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SO TRUE. I was never able to decide whether to have plastic surgery when I lived there and ended up leaving to go to what I perceived to be a more "with it" location (Salt Lake). People on this forum have said that Albuquerque "DOESN'T NEED" plastic surgeons yet even a podunk town like Tucson has Frederick Menick. If I move back I will still be seeking help out of state. Albuquerque now has a high end shopping center that I read has Sephora... there is a Aveda school that trains hair stylists so they can work in higher end salons... like Mark Pardo, because, after all, looks do matter.... I'm kind of sad about moving back for this reason. The bizarre hypocrisy that underpins the Albuquerque community, I will never understand it.
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Originally Posted by nmnita
......We had lots of wonderful friends which we miss terribly, other than that and the beauty of the area I really have to say, I don't miss it at all. We found, after 7 years the entire state had too many problems, bad schools, (Abq certainly) lack of doctors, poverty, and yes, not a real feeling of community as well has high crime. It seemed many, who had lived in NM all their lives didn't really want to see any changes. If we don't and prosper we die (I am referring to cities) NM has so much to offer, but pride isn't one of the things.Nita
SO TRUE. I was never able to decide whether to have plastic surgery when I lived there and ended up leaving to go to what I perceived to be a more "with it" location (Salt Lake). People on this forum have said that Albuquerque "DOESN'T NEED" plastic surgeons yet even a podunk town like Tucson has Frederick Menick. If I move back I will still be seeking help out of state. Albuquerque now has a high end shopping center that I read has Sephora... there is a Aveda school that trains hair stylists so they can work in higher end salons... like Mark Pardo, because, after all, looks do matter.... I'm kind of sad about moving back for this reason. The bizarre hypocrisy that underpins the Albuquerque community, I will never understand it.
they also have added a Trader Joes in the NOrth East area which is a little more upscale. There is money in ABQ, no one would say everyone is poor or use drugs and there are some young neighborhoods that are trendy, upscale and desirable, but overall I think they have a long way to go.
We now live in an area with a county not any bigger than Valencia county if as big, we have no shortage of doctors, good labs, and 2 hospitals.
Nita
Im glad ABQ isnt superficial-- Its not about impressing people or keeping up with the Jones', its about being yourself and if you feel comfortable than thats all that matters
and people can have pride in themselves but not in the city at the same time, I think
Location: THEN: Paso Robles, Ca * NOW: Albuquerque, NM
519 posts, read 1,700,351 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by catrinac
there is a Aveda school that trains hair stylists so they can work in higher end salons... like Mark Pardo, because, after all, looks do matter....
I just want to add that, being from California, Aveda Salons are considered inexpensive (haircut prices start at $35). Even little hole-in-the-wall CA salons charge $40+ for a cr@ppy haircut. For me, if I'm going to get my hair cut, I might as well like it. I don't go to Aveda because it is Aveda. I go to Aveda because I found a hair stylist I like.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nmnita
they also have added a Trader Joes in the North East area which is a little more upscale.
I've price checked and found that Trader Joe's is generally cheaper than Albertsons or Vons .. with better quality. So I vote for more Trader Joe's!
I really do think the friendliness of Albuquerque depends on where you are coming from. If you are moving from Boise or Charlotte, then I would think we can seem rude or less friendly. However, if you are coming from L.A. or Chicago, the perception changes to quite friendly. I don't think there is a proper response to the city's friendly factor because there are too many variables.
Good point, finmqa1.
I do think "friendly" is such a subjective term though too, and it likely means something different to each and every one of us. It is all how we see the world through our own filters, blinders, etc.
To me, ABQ seemed friendlier in general that here in the bigger cities of the Upper Midwest. However, here in Milwaukee, often people find it friendly too (which I don't necessarily disagree with). I guess it just depends.
The primary reason I guess I found ABQ so friendly is because I found ABQ so laid back, so "manana"-esque...and to me, that fits my personality well as being friendly and amenable. However, I recognize to others, that drives 'em nuts.
I just want to add that, being from California, Aveda Salons are considered inexpensive (haircut prices start at $35). Even little hole-in-the-wall CA salons charge $40+ for a cr@ppy haircut. For me, if I'm going to get my hair cut, I might as well like it. I don't go to Aveda because it is Aveda. I go to Aveda because I found a hair stylist I like.
I've price checked and found that Trader Joe's is generally cheaper than Albertsons or Vons .. with better quality. So I vote for more Trader Joe's!
me too, I am finding more and more, specialty stores are a better bet than the super markets. Add to that the bulk stores like Sams and even the Wal Marts (which are certainly not cheap) and I see fewer and fewer depending on super markets for their food supplies. It is like the malls and dept stores, we are seeing more go under. So many people are shopping at specialty stores, on line, discount outlet malls, Kohls, etc. I do not know how long it has been since I have actually shopped at an old fashion mall. My daughters, both liveing in upscale areas or upward mobile anyway (one in Fl, one in Tx) never do the mall scene...
I just want to add that, being from California, Aveda Salons are considered inexpensive (haircut prices start at $35). Even little hole-in-the-wall CA salons charge $40+ for a cr@ppy haircut. For me, if I'm going to get my hair cut, I might as well like it. I don't go to Aveda because it is Aveda. I go to Aveda because I found a hair stylist I like.
I've price checked and found that Trader Joe's is generally cheaper than Albertsons or Vons .. with better quality. So I vote for more Trader Joe's!
me too, I am finding more and more, specialty stores are a better bet than the super markets. Add to that the bulk stores like Sams and even the Wal Marts (which are certainly not cheap) and I see fewer and fewer depending on super markets for their food supplies. It is like the malls and dept stores, more go under. So many people are shopping at specialty stores, on line, discount outlet malls, Kohls, etc. I do not know how long it has been since I have actually shopped at an old fashion mall. My daughters, both liveing in upscale areas or upward mobile anyway (one in Fl, one in Tx) never do the mall scene...
I've read this on this board before and it may be true about some friendly types but it isn't true about me. I am someone who genuinely cares. I think what stingraynm is talking about is the ability to strike up conversations or connect with people on a superficial basis yet feel that the other person or people are also outgoing, caring, maybe not friends for life, but at least *receptive*. I'm always grateful that I have one friend in Albuquerque, because I would not want to go through the hassle of trying to connect with people who essentially remote.
Pretty much... in my posts here, I'm referring to the most shallow interactions (e.g., waiting in line, browsing similar items) and also the casual acqaintances (e.g., same hobby, same "watering hole").
Deeper friendships require an initial acquaintance. Still, I'm definitely well aware that all the deep "friends for life" relationships occur by chance, and usually involve both people stepping out on limbs when becoming acquainted and building a bond of trust over time. Like love, those sort of things can't be searched out (unless I do want to creep people out), but just have to be stumbled upon in coincidences.
I've got my deep friends in other states and am slow to find more, but I am looking for ways to catalyze more casual familiarity, and posters here gave helpful feedback in that respect. I'll also take your advice to look for fellow transplants, 'cause that creates a common sentiment and interest within itself... an "out-of-their-element" clique.
Plus, for both conventional and instinctive reasons, it's always easier to approach a new group as a group. I can certainly relate to groups who find the overtly friendly loner (me, unfortunately) rather suspect and even abrasive. Any reasonable person can't help but wonder when they meet an out-going person who doesn't know anybody. I've blown many of those types off, though in light of this experience, I'll be more likely to entertain them in the future. It is possible to be self-sufficient and sane, but still not know anybody; although, I guess it is a sign that I don't have much more to life than work, exercize, wilderness, and home for the time being. I guess that is pretty introverted and "boring" by a lot of peoples' standards, and we're all happier if those people continue to blow me off.
For those that gripe that Albuquerque isn't cosmopolitan like Chicago, or doesn't have shopping like New York, or stars & night life like Los Angeles, or have big major sports teams...why don't you get off your butts and move to one of these places! Whats so great about Albuquerque is just that it is NOT like those other overcrowded, traffic snarled, shopping driven, polluted, concrete covered urban nightmares. (Although the sprawl is starting to get bad.). Culture? There is no culture in LA or San Diego or Dallas or Phoenix. Its all about keeping up with the neighbors no matter how far into debt you go; about paying more attention to which slimeball celebrity chick is getting laid by whomever rock druggie, rather than things in life that matter. Not to say that attitude doesn't exist everywhere, but so much less in NM.
There is such a breath of fresh air that hits when you get to the borders of New Mexico, knowing all that mega city crap is behind you. The state and most cities/towns embrace their history rather than cover it up. NM is almost like being in Hawaii. Once you get away from the tourist traps in the islands, the people are laid back, friendly, and embrace their culture. NM is similar in many ways, its just not in the middle of the ocean. Heres hoping it stays that way!
I agree with what you are saying after living in the overcrowded, overpriced, concrete jungle of San Diego for the last ten years. Spacious Albuquerque is a breath of fresh air compared to Southern California. Here my spouse and I can save our hard earned money and own something for once. Plus, continuing our college education is way more affordable here. Shopping and restaurants are plentiful and convenient. On a recreational level access to parks, winter sports, freshwater fishing, hiking/biking trails, theater, concerts, and even a nice choice of casinos are within a short distance.
I have had a couple of negative experiences: going downtown on Central which I avoid whenever possible (confrontation with rough characters and situations on more than one occasion) and our neighborhood was invaded by burglars 3 times this summer - a different house each time. We live in a quiet little neighborhood, hence why they targeted our neighborhood as easy prey. Yes, those experiences have left scars, but living in the big city was so much more frustrating in different ways.
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