I and my GF will be moving to the Albuquerque, NM area in the next couple of months. We've only been there once before, so I'm looking for some local insight as to what are the good and bad areas to live. We're looking to rent an apartment and would like a manageable commute to the University of NM and main business areas in town.

Thanks in advance for any info.

 

Bring me In and Out and I'll give you all the info you need.

 

I got married in ABQ.

I wouldn't live near the AFB. I have relatives that live in east ABQ and near Moriarty (other side of mountains).

At least you're near major east/west streets like Lomas and Central. Lots of cool shops around there.

 

Agreed, don't move near Kirtland AFB. South Valley is hit or miss. NE are is nice, and part of the West. Post up the location of where your thinking of moving and we'll give you some feedback.

 

A couple of my posts from last week seem to have magically disappeared....anyway.

We actually spent last weekend in ABQ. Eventful trip. Drove overnight / Friday morning, and almost hit a big elk in northern AZ. In full darkness, the elk seemed to be feeding/strolling by the side of the road. All I initially saw was a big the darth vader glowing eye. Luckily the thing decided to squirm away and not towards the middle of the road. A couple of hours later, I did make contact...with a squirrel. It was dawn by that time; the squirrel decided to jump in front of the car and I saw it bounce off like a pinball in the rear view mirror.

Drove around all day Friday, saw a few of apts. North East at the edge of the mountains is nice, but too secluded. Plus I don't want to deal with driving in the 25-35 MPH side streets. Went "downtown", around the university, West across the river, then north towards Rio Rancho, then East again and all the way around. Saw a lot of "old" places and a lot of bad looking places (we didn't even get out), but mostly just places hard to get excited about. The only places we are considering are in the Cottonwood area. Still making a decision.

We also got caught out in the hail storm and subsequent storm/flood Friday afternoon. And to top things off, I also punctured a rear tire during the storm; had a nail on the other rear tire 2 weeks ago. I had to go search out a shop to patch it before nightfall. Anyway, the roads seem to suck big monkey nuts. Traffic lights everywhere. I will miss AZ roads an highways.

I did see a few nice 350Z/370Z around.

Any reputable places for work on the Z? oil changes?

 

BLVD Performance on 2nd and Candelaria. That's the only place I'll let touch any of my cars, especially my Z.

 

What is your budget? The housing prices here arent' too bad here, but just like anywhere the more you spend the nicer the place...and you will see 25-35 MPH speed limits in the neighborhoods all over.

I take my car to nm imports. (nmimports.com) Alex is a honest, great guy and I consider him the 300zx/350z expert in NM. Wouldn't let anyone but him work on my car - tell him Matt recommended you and he'll treat you right.

 

i lived there for 3 years. i didnt like it much. hails a lot, not many things to do (for me anyways) yada yada. then again im from L.A.

i'd rather live in phoenix

 

Thanks for the info guys. Decided on a place in the Cottonwood area. I'm from NY/NJ, and it took me some time to get used to AZ, now I will have to adjust to NM.

 

Albuquerque is an awesome place to be from.

 

Finally settled-in. My Z passed the emissions check with the ERZ HFCs, so happy about that. I have been warned not to leave anything in my cars by everyone I have talked to. Apparently there's a big thievery problem in ABQ. Pumped gas last week, swipe at the pump did not work. Went inside and had to sign. Just got a bad feeling about the lip-studded-tattooed mongrol behind the counter. Few days later, checked my CC statement. I find two separate transactions/charges on my CC from the place. My gas and who knows what. CC people tell me it was a transaction at the counter. Fghting it with the CC. Not so happy.

 

Ditto here, I ended up settling in Los Lunas in the huning ranch area and its been really nice and quiet here. The housing prices rocked compared to Denver albeit I had to do some research around the areas due to the sand and sinking issues but thus far all is good. There's a couple Z owners around my neighborhood too from what I've noticed although mine is hidden 24x7 in a garage. Don't have to do emissions thank god! Came from Denver where my car would fail epicly, no way I'm going to try to either take out the turbo's or freaking put in a super restrictive exhaust with a nit picky tune and minimize the boost just to pass, fug that I suppose the bribery route could always be attempted though for the ABQ peeps.