Possibley Moving to Albuquerque, NM.......

[Hart_Rod]

Hey guys and gals. There is a job opening in Albuquerque, NM and I'm trying to decide whether to take it or not. I value the opinions of the board members and need a little help figuring out what to do. I've never been there and don't know that much about it. How are the schools? Cost of living? Things to do? And of course, what kind of truck stuff? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Moderators, I know this doesn't belong here, but it gets the most traffic and I have to decide by tomorrow (gotta love the military, ) Thanks again.

Rob

[low'n slow]

It is alot different than Florida. It is 5000' in elevation and gets snow.

[charlieo]

The mountains are nice, I guess the cost of living is a little higher than say places in Texas. Just depends on which school u want your kids to attend.
Of course there are truck things here especially some rust free trucks.

[bad_turbo]

been through there a few times. Real nice looking. High desert. Heres a link:

http://www.cabq.gov/

[Pl4yboy]

I can promise that the cost of living in the SW is less than Florida. Lots of rust free junkers. The schools are great here in OK, close to NM, but I go to a small school where there is a lot of 1 on 1 instruction if you need help. Feel free to PM me concerning life @ a small school or town.

[IvelDesigns]

i lived in alby for 2 years. my kids weren't in school then, so i can't help ya there.

they do get snow, rarely. when it does snow, it melts by noon. Living in Albuquerque is where i grew my fondness for spicy food. I thought it was the oddest thing in the world to pull up to a McD's and see "add green chili to your hamburger for 39 cents".

The balloon festival is awesome. it's there every year and is a ton of fun to watch.

there are two restaurants that i loved. One is called Dos Hermanos on wyoming blvd. they have the best breakfast burrito i've ever had. the tortilla is almost as thick as pita bread, and they load it with eggs, potatos, cheese, meat and red or green chili.

btw, if someone asks you "red or green" they are referring to the chili. my preference was always green.

There is also a BBQ place on wyoming blvd that was really good too. i don't remember the name though.

Santa Fe is not far away, and makes for a good day trip with the family. Lots of little shops and things to do. just be careful. when you go to open the door of the really old church there, it's heavy. the first words out of my mouth when i tried to open it were "Jesus Christ that's heavy" you get funny looks from people when you say that opening a church door....

hmmm.. what else? it's been 5 years since i've been there, so i'm sure things have changed some. cost of living wasn't bad. we rented when we were there, but i seem to remember housing costs were pretty cheap there. however, housing costs go pretty high when you get close to the mountains.

make sure you take a ride on the tram. we went the first night we were there. Go in the evening just before sun set. it's an awesome view from the top of the mountain.

i think that about covers it. good luck!!

[PBFAB.COM]

Seems there's lots of New Mexico guys that show up at the bigger events here in the Phoenix area. Besides, you'd be closer to me!

[Palf70Step]

There is no hurricanes.

That is about the only help I can give you, besides that is is in New Mexico

[PETEM1957]

Moved Here In 1981 From Denver And Love It. We Get All The Seasons And None Are Too Extreme. Cost Of Living Isn't Bad, Better Than Say Denver, Phoenix And Ca. You Can Still Afford To Buy A House Here. Schools Are Good And Bad Like Any Where Else. Great Food!!!! Diverse Population With Lots To Do. All Kinds Of Recreation An Hour Or Two Away. It's A Pretty Cool Place To Live.

[Putter]

Well, if you decide to go, you can drop off any extra parts you have in Jackson on your way over!!!
**see, I offered to help**

[Frizzle Fry]

Been there several times for months at a time with Intel. Here's my honest impression...

Good:

Lots of big blue skies
Santa Fe and Los Alamos are close and both gorgeous (skiing/snowboarding in Santa Fe too )
I did see lots of old cars in decent condition on my morning runs
High tech industry is taking off in Rio Rancho
Some great SW restaurants

Bad (no offense to anyone who lives there):
It just has a dirty feel to it. Literally the streets are dirty and everything is pretty much brown in the ALBQ area. This is especially apparent when you are coming back from a trip to Santa Fe. It becomes more and more disappointing as you get closer to Albq.
No ocean (if that matters to you)
Lots of Casinos on Indian reservations (could be considered good or bad, but I found them to be too much a part of the culture).
TONS of strip clubs and "Adult" type businesses (also subject to preference)
Cost of living is going way up (at least it was a couple years ago).
Lots of strip-mall areas like parts of Phoenix
I got the impression that crime was an issue, but check stats before you take my word on that

I really boils down to what you like. Most of the guys I work with HATE going there for any period of time, but I always had a good time. You can find great people anywhere you go. It definitely offers a certain lifestyle that some people really love. I personally wouldn't move there, but then again, New Mexicans might not consider a move to Oregon...

[68jimmy]

Originally Posted by PETEM1957

Moved Here In 1981 From Denver And Love It. We Get All The Seasons And None Are Too Extreme. Cost Of Living Isn't Bad, Better Than Say Denver, Phoenix And Ca. You Can Still Afford To Buy A House Here. Schools Are Good And Bad Like Any Where Else. Great Food!!!! Diverse Population With Lots To Do. All Kinds Of Recreation An Hour Or Two Away. It's A Pretty Cool Place To Live.

Well said. Not sure where your looking at in terms of housing, here in abq the west side has the most new housing development but the traffic is a %^HI*. I live near the university area which have homes that are a bit older but a lot more trees and more well established. As Petem1957 indicated our weather is great, low humidity abit dusty sometimes but that's the desert for you. Still quite a few trucks to be found with little to no rust. Good Luck!

[70rs/ss]

Come on over, then you'll be able to smile when the right coasters cus you for having so much rust free sheetmetal like the rest of us! It is a very nice town, the dust starts about Amarillo and continues till you get to Bakerfield!! You will see blue skies about 90-95% of the time, and the view goes on forever!! I was born and lived in PA for awhile (green grass and lots of trees) moved to TX (more grass and trees) then to Tucson az and now up in northern AZ (still some trees, sand, and the most beutiful views you can imagine!) How long will you be there? If a year (or 2or 3) I'd do it just to say I did it!!

[Palf70Step]

Originally Posted by Putter

Well, if you decide to go, you can drop off any extra parts you have in Jackson on your way over!!!
**see, I offered to help**

I'd be a much better drop off spot, I am right on I-10. Putter would make you go WAAAAAAAAY out of your way

[clay68c10]

Go for it. The west is the place to be. NM is on our list of choices for life after TX.

[Hart_Rod]

Thanks everyone for the insight. I really value your opinions and appreciate you taking the time to share. Looks like we're headed to NM in August as I've accepted the job to be the Commanding Officer of the Albuqurque Reserve Center. The whole family agreed last night and I told the detailer this morning. It's a two year tour, so I'm sure it will work out. I'm not sure how I'm going to get 6 cars out there, but I guess I'll figure that out, too. I do appreciate all the offers to store my junk, but I wouldn't want your neighbor mad at me, .

[Putter]

WHAT neighbor? Remember I am wrapping up a new house on 6+ acres (not as many as some....but enough for your extra stuff).
Come on....I will give it back in 2 years when you migrate back to Fla.....

[Palf70Step]

I can hide them in a shop!!!

Or in EdB's shop!!

[PanelDeland]

Hart,I think you will like it.I was born and raise4d in Amarillo Tx just east of there.You will probably experience a bit more wind than other places but not bad unless it's a tornado.You need to make time to tour the churches in the area,some of them are indescribable,as are the Pueblos.Southwestern art and music are also a cultural thing that should not be missed.Not saying it will be to your taste but life is about expanding your horizons.Places I would suggest seeing are
The church in Santa Fe-I don't remember the name but an unknown peasant carpenter built the stairs.
Santuario De Chamyo-
The Enchanted Circle -has lots of native artisans and such
Santa Fe also has several museums and Kit Carsons home is a museum.
Since you mentioned kids i thought you might want them to see some of the local sights and experience the culture.
Good luck and learn Spanish while you're there.

[Hutch]

Rob,
Here is some info:
http://www.city-data.com/city/Albuqu...ew-Mexico.html

[Psycho71]

There are Elk and Mule Deer in NM too. That alone would be reason enough for me to move there. At least then an Elk tag wouldn't cost me $500, it'd go all the way down to $89.
Good going, living there will be culture shock for a while, but the nothing like living in the SW US. And the is some very beautiful country up that way. But be prepared. Here in Tx we put the population on City Limit signs. In NM, they put the Elevation! I know leaving Dallas, and going to 8600 feet is a huge shock to my system. It takes me about a week to get acclimated. But when I come home, I feel like Superman for a week or so too.


Jay