**The Best Thing About Albuquerque?** The New Mexico way of life at a low cost.

Sometimes known as The ABQ, Albuquerque is deeply southwestern. Green Chilis are the staff of life here. It is not uncommon to eat them at all three meals in one day. The New Mexico culture is also deeply woven into the city experience. Nestled in the foothills of the Sandia Mountains (Spanish for watermelon due to the color) there are many pueblos in the state and some right on the Albuquerque border, a great deal of diversity and light traffic surrounded by desert skies. Albuquerque is authentic New Mexico and the cost of living is low. 

**The Worst Thing About Albuquerque?**  Breaking Bad wasn’t kidding. 

Public Schools are low ranked and crime is high across neighborhoods. low education levels, a high unemployment rate, and higher levels of substance abuse in the population. In 2016, Albuquerque is home to a large portion of property crimes reported in New Mexico and violent crime is high as well. It’s also fairly remote. The ‘International’ in The Albuquerque International Sunport is a lie. There are no international flights out of the airport and direct flights to big US cities are limited. The drive to Santa Fe is under an hour but driving to any other cities (Denver, Phoenix, Texas cities etc.) is quite a haul. 

**How You Living?**  Mostly Suburban

Central Avenue (part of the original Rt 66) is the big east/west thoroughfare and runs through downtown and the city is a car worshipping one.  Housing varies from single family ranch style homes built in the 40s, 50s and 60s (including the ever popular mid century modern) to more tony Spanish Colonial homes (Albuquerque Country Club neighborhood) and even homes dating back to the late 1800s (Huning Castle) as well as farm communities (North Valley) But, more urban styles close to downtown (Nob Hill) with easy access to University of New Mexico are a thing. Family Alert: The schools are better and the homes are still fairly affordable in Uptown.

Nearby areas in the metro include Rio Rancho, Bernalillo, Placitas, Corrales, Los Lunas, Belen and Bosque Farms. 

Even though there are 280 days of sun, the city’s elevation is high so there will be snow and cold. In other words, there are seasons.

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** 

There’s a startup and tech community forming, the cost of living is low, the natural  landscape is stunning and it’s covered in parks. 


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