The Duke City Rocks
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7/9/2009
I have lived all over the country (Atlanta GA, San Antonio TX, Los Angeles CA, Danbury CT, St. Louis MO, & Boise ID) and have enjoyed them all. Albuquerque by far has the best climate in that there are four seasons but all are mild. Summer highs are around 96, and winter lows (daytime) in the 40's. Spring and fall are both long enough to enjoy and let's not forget CHILE!! Red or Green, this stuff is awesome. The tri-cultural aspect of the state makes for an excellent mix of people and races and there is no segregation. Everyone seems to get along well. Even gay people and interracial couples find it comfortable here!
The mountains, the high desert cool evenings, the sunsets, the people, the arts, all add up to astonishing!
You will hear about crime being an issue, but truly the homocides are isolated to gang activity in pockets of the city, and/or domestic stuff. I have never had an issue with crime personally, nor do I know of anyone that has. Like any city, there is bad but the good outweights that in abundance!
For a city of 500,000 (800,000 greater Albuquerque), there is much to do. A first rate zoo, connected by small train to the Bio Park which has a great botanical garden and aquatic park; awesome museums (Albuquerque Museum, NM Museum of Natural History, Albuquerque International Balloon Museum and about a half dozen others).
The UNM Lobos provide excitement in their 40,000 seat Stadium, basketball has THE PIT and 18,000 avid fans (now undergoing a $63million renovation), Isotopes Park - the class act of AAA Baseball and farm club of the LA Dodgers), NM Scorpions - a minor league hockey team, and last year a new indoor football team.
Nob Hill is a fashionable area for restaurants, shops, bars, and a real live art deco area. Downtown is up and coming and right now is the center for younger people's entertainment.
There are two major shopping centers, and a new complex called ABQ Uptown - an outside mall with streets and art and shops like Pottery Barn, Black & White, etc.
By the way, it is called the Duke City after its namesake, the Duke of Alburquerque Spain.
Bienvenidos!
Theo | Albuquerque, NM