| I am thinking of moving to Albuquerque, N.M. . Does anyone know what it is like there?I live in San antonio,( GO SPURS ) Texas. I would like to know how it is in Albuquerque. I've done some research and they all want to sell me something. What is the everyday living out there? What is the cost of living ( rent, gas,ETC). What are the people like? Anything would help!!!!
Asked By: jennapusmora - 6/14/2007 |
It wasn't until I moved away from Albuquerque that I became completely enchanted with the city.
What I miss the most are the Sandia Mountains. Albuquerque is situated primarily on the gradual slope from the base of the Sandias to the basin of the Rio Grande which cuts a wide swath directly through the city from north to south. The Sandias are part of the southernmost tip of the Rocky Mountain range and are a mile-high in elevation. You can take an aerial tramway ride up the western face in most weather conditions. The eastern face of the Sandias are accessible for snow skiing, provided the snowfall is adequate, and I much personally prefer the powdery snowpack of the Rockies to any of the icy surfaces I have skied in Southern California, though NM has more sought-after ski spots than Sandia Resort.
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Albuquerque is a 4 seasons kind of town - spring and fall are magical, summers can be hot and dry, winters can be snowy/frosty/icy. You may never see more beautiful sunsets that you can experience on certain days in Albuquerque. On dark, cloudy rainy days, make sure you step outside at dusk in time to see the sun dip below the cloud horizon and illuminate the underside of the clouds - the colors are incomprehensibly majestic.
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Not unlike San Antonio, Albuquerque is a bi-lingual city. The Spanish language is interwoven into the names of streets, landmarks, buildings and institutions - the founders are of Spanish, Mexican and Indian descent, and the population mix is representative of multiple ethnic groups as well.
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Albuquerque is a college town, home to the University of New Mexico, advanced in medical training and engineering, among many other fine schools. You might not ever get over leaving your beloved Spurs, but in time, you might find yourself able to cheer on the UNM Lobos; college basketball (men's and women's) trumps all other sports in ABQ, and the PIT is still a great place to watch a Division 1 NCAA game.
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Albuquerque is an expanding town. Many older neighborhoods are experiencing gentirfication, but multiple waves of development have produced a steady supply of new housing in outwardly radiating patterns, giving rise to new communities especially to the west (Rio Rancho and Corrales, for example). Yes, there is affordable housing, and it can be a buyer's market more often than not. Custom homes are also being built in the upper-tier pricing and real estate is a worthwhile investment.
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Albuquerque is the hot-air ballooning capitol of the world, and home to an annual weeks-long Balloon Fiesta every October, when sunrise flying conditions are optimal. It is not uncommon during the Fiesta to witness the unparalleled spectacle of hundreds of colorful and specially shaped balloons filling the morning skies - especially near the city's official balloonport on the northern edge of Albuquerque.
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Albuquerque has a long history as a southwestern settlement, so there are cultures and traditions worth long exploration. It's also an arts town, so there are concert halls, live theatre and dance, galleries, museums, distinct architecture, unique cuisine, and a cultural identity framing the whole scene in a historical context that has room to grow.
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The job market in Albuquerque is subject to some vascillation, but there is an aerospace presence (Kirtland Air Force Base borders the city's southern edge), computer and engineering (Intel, Honeywell), steady construction, and numerous other companies to fuel the local economy.
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I could go on, but that's a big nutshell. My entire family still lives in Albuquerque, and sometimes I wish I did, too. Now I look forward to and enjoy every visit I get to my old hometown and my beautiful Sandias.
Answered By: Songsmyth - 6/17/2007 |