Sick of all the Albuquerque and New Mexico bashing... (Las Cruces: lease, property)

[Chynna]

Originally Posted by designer

I agree that Albuquerque and NM takes a lot of bashing but I think a lot of
it is well deserved. Might want to turn on the local TV stations to check out
the crime there. Albuquerque is right up there with the big boys not to mention all the corruption in the state and local government. I think the state and Albuquerque has a lot of problems and some of the drivers there
in Albuquerque need to go back to drivers ed. Of course I rarely ever see
any cops patroling the freeways so why shouldn't they do what they want.
And lets see there are the DWI's. They are top notch at that one. You have
to admit NM and Albuquerque has a lot to be proud of. They are right up there on top. Also many of the people in Albuquerque are polite but I don't
feel they are as friendly as the midwest folks. I guess I wouldn't be either
if I always have to look over my shoulder to see whos trying to do me in.
Good luck with your move to Albuquerque. Might want to take a look at
Tucson first.

I disagree with the fact that you say cops dont patroll I have seen many check points set up randomly to counter act the DWI factor. I dont know if its made a difference but they do it regularly. Also I see cops seting up on intersections to catch people not wearing seat belts. I lived on the west side but I regularly went to the NE hights and Central. In fact I lived off of unser about a block from Central when I first moved to Albuquerque, and I used to walk to the gas stations when I was to young to drive. I never felt scared or uncomfortable (obviously you have to be aware of your surroundings and dont go walking Central at night) I loved downtown Central the night life is fun and everyone is nice even the homeless people. Also every single time I was down town cops WERE patroling. I think to each thier own and maybe it just isnt the city for you. To anyone whos looking into moving there I think you should give it a chance you might be happy. Yes some areas of Albuquerque are better then other's but I pretty much lived or worked all over that city and I never had any theft, bad encounters, and no one ever tried to "do me in". I lived there for four years and I am moving back in october. OH and speaking of being in the bad parts of Albuquerque, I live near Detroit now and I had to venture into the city one day past 7 mile. I have never seen poverty and homless people like that before in my life. I was in my car doors locked and I still felt incredibly unsafe. Now maybe someone who grew up here would be fine so I guess it depends on your comfort level(detroit crosses mine)

[katie45]

Originally Posted by Informer

Whats up people with all the Albuquerque and New Mexico bashing.

How about some of the nice things - like a full moon rising over the Sandia mountains, the wild flowers that still bloom in the spring even after months without significant rainfall, the beautiful fall weather, snowfalls that disappear by afternoon, the beautiful rainbows after a summer thunderstorm, and don't forget the beautiful sunsets and crystal clear blue sky and the wonderful cuisine. Shall I go on?

What you get out of where you live is what effort you put into living there.

It does make one wonder why people like to bash areas so much. I'm new to the forums and have seen this occur for many areas, not just Albuquerque and NM. I guess some just like to be negative, or are hoping to stir up tension.

[Tim Rankin]

My wife and I moved to Albuq about 1 1/2 yrs ago and really like it. The only thing we really miss from back east are friends and family. Here are my takes on some of the issues in this thread.

Crime: Yep, we hear about it on the news all the time. Other than that, nothing. We live up in the NE Heights. Really good neighbors up here, we help each other keep an eye on the neighborhood.

Police presence: I see plenty of cruisers. Things here are more laid back though - if a light turns red a few milli-seconds before you're through the intersection, you don't have to sweat it. Give the cops some credit - they know there are bigger fish to fry. Over the past year, APD has stepped up numerous anti-crime & anti-gang campaigns in the city. Unfortunately it's driving the gang activity well N and S of Albuq, but not eliminating it. Hopefully the cities across NM will be able to work together on this. But Albuq itself is definitely improving in this regard.

Weather: If you're looking for perfect 4-season wx, it doesn't get any better than this. The low humidity is the best. Hardly any mosquitos up in the heights. My wife especially loves that one. If mosquito-borne illnesses ever become a bigger problem in the future, this place will be a safe-haven. Also, this is the high desert, so it cools down to the 60's at night, even in the summer. If you have an evaporative cooler, you run it at night with the pump off, and simply bring in the cool, fresh night air. Often, we don't have to turn the actual cooler back on until about noon.

Views/vistas: Among the best I've ever seen. We used to like the mountain views best when we first got here, but looking down on the city lights at night from the NE heights has become our favorite. Mt Taylor at 70 miles can be seen almost every day, although on really clear days the visibility is even better.

People: Friendly and laid-back. By east-coast standards, slightly stand-offish at first. But very friendly over time, once you settle into the NM rhythm.

Traffic: People are moving here and traffic is slowly increasing, but nothing like east coast traffic. The worst traffic problems are in areas where there is overbuilding, and along portions of I-25 during rush hours. My advice: Live close to your work. My commute is 12 min, no traffic at all.

Jobs: Forbes rated Albuq as the #1 city in the country for business and careers. Although that may be a stretch, business IS moving in a big way. Albuq is approaching 800,000 people, and there is a good mix of gov't, high tech, industrial and svc-related jobs.

Housing: Homes inthe best parts of the NE heights are similar to other parts of the country. BUT - there are lots of pockets of affordability throughout the heights. It's not like DC, where every last pocket of affordability was bought up. My advice: If you're looking for a home, rent for 1/2 yr and figure out what part of town you like best, and try to buy near your work, if possible. If Albuq continues to grow [as it appears], it will save you future headaches. Rent across the city is very reasonable by east or west coast standards.

Schools: There ARE good schools here - pick your neighborhood carefully!

That's all for now...

[girlbard11]

Originally Posted by Informer

Whats up people with all the Albuquerque and New Mexico bashing.

How about some of the nice things - like a full moon rising over the Sandia mountains, the wild flowers that still bloom in the spring even after months without significant rainfall, the beautiful fall weather, snowfalls that disappear by afternoon, the beautiful rainbows after a summer thunderstorm, and don't forget the beautiful sunsets and crystal clear blue sky and the wonderful cuisine. Shall I go on?



What you get out of where you live is what effort you put into living there.

New mexico has some undesputably beautiful elements that I have totally gotten into and loved for the 6 years I have lived here. BUT, having said that and having put a good effort into living in New Mexico, I now see that peace, and comfort in living are more than the natural elements. Demographics, economy, crime rates, drug activity, over inflated real-estate etc...it all adds up to livability. For me, it is no longet the place to be but, that's really okay. No bashing here really, just awareness and chosing another reality for myself and my family.

[designer]

When I mentioned the police not patrolling the roads I meant the freeway system which is really the interstate system. I don't live in Albuquerque but
I drive through there at least two or three times a month and I rarely see any
police patrolling those freeways. Now after I'm gone there might be many out
there. I can only tell you what I see or don't see but I can tell you I have
seen more drivers in the fast lane all the sudden jump over to the slow lane
just to make the turn off because of a complete lack of planning on their part.
Have I seen that in LA and Phoenix while living in those two cities? Yes but
not nearly as much as in Albuquerque. Also while living in Los Angeles there
were plenty of police on the freeways and I can remember when Reagan
was governor he stated if he had to he would make sure there was a cop
every one mile on the freeway system. I think all cities have bad drivers but
with enough police hanging around it's interesting how peoples habits change.
That also goes for crime in general. I think NM might be such a poor state
that it cannot afford the police staff that it might need. Am I bashing NM?
No just observing the problem as I see it.

[mortimer]

When my house was burglarized once before, I called
the police while the dust was still settling after the
intruder left with my stuff.

I was told over the phone - by the police department operator - that
"we don't patrol." They said they would send someone over in a few
hours to take a report.

Albuquerque Police don't patrol.

Oh, and if someone hits your car and drives away, you better have
the license plate number or they won't do anything. The officer
told me "if you don't have a license number what do you expect
us to do?"

Disclaimer: the above is anecdotal and not a statistical sample.

[katpohl]

This is a direct quote from a post in the mountainair thread, it is in reply to a post saying they are thinking of moving to this small town and was looking for comments, this quote is 'fine' example of what we native New Mexicians have to deal with from out of our state come heres,
"Poverty runs rampent in NM so some of your new neighbors may be alcoholics and tweekers but living in NM you get used to that so its no biggie."
I have to wonder why someone like this guy is even reading the New Mexico forum? Or feels he can slander the people of our state to others ,, I get so tried of hearing people from somewhere else come in to my place of employment and bad mouth our state or our people , the hyw they came in on still has that other lane going the other way,,,

[DOUBLE H]

Albuq. has it's share of big city problems but one huge plus is that no matter if I am on Juan Tabo or Wyoming, Montgomery or Menaul, lower downtown, to me, is a breeze. I lived in the Denver area for 40 plus years, one word comes to mind. Chaotic.Also, the construction outfit who redone the "Big I" done a great job.

[GregW]

I liven on NYC for a few years. 800,000 people is a neighborhood not a city by that standard. I work in downtown Boston and live on an exurban town of 25,000 people. You haven't experienced traffic until you have tried the afternoon rush hour on I-93 North. Too many cars fighting over too little space.

I am really looking foward to retiring to a small town with a college or trade school and doing some part time teaching, some part time research and writing. Maybe some prospecting. Maybe some just hanging around. It will be a retirement after all.

[mortimer]

GregW mused:

> I liven on NYC for a few years. 800,000 people is a neighborhood ...

> I am really looking foward to retiring to a small town with a college
> or trade school ...

You mean like Albuquerque? heh.

> Maybe some just hanging around. It will be a retirement after all.

My neighbor just introduced himself to me. He said he just started
retirement this June and has been busier than ever, but having
more fun.