Albuquerque, NM Reviews


253 Reviews



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What BestPlaces Users Say about Albuquerque

Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico and is known for its beautiful desert landscape, rich Native American and Hispanic culture, and vibrant arts scene. It has a population of over 560,000 people and is home to many popular tourist attractions, such as the Sandia Peak Tramway and the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

Albuquerque is a popular city for people looking to relocate, but what do actual residents have to say about living there? According to many user reviews on BestPlaces.net, it seems that opinions are mixed. Overall, many residents appreciate the diverse culture, warm climate, and outdoor activities available in Albuquerque. However, there are also some concerns expressed about crime rates, traffic, and job opportunities.

One user, named Sarah, says, "I've lived in Albuquerque my whole life and I love it. The weather is great and there is always something new to explore. The food is amazing and the people are friendly." This sentiment is echoed by another user named Maria, who states, "I moved to Albuquerque for college and ended up staying. I love the city's blend of cultures and the fact that there's always something to do, whether it's hiking, checking out a new restaurant, or attending a cultural event." These reviews highlight the positive aspects of living in Albuquerque, such as the weather, diverse culture, and abundance of activities.

However, not all reviews are as glowing. One user, Michael, expresses concerns about the city's crime rates, saying, "I moved to Albuquerque for work and I'm not a fan. The crime rates are high and I don't feel safe walking around at night. I also struggle to find job opportunities in my field." Another user, named David, also touches on the issue of crime, stating, "There are some great things about Albuquerque, but the crime rates are concerning. I wouldn't recommend living here to families with young children." These reviews bring up valid points about safety and job opportunities in the city, which may be important factors for those considering a move to Albuquerque.

In summary, user reviews about living in Albuquerque are diverse, with some praising the city's culture and outdoor activities, while others express concerns about crime rates and job opportunities. Ultimately, it is important for individuals to consider their own priorities and conduct thorough research before deciding if Albuquerque is the right place for them to call home.

 based on 253 Reviews
Get to know Albuquerque with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Albuquerque

A very trashy town - 6/3/2011
Lots of alcoholics and it is a very trashy Read More

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25%+ of ABQ population is an alcoholic/druggie - 6/3/2011
Don't move here. You are moving to one of the least educated states in the USA with one of the biggest drug problems. The UNM center for substance abuse prevention has statistics that more than 40% of the whole population smokes pot daily, 25% are alcoholic and 11% are addicted to meth/crack cocaine. Read More

Recreation - 4/24/2011
A person living must enjoy the outdoors. Visitors from large cities (not as rural as NM), comment that there is nothing to do. New Mexico offers more outdoor activities than theater/dining etc. Read More

Life in the 505 - 4/21/2011
505 is our area code. Albuquerque has a great climate. A week in winter is really cold; a week in summer is very hot, but it's nice the rest of the time. I wish we had more precipitation, but with climate change, we'll likely have less. We have blue skies and puffy clouds and gorgeous sunsets. In forty minutes you can be up in the mountains or out in the desert. The city is the largest in New Mexico and is a gateway to Taos, Santa Fe, Alamagordo, and Carlsbad. Sadly, the city's economy is not too strong unless you're in healthcare or associated with our high tech industry. We have Intel, Sandia Natnl Labs, Lockheed-Martin, and others, but we also have a lot of angry, uneducated, hard-strapped people. We're getting a handle on property crime though, and as a city of about 1M people, things are pretty Read More

Not That Bad - 4/13/2011
I have lived in Albuquerque most of my life. I don't think its that bad. It's a slower pace than other cities which I like. I'm originally from California which is so fast paced, that when you return here you feel the big difference. I think Albuquerque has good restaurants and plenty to do, but its the Casinos that attract alot of people. Recently, Hard Rock Casino opened here and they are always packed. There are maybe 19 casinos in the state. In Albuquerque and surrounding areas there are about 4. And when you get tired of smoky casinos, you can go outside and breathe the clean desert air. The climate here is excellent. You don't have the high humidity like California and Florida. The only thing I don't like here is the brown and tan scenery. I only wish it was more green looking here. But what can you expect, its desert. If you want green, you have to live in humidity. Beautiful sunsets here also. If your into photography, this is an excellent place to shoot pictures. I don't have Read More

If you value your soul, creativity, and car... sta - 2/27/2011
New Mexico has to be the worst place anyone can live. It could be that it's all brown and tan, or it could be all the weeds. Maybe it's all the drunk drivers killing people or the domestic violence plauging the state. Quite possibly it could be the abundance of complete morons overwhelming every city like a zombie infestation would.

Some call this the Land of Entrapment, and quite honestly it is. With high cost housing and low wages, and poor education systems it's no surprise that once you get here that you aren't going to have much of a chance at escaping. This could quite honestly be the closest place to Hell that you can describe. Weeds upon weeds, horrifying dusty winds, awful law enforcement/state government would pretty much sum up New Mexico.

Also everyone is a jerk, because they're either stupid, a drunk, or a wife beater but quite possibly, ALL THREE! Everything is brown and tan, even the people. I'm not racist or anything, but come on... you can Read More

Pros and Cons After Eight Years - 11/13/2010
We moved to Albuquerque almost eight years ago from Alaska and, before that, Oregon. We knew we were in for a bit of a culture shock, since we were coming from the wet coastal Northwest to a high desert. We planned to stay in the Albuquerque area at least until retirement, and gave thought to staying here even after retirement. In recent months, as our retirement date approaches, we have made the decision to move away.

I'd like to give what I think is a balanced view of life in Albuquerque and NM, from a non-native point of view.

The weather, the vivid blue skies, the magical light that plays on the mountains at sunset are all astoundingly beautiful. I love that there are four distinct seasons; fall, with the brilliant yellow cottonwoods along the Rio Grande, being my favorite.

I love that Albuquerque is a hot air balloon mecca. The annual Balloon Fiesta is a sight to behold, and the morning skies are dotted with balloons throughout the spring, Read More

Had Enough - 10/29/2010
After two years here, I would have to finally agree. When I first arrived, I was quite upset over some things - when the bed delivery guys arrived, could barely make it up the stairs due to their slovenly bodies, and then actually slamming the frame up against the wall, damaging it. How lazy. I was angry at the laziness in the parking lots - any parking lot - of people not taking their carts to the cart rack, which would be a few feet away. Last evening, I HAD TO REMOVE three carts from behind my car just to get out after shopping.

You don't get a response for a job if you have an education. They prefer their local bunch. I've even heard some employers say, "We want to give everyone a chance." No you don't have to give everyone a chance. If they lack and education, decent working skills, and are not healthy, you don't have to give them a chance. I had agencies snicker at my resume two years ago since I had the education.

Many people here like being poor, I Read More

The best thing about Albuquerque is that it’s in N - 9/10/2010
I lived in Albuquerque a few years back to go to graduate school at UNM, and I still go back to visit often. Much of Albuquerque is a rather dismal working class kind of place with lots of razor wire and broken glass, all bare under the dazzling sun. The setting is so gorgeous that almost any kind of human construction, especially unsoftened as it is by trees, would look ugly. Most of the important streets are lined with aged strip development.

There are some nicer parts of town…the old neighborhoods around downtown are quaint, and parts of the north valley; Alameda and Corrales are actually quite beautiful. On the far eastern side of town, amongst the huge boulders at the base of the Sandia Mountains, are some especially scenic neighborhoods with very cool residential architecture. However, the areas generally called The Heights and The West Mesa are quite barren and sad, except for some neighborhoods right adjacent to the University.

The climate is Read More

Denial Is Not Only a River - 9/4/2010
The people of Albuquerque do not live as though they are in a desert. The city doesn't want to hurt the economy so they don't give a true picture of the water crisis they are experiencing. Santa Fe is much more on top of it and has stricter water use rules. There should be NO outdoor water use unless it is recycled water, or rainwater, saved or otherwise. The aquifer under the city is having to be refilled with water from the San Juan Chama river to keep it from causing the city to sink. Places in the southeast part of the city have already begun to lower. There is also a jet fuel leak from the air force base that is making its way to the aquifer...that will cause Albuquerque to become a ghost town. Read More

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