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There seems to be a profusion of articles about how dangerous Albuquerque is. Is that a recent thing?
I've visited the city about ten years ago and like it. I'd like to visit with my three year olds but these articles are giving me pause. Are the crime pretty concentrated in certain areas like in Chicago and therefore easy to avoid? Do I need to do anything differently than when visiting other large cities?
The overall crime rate is high, but there are far more popular tourist cities in America with far more dangerous neighborhoods extending over a greater area than you will find in Albuquerque.
I wouldn't hesitate to come to Albuquerque. Even if you find yourself in a scummy looking area, the worst that is likely to happen is that you'll get hit up for change by a drunk vagrant. As a tourist, you are unlikely to do more than pass by such areas in your rental car. If you visit Albuqeurque's main attractions, Old Town, the Tram, UNM/Nob Hill area, Zoo/Botanical Gardens, etc. you will be fine.
Do keep valuables out of sight in your car and lock it, though. Much of the crime in Albuquerque that affects everyday people is petty theft, much of it from vehicles.
There seems to be a profusion of articles about how dangerous Albuquerque is. Is that a recent thing?
No it's not a recent thing.
No, it's not dangerous for you to visit.
Your chances of being a victim of crime in Albq have to do with living there, because you'll eventually be a victim of property crime or robbery of some form. Secondly if you live in poorer neighborhoods or gang neighborhoods then your chance of being a victim of assault goes up.
Thirdly if you are the type of guy who goes around "acting tough" then your chance of confrontation with gang members goes way up in Albq, because eventually you're going to encounter them in public places - the mall, parks, restaurants, bars. Three things gang members don't like: guys staring at them, guys being rude to them, guys "acting tough" around them. If you fall into one of those categories, it's guaranteed you will eventually find trouble.
Otherwise, you won't have any problems, don't worry about visiting.
Quote:
Are the crime pretty concentrated in certain areas like in Chicago and therefore easy to avoid?
Crime is definitely more spread out in Albq and in NM in general.
What you might be seeing is the worst of the worst...
Some areas are safer than others.
We have now lived in the area 20 years (Rio Rancho, adjacent to Albuquerque, ABQ) and go to ABQ frequently, a few times a week? Maybe more, depending on we are doing. We have kids, grand-kids and great-grandkids in this area...
I've lived in AL, AZ, FL, GA, MA, MD, NM, NY, PA, SC, TX and Overseas... There are a lot of reasons why we chose to live in New Mexico... (I had been to New Mexico several times before moving out here this last time.)
I visit Albuquerque twice a year, for 3-4 days each visit - Have never felt unsafe in the major areas mentioned above. I did get lost once and had to go around a park where there were a lot of homeless people - I mistakenly went the wrong way on a one way street and a lot of the guys were yelling at me to turn around!
Take normal precautions, lock your car, put shopping bags in the trunk, and be aware of where your toddlers are at all times, especially if you're in a crowded area.
Enjoy your visit!
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