Any Reasons We Should Choose New Mexico Over Pheonix Arizona??? (Albuquerque: real estate, smog)

[nm_photojournalist]

Phoenix is 116F. degrees in summer.
Albuquerque is 95F. degrees in summer.
Unless you're a "hot head," the difference is obvious. :-)

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by nm_photojournalist

Phoenix is 116F. degrees in summer.
Albuquerque is 95F. degrees in summer.
Unless you're a "hot head," the difference is obvious. :-)

Different people like different things......me; I will gladly take 116F in the summer vs. a typical Jaunary daytime high of 47F in Q

[Danhedonia]

If your primary concern in relocating to a different continent is the investment value of your home purchase, you could always stay in London and simply speculate in real estate from there.

There is so little mention of the things that make a place worthwhile in your post (local culture, community, natural beauty) that I would wonder if you would like it here (Albquerque). I will say that in terms of economic opportunity, Phoenix is far better. So is Las Vegas. In addition, it seems that the things that make New Mexico special would not resonate with you (you can find the suburban life you describe anywhere in America without too much effort).

I would focus on Phoenix, or Tucson, or Las Vegas.

[LisaLisa]

Phoenix ...
The only reason I would consider it is my Daughter wants to goto ASU and my son to Southern. for the Arts and Astronomy respectivly.

I Lived there and I think the "valley fever" is probably the reason many are so "zony" or "Phony".. which was the slang about people that live there.

If you come from anywhere then a desert community, the summers were spent inside or malls. everyone came out at night.
AZ is a transient state. over 1300 people cross the border daily. If you get into an accident, they flee. My Car insurance more than doubled. Utilities cost more. I have to admit that twigs fruits nuts and flakes are cheap... if you are into that thing.
I got out when Real Estate was on the "Up Tick". Real Estate is up and down.
If you have money, then go live on the East side.
I was poor... I lived in Peoria AZ.
Sun City was the next community over. Seniors with Golf carts on streets. A place to avoid unless you either live the life style or are into that. Same goes for Phoenix's "Fruit Loop" from 7th ave to 7th St... a Gay/Les/Bi/TG part of town. Quiet during the day, Jumpy at night...again your call if your into that or not.

GE in town paid lousy, but they paid for my Re-Lo from the midwest.
My Born again bigoted Brother lived in Arrowhead Ranch. He's in Prescott Vally AZ now..
Sorry for drifting...

Albq... My partner lived there... we visited and Vacation there. Will strongly consider being there when I can save $$ to afford to buy in the new Trailer park they have there.
I Say no to phonies.

[nm_photojournalist]

"Is NM due to become the next "hot property" area, with gated communities, east coast retirees, and Southern California escapees? Or is that a wishful thinking there?"

ArrowThruTheMoon! (Great "handle" by the way!)
New Mexico "IS" all of the above, and has been for many years now. :-) Especially Albuquerque and Rio Rancho.
Why do I choose Albuquerque over Phoenix? There are many reasons, but #1 is the #1 reason most people come here...the weather! Summer in Phoenix 114F.! Albuquerque 94F.! "One" hundred-degree day in the past five years! Being "dry" only goes so far after all.
Albuquerque is also only a few hour's drive from some of the most beautiful mountain country in the U.S., in northern New Mexico, and especially SW Colorado. How far does one have to drive from Phoenix to get above the timberline...or just out of the desert?
:-) I've never understood how anyone would want to live in Phoenix, but it's population is larger than Albuquerque's, so "obviously" there are many over there asking the opposite question. LOL. Live and let live I always say. Good luck! NM_P

[WildWestDude]

If you like small cities, consider the second biggest city in NM, Las Cruces.
New Mexico State Univ. is there and El Paso nearby is a good size city.
If he is set on a big city then ABQ will be better in NM

[lukeache]

Phoenix: Truly a cesspool, endless sprawl of cookie cutter homes that all look the same, almost like a cartoon background that repeats itself for miles and miles. Some of the rudest people I have ever encountered. Souless, cultureless wasteland. It has a better job market than Albuquerque and more opportunities in terms of education and employment but the heat is unbearable.

Albuquerque: More culture and much more character than Phoenix. The weather is near to perfect. Crime can be a bit high but I don't think it is higher than Phoenix proportionally. It has been a while since I lived in ABQ, but I always had the impression that jobs were scarce and the local economy aint all that great, although I hear that things are supposed to get better. If you and your husband can find good jobs in Albuquerque, I would choose it over Phoenix.

[WildWestDude]

Check out this site on Las Cruces.

Las Cruces, New Mexico Convention & Visitors Bureau

[Lianne Migiano]

We are a Fairfield County CT pair of retirees looking to relocate and who have visited the Albuquerque NM area for the past 2 OCT's in a row. Rio Rancho - about 25 miles NW of Albuquerque (population around 77,000) is great! Clean, modern - and from what we understand, has many professionals due to the Los Alamos Labs and Intel nearby. Albuquerque (population around 700,000) was too fast paced for us. I have a friend who lived in Las Cruces for about a year and she raves about it - and wants to retire there. ...Just my 2 cents...

[ronNnewmexico]

If you want the whole family experience, soccer, tailgating at ball games, swimming, easy access for other family to visit, better universities to attend, wider selection of houses to chose for you family, better jobs, move to the metro pHX area. I would recommend Gilbert Arizona, Mesa, Chandler, Awahtukee, or HIglely. Stay away from central phx, the west valley, and north valley - you're too far from everything and its an older area with lots of farming at the perimeter. The East valley is the way to go! BEAUTIFUL and convenient. This area is booming like crazy. If you reached the Apache Junction area you've gone to far. NM sucks. I was born and raised in Arizona and Now live in NM because thats where my hubby is employed with the govt. I dislike this state tremendously, the only culture we get is from ABQ and its seriously lacking at that. Phx has so many options and the state of AZ is wonderful. I love it from the Grand Canyon to Sierra Nevada. No bad places in AZ. You have Flagstaff and skiing only a two hour drive from phx and Disneyland is only a five hour drive if that. NM is so boring, depressing, lacking beautiful landscaping. THe roads are terrible, driving on these interstates in so depressing, usually nothing to see. Dont believe me take a road trip from Santa Fe to Ruidoso (yuck!) and then take a trip from Flagstaff via winslow, payson, show low, Globe, Mesa, Casa Grande, and then to Tucson (Wonderful). Good luck, listen to your husband move to AZ.