Albuquerque is far better than most cities in the - 11/16/2019

I am a 20 year retired military NCO. I have lived in multiple cities in multiple states. Albuquerque is beautiful and the cost of living is perfect. I read imbecilic negative comments regarding the Duke City. If you think Albuquerque is bad, then you must despise NJ, NY, ATL, LOUISIANA, MICHIGAN, DC, CAL, AZ, OK. These states have far more crime than NM. I have an idea... if you dont like Albuquerque, LEAVE!! I40 runs East to West, I25 runs North to South, pick one and LEAVE! Albuquerque already has far too many foreigners living here. Our freeway worked beautifully in the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. Today its gridlock because of all the foreigners from other states. Just move out, or dont move in. Bye bye

[Comment on this Posting]

I love Albuquerque warts and all - 10/16/2019

These reviews on here for cities, almost any city, are fairly predictable. Nobody writes unless they have something to complain about. Is Albuquerque the Paris of the Southwest? No. Is it a sh*thole? Absolutely not. In fact, it's one of the prettiest cities I've ever lived in. You just have to get to know it, know it well, and be on guard of where you are and what you're doing. Albuquerque natives really want nothing so much as they want to mind their own business and let you mind yours. Keep that in mind in your day-to-day dealings with folks and you'll be just fine. Albuquerque has definite problems. Crime and poverty are near the top. Sure, they need to be discussed in order to try and come to a solution, and merely discussing them because they do exist is not an unfair slam on Albuquerque. On the other hand, it's certainly not the only place that this is happening. It's a beautiful city in a beautiful state. With a little luck and a lot of common sense, it can be a really great place.

[Comment on this Posting]

I was bamboozled into moving to Albuquerque NM! - 10/13/2019

I call this place I have been living for 3 years, Albuquerque New Mexico, an Un-Enchanting Wasteland. They are building so many huge homes in the high desert that it is giving me all types of health ailments. It's not the crime it's not the people it's not the land it's not the sun it is the weather conditions that have destroyed me here. Constant dust is scratching my gastric and I have many ailments including tinnitus and other not so pleasant things due to the conditions of the weather and elevation and how it is and that is the only thing that is killing me here.

[Comment on this Posting]

Thinking of Moving to ABQ? Read This First. - 8/25/2019

If you are a Californian, Texan or New Yorker looking to move to Albuquerque for the cheap housing, listen closely: YOU WILL GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR! High crime, high unemployment, low growth in house equity and poverty. My 30+ years in Albuquerque were filled with crime and hassle. I lived in a nice NE heights neighborhood and had cars broken into (one was even taken on a high speed chase) and stuff constantly stolen like bikes and lawn equipment. My father-in-law got a neat steel buffalo ornament for his lawn and it was gone in one week. I once left my bike in the rack outside a gas station and came out and it was gone in less than 2 minutes! My wife had her car broken into twice and her basement broken into once before moving in with me. Look at the news stories from the past few years! An elderly woman got stabbed as she walked home with her groceries near the ABQ Academy (a NICE part of town). A man was found crucified to a tree in the valley. A guy was found decapitated outside a Walmart near Wyoming and Menaul. A woman was carjacked outside a Rio Rancho library. It doesn't matter where you go, the crime will find you! I finally wised up and got out in 2012. Since I left, a lot of the people I know have left too. And that's why ABQ won't get better. I took my business with me. My wife took her advanced degree with her. Our friends took their family and money elsewhere. The only thing keeping ABQ afloat is government money (aid for poverty, military money for Kirtland and Fed money for the Labs). If those jobs ever leave or get reduced, ABQ is in for a wild ride. And NM as a whole relies heavily on similar sources of revenue (welfare) and from oil and gas. In 20 years when solar and wind take over and the government downsizes certain programs, ABQ is going to suffer massively. Right now the only thing holding it all together is the money and intelligence of the wonderful people who work at places like Sandia and Kirtland. Once they leave the state, God help us all. All we will be left with is disappearing blue collar retail and service jobs for high school dropouts and panhandlers on every corner looking for their next hit. ABQ will become Gallup or Pueblo at that point. And back to the housing thing... I sold my house in 2012 for $220k. It's worth $240k now. Whoop-de-doo. My new house in Colorado went from $250k to $450k in that same period of time. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!! Nobody wants to come to Albuquerque due to the crime and corruption and the housing market shows it. Now we are late in the economic cycle and ABQ is FINALLY making some gains and drawing interest from people priced out of other cities. But make no mistake, when the recession comes next time, you will WISH you were in Denver or Seattle or Dallas instead of Albuquerque. Because there will be no jobs, no hope and nobody will want to buy your house. Go look up the stats on how many people moved to ABQ from 2010 to 2018. Then look at the stats for Denver, Phoenix or Dallas. Follow the wisdom of the crowds...they know what's up.

[Comment on this Posting]

Disgusting place that has so much potential - 8/16/2019

This town is disgusting! I had no idea there were so many panhandlers, sometimes four per corner. The drivers will give you anxiety by doing 25mph under or 40 mph over. Albuquerque has such potential since it's such a beautiful area but so many of the people that live here are lazy, entitled, and rude. I am relocating after 3 1/2 yrs of living here. Rent is overpriced and buying a house is tough for anyone that doesn't make $60,000. Even the gated communities have people sneaking in and attempting car and house break-ins. The dating pool is very shallow for working professionals that are any sort of quality people.

[Comment on this Posting]

Not for me. - 6/19/2019

Having visited ABQ for many, many years, I have to agree with the line from one of my favorite shows, Breaking Bad. Skyler asks Marie if she is going to visit Hank while he’s in El Paso? Marie replies “ El Paso, are you kidding? This place is Third World enough!” Couldn’t agree more.

[Comment on this Posting]

Old Albuquerqueans do not want you here - 4/25/2019

PLEASE DO NOT move to Albuquerque. We DO NOT WANT more of you from California, Texas, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, and many other states. You have ruined our city and have jacked up our cost of housing. You DO NOT really appreciate our culture and our beautiful, rich centuries old culture. Instead you appropriate our culture for monetary profit while displacing us to God knows where in the bad parts of town while looking down on us as colonizers when gentrification is a form of COLONIZATION. Hypocrites. Respect us or leave or better yet, don't come here in the first place.

[Comment on this Posting]

Corrupt, miserable dump. - 3/7/2019

Been stuck here for over a decade. Miserable, corrupt, crime ridden S***hole. Terrible schools, unresponsive, openly corrupt government, not jobs outside of the limited federal sector, idiotic sprawl-encouraging housing developments (Mesa del Sol, Santolina) subsidized with taxpayer dollars to put in infrastructure for what have turned out to be boondoggles, while the center of the city rots. Large parts of the city (e.g. South Valley) are no go zones where M13 and other gangs are the law. Despite the racist tone taken by some commenters, at least 50% of the crooks in government are white, like our former mayor, Berry, who destroyed the economy of one of the few viable neighborhoods (Nob Hill) with a stupid bus project, using federal anti-poverty money, that is presently nonfunctional and does nothing but further snarl traffic, but he and his wife got paid, that's for sure. Present government seems to say the right things but is ineffective and has done nothing to fix much of anything, and refuses to investigate, much less indict, the thieves who came before him. When I travel anywhere and tell people where I "live", the question always comes up if Breaking Bad is "accurate" in describing the place. I tell them it's basically a documentary. Ten years on we still cling to the show as the best thing that's ever happened to this place...and despite what Brian Cranston and Ryan Paul say about how great the people are (yeah, right, he was hanging with "real" people" here), and how they own properties in New Mexico...you can bet your ___ that they have ranches in Taos. Not here.

[Comment on this Posting]

One scary city. - 3/6/2019

This is the most dangerous city that I have ever lived in. Crime is everywhere, 24/7. 4th most violent city in the entire country, number one in auto thefts, lord only knows how many car jackings, robberies, assaults, murders etc. Things get swept under the rug, and many things just go unreported my our esteemed police dept (who are still under a federal oversight program resulting from past policies of shooting first and asking questions later). I first came to the city in 1985 and thought I knew where the bad areas were.....wrong! It's almost the entire city that is under assault. As if that wasn't enough, the population of tweakers, heroin addicts, crazies, dangerous felons, etc is uncountable because it's so high. I do love the light, and the Frontier restaurant is a state treasure, but that isn't enough to keep me here. People are uneducated and not very friendly either, and if you dare to mention the crime they look at you like they don't know what you're talking about. That baby is ignorance!

[Comment on this Posting]

Good place to travel through, but don't stop - 1/26/2019

I've lived in the Albuquerque vicinity for 25 years and the city has really gone downhill. It's horrible now with rampant crime, both violent & property. People will steal anything and you really don't walk around town without being able to protect yourself. It's a shame because the city really has a lot to offer in the way of things to do (Bio Park, hiking trails, etc). However, knowing what I do now, I'd keep on driving through!

[Comment on this Posting]

Don't move here. - 1/12/2019

I have lived here my entire life 50 + years, the crime has gotten out of control and it is time to leave

[Comment on this Posting]

Albuquerque don't like it here feel free to LEAVE - 9/20/2018

I'm a native New Mexican and I love this place it's home I've never lived anywhere else sure we have some problems but doesn't everywhere the city does need to deal with the homeless problem cuz it's getting really bad there are a couple areas that are rough neighborhoods but again you're going to run into that anywhere you go over all it's a great place to live

[Comment on this Posting]

Warning! Abort! - 8/9/2018

I've lived here for 6 months and I cant wait to get out! There is nothing vibrant here except the sun. People all look like they have desert face, being in the sun too long without any moisturizer. There is nothing to do here. This city is not only economically poor but ignorance is rampant. Try having an educated conversation with someone. The locals don't talk to you, no one cares about their appearance, and the biggest thing here to do is go to the Bio park or the Sandia Mountains. If your retired and like to sit around and do nothing, this place is for you.

[Comment on this Posting]

Better than my last places - 7/28/2018

I just moved here from Yucaipa, California, and Fontana, California. I actually love it here. It is better than the last cities. I have recently graduated USMC bootcamp, and it has a lot of places I can afford. For now I can stay with a couple of friends. I now live in a great area, near Los Altos Park and the highway. Honestly this is a better place than my old places.

[Comment on this Posting]

Sad Place Overall - 7/18/2018

Moved to Albuquerque in 2009 as a military family and finally left in 2017. It was seven and a half years too long! I have lived all over the world and never encountered such unpleasantness not to mention crime, like I have in Albuquerque, & that even includes some of it's "above board" middle to upper class residents. Never have I met such hardened, unfriendly, classless, & underhanded people! The rates of poverty, crime, as well as substance & alcohol abuse are out of sight! I realized in order to survive there & deal with the riff raff, so-called "normal" folks become jaded like the riff raff. That's not to say it isn't a beautiful city and I loved how the city has invested in a fabulous Children's Museum, Botanical Garden, and arts & culture. However, beyond that, Albuquerque rates below in education, high in poverty, and corruption. I would not recommend living or visiting their for any extended amount of time. When your city's best claim to fame is a t.v. show based upon drug dealing..."Houston, we have a problem!"

[Comment on this Posting]

Worst place I ever lived - 7/18/2018

We lived in Albuquerque from 2009-2017. Its a long story, but we ended up there through my husband's military career. Due to the cost of living and it's close proximity to my family in West TX, we thought it would be a great place to settle. We didn't completely love it at first but then it grew on us a little, however that didn't last. Never have I encountered more rude, hardened, clannish, classless people. That's not to say everyone in Albuquerque is like that. The arts and culture scene is pretty vibrant there. And it has tremendous potential to be a great city, but it just can't attract business or industry. Part of Albuquerque's problem is it's poverty and a corrupt govt. This contributed to a seedy culture of crime and high rates of drug & alcohol abuse. Finally, the straw that broke the camel's back for us was a murder (a random drive-by) in our middle to upper class NE Heights neighborhood. This could happen anywhere, but I'm afraid w/all our other complaints re: this city, that did it for us. We've left and hopefully won't be back.

[Comment on this Posting]

Not so bad - 7/12/2018

I lived in Abq,NM in 1998-2005. Since then I've visited regularly while moving to many parts of the country for work, family relocations, etc. Abq and the surrounding areas have a different vibe. There's definitely a good deal of poverty, but the arts and culture is like no other place I've been to. I think it all depends on what you like. If you want big city life and the feel of a high income area, this isn't really the place. If you want hiking and exploring nature outdoors, NM is incredible. I've considered places to retire in the Carolinas, but try exploring on a trail outside the big cities and you'll find some of the worst poverty I've ever seen.

[Comment on this Posting]

Love the View Here. - 6/29/2018

Albuquerque has a lot to offer and a lot that goes unnoticed. It is located in a beautiful part of the country with a mild climate, some of the bluest skies and most colorful sunsets you can find. It is enriched by the history and culture of Mexico, Spain, several Native American tribes, Central America and Europe, and that culture spills over into some of the best restaurants with unique flavors, and arts & entertainment. There is access to affordable higher education. A 20 minute drive will take you from Technology Park & Sandia Labs to working farms and quaint rural communities. The city has invested a lot in recent years so that there are things to do as an individual or family. and within 1-2 hours of Albuquerque are historic towns, the state capital, wildlife preserves, world class skiing, fine dining, spas, ancient ruins, art galleries, museums, lake recreation, camping, hunting, fishing, gambling, horse racing, farmers markets, folk art shows, outdoor concerts and the list goes on. Yes, crime exists here like everywhere, but can largely be avoided, and there are many neighborhoods that have very little to no crime. And yes, economic opportunity needs improvement, but there are high paying technology jobs, government contracts, top notch medical & medical research facilities, a large university and community college, start up companies driven by technology, venture capitalists, large hospitality and tourism organizations, and community of small business owners, entrepreneurs and others driven to succeed. For every one person that says they hate Albuquerque, there are probably 10 that are fiercely loyal and celebrate living here.

[Comment on this Posting]

Love the View Here. - 6/29/2018

Albuquerque has a lot to offer and a lot that goes unnoticed. It is located in a beautiful part of the country with a mild climate, some of the bluest skies and most colorful sunsets you can find. It is enriched by the history and culture of Mexico, Spain, several Native American tribes, Central America and Europe, and that culture spills over into some of the best restaurants with unique flavors, and arts & entertainment. There is access to affordable higher education. A 20 minute drive will take you from Technology Park & Sandia Labs to working farms and quaint rural communities. The city has invested a lot in recent years so that there are things to do as an individual or family. and within 1-2 hours of Albuquerque are historic towns, the state capital, wildlife preserves, world class skiing, fine dining, spas, ancient ruins, art galleries, museums, lake recreation, camping, hunting, fishing, gambling, horse racing, farmers markets, folk art shows, outdoor concerts and the list goes on. Yes, crime exists here like everywhere, but can largely be avoided, and there are many neighborhoods that have very little to no crime. And yes, economic opportunity needs improvement, but there are high paying technology jobs, government contracts, top notch medical & medical research facilities, a large university and community college, start up companies driven by technology, venture capitalists, large hospitality and tourism organizations, and community of small business owners, entrepreneurs and others driven to succeed. For every one person that says they hate Albuquerque, there are probably 10 that are fiercely loyal and celebrate living here.

[Comment on this Posting]

A lawless 3rd world wasteland - 5/18/2018

This has to be one of the worst cities in America, and it's 100% because of the reprehensible people (if you can call them that) that live here. There's not a single day that will pass without getting in some sort of conflict with people. half or more of the people are functionally illiterate (FACT) Half of the people here are in the penal system in some way (FACT), and 3/4 of the people here are 100% dependant on the Fed Gov't in some way shape or form (FACT). They are rude, ill-mannered, selfish,, mean and violent. There are less than 100 uniformed cops in this 550K population city (FACT). If you want to see Detroit in the desert come to Albuquerque. As for the climate, it's getting worse too. The Sandia wilderness here is almost completely dead. The desert is all the way up to 8,000ft now and more than half of the trees in the forests in the high elevations have died completely. Albuquerque is a place of death and i'm so fired up about getting out of this hole and up to paradise Colorado before the years up. Good riddance New Mexico, same as the old Mexico.

[Comment on this Posting]