Tucson versus Albuquerque (Mesa, Spring Valley: neighborhood, live in, moving to)

[sierraAZ]

Originally Posted by finmqa1

One thing I do prefer in ABQ is we are the largest city in the state so much of the states money, improvements, and jobs come here, whereas Tucson often gets snubbed in favor of Phoenix, however I could be wrong on this.

That's probably true.

[observe]

Originally Posted by finmqa1

For the record Tucson is bigger than ABQ both city and metro, and it is growing faster simply because AZ is more pro-growth than NM (although that has changed with Bill Richardson as our gov.). Either way you can't go wrong with either, and it should boil down to what weather you prefer, if money is no issue, live in Tucson six months out of the year, and ABQ the rest. That would be "Perfect" weather IMO!

One thing I do prefer in ABQ is we are the largest city in the state so much of the states money, improvements, and jobs come here, whereas Tucson often gets snubbed in favor of Phoenix, however I could be wrong on this.

If you are considering which AZ city to live in, Tucson is far prettier that PHX!

The reason they say Albuquerque is bigger is because it has a bigger city feel, freeways, downtown, large zoo, amusement park.....etc it just has a bigger city feel. Tucson has more of a suburb feel kind of like a really big Rio Rancho.

[szupergipsy]

I also believe that Mexican food in Albuquerque is much much better. There is simply no better dish on this planet than the #10 Carne Adovada plate at Perea's on Central. I am willing to bet my mother on it.

[Chowhound]

So is Albucrackie bigger than Tucson?

[finmqa1]

Originally Posted by Chowhound

So is Albucrackie bigger than Tucson?

No ABQ's metro is ~150,000 smaller , and the city itself about 100,000 smaller.

[observe]

Originally Posted by finmqa1

No ABQ's metro is ~150,000 smaller , and the city itself about 100,000 smaller.

The Metro is actually about 167,000 and the city is about 20,000 smaller not 100,000.
Albuquerque 521,000 2008 estimate city 845,000 Metro
Tucson 541,000 2008 estimate city 1,012,018 Metro

[PylesinAZ]

I have lived in Tucson for almost 3 years.
The city is not for me and I am planning a move as soon as possible.
Don't get me wrong. I love the weather and the mountains.
I do not love the pace or the vibe of the city.
Also, I have never seen so many $500 cars still on the road in my life.
-

[csmda]

I lived in abq for 4 years. I moved back to tucson 6 yrs ago. ABQ for the most part is definitely not a place I ever want to live in again! There are nice parts, but most of it is crime ridden. the first night we got there (military) I saw someone getting car jacked (wyoming area) and that wasn't the last time. I also had a friend who was almost kidnapped in a taco bell drive thru. I would rather walk down 6th ave alone on any night then walk the streets of albuquerque, especially by the military base, which they call the "War zone".

But really Tucson isn't going all so great either...
The good news is both places still have nice neighborhoos.

[szupergipsy]

I lived in ABQ for 14 years. 3 major incidents: 2 bikes stolen, one brand new truck scretched up by neighboor's kids.
I would move back tomorrow, for one and one reason only: the weather is better.

[ZonyPony]

Originally Posted by szupergipsy

I also believe that Mexican food in Albuquerque is much much better. There is simply no better dish on this planet than the #10 Carne Adovada plate at Perea's on Central. I am willing to bet my mother on it.

I'm not sure about "better"... but, I believe that New Mexican style food is certainly different than Tucson's Arizona-Sonoran style Mexican food. And they're both somewhat different than the Texas Tex-Mex style.

However, I remember eating a great breakfast burrito in Hatch, NM just recently!