Eldorado To ABQ Commute? (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: houses, neighborhood, schools) - Santa Fe County - City-Data Forum

RobertoB · 08-11-2008, 02:52 PM

Hi, we're very interested in the Santa Fe area, and particularly like what we've read here about Eldorado. We like the xeriscaping, pueblo architecture, seeing mountains and stars, etc...

Just wondering if it's at all realistic to commute to ABQ for work. Looks like it would be an hour each way. I ride a motorcycle, so gas isn't as much of a concern

Will the new ABQ-SF commuter train make that any more viable?

Also would like to know if the dust and wind in Eldorado is a concern at all, or if there is anything else that potentially turns people off about the place. Thanks !! Rob

ziaAirmac · 08-12-2008, 01:27 AM

RobertoB, everyone has their own idea of what's acceptable for a commute, but I gotta say that the Eldo-ABQ is not recommended. I understand where you're coming from. Many people have looked at the unique qualities of living in Santa Fe and the economic engine in Albuquerque and tried to dip into both. Everyone I've known that's done it (including myself, a close friend and my step-father among others) has eventually moved or changed jobs to eliminate the commute. It's a straight, fast highway (not a particularly interesting ride.) and it just wears on you. Those guys were going Santa Fe to ABQ. You'll be further out still. Also, there are people willing to ride your bumper all day long at 82 mph on that highway. It doesn't feel good when your on a bike when it's happening. Your actual commute time would be dependent on where in Albuquerque you were working, but even if you were on the north end of town, you would be very hard pressed to hit an hour door to door from Eldorado. That's when the weather's nice.

Depending on your work, the Rail Runner may potentially allow you to use the travel time to complete more work. That's a huge benefit compared to having to kill a couple of hours or more a day just driving. But it's still time in the day. The Albuquerque Journal just printed an article saying there will be something like 7 runs a day to and from during the week. There's a station in Santa Fe and one planned for near the I-25/599 junction. I'm guessing due to stops in Bernalillo and and at 599, they're talking about an hour and a half from Santa Fe to Albuquerque. If you were doing 599 station to Bernalillo, I imagine that would almost cut that number in half.

Is it possible? Yes. My personal recommendation would be to give yourself those hours of commute time each day to enjoy these places you're interested in by living close to work. There have been similar threads going over the pros and cons of the commute and the possibility of splitting the difference between the two cities. You can use the search function to see if any of that helps your decision.

Devin Bent · 08-18-2008, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertoB

Hi, we're very interested in the Santa Fe area, and particularly like what we've read here about Eldorado. We like the xeriscaping, pueblo architecture, seeing mountains and stars, etc...

Just wondering if it's at all realistic to commute to ABQ for work. Looks like it would be an hour each way. I ride a motorcycle, so gas isn't as much of a concern

Will the new ABQ-SF commuter train make that any more viable?
b

I understand where you are coming from, but my guess is that you could find a similar neighborhood in ABQ if you asked on their sub-thread.

Vinegaroon · 08-18-2008, 11:59 AM

I would echo the comments above, and add that we have a real winter here, and it is impractical to commute by motorcycle year round. If you live out in Eldorado, you will need another form of transportation in all likelihood.

queenbonnie · 09-05-2008, 05:01 PM

I agree that it would be very difficult to commute to Albuquerque from Eldorado. I've lived in Eldorado for five years, and I must say that at times even the commute into Santa Fe gets tiring. Also, there is a difference as to where you live in Eldorado. If you live in the back part of Eldorado, it takes a lot more time to get out of Eldorado and onto the highway. Good luck to you. You might want to take a look at Placitas outside of albuquerque on i-25. It has a somewhat similar to Eldorado feel, but is only about 15 minutes outside of Albuquerque. Still has the great star views and the out of town feel. Housing prices should be similar too.

rybert · 09-05-2008, 06:47 PM

You're an architect?

Most of the firms are along I-25... that should help reduce any commute time (fewer residential streets).

I think you'll find that ABQ has a very similar feel as Santa Fe... but when you have your heart set on something, there's nothing that we can say that will tear you away.

Towanda · 09-05-2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rybert

I think you'll find that ABQ has a very similar feel as Santa Fe... but when you have your heart set on something, there's nothing that we can say that will tear you away.

I do love both cities, but I would have to respectfully say that I disagree that ABQ has a "very similar feel to Santa Fe." I just do not find that to be the case at all. The cities are very very different. Very.

rybert · 09-05-2008, 09:00 PM

Well... I find that the cities are similar in many ways.

Anyhow, I don't think you should have too much trouble finding design work in SF (assuming from the post's title that that's what you do).

GreatSantaFe · 09-09-2008, 11:53 AM

queenbonnie said: "....You might want to take a look at Placitas outside of albuquerque on i-25. It has a somewhat similar to Eldorado feel, but is only about 15 minutes outside of Albuquerque. Still has the great star views and the out of town feel. Housing prices should be similar too."

I used to live in Placitas. It was a really nice community up through most of the 90's.
It's gotten quite a bit more crowded, there's more light pollution from Abq and Rio Rancho, so the night skies aren't as dark, there's a lot of traffic getting to I-25 and the prices for houses have increased dramatically. You'd probably have to spend twice the price for a similar property in Placitas compared to Eldorado.

Still, I agree with most of the comments that an Eldorado - Abq commute will wear you down. There are some new developments, and older adobe abodes, in Algadones (off I-25 north of Placitas) that may give you the feel you're looking for within about a 20-30 minute commute depending on where you need to go in Abq. But there are no stores/schools/services in Algadones - yet (!) - so that might be a consideration; however it'd only be about 10 minutes into Bernalillo for those things.