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Things You Should Know Before Moving to Albuquerque, NM

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The largest city in the state of New Mexico, Albuquerque lies adjacent to the Sandia Mountains and straddles the Rio Grande. A laidback, casual Southwestern city, it is the perfect destination for any lover of warm, dry weather, scenic desert surroundings, and delicious New Mexican cuisine. Saturated with Spanish and Native American history and culture and surrounded by natural beauty, the city is an unpretentious and humble place to call home.

If you are considering a relocation to Albuquerque, read on for the hottest neighborhoods, coolest sights, and other tidbits about this city with the silly name.

Albuquerque Climate

The city has a semi-arid climate, with mild to hot temperatures. Albuquerque is usually dry and sunny, with a pleasant average of 278 days of sunshine a year.

Winters are brief and mild, with lows rarely dropping below 40 degrees in the daylight. However, desert winters can grow cold after dark, with temperatures falling to the 20s. Spring is windy and warm, with very little rain. Afternoon gusts of wind can sometimes result in dust storms, or clouds of sand stirred up by the wind.

Summers in the city are hot and dry, with highs usually in the 90s and relatively low humidity. However, towards the end of the summer, humidity levels begin to increase due to surges in the monsoonal pattern. The city receives very little rainfall throughout the year and even less snow, with precipitation usually only totaling about eight or nine inches annually.

Albuquerque Neighborhoods

The city is divided up into four quadrants--Northeast, Northwest, Southeast and Southwest. Each quadrant is comprised of several distinct neighborhoods with something unique to offer.

Nob Hill is the city's trendiest district, located along Central Ave -- also known as the famed Route 66. Once just a suburb of downtown Albuquerque, it is now an eclectic mixture of chic boutiques, galleries, restaurants and nightspots. The neighborhood is characterized by kitschy signs and vibrant neon that pay homage to the retro style of the mid-20th century when it came to prominence.

Downtown Albuquerque is the central business district of the city, with a tons of loft apartments, shopping, dining, and nightlife. The up-and-coming EDo district (East Downtown) is home to tree-lined blocks of adobes, cottages, consignment shops, rooftop bars, and some of the best restaurants in the city. Historic buildings and businesses have been converted into new ones, such as The Standard Diner--once a Route 66 gas station, now a nostalgic dining experience.

Registering Your Car

To register your car in the state of New Mexico, you will need the following documents: vehicle title, your current registration, proof of residency, proof of insurance, and your current odometer reading. Your automobile may also have to pass an emissions test.

Upon moving to New Mexico permanently, you will have 30 days to update your driver's license. You will be asked to pay a fee of $16 and to pass a vision test. You will need the following documents: your current driver's license, Social Security Card, and two proofs of residency. If you are between 18 and 24 years old, you will also need to complete the "None for the Road" program, an at-home video tutorial on DWI awareness.

Albuquerque Schools

The public school system in the city is operated by Albuquerque Public Schools, one of the largest districts in the nation. It educates about 90,000 students in 139 facilities.

Additionally, there are several notable institutions of higher learning located in the city, including the University of New Mexico, the National American University, Southwest University of Visual Arts, and Trinity Southwest University. The University of Mexico's School of Medicine has been ranked one of the top 50 primary-care medical schools in the country.

Albuquerque Employment

The largest city in New Mexico, Albuquerque accounts for nearly half of the state's economic activity. Major economic sectors in the city include manufacturing, research and development, agriculture and trade.

The city is home to over 700 manufacturing firms. Major manufacturers located in the city include General Mills, Intel and GE. Numerous high-tech research facilities make up the Rio Grande Research Corridor in the region. Among them are Sandia National Laboratories, a facility dedicated to laser technology and solar energy, and the Kirtland U.S. Air Force base (also the region's largest employer) a center for weapons research.

Albuquerque Moving Resources

There are numerous moving and storage companies located in Albuquerque that are waiting to help you relocate to your new home. Be sure to do your research and obtain estimates from several different services before choosing one for hire. You can compare online quotes from many different moving companies and other services to aid you in your move, whether you are coming from the next city or overseas. Visit the following pages here at Movers.com to get fast quotes for the following services:

Living Costs in the City

The cost of living in the city is low, with groceries, housing, utilities, transportation and health care costs all falling at the level of the national average or slightly below. Additionally, living in Albuquerque is much more affordable than most other major U.S. cities. The median price for a home is just $169,500, and the average cost of rent for a one-bedroom apartment is only $623 a month.

Albuquerque Transportation

Public transportation in the city is serviced by ABQ RIDE, a transit agency operating a variety of bus routes within city limits, as well as commuter routes to transport workers to their homes in the outer suburbs. Most of the bus routes begin operation at 6 a.m., and many that run along the city's main corridor don't cease operation until 10:30 p.m. weeknights and Saturdays. For getting around downtown, the D-RIDE is a free service that shuttles passengers around some of the region's most popular spots, including the Convention Center, City Hall and Civic Plaza. The D-RIDE runs every seven minutes from 6:30 a.m. to 5:33 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Rail service is provided by the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, a commuter rail line that connects Albuquerque's Bernalillo County with the nearby counties of Santa Fe, Sandoval and Valencia. Additionally, many of the ABQ RIDE bus routes end at Alvarado Transportation Center in downtown Albuquerque, where passengers can connect to the rail.

Culture & Contemporary Life

The city is home to many cultural museums and historic attractions. Old Town Albuquerque is located in the Northwest quadrant and is the city's historic district. A popular destination for tourists, it features ten blocks of authentic adobe housing, restaurants and souvenir shops. The Albuquerque Museum and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science are located in Old Town, as well as the historic San Felipe de Neri Church, which was built in 1793. Nightly ghost tours are held to frighten and delight participants with tales of the paranormal, including the Old Town Spirits Tour, which includes stops at taverns for alcoholic beverages in addition to spooky tales.

The city is also home to over 100 art galleries, featuring authentic Pueblo art, southwestern jewelry, and pottery. Performing arts and cultural centers will also give you a taste of the rich, varied culture in Albuquerque, such as the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, the Hispanic Cultural Center and the Gathering of Nations Pow Wow, which features traditional Native American song and dance performances.

Dining and nightlife options are the best in the Downtown and Nob Hill regions. One place to check out is the luxurious rooftop patio bar, the Apothecary Lounge. Enjoy Prohibition-themed cocktails and locally-crafted beers while gazing at the magnificent view of the mountains at sunset.

If you love spicy food, New Mexican cuisine will not disappoint you. A fusion of Mexican and Native American fare, a dish staple is to smother it in a sauce made from green or red chilis--or hot peppers. Burritos, enchiladas, stuffed sopapillas, cheeseburgers, soup, and even Mac and cheese get spiced up with the red-hot condiment.

Albuquerque Relocation Tips

  • Acclimate to the altitude. The city is located about 5,000 feet above sea level. The increased altitude can cause lightheadedness until you have a chance to acclimate, which takes about 24 to 48 hours. The thin air can also cause dehydration, so take it easy and avoid strenuous activity and exercise for the first couple of days. Alcohol will also increase these effects.
  • Be prepared for sudden changes in weather. Temperatures can vary between 30 and 40 degrees in the course of 24 hours, so bring a varied wardrobe and dress in layers.
  • Spay or neuter your pet. If you are moving to the city with an animal, city law states that it must be spayed or neutered as well as have a microchip inserted for identification purposes. If you choose not to abide, you can purchase an "intact animal permit" for $150 a year. If you don't comply and your pet happens to be picked up by the city, you could face a $500 fine.

Nicole La Capria  Posted by Nicole La Capria on March 1, 2013

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