Last year I discovered a number of reasons to move to Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque was the most pleasant surprise of all the cities I visited on a lengthy cross-country trip. I didn’t expect much, but I found a vibrant, exciting city with lots of things to do.
If you’re wondering, “Should I move to Albuquerque?”, here are some reasons to consider making the move.
Reasons to move to Albuquerque
When I started running down the list of reasons to move to Albuquerque, I was surprised how long the list was:
Nature
New Mexico has nearby mountains and rivers for nature lovers to enjoy. I didn’t realize that the Rio Grande ran as far north as Albuquerque, but it does. I went for a walk along the river and spotted several other folks walking their dogs or just going for a stroll. The city is fairly bike-friendly and there are lots of outdoor activities to participate in, including places to ski.
Weather
It’s sunny almost all the time in Albuquerque. But it’s usually not super-hot like some other cities in the Southwest. The humidity is low so temperatures are comfortable. In the winter, small amounts of snow do fall in the city, which I consider a good thing. It’s always nice to live in a city where you can experience all four seasons. I was told that the snow usually melts by noon the next day, but that’s fine – after some of the severe blizzards across the country this winter, I’d settle for small, fleeting appearances of snow.
Nightlife
The nightlife of Albuquerque is obviously not as happening as New York or Los Angeles, but there’s plenty going on. I was shocked to see dance clubs with velvet ropes and lines of people waiting to get in on a Saturday night. At the other end of the spectrum, I spotted plenty of laid-back dive bars. Some of the local folks I talked with informed me that Albuquerque tends to get a decent amount of rock concerts as well, since it’s on the road from L.A. to Austin. That’s a big plus!
Large green community
Recycling is big, and so is eating organic food and even growing one’s own food. I was amazed at the number of residents who have their own gardens. One couple I met grows all their own food except bread and meat. They have a huge backyard with a variety of fruits and vegetables. They’re even planning to get chickens next year to take care of that meat part.
Affordable housing
Apartments are so much cheaper to rent in Albuquerque than in most big cities. The friends I stayed with lived in a house three times the size of my apartment in Chicago, yet our rents are the same. The affordable housing is one of the best reasons to consider moving to the city.
Summary: Should I move to Albuquerque?
Albuquerque also has plenty of diversity, shopping areas like Nob Hill, historic districts like Old Town, and college neighborhoods. While visiting the city, I realized that I could live here. I probably will live here, perhaps in five or ten years after I’ve gotten over the Midwest.
Reasons to move to Albuquerque: Sources
www.albuquerque.com
Personal experience
