Moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico, can be a good idea if you like the urban vibe with a deep love for art. Living in Albuquerque means you will encounter diverse art scenes, good food, and people who know how to have fun.
If you are in the job market, moving to Albuquerque may bring you the opportunity to start your career. With the increase of non-agricultural sectors, you can start your career journey here. Moreover, Albuquerque cost of living is relatively affordable.
Here are 10 facts (plus tips!) that you need to know if you have plans to move to Albuquerque. After reading this article, you’ll have a better idea of how you can adapt and settle in Albuquerque.
1. A Glimpse Of Albuquerque, New Mexico
The Cultural Heritage
The people of Albuquerque take pride in their indigenous heritage. There are museums, a cultural centre, and festivals that allow everyone to learn more about the Native American cultures.
When you arrive and settle in Albuquerque, New Mexico, take time to learn about the local heritage. You can also join the fun during the festivals.
Enjoy The Weather
Sunny days happen almost all year long, for about 310 days. The hottest temperature is 92.3°F and usually occurs in July. This pleasant weather makes Albuquerque a tourist destination all year round.
Winters in Albuquerque are not that harsh, but there will be snowfall. The coldest temperature of 23.8°F usually occurs in January.
The lovely seasons in Albuquerque allow you to partake in outdoor activities all year.
Growing Movie Industry
The weather and location make Albuquerque the perfect site to make movies. With 310 sunny days every year, filming schedules can run smoothly.
Moreover, the unique landscape of Albuquerque has become the perfect setting for many movies, including Mars. No wonder Albuquerque is featured in so many movies!
This city is also recognised as the best city for the film industry. There is even film tourism in Albuquerque, where visitors can visit the filming location/set of certain movies.
2. Albuquerque: Cost Of Living
The overall cost of living in Albuquerque is lower than the national average. The Living cost in Albuquerque is about 8% lower than the national average.
The best thing about Albuquerque is the affordable housing. The average rent for a studio apartment is about $666 per month. The price range for apartments with bedrooms is between $821 to $1,705 per month, depending on the number of rooms.
For you who want to buy a house, the median home price is $257,400. This price is lower than the national average, which is $291,700.
3. Opportunities For The Tech Junkies
Besides the booming movie industry, Albuquerque is the best place for tech junkies. Companies like Intel Corporation and T-Mobile have their offices here and have become some of the top companies in Albuquerque.
Technology startups are also growing in this city. So, if you plan to start your career in the technology sector, you should consider moving to Albuquerque.
With the growing technology sector, the primary industries that employ most of the workforce in Albuquerque are tourism, oil and gas production, and federal government offices. The federal government is also a major employer in New Mexico that provides a quarter out of total jobs in this state.
There are still other promising sectors, such as retail, agriculture, and finances. So, if you’re planning to move to Albuquerque, you do not have to worry because there’s a place for everyone.
4. Find Your Neighbourhood Before Moving To Albuquerque
For your reference, here are our recommendations for three of the best neighbourhoods in Albuquerque. Safety and amenities are the factors that we consider when recommending these areas.
Nob Hill
Nob Hill is an area that is suitable for young professionals and new families. This neighbourhood has a mix of urban and suburban feels with relatively low crime rates. Restaurants, coffee shops, and parks are easy to find.
Families with children need not be worried because there are schools in the neighbourhood. The schools in Nob Hill are above average in grade.
Among all these amenities, the median rent price is still lower than the national average. On average, people pay $1,003 monthly for the apartment rent, and the median home price is $271,555.
Balloon Fiesta
This is a dense neighbourhood with a population of 79,076. Balloon Fiesta is the perfect area for young professionals and families of affordable rental and house prices.
The average rental for an apartment unit is $995, and the median home price is $200,783. No wonder most of the residents are homeowners.
The most famous spot in the neighbourhood is Balloon Fiesta Park. Every year, there will be the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta at this park. You can see the release of 500 hot air balloons into the sky.
To join this balloon festival, you’ll need to buy a ticket and check on a list of items you can bring. So, if you live in this neighbourhood, you can easily join the fun every year.
Westside
Most of the residents of Westside are homeowners. Of course, it is not a surprise since the median home price in Westside is lower than the national average.
The median home price is $206,706, and the median monthly rent is $1,225. The affordable housing price is one of the reasons many young professionals choose this place to live.
Westside also has parks and schools with above-average ranks in town. This neighbourhood offers a sparse suburban feel, with the residents leaning on liberalism.
5. Find The Best Schools In Albuquerque
Albuquerque has top-ranking public schools with high scores on math and reading proficiency. Here are three reputable public schools in Albuquerque.
Albuquerque Institute Of Math & Science
This school serves 367 students from grades 6 to 12. As one of the top 1% of schools in New Mexico, Albuquerque Institute Of Math & Science has high math and reading proficiency scores.
74% of students in this school reach proficiency in math, while 90% in reading. So, you can rest assured about your children’s academic journey in Albuquerque.
Desert Willow Family School
Another school in Albuquerque’s top 1%, Desert Willow Family School provides education facilities for grades kindergarten to 8.
The percentage for students with proficiency in math and language is 70% to 74% respectively. These numbers are higher than the average percentage in New Mexico, which is 21% for math and 33% for reading.
Early College Academy
Early College Academy is the school you want to enrol your children in before entering university. This is another top 1% school for students from grades 9 to 12.
With a student to teacher ratio being 15:1, your children will get to learn in a conducive environment due to the small size of the class.
6. Get Around With Public Transportation
Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) is a recent addition to improve the public transportation system in Albuquerque. You can get the information about the bus routes on the city government website.
It is also crucial that you take notice of the fare. The local government website has information for one day pass to 12 months pass. The fares are also different depending on the age. For a regular adult passenger, the fare is $1 and $2 for one day pass.
Getting around the town is not a problem with this affordable public transportation. Moreover, you can also choose between a taxi, Lyft, and Uber to get you to your destination within the city.
7. The City Is Covered By Parks
Albuquerque is home to abundant parks and open spaces for outdoor adventures. Here are some of the parks that you have to visit after moving to Albuquerque.
Petroglyph National Monument
This area is a site for 24,000 prehistoric rock art images. Spending one day walking the trail will bring you back to 3,000 years ago.
Due to the age of the rocks, you may find these images hard to see. So, you need to look closely to notice the drawings on these rocks.
Elena Gallegos Park
This park gives you a desert adventure with a beautiful view. There is a lot of vegetation, even flowers, growing in this area.
Visitors can hike or bike on the trails. They can also gather and hang out with family and friends.
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park
The Rio Grande is not only a park for you to enjoy nature, but there are also opportunities to learn. The main objective of this park is to educate people about the ecosystem of the Rio Grande, including the Rio Grande River.
In this park, you will find outdoor and indoor wildlife viewing areas, making it an excellent place to introduce animals and nature to your children.
Visiting Rio Grande Nature Center State Park is a fun activity no matter the season. If summers and springs serve the lush green scenery, then winters give you a snow-covered landscape.
8. Have A Blast At Festivals
Albuquerque residents sure know how to have fun! Here are some of the festivals that you cannot miss.
Southwest Chocolate And Coffee Fest
This is the event for the foodies. With a lot of chocolate and coffee to satisfy your tastebuds, as well as wine, jerky and many more food and beverages you can think of, foodies will be in for a treat!
The tip to enjoy this festival to the fullest is to arrive several minutes before the door opens. Also, make sure to have breakfast before coming by and a bottle of water with you because you are going to fill your stomach with tons of sugar during the fest.
Dragon Lights Albuquerque
Dragon Lights is an annual festival that displays Chinese arts and culture in the form of lantern displays. You will find giant lanterns with various shapes that represent Chinese culture.
In addition to the lantern displays, you’ll also be able to watch performances of traditional dances and try lots of Chinese foods during the festival.
This festival is suitable for all ages and can be a lovely and memorable activity for the whole family.
Albuquerque Lantern Fest
Ever dreamed of a lantern festival like the one in the Rapunzel story?
The Albuquerque Lantern Fest is an annual event, and the date may change from year to year. This festival is perfect for all ages since there are also activities for children before the night, such as inner bottle painting.
The lanterns’ ascension will happen after the night is completely dark. Everyone who comes to the festival will be given a lantern, a marker, a lighter, and a s’more kit. Remember to bring a blanket or wear warm clothes since the event starts at night.
9. You’ll Never Go Hungry In Albuquerque
There’s a diverse range of cuisines in Albuquerque such as New Mexican food, Italian, Spanish, Native American, and even Asian dishes. So, if you are a foodie, then you have a lot to explore.
Some of the foods that are a “must-try” are beef and chicken enchiladas, huevos rancheros, and chiles rellenos, which is deep-fried green chillies stuffed with cheese.
If you prefer to enjoy food at home, many restaurants have a delivery service. Some of the best restaurants with delivery service are La Salita Restaurant, Savoy Bar & Grill, Asian Noodle Bar, and many more.
10. Hacks You Need To Know Before Moving To Albuquerque
Write Down Precautions Before Moving
Writing down everything you need to have and do during the moving process is the most practical thing you can do. This note will save you from forgetting certain documents or travel procedures.
Some things that you can add to your note are precautions. You should find information about the precautions to take during your relocation process. By knowing this information beforehand, you can minimise obstacles during your move.
Get Contacts Of Real Estate Agent, School Officer, And HR Staff
To help you settle in when you arrive, you must keep the important phone numbers. Before the day of your trip, make sure to contact your real estate agent, HR, and school officer to inform them of your trip details.
This head-up will give them buffer time in case they need to prepare anything before your arrival. If you already have local acquaintances, it is also best to inform them several days before relocating.
Do Not Bring Too Much Luggage With You
Find a professional to help you with your luggage. This hack will save you a lot of time and energy.
Start your quote with Sanelo at least two months before your moving date to get your belongings shipped to Albuquerque. Contact us for a consultation first, then let us take care of your belongings, from picking up to safely delivering them.
Conclusion About Moving To Albuquerque, NM
Before you do anything to process your relocation, find out more about your destination city. Yes, Albuquerque is a nice place to live, but it is always helpful to know more about Duke City.
Albuquerque has sunny summers and mild winters. It means you do not need to pack or buy excessive winter clothes to survive in the cold. You will enjoy doing outdoor activities in its four seasons.
This city also has everything you need for recreational activities. Parks are easy to find, so you’ll have many opportunities to connect with nature.
To avoid any obstacles to your relocation process, you need to make a list of things to do and things to have. Keep important contacts to help with your relocation or work transfer. It is best to give them a head-up before your trip.
Moving your belongings to a new city can be a handful. Therefore, you should get Sanelo to help you.
We will enrol you into shipment protection, so you can rest assured that your shipment will be in good hands, even if you’re planning to move from overseas.
Interested to find out more about cities in the area? Check out these guides:
Frequently Asked Question About Moving To Albuquerque, NM
Is Albuquerque A Good Place To Live?
Albuquerque is one of the best places to live in the US. Of course, there are downsides in every city, but Albuquerque is overall a livable place.
The city has amenities for its residents. It even has parks and children-friendly festivals. The affordability makes this city suitable for everyone, from professionals to retirees.
Is It Safe To Live In Albuquerque, NM?
The crime rate in Albuquerque, NM, is relatively high. On average, there are 71 crimes every 1,000 residents.
However, there are neighbourhoods with a low crime rate. All you need to do is look up the internet for information on the safest area or ask for recommendations if you have local acquaintances.
How Much Should I Make To Live In Albuquerque?
On average, people in Albuquerque make $64,351 annually. That means their monthly earning is around $5,000.
$5,000 is not a bad number, especially if you look at the low cost of living in Albuquerque. You are still able to live in a decent area and save for the rainy days.
How Do I Start A Quote With Sanelo?
Visit our website to start a quote with us. If you need more information about how Sanelo can help you move, you can click on the local and international moving articles.
If you want to know more about tips and advice about moving or relocating, then you should check out these articles.