How is Albuquerque ·as a place to live?

[GOPBasher]

Everyone in my family wants to move, eventually, to Albuquerque, NM, or the surrounding area (suburbs or whatever). It's not for a few years, but my parents and parents-in-law want to move there; my wife and I want to follow them so our children can have their grandparents around. Anyway, I'm wondering how it is to raise a family there. I'm assuming that, recreationally, there are plenty of things to do because of the geographic diversity. And the weather is incredible, I'm sure. So, I'm basically wondering about education and economy. How are the schools that my kids will go to, and how are the public universities? Are there a lot of jobs, and what fields are big? Thanks in advance. :-)

[nightrain]

1. living in Albuq

I've lived here for about 22 years. Yes, there are abundant recreational activities, not so much water as you can imagine. The weather is usually quite tolerable. Maybe you've heard, "It's hot, but it's a dry heat". And generally that is the case. Depending on where in the Albuq area you'd live, it's in the 20s ish at night in the winter, and sometimes the 30s or 40 during the day. Summers can be warm. Right now we are still in the mid 90s with 60s at night.

The public school system leaves much to be desired, arts and creative classes/experiences are few, sadly, due to budgetary cuts. This is a very POOR State, and it's improving, slowly. The public universities are not world-class, but passable. They're still the best this State has to offer for most... it's almost affordable for lower income people. There are some private universities that are good. There is a private secondary school and a few other charter schools that are quite good.

I used to be up on the jobs scene, but not so much anymore, things change rapidly... Bigger employers are health care systems, public school system, some larger corporations, government work, the Federal Lab, military. There are lots of smaller entrepreneurial businesses. Pretty service-oriented, not manufacturing. Sciences seem to be big, computers. Intel just laid off 2300? people though. Rents and home ownership are generally pretty affordable, certainly about 20% or more cheaper than living in Santa Fe.

Come visit and check it out for yourself!

[GOPBasher]

2. Thanks for the review. And welcome to DU! :-) n/t

[nightrain]

3. Albuq

You're welcome. Hope you visit and enjoy what NM has to offer.