Relocation

Albuquerque is both the economic and geographic center of New Mexico, and the affordability of real estate and the reasonable cost of living have contributed to Albuquerque’s hitting the nation’s radar as a relocation destination. It doesn’t hurt either that the city enjoys a gorgeous environment, unique culture, mild high-desert climate, and easy access to other places of interest in New Mexico and around the Southwest. The incoming population is a lively mix of students arriving to study at the University of New Mexico, young and more-established families relocating for work and quality of life, and retirees looking for a place in the sun with a good dose of culture and activities. Although Albuquerque has the amenities of a big city, it still retains a smaller-city feel at times, with a “mañana” atmosphere that sometimes requires adjustment for professionals coming from a faster-paced environment. On the other hand, the rather less-stressful quality of life and great outdoor recreation opportunities compensate enormously. And although locals still complain about the traffic, you can’t beat that quick commute time—a drive of 20 to 30 minutes maximum is normal, or it could be even less, depending on where you live, which makes our friends from other, bumper-to-bumper metro areas sigh with envy.

In 2009 Albuquerque was placed sixth in the Best Cities in America list by Outside magazine, was put on the 10 Best Cities to Live by both U.S. News & World Report and Relocate-America, and notched up to second place in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s 10 Best Cities of 2009. The growth of the metro area definitely raises some challenges regarding urban planning and future provision of water, but at the time of writing, the city is maintaining a fairly even economic keel despite the problems on a national level. Some slowdown is in effect but generally not at the same level as other states and cities, thanks to the diversity of industry. There is a lot of activity in the technology and renewable-energy sectors, and the health-care industry continues to grow. House prices also remain relatively stable.