Woodside
Aiken, South Carolina
Albuquerque, New Mexico
What It Is Like to Retire in Albuquerque
Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico with 522,000 residents - many of them retirees. It was the 6th fastest growing city within the U.S in 2007. The city is set in a unique place near the mountains. Albuquerque is a vibrant college town, home to the University of New Mexico. Old Town provides an interesting shopping and tourist destination. Albuquerque is trying hard to make the downtown an interesting destination. The city and surrounding area provide many outstanding recreation activities in the adjacent Sandia Mountains, including skiing. Photo of Bernalillo County Courthouse in Albuquerque courtesy of Wikipedia and AllenS (public domain).
Where to Retire in Albuquerque and Home Prices
Albuquerque is popular with retirees because of its dry climate and beautiful scenery. As a result many active adult communities are available within the area. There are several neighborhoods within and around the town with beautiful homes and streets. Rio Rancho is a fast growing community within the Albuquerque MSA that is the home to several master planned communities. Placitas is another area that at least one Topretirements visitors has chosen as her best place to retire. See link at top left for Albuquerque Active Communities. The median sale price of homes was $361,400 in the 2nd quarter of 2023, according to the National Association of Realtors.
What Is Special about Albuquerque
The Sandia Mountains. University of New Mexico and its 18,000 students. Old Town. Outstanding mountain recreation and scenery. Great climate. Old history. Petroglyph National Monument. The Sandia Peak Tramway is the longest aerial passenger tramway in the world, ascending to the Sandia Mountains from the city. Very rich cultural infrastructure.
What Is Not Special about Albuquerque
Having to drive everywhere and traffic, rampant growth
Who Will Like Retirement in Albuquerque
Outdoor people and those who love living in the mountains or high desert. Many military people retire here because of the bases in the area (Kirtland Air Force Base).
Local Economy Is Driven by
Construction, Kirtland Air Force Base, tourism, Sandia National Laboratories, University of New Mexico
Climate and Physical Environment
Albuquerque is at an altitude of between just under 5,000 feet and almost 7,000 feet - one of the highest American cities. The Sandia Mountains are here and the Rio Grande River runs through it. Albuquerque is in central New Mexico. Winters tend to have daily high temperatures in the 40's and 50's, dropping into the 20's or 30's at night. Occasional snows usually melt by day's end.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Albuquerque is home to 300 visual arts, music, dance, literary, film, ethnic, and craft organizations, museums, festivals and associations. These include National Hispanic Cultural Center of New Mexico as well as various companies for the ballet, theatre, and symphony. The University of New Mexico offers many cultural opportunities. Bubonicon is an annual science fiction conference. Other events include the gathering of nations pow-wow, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, and the New Mexico State Fair.
Crime
The crime rate in Albuqueque is well above the national average.
Medical facilities
Albuquerque is amply supplied with more than 10 hospitals including Lovelace Medical Center, Heart Hospital of New Mexico, and a VA Hospital.
Transportation
Transportation options include Amtrak, Greyhound, a new commuter rail system (New Mexico Rail Runner Express), 2 interstate highways, and 2 airports. The major airport, Albuquerque International Sunport, is only 3 miles from town. ABQ Ride provides bus transportation.
Valuable Links
Visit Albuquerque Guide to New Mexico retirement communities Wikipedia page for Albuquerque
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