Good place for a newbie in ABQ (Albuquerque, Tijeras: apartment complexes, rental)
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I expect to be starting a job where I work remotely, so I can live anywhere as long as it is in the USA. I have decided on ABQ after visiting and having it feel a lot more like home than my current home does. I love the Southwest, the city's uniqueness, how the city and the wilderness are so close together, etc. I could go on forever.
Anyways, I'm going to be moving a down about one month after I start the job and wanted somewhere temporary (an apartment) to scout the area later for a permanent home. I love hiking and biking, but also love the city for local food places, films, places to meet people. I would need a one bedroom for $1500 or less, but would prefer a bit less than that to have more money for other things, ha.
I'd like to be in a secure place, as I will be gone for three week periods at a time to different states for work, but someplace I can really get into the culture and still not have too long a drive off to the trails and away from city life. I am basically a contradiction when it comes to this, and I think ABQ allows for this, which is why I have chosen it.
I should add that it can be anywhere as long as I can get to the Sunport, as I won't be working locally (well only if there's a catastrophe here, but let's hope not).
Thanks.
Last edited by ben242000; 02-08-2012 at 08:32 AM..
I think you made a good choice coming to Albuquerque! Extra points for knowing that we're part of the USA.
Most of the nearby wilderness recreation is in the Sandias. How long a drive is "too long" for you to get there?
What kind of biking do you do? Do you want to mountain bike in the foothills or ride the paved bike trails in the city?
Your budget for apartment rental is more than enough for a one-bedroom in any part of town, so the choices are wide open. IMHO, the more money you spend on rent, the more insulated you may feel from the local culture, if that matters. Do you want a big, multi-story complex or smaller community? Do you care if it is newer or older?
I think you made a good choice coming to Albuquerque! Extra points for knowing that we're part of the USA.
Most of the nearby wilderness recreation is in the Sandias. How long a drive is "too long" for you to get there?
What kind of biking do you do? Do you want to mountain bike in the foothills or ride the paved bike trails in the city?
Your budget for apartment rental is more than enough for a one-bedroom in any part of town, so the choices are wide open. IMHO, the more money you spend on rent, the more insulated you may feel from the local culture, if that matters. Do you want a big, multi-story complex or smaller community? Do you care if it is newer or older?
Thanks for the response! I actually love driving places, especially in NM, but I guess i'd like to live within 15-20 minutes if possible, I'm not too picky.
I bike along trails/roads here. We have a long trail that is part wilderness area/part roads, so I have one of those hybrid bikes. In NM I'd probably be biking more outside of the city.
I don't really want a fancy apt, I just need something to come home to. I just want it to be in a good area. I want to be a part of the culture, so if there are certain parts of town suited to this, I'd like to be there. I don't care about the age, but I'd prefer a smaller community to a big, multi-story deal.
And I'm 25, I know age can figure in to certain areas, but I tend to hang out with people older than me.
Maybe look at something in the Old Town/Downtown areas. There is Bike Blvd that follows along Silver then cuts over to Mountain Road linking up with the Bosque Biking/Walking Trail.
I bike along trails/roads here. We have a long trail that is part wilderness area/part roads, so I have one of those hybrid bikes. In NM I'd probably be biking more outside of the city.
Albuquerque has over 400 miles of bike paths, trails routes etc. Enjoy!:
Bike Map — City of Albuquerque
Bike Paths in Open Space (http://www.cabq.gov/openspace/BikePathsinOpenSpace.html - broken link)
Just be aware of the risks. It's great that we have 400 miles of bike trails and routes, but remember we have thousands of drivers who don't watch out for cyclists on the road. This is more of a car culture than you may be used to. Think high visibility and defensive biking. And outside the city the speed limits are high which presents another risk to cyclists. You may have seen some of our ghost bikes on the roads. Personally I don't like to bike out through Tijeras Canyon on Old Route 66 anymore, the speed limit is 55 and if a driver is texting, eating, drinking, or blinking and doesn't see you, you're through. I stick to dedicated bike trails and residential streets where automobile traffic is minimal.
To get within 15-20 minutes of the foothills recreation areas (you may want to drive to the other side of the Sandias in warmer months to hike on the cool side) you should look on the east half of town. Maybe around Uptown or north and east of there. There are some older, smaller apartment complexes scattered around. But since you're looking for a temporary arrangement you might not mind one of the bigger, newer complexes around the Academy/Eubank area (like Mountain Run or La Mirage), or even off of Tramway (like Broadstone High Desert or Allegro at Tanoan). These are a bit removed from the livelier parts of town but it can take more work to locate apartments closer to Nob Hill/UNM/downtown where you will be competing with college students. So it may just be easier to deal with a bigger complex farther from the hubs of activity and closer to your recreation if they don't require more than a 6-mo. lease, and they may provide a better sense of security since you say you'll be away a lot.
As someone who doesn't bike anymore due to a car/bike accident leaving me unable to do long rides any longer. I would hope the above is being performed by all cyclists in all cities, towns and villages all the time.
Bike awareness has improved tremendously over the last 15 years. I had a friend that lived in ABQ back then and said he regularly had beer bottles thrown at him while riding and occasionally had people try to run him off the road. ABQ has come a long way since then, but texting while driving is a new addition to the mix, so avoiding busy streets is definitely advised.
As someone who doesn't bike anymore due to a car/bike accident leaving me unable to do long rides any longer. I would hope the above is being performed by all cyclists in all cities, towns and villages all the time.
Far from it... we still have lots of cyclists in dark clothes, without lights at night, but I think I have noticed an increase in riders using reflective gear (jackets/vests) and night lamps.
Quote:
Originally Posted by George Tirebiter
Bike awareness has improved tremendously over the last 15 years. I had a friend that lived in ABQ back then and said he regularly had beer bottles thrown at him while riding and occasionally had people try to run him off the road. ABQ has come a long way since then, but texting while driving is a new addition to the mix, so avoiding busy streets is definitely advised.
Hmmm, I've been riding here for 22 years and never had a bottle thrown at me, but haven't noticed an improvement in driver behavior either, many don't adhere to the 5-foot rule.
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