a place as Phoenix. Take a look at Tucson and ABQ - there's plenty of good things going on in both those towns.

[jch928]

Originally Posted by finmqa1

jch928 - The big city amenities I would like to see, a truly great performing arts center, world-class cuisine, professional sports, theater, better shopping (although we're making progress there), a central park, better mass-transit, and improved infrastructure. I would also love to see more density, and more people living downtown so that our downtown truly becomes a vibrant area that people can shop, walk, eat, and play. Tucson is also working to bring life to its downtown as is Phoenix. The problem with Phoenix is, they may have all the big city amenities but they are spread out over a very large area, meaning most people probably don't enjoy these things on a daily or even weekly basis. Hopefully our city's effort and those of the private sector will bring some life back to our downtown.

finmqa1 - On the subject of mass transit, didn't a new rail commuter service just open there? I believe I read something about it on the city's website. I can't remember the name of it right now. I had the impression that it's new and just opening but it looked like a very good mass transit solution especially for those living in the suburbs.

Is there not good cuisine there? What kind do you want? I'm just curious. Is it largely all Mexican food there? (I wouldn't mind that..... I could eat it every day!) I do like variety though, such as Indian, American, Italian, etc.

Speaking of infrastructure, how are the roads there? Are they well maintained? Smooth? Or will my vehicle get beat up there? Are they well marked with stripes, reflectors and so forth? I'm just wondering. I live in S. Louisiana now and let's just say the roads will cost you more in car repairs bills.

Thanks for all the info! I appreciate it.

JCH

[Towanda]

Originally Posted by jch928

Is there not good cuisine there? What kind do you want? I'm just curious. Is it largely all Mexican food there?

JCH

I find that the cuisine in ABQ is largely NEW Mexican, not Mexican.

And I am one of the biggest (not physically LOL) New Mexican food fans there is.....