Los Lunas? (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Silver City: crime, homes, buying)

[kaforeman]

I have seen only a couple of references to Los Lunas in this forum so I'll have to start my own thread. We'd like to find out all we can about Los Lunas, as a possible place to relocate to in a couple of years. We love Albuquerque and originally planned to move there but it's growing fast so we're looking further out. Our children would both be away in college by then so schools wouldn't be an issue. However, we would need to be able to find jobs since we can't retire for quite a while. Is it within commuting distance of Albuquerque? What about the general quality of life, friendliness of the people, home prices, etc.? Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.

[Mark S.]

Los Lunas made City Data's list of Top 100 Least Safe Cities. See: http://www.city-data.com/top27.html

The 2001 US average Crime index was 330.8. That same year, Los Lunas's crime index was 910.0. I had a friend who lived in Los Lunas about 15 years ago. She hated it, said it was one of the worst places she's ever been.

City report is here: http://www.city-data.com/city/Los-Lunas-New-Mexico.html

[Crackerjack]

Kaforeman, you might look at Edgewood. It is a nice and safe small city by ABQ. It is mostly rural yet close to ABQ. There is quite a bit of info on threads posted on the NM forum about Edgewood.

[Chaparral]

Originally Posted by kaforeman

I have seen only a couple of references to Los Lunas in this forum so I'll have to start my own thread. We'd like to find out all we can about Los Lunas, as a possible place to relocate to in a couple of years. We love Albuquerque and originally planned to move there but it's growing fast so we're looking further out. Our children would both be away in college by then so schools wouldn't be an issue. However, we would need to be able to find jobs since we can't retire for quite a while. Is it within commuting distance of Albuquerque? What about the general quality of life, friendliness of the people, home prices, etc.? Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.

Regarding the commuting distance from LL to ABQ: it is definitely in commuting distance. I'd even venture to guess that the majority (or at least half) the working folks that live in LL work in ABQ. But that does put you on the road with quite a few other people at rush hour, and a nasty accident can add 30-45 minutes to your trip. A developing option is the Railrunner commuter train, which should be serving LL and/or Belen by early 2007.

You don't mention what lines of work you're in, but it is also possible that you could find work closer to LL to avoid the commute altogether.

I've lived in Los Lunas, and have friends that live there. It is slower paced than the ABQ metro area and pretty liveable. Many young families are buying homes here, as you tend to get more house/land for your money than you would in ABQ. It has its parts of town that you want to avoid (like most other towns), but it is no more or less dangerous than other towns located nearby.

You may want to check out some of the other communities located south of ABQ, such as Bosque Farms, Peralta or Meadow Lake. (Of these three, Bosque Farms would be my personal preference) These places are a little more rural, but are in close proximity to LL and ABQ so you can still take advantage of the amenities each place offers.

Chap

[bieramar]

I've lived in Los Lunas, and have friends that live there. It is slower paced than the ABQ metro area and pretty liveable. Many young families are buying homes here, as you tend to get more house/land for your money than you would in ABQ. It has its parts of town that you want to avoid (like most other towns), but it is no more or less dangerous than other towns located nearby.Chap

Los Lunas is 2nd on my list for relocation (following Silver City) - looking at 25 to 30 years left! - and I would like more info on the "parts of town... to avoid." Please PM or email me if you would rather not
post publicly.

Looking forward I see several significant changes and request others' comments as to how they will (or may) affect a retired person's life in Los Lunas:
1. Roadrunner from Belen to Bernalillo in a few months (and in a couple of years to Santa Fe);
2. New bridge across the Rio Grande at Los Lunas and at Belen in 5 years;
3. The buildout of Rancho Cielo (12,000 homes and "city center") west if I-25 between Los Lunas and Belen.

I'm looking for 2 acres minimum, with or without small living structure on it.

[_yb]

Originally Posted by Chaparral

You may want to check out some of the other communities located south of ABQ, such as Meadow lake

Chap

Whatever you do aviod this place like the plague.

[kaforeman]

Originally Posted by _yb

Whatever you do aviod this place like the plague.

You mean Meadow Lake? I'm interested to know why you say that (I don't know anything about Meadow Lake).

[phxgal]

I heard that Meadowlake is gang and crime/drug riden? I am planning to move to Los Lunas in December and everyone has told me its the "worst" area of Lus Lunas.. Otherwise Los Lunas seems to be a nice place to live from what I have scene and read... I am excited to move and hoping that my commute down central into ALB won't be that horrible as I have read it can be..

[Crackerjack]

I have heard from locals in Los Lunas to avoid Meadowlake too but I am not familiar with the area. I trust they know and would heed it. I do know Belen is not a good area. I'd live in Los Lunas but not Belen.

[Chaparral]

As far as the parts of LL to avoid, the general areas would be the "older parts of town", but I'm not sure how useful that is to you. Its been a few years since I lived there (the growth since then is amazing), and I tend to only drive through the newer residential areas when I visit my friends. So I suppose I am avoiding the bad parts by default.

Regarding Meadow Lake, I am not personally familiar with the area so I can't offer any first hand opinions. I merely mentioned it as an area to evaluate based on the knowledge that one of my former co-workers lives in the area with her husband and family. She is the nice, church-going type who seemed to like the area. But perhaps my perception was unfounded, as many folks here seem to have heard otherwise.