Re: ABQ has its pros/cons
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10/4/2014
To those who live in Albuq, never left, maybe you should broaden your horizons.
Born, raised, spending much of my adult life here, ABQ has some advantages other cities lack. Live in Denver it's an hour commute to anywhere, congestion, high cost of living, crime. Even Colorado Springs has a high crime rate.
Go to the midwest, you suffer insurmountable cold in winter, high humidity in summer- same goes for East. California is almost bankrupt, congestion everywhere.
Live in the Jemez, it's 45 minutes to any shopping, conveniences.Live in the East mountains, 20-30 minutes to E. Albuq.
Lived in other NM cities...Los Alamos, Chimayo`, Portales.
Tried living in Colo a few times, always returning to Albuq area. It's what you make of it....I find people friendly in Albuq. If you are not involved with the city, you cannot complain. Well, evidently you can.
Move if you don't like it!
Crime is high- yet look at other metropolitan areas. Even small towns have crimes, murders, burglaries.No city is immune to social problems. Unfortunately, NM has ranked at the bottom of every positive ranking (education, health), top 10 for drug use, teen pregnancy.
Even though Colo.is ranked 4th (now) in jobs....it's primarily the Denver area. Surrounding cities, southern Colorado it's still depressed economically. And not to mention taxes. Gas is about $.40 higher per gallon.
El Paso, Denver, Phoenix are close for any major concert venues, the last two for pro sports. I can remember when FEW bands/artists would tour ABQ area and if they did, it was mid week. With Islets and Sandia outdoor concert venues, it's brought in both 1-hit-wonders and current recording acts.
Yes, rent/mortgages are higher in Albuq, but it's whatever the market demands.
We do have a light rail- nothing like Denver, Los Angeles, Portland other areas, but it's an alternative. We do have a metro transit system that is decent. Not great, but we do have bus service.
Maybe you'll gain a bit more appreciation after experiencing other places to live.
natalie | Albuquerque, NM