People who live in American deserts wouldn’t have it any other way. While most of us picture a dry and barren landscape, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Yes, there are parts of the desert that are flat, dry, and lack a certain level of charm. However, if you’ve ever been to the southwest, you know how breathtakingly beautiful it can be as well. The landscapes are amazing and the people are warm and inviting.
If you’re wondering if moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico is a good idea, we think the answer is yes. However, don’t just take our word for it. Keep reading for everything you need to know before moving to this amazing city, along with some helpful moving tips.
Is It Safe to Live In Albuquerque, New Mexico?
Your first and most practical questions are probably about personal safety. Is moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico a good idea if you have a family or are a single woman?
As with any large city, there are certainly more dangerous parts of town, where crime is more prolific. However, there are also incredibly safe neighbors to live in, work, and go out to experience Albuquerque’s exciting nightlife.
Your other safety concerns may be regarding New Mexico’s dangerous wildlife. There are snakes, spiders, and other insects that can pose a venomous threat. However, preventative pest control is an easy way to avoid letting any of these critters in your home.
Is It Expensive to Live in Albuquerque, New Mexico?
What about the cost of living after relocating to Albuquerque? Will it be affordable to live in the city?
Living in New Mexico is actually much cheaper than in many other states. Even in the big city of Albuquerque, the average home cost is $203,000, which is below the national average.
You’ll also enjoy lower costs for things like utilities, groceries, gas, and most other retail items. There is a sales tax in New Mexico, but it is relatively low. Currently, it’s just above 5%.
What is the Climate Like in Albuquerque?
When you think about moving to Albuquerque, you naturally assume you’ll be experiencing super-hot summers. However, Albuquerque is a unique area of the American Southwest that has incredibly bearable summers. The hottest month is August, which has an average temperature of less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
And if you’re excited about milder winters, Albuquerque can grant you that as well. While the nights do get a little chilly in the winter (primarily in January and February), the coldest day temperatures rarely drop below 45 degrees.
Precipitation, as you might guess, is low in Albuquerque. However, don’t be surprised if you see a little snowfall in the winter. If this happens, you should also expect much of the city to shut down, as most residents aren’t comfortable driving in or dealing with snow.
What is Commuting Like in Albuquerque?
If you’re from other large cities, you might be expecting fantastic public transportation systems in Albuquerque. However, they’re not as developed as you might hope. While there are various forms of public transportation available, you will be better off driving your own vehicle.
Many of New Mexico’s highways and roadways are expansive stretches of desert, which makes public transportation less popular. However, if you manage to find a home near your work, the weather in Albuquerque is ideal for biking or walking to work each day.
How Soon Should I Start Preparing Before Moving to Albuquerque?
If you’re thinking about relocating to Albuquerque, you need to start planning ahead. Moving cross country is no small ordeal. The sooner you start organizing your move, the better.
YOUR HOME AND POSSESSIONS
First, you need to start prepping your home for sale, which can take months to complete. The closing process alone can take one to two months. If you’re currently renting your home, your task will be simpler.
However, you still need to start collecting boxes and packing up your stuff as soon as possible. Even if you aren’t planning on moving for another couple of months, it never hurts to progressively pack up your home, rather than doing it all in one go. We recommend boxing up:
- Spare bedroom items
- Spare bathroom items
- Storage item
- Closets
- Keepsakes
- Decor
This will help you stay on top of things and remain organized. When people wait until the last minute to pack, things tend to get sloppy. Check out this relocation checklist for more tips on how to move cross country.
THE LOGISTICS
Next, you need to start thinking ahead about the important logistics of moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico. For example, what are you going to do for work?
If you are being transferred for your work, this shouldn’t be an issue. Similarly, if you work remotely, moving to Albuquerque shouldn’t matter, except that it might save you money since the cost of living is so low. However, if you need to find a job, start looking and applying now.
Additionally, don’t forget about setting up your home in your new city. Whether you’re renting or buying, you need to make sure you turn off your current utilities and services and activate them at your new place.
Finally, remember to officially change your address with the US Postal Service. You also need to change your contact information with banks, services, credit card companies, and anyone else who sends you mail.
Should I Buy or Rent a Home When Moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico?
This leads us to the next thing you need to know before moving to Albuquerque. Should you rent or buy your next home?
If you’re moving on a whim because you want to experience a new location, we recommend renting first, rather than tying yourself down with a home loan. If you decide you don’t like Albuquerque, you won’t have anything holding you there. And if you decide you like it, you have a cozy place established to live while searching for a home to buy.
As noted earlier, the cost of buying and renting homes in Albuquerque is quite affordable. However, you should still understand the cost difference between renting and buying.
When you buy a home, you’re building equity. However, renting an apartment is often much cheaper on a monthly basis as you don’t have to pay for maintenance, repairs, and updates.
Should I Hire Moving Services in Albuquerque?
Next, let’s talk about the cheapest ways to move cross country. More than likely, you’re going to need to hire a moving service or rent a moving truck. If you’re like most households, you probably have more stuff than can fit in one truckload.
We highly recommend making your life easier by hiring the job out to professional movers, especially if you’re doing a long-distance move. Otherwise, you’ll be making several long drives.
If you have multiple vehicles, you may need to look into car moving companies. Find moving services that provide options, such as enclosed and open transport. It’s also ideal to find an auto transport company that offers door to door deliveries.
What’s the Culture Like in Albuquerque?
Another important question to consider pertains to Albuquerque’s culture. One of the best things about New Mexico is its rich and diverse culture.
Albuquerque is known for its Native American, Spanish, and Hispanic culture. You can see evidence of it everywhere from small businesses to the various festivals, fairs, and fiestas.
The culture and atmosphere of Albuquerque are laid back. Most people love living in the desert and enjoying everything New Mexico has to offer.
What is There to Do and See in Albuquerque?
Moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico can be great for your health. The city encourages an active, outdoor lifestyle with plenty of outdoor recreational activities nearby. This includes things like hiking, camping, hunting, mountain biking, running, swimming, and more.
Just as importantly, because the climate is always favorable, it’s never uncomfortable to be out and about (except at night in the middle of winter). Each year, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta host hundreds of hot air balloons. You can simply sit and watch from the ground as they fill the sky or take an unforgettable ride over the beautiful landscape.
What is the History of Albuquerque?
The city of Albuquerque was founded in 1706. The Old Town district is the epicenter of Albuquerque’s founding.
It houses 10 blocks of homes and other buildings that remain in fantastic condition from that era. It’s easy to forget what century you’re living in as you gaze upon the Spanish-style architecture and designs.
Aside from being an amazing historical sight to behold, Old Town is also the site of countless festivals, fiestas, and other community events.
Should I move to Albuquerque?
Deciding to make a long-distance move is never an easy choice. However, we think moving to Albuquerque could be a fantastic idea for you and your family. Ultimately, it depends on what will be best for your life.
And if you need moving services in Albuquerque, we can help. If you need to transport one or more of your vehicles, use our car shipping calculator to find out how much it will cost. We pride ourselves on providing safe, secure auto transport to help people like you.
Good luck!
