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someone sent this anonymously as a "quick reputation." not sure why anyone would ask a question with no way to answer. so i'll post it here...
Quote:
"what do you mean culture is sparse? iT has some of the best culture in the country! And the public schools here are better than the ones in brooklyn. Albuquerque was rated the 35th best city for raising families in america."
by sparse, i mean there's not much culture here. not in the traditional sense of the word, anyway. the museums are so so. there's not much in the way of entertainment. especially if you're coming from new york. there's really no interesting architecture.
i'm not sure what you're basing your opinion on regarding brooklyn public schools. parts of brooklyn are actually very nice. as large and diverse as the city is, i would bet that some schools are excellent, while others are bad. overall, new york is ranked 21st in the nation. new mexico is dead last.
there are probably other good reasons to raise your family here like cost of living. but poor schools and high crime rates are definitely negatives.
that said, i'm not trying to bash abq, but the op said he/she is looking for a city similar to brooklyn. i can't imagine a city much more different than abq.
I have to agree with RandomName - the schools here are not good.
As for the OP, it sounds like somewhere on the West coast might be a good option. Almost anywhere along California's coast, and possibly the Pacific NW, although it might not have the sunshine you want.
You would really have to visit Albuquerque to understand what it's like here. It's an incredibly unique and beautiful city, but you have to love it to be happy here. The weather is perfect in my opinion. And no, it's not a good place to raise a family in my opinion. Too much crime and poverty, poor schools, too many thug types running around. And it's not very delineated in terms of "good" and "bad" areas of town.
I currently live in the Cobble Hill region of Brooklyn and work in NYC. I really love the size of Brooklyn and the ease of getting to a big metropolitan like NYC. However, I am finding the fast paced crass city a little too intense. Plus, the weather, though better than upstate New York, where I'm from, is nothing to write home about. We still get snow, clouds, and extra humidity.
I am interested in a similar area like Brooklyn (in terms of size, food, proximity to a major city), with a little more relaxed environment. I could use a yard though! Also, I went better weather. I am not opposed to all four seasons, but I want the winters milder and less humidity. Plus, I need sun. The east coast is only sunny 30% of the time, so I am thinking out west.
I would appreciate any suggestions.
I see that you posted this in the Texas (Austin subforum) forum as well.
ok so size may not be a problem. I am from upstate New York. I like Brooklyn because it is chill but still has the city vibe - good food, intelligent (ish) people, and culture. However, New York is not for me in that people aren't friendly, they're rude, and cold. I love SF, but I don't think I can swing living there financially. Plus, I have only been there for a few days at a time, and am not sure if the weather is sunny enough.
As a native NYC'er who lived in Manhattan and Brooklyn (including Cobble Hill), I'd say that ABQ could very well fit your requirements. The area near the university (UMN) has a very similar vibe to Cobble Hill and Park Slope and the people are definitely friendlier and much more laid back.
ABQ is great for the arts - lots of museums and galleries, theaters for dance, musicals and drama - and of course you are only a Rail Runner ride away from Santa Fe and close to Taos as well.
The weather is heavenly compared to the NE and there is so much to do, particularly outdoors.
I think the major difference is that folks in ABQ are much more car-dependent than those in NYC particularly for grocery shopping etc. However, ABQ does have all of the current must-haves - Trader Joe's, Whole Foods, etc. The only thing missing in my estimation is IKEA.
The usual advice certainly holds: plan a visit and see if it 'feels' right. I knew right away that Las Cruces was 'home' for me, nothing against ABQ, I just wanted a smaller, warmer city, but, I love to spend time in ABQ and do every chance I get
someone sent this anonymously as a "quick reputation." not sure why anyone would ask a question with no way to answer. so i'll post it here...
by sparse, i mean there's not much culture here. not in the traditional sense of the word, anyway. the museums are so so. there's not much in the way of entertainment. especially if you're coming from new york. there's really no interesting architecture.
i'm not sure what you're basing your opinion on regarding brooklyn public schools. parts of brooklyn are actually very nice. as large and diverse as the city is, i would bet that some schools are excellent, while others are bad. overall, new york is ranked 21st in the nation. new mexico is dead last.
there are probably other good reasons to raise your family here like cost of living. but poor schools and high crime rates are definitely negatives.
that said, i'm not trying to bash abq, but the op said he/she is looking for a city similar to brooklyn. i can't imagine a city much more different than abq.
I find the architecture in ABQ fascinating and fabulous. There is a surprise around every corner.
As for whether or not there is 'culture' or 'entertainment,' I guess that really depends on personal taste. I am constantly amazed by the number of choices available in Albuquerque, often many enticing enough to get me in the car for the six hour round-trip, and, at a fraction of the cost that one would pay in NYC, Brooklyn included.
If the OP is considering Austin, s/he needs to know about the humidity there, which is quite severe.
'Severe' is almost an understatement.
While Austin does compare quite favorably to Brooklyn in size, population, etc., if one wants to get away from traffic and oppressive weather, it would not be my first choice.
I am a New Yorker who lived in ABQ for a number of years. Albuquerque has a distinct culture which I find many New Yorkers either love or hate. Downtown ABQ, especially Nob Hill has the most urbane vibe in all of ABQ. It is a very walkable part of downtown, lots of small cafes and restaurants, and a youthful energy due to the university. It retains much of its Route 66 look and has undergone a revival that makes it an attractive area. It is perhaps the closest equivalent you will find to Cobble Hill. However, this is not NYC. ABQ at large starts closing down at 8pm in the eve and definitely by 10pm. If you really want your quiet at night you will have it here! I love Albuquerque. The people are relaxed and open. It is not an expensive city. For me, the exposure to new cultures and the amazing range of open spaces and wilderness made it so appealing. However, you will miss the intense level of conveniences that come with New York City. You really need to immerse yourself in ABQ for a couple of weeks before making a decision. You could even rent a temp apartment pretty cheaply to get a taste of living there. Unlike Brooklyn, you must have a car here however. The city has minimal public transportation. I have a very extensive collection of Albuquerque photos from the years I spent there that can give you a good sense of the place (http://stylepeterson.com/photos.htm - broken link).
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