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Vegas is faster paced and lively. Abq is more laid back. The great economy aspect is out for Vegas at least for now. Vegas also gets much hotter and for a longer time. So Abq would be my choice. Both places are great if you like outdoor activities such as hiking
this thread is pretty old. But having lived in Albuquerque for 15 years, I'd agree that it is much more beautiful scenery wise and has access to UT, CO, AZ for all kinds of recreation (as does LV). I can see a couple things that would make Vegas more appealing. One, NO state income tax. If you're trying to make some money then over 10 years not having that ~5% state income tax really adds up (in my case I'd save about $40k over 10 years). The other big thing that comes to mind is entertainment. Vegas gets pretty much everything big and small. Albuquerque is really lacking in concerts and cultural events and more importantly the venues we have aren't very enjoyable places to see shows. We lack small and mid-size venues of any decent quality. Third, housing options for single/young people I would imagine are better in Vegas. We lack many condo/townhome communities here that appeal to people without kids, retirees, etc. I would think that our housing is a little more expensive. Albuquerque is probably a much more 'real' place as people typically don't move here to make money, party, or live short-term. Weather wise, if you like heat Vegas is better. Albuquerque weather is fairly moderate with some pretty cold temps in the winter and a little snow and hot summer but not Vegas or Phoenix kinda hot. Albuquerque and NM in general is very easy to escape to wilderness/outdoor area where you won't see many other people.
A post-war growth that attracted (and still attracts) people who have an interesting and off-beat perspective on life, the universe and everything, not just snowbirdish sun seekers and libertine fun seekers
What happens in Albuquerque, you do not have to be so ashamed of that you have to leave it in Albuquerque... mostly :-)
A post-war growth that attracted (and still attracts) people who have an interesting and off-beat perspective on life, the universe and everything, not just snowbirdish sun seekers and libertine fun seekers
What happens in Albuquerque, you do not have to be so ashamed of that you have to leave it in Albuquerque... mostly :-)
Not trying to crash your party, but what do you mean not absolutely sprawling? Of course ABQ sprawls like most other metros or urban areas. In fact, the LV urban area is at least 1.5 times denser than the ABQ urban area.
Not trying to crash your party, but what do you mean not absolutely sprawling? Of course ABQ sprawls like most other metros or urban areas. In fact, the LV urban area is at least 1.5 times denser than the ABQ urban area.
I was playing loose with the term sprawl in that I wasn't so much talking the urban planning definition as the fact that it it occupies a fairly small area being bounded by reservation lands, BLM and National Forest. It only takes about 10 minutes to cross the whole city on the interstate.
However, I have learned that Las Vegas occupies a smaller are than Albuquerque, so I stand corrected on that matter. For some reason, Las Vegas is portrayed a large, desert metropolis while Albuquerque slips under the radar as little more than a big small town, in the popular perception.
To live? Albuquerque. LV is nice to visit but I wouldn't live there.
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