very underrated, but not exactly the best
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2/20/2023
i'm from albuquerque. born here, raised in denver, moved back at 11. it's cool, there's a lot of great restaurants, the people are friendly, the vibe is laid-back, it's really pretty and so underrated. there's a lot of sun, which is absolutely great, i love the weather here, but the crime is BAD. if you stay away from the war zone, most of Eubank/Menaul, Zuni, and La Mesa, you'll be okay. but don't be fooled, albuquerque is dangerous. a TON of property crime, but violent crime isn't too bad (still bad, but not as bad as nearby cities denver, phoenix, and tulsa). it gets a little sketchy. overall, i love it here and it gets way too much hate from outsiders.
pros:
diversity
great air quality
pretty good water quality
a lot of stores
a very large amount of great restaurants (and 3 awesome food halls)
friendly people
300 days of sunshine per year (not a lie, unlike what our narcissistic neighboring city Denver says)
little to no traffic
outdoor activities, i'm not a fan but if you are, you'll love it here
bike trails, bike lanes, and other bike stuff (albuquerque is very bike-friendly)
lgbt-friendly
laid back vibe
a lot of parks
chill neighborhoods
cons:
crime
specific neighborhoods
homelessness
drug use
wind
sunburns, dry skin and other things
bad schools (unless you live in north abq or downtown/nob hill area)
the war zone
a TON of static
so yeah, that's Albuquerque for you. i'd give it an 8/10. great, but not the best.
Kurt | Albuquerque, NM