...particularly Albuquerque? I have a few life choices to make soon, and this is a strong possibility of where I'll end up for the next few years. What are the pros and cons of living there?
New Mexico taxes the tourist industry to the last possible dollar. Expect to pay out the wahzoo in taxes if you stay in a motel or hotel room.
Alb. is a very high dollar place to buy a home and live due to Sandia Labs and the computer industries in the area. Check out the cost of everything as much as possible before you move there. A few years ago the average home price in Santa Fe went over $300k.
Also, there are water issues. Learn about the water shortage in Alb. area and north to Santa Fe. The aquifer is not adequate for the unregulated growth of Alb. over the past few decades.
I'm not saying everything is bad about Alb. and New Mexico. Some of New Mexico is absolutely beautiful. But cost of living wise you had better have your ducks in order before you move to the Alb. area.
well, they had to cancel the TV show "COPS" from that area because the mayor thought Albuquerque was getting too much bad publicity. They used to have Albuquerque on almost every COPS episode.
I live in Las Cruces which is a pretty nice area, could be cleaner in the city, but it is very nice outside of the city in the desert. I personally think Albuquerque is too big. they are also having trouble expanding the city for the population because there are mountains on either side. The cost of living is higher but not like that of California. There are ski hills close by and there are a lot of outdoor activities that you can be active in. I like some parts of Albuquerque but the traffic is pretty bad on the interstate, as it is in most cities.
The state is run by 100% democrats but more than half of them are gun owners. I think all of them would be gun owners but there are quite a few politicians going into Santa Fe that came from Kalifornia.
I am a student at New Mexico State University, not to be confused with the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, but the students in a lot of my classes say that the people in Las Cruces are a lot nicer than the people in Albuquerque, even though I think a lot of people here are pretty rude. I have also heard that there are cops around every corner in Albuquerque so check your speedometer often.
So overall, I love New Mexico and I love the land but I would be weary on living in Albuquerque. Maybe you could take a trip to see how the city is and see if you like it.
O, one other thing, New Mexico and Mississippi are always competing for the 50'th poorest state and for the 50'th worst education state.
Chris
__________________ Well done is better than well said - Benjamin Franklin
Thanks for the thorough response. I actually went to Albuquerque in November to visit and interview. Living in the Houston area the last 4 years, the traffic doesn't even compare lol. It wouldn't affect me much anyway as I would go to work earlier and leave later than most people. The cost of living I thought was middle of the road. Not the cheapest but not California type living. I did notice the outdoors activities while I was there. I was just wanting the opinion from people that actually live in NM. This is going to be a tough decision for me. Thank you for your help.
Albuquerque is not to bad depending on the area you live in. (Just like everywhere else) We do have CCW laws and this is an open carry state. You can carry a desert eagle on you hip almost any where as long as it is not concealed. (The exception is if you have a CCW, But who would carry that for your CCW?) Beware of road rage, people have been shot. The way it was described to me back in 1979, It's what you make of it. Of course up till then the only thing I knew about Albuquerque was that Bugs should have made a left turn here! Good luck with your decision.
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The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Albuquerque is not to bad depending on the area you live in. (Just like everywhere else) We do have CCW laws and this is an open carry state. You can carry a desert eagle on you hip almost any where as long as it is not concealed. (The exception is if you have a CCW, But who would carry that for your CCW?) Beware of road rage, people have been shot. The way it was described to me back in 1979, It's what you make of it. Of course up till then the only thing I knew about Albuquerque was that Bugs should have made a left turn here! Good luck with your decision.
My wife and I just moved here from being stationed overseas with the military. It is a good thing coming back now and acquisition of some new toys. Yogi is write the road rage is bad, especially the drive from east side to west of Albuquerque. Food is damn good, the small places and the Mexican dishes with both red and green (Called Christmas) tasty!
Crime is an issue here; but, I think it a majority of the states and the world.
They do have some good local beer. The Wine is well known, especially the St. Clair brand.
Very good outdoor range to shoot (pistol, rifle and shotgun).
Location: a secret lab on the shores of lake titicaca
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the unpopulated parts are great.
Albuquerque has all the crime and none of the charm of any industrial city.
i have heard it referred to as the worlds largest truck stop.
__________________ "I don't practice what I preach because I'm not the kind of person I'm preaching to."
NM's good with its gun laws... the Brady campaign gave us a 6 out of 100
Albuquerque really isn't all that bad. I live in the NE heights myself, which is a fairly good family type area. You'll likely want to avoid the south valley and a couple other areas, though. Other than that, we have some decent bioparks (zoo, aquarium, botanical garden), an outdoor public shooting range ($6 per person, all day, targets and stands provided) which goes to 200 yards, mountains near by... nothing good about NM is very far away from here. Also, we have a commuter train here... they hope that it will eventually go as far north as Denver and as far south as Las Cruces (second biggest city here, which isn't saying much)... but, it's a good inexpensive way to see more of NM when you don't feel like driving.
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The First Amendment defines America, the Second Amendment defends it.
NM's good with its gun laws... the Brady campaign gave us a 6 out of 100
Albuquerque really isn't all that bad. I live in the NE heights myself, which is a fairly good family type area. You'll likely want to avoid the south valley and a couple other areas, though. Other than that, we have some decent bioparks (zoo, aquarium, botanical garden), an outdoor public shooting range ($6 per person, all day, targets and stands provided) which goes to 200 yards, mountains near by... nothing good about NM is very far away from here. Also, we have a commuter train here... they hope that it will eventually go as far north as Denver and as far south as Las Cruces (second biggest city here, which isn't saying much)... but, it's a good inexpensive way to see more of NM when you don't feel like driving.
KOAT has been saying the ridership has dropped off going to Santa Fe. I love to see it go to Denver. Have you been to the indoor range at Paseo del Norte and I-25? Coworkers advised not too - too expensive, Since then I have been going to the outdoor range near the airport.
"Calibers" is a nice range but they don't like any 7.62 or larger ammo fired there. I tried to do some draw and fire drills and they had a cow. They are all about the plastic AR15 crowd that will drop a bundle buying their ammo and accesories. Personally, I think think they are stuck up, snobbish, rich people that look down their noses at my Hi-Point. I won't go in there any more!
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The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Thanks, I heard the same from fellow co-workers at Kirtland. I have an AR; however, I prefer the open range. Plus, with ammo hard to find nowadays, I tend to shoot my 9mm. I almost purchase Russian sniper; however, the gun was already taken, worst part was the availablility of the ammo.
I agree about Calibers (the indoor range). I've only been there once to look around (didn't bother with the range), and everything seemed overpriced. Seems that they're trying to market to those who don't know much else, renting and selling guns that I think are overpriced, as well as their ammo. I'd say stick with the outdoor range.
For local gun stores, my personal favorites are:
Ron Peterson's - huge, lots of antique and modern guns, good prices... best selection of ammo.
Precision Arms - small place, but friendly service. Got my 1911 (my first gun) here.
and... Shooter's Den - pretty decent sized place... good selection, good variety of ammo, friendly service... but they may look at you funny the first one or two times you come in. of course, it may be because i look like a long haired hippie freak... lol. Got my Yugo SKS here as well as my Stag AR-15.
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The First Amendment defines America, the Second Amendment defends it.
I agree about Calibers (the indoor range). I've only been there once to look around (didn't bother with the range), and everything seemed overpriced. Seems that they're trying to market to those who don't know much else, renting and selling guns that I think are overpriced, as well as their ammo. I'd say stick with the outdoor range.
For local gun stores, my personal favorites are:
Ron Peterson's - huge, lots of antique and modern guns, good prices... best selection of ammo.
Precision Arms - small place, but friendly service. Got my 1911 (my first gun) here.
and... Shooter's Den - pretty decent sized place... good selection, good variety of ammo, friendly service... but they may look at you funny the first one or two times you come in. of course, it may be because i look like a long haired hippie freak... lol. Got my Yugo SKS here as well as my Stag AR-15.
How do you like the Yugo SKS? I am looking at getting one.
I have a Yugo SKS as well. Mine has the flip up night sights but the "glow" to them has worn off sence it was built in the 60's. It is a pretty nice rifle and will fire as fast as your finger can squeze the trigger. The only thing I don't like is that the stock is a little short for me. However, I could fix this if I just add on a rubber recoil reducer buttpad. The whole rifle is made from machined parts which I think makes it better than most AK's. Also, the muzzlebreak made for a grenade and the grenade sights add to the cool factor.
__________________ Well done is better than well said - Benjamin Franklin
A real good friend of mine from high school lives in Albuquerque and likes it a lot. He has a job down there at an architect firm and says he loves it. I have yet to go down and visit him, mainly because I am too busy with work to take a vacation.
He and another friend of mine moved out there and he stayed because he loves it and my other friend moved to LA.
Yogi is write the road rage is bad, especially the drive from east side to west of Albuquerque. Food is damn good, the small places and the Mexican dishes with both red and green (Called Christmas) tasty!
