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I love Santa Fe but it's quite cold and bit too small for my liking in regards for population. Also very expensive and segregated with the wealthy and the service workers. New Mexico is very beautiful and if I left Arizona, New Mexico would be my first pick. But I would pick Albuquerque due to being a larger city with a more balanced economy, and more activities to do. It is also slightly warmer and the Sandias provide better scenery in my opinion as they tower over the city. Albuquerque reminds me of Tucson a lot, a city I much enjoy though if ABQ is like Tucson, it probably has an odd population that creates a different vibe and a higher crime rate, which not all people will like the vibe that small-to-mid Southwestern towns have. Santa Fe had this vibe when I visited by the way, but only on it's poorer western side. I didn't spend time in ABQ to confidently say it did or did not, only drove through.
And when I would want to enjoy Santa Fe, it's only up the road.
Metro close to 1 million compared to about 100,000 for Santa Fe.
Albuquerque is about 2,000 ft. lower ....that means it is significantly warmer.
Albuquerque’s official weather station at the airport is a bit misleading,
it has strangely lower average highs than most areas of the city.
Metro close to 1 million compared to about 100,000 for Santa Fe.
Albuquerque is about 2,000 ft. lower ....that means it is significantly warmer.
Albuquerque’s official weather station at the airport is a bit misleading,
it has strangely lower average highs than most areas of the city.
We personally prefer towns or small cities the size of Flagstaff, Missoula, Bend, Asheville, Bellingham, etc. so for us, it's no competition- we'd pick Santa Fe in a heartbeat. Desired places with their own cool vibes and enough stuff going on to keep it interesting, but small enough to feel somewhat quaint and removed from a bigger city.
So no offense to folks from Albuquerque- it would be good to have some of the city amenities nearby, but at the end of the day we'd much rather return home to the place that a place that like much better than the other way around.
If small town living is more your thing, Santa Fe will be your preference. But, if you want to live in the beautiful and historic part, it will come at a price.
Having spent two years in Albuquerque, I agree with live in Albuquerque and visit Santa Fe. Albuquerque is more affordable, has more to do, and there is more career opportunity. The drive to Santa Fe is short enough to make day trips super easy.
quality of life: Subejctive, but ABQ
economy: ABQ
nightlife: ABQ
scenery: Santa Fe
daytime activities/events: ABQ
shopping/entertainment venues: ABQ
transportation: ABQ
overall vibe: Subjective, but ABQ for being less white-washed (I prefer Santa Fe's built environment, but most of the historic families have been pushed out by the millionaire class now inhabiting the city)
crime rate: Santa Fe has less crime.
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