Albuquerque/surrounding areas: does it suck?

[thepd7]

I have a job opportunity in New Mexico, it would be a nice raise (20%) but it's in Albuquerque. I could live anywhere in that area (within an hour or so).

I am asking almighty ATOT who has lived there, what did you like/not like about it, and how's the cost of living.

 

[theflyingpig]

It's shit compared to Austin. Sorry, but that's the truth. Everyone knows this.

 

[KeypoX]

havent lived there, but the geographical location looks awesome. I would want to live closer the the mountains. Much better than austin thats for sure.

http://www.google.com/images?q=Albu...source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1032&bih=1047

 

[thepd7]

It's shit compared to Austin. Sorry, but that's the truth. Everyone knows this.

Thanks for the response but I'm not looking for a compare. I will be moving out of Austin some time in the next 6 months for work, the place is the only thing not yet determined. Right now the only option is New Mexico and I am seriously considering it.

havent lived there, but the geographical location looks awesome. I would want to live closer the the mountains. Much better than austin thats for sure.

http://www.google.com/images?q=Albu...source=og&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi&biw=1032&bih=1047

I would very much enjoy the mountains, it is a huge plus to me that hiking or skiing is less than 2 hours away.

 

[tcsenter]

There are Detroit-like shit areas in Albuquerque but there are some extremely nice communities as well. e.g. Sandia and Los Alamos

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

My brother loved it there... housing was cheap and snowboarding was less than two hours away.

Plus they apparently have this super sweet blue tinted meth that is almost 100 percent pure! 😉

 

[vailr]

There's the "Rail Runner" train commuter service now between Albq. & Santa Fe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_Rail_Runner_Express
Which might extend the area for suitable housing choices.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I lived in Albuquerque for a number of years. Traffic is a big problem. "An hour or so" pretty much limits you to the city limits. If you work on the west side, find a place to live on the west side and same for the east side. The cost of living is fairly high but, I'm not sure how it compares to Austin. Wages are poor but, if you're getting a raise, good for you. The best part about Albuquerque is New Mexican food. "Ya want red or green?"

 

[IronWing]

Climate can range from quite pleasant to down right desolate feeling. Winters aren't too cold but the landscape just turns kind of grim looking. The Sandia Mts are right there with hiking trails. Food is good. There is an extensive bike path/route system in town. You're not too far from the canyon country or from a bunch of good mountains. The Alb/Santa Fe/Taos corridor is just plain awful traffic-wise. Alb is centrally located to a bunch of good stuff but it takes a couple hours to get to it no matter which way you drive.

 

[thepd7]

There are Detroit-like shit areas in Albuquerque but there are some extremely nice communities as well. e.g. Sandia and Los Alamos

My brother loved it there... housing was cheap and snowboarding was less than two hours away.

Plus they apparently have this super sweet blue tinted meth that is almost 100 percent pure! 😉

Haha yeah I hear it's the meth capitol of the US.

There's the "Rail Runner" train commuter service now between Albq. & Santa Fe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Mexico_Rail_Runner_Express
Which might extend the area for suitable housing choices.

I hear Santa Fe is pretty expensive, plus I will be driving all over the place so a train wouldn't work (sales).

I lived in Albuquerque for a number of years. Traffic is a big problem. "An hour or so" pretty much limits you to the city limits. If you work on the west side, find a place to live on the west side and same for the east side. The cost of living is fairly high but, I'm not sure how it compares to Austin. Wages are poor but, if you're getting a raise, good for you. The best part about Albuquerque is New Mexican food. "Ya want red or green?"

I don't know of any places in the south which are higher than Austin so I'm betting it will be fine, state income tax will suck though. I already know the range I will be making so I'm not worried about wages. And I live in Austin so I'm betting the food will be weird, I'm a big fan of TexMex.

Climate can range from quite pleasant to down right desolate feeling. Winters aren't too cold but the landscape just turns kind of grim looking. The Sandia Mts are right there with hiking trails. Food is good. There is an extensive bike path/route system in town. You're not too far from the canyon country or from a bunch of good mountains. The Alb/Santa Fe/Taos corridor is just plain awful traffic-wise. Alb is centrally located to a bunch of good stuff but it takes a couple hours to get to it no matter which way you drive.

Thanks for the input!

 

[nerp]

If you want to be surrounded by wannabe potters and artists who believe in the power of crystals and charms, move there immediatley.