Short term rental? (Albuquerque: rentals, houses, gated community)

[64airstream]

Hoping for some help in finding a place to rent for the winter!

I normally pass the long MN winter by fleeing to AZ, but I want to try Albuquerque this year. I am not familiar with the city at all. I am a 41 yo female with a dog and I want to be near hiking trails, coffee shops, maybe a bookstore.

Of course I wish to live where I minimize my chances of being violated or killed, but I don't need a gated community. I have been all over the US and and know how each locale has it's own flavor (as a native of southern CA who moved to MN after marrying a midwestern boy, I'm certain NOTHING can compare to that culture shock ;-D).

I am open to renting a guesthouse as well as an apt as long as my dog (60 pounds) is accepted. I don't really want to spend more than $2k mo, but I have no idea of the rental rates, so that amount is more of a guideline. If anyone can guide me to areas I should be considering I would be very grateful. Thanks very much!

[ralthor]

Some quick thoughts for you:

We do still get winter here, not as bad as else where, but not comparable to Phoenix, just in case you were wondering.

If you want to be in nice area near hiking trails you will want to look around Tramway towards the mountains. That said it will be colder and you are more likely to get snow up there.

I am not familiar with the prices in that area, or what people will charge for shorter term rentals, or how big of a place you are looking for, but there are few houses in Albuquerque that rent for $2,000+ so you should be fine.

[64airstream]

Thanks ralthor, for your help :-) It's nice to have a bit of a direction in which to begin looking.