PCS'ing to Kirtland AFB (Albuquerque, Santa Fe: appointed, apartments, rental)

[td333]

I have just a few questions about the city of Albuquerque.


I am PCS’ing to Kirtland AFB in March/April of next year. I am in a rather unique situation, sort of. I have been living in the Netherlands for the past three years. I have adjusted to European life fairly easy. I’m not big into partying anymore, but it the party scene in Europe is amazing, even in the small town of Maastricht where I currently live. Here in Maastricht there is a very large international university, so I have friends from all over the world. Norway, England, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, parts of Africa, Poland, Estonia.. etc etc etc. Crime here is irrelevant, there is none. There are people that pretend to be ‘gangsters’, but are far from it. Riding around doing wheelies on mopeds and bicycles, shouting at people is hardly gang activity…especially for me, since I’m originally from Saint Louis.


My girl friend is English / Dutch and by this I mean she is English, but has been living in Holland most of her life. We have been together for quite some time now and she will be coming with me to live in the States (not getting married, working on getting student visa, etc). I have adjusted to European life, yes.. riding my bike to the shop, walking everywhere, taking the train… the people, but I can adjust back to living in America pretty easily. But, I’m slightly worried about my girl friend. She came with me to the Army base and mentioned how nice everyone was there and that it’s “not like in films”. I told her it would be this way in the states as well… I’m not sure what crime is like in ABQ, but this is what worries me. My girl friend is rather outgoing and will talk to anyone… and the ‘gangsters’, since over here they are nothing. If you talk back to them they’ll shut up or won’t do anything, but I know it’s not like that in America. So… I’ll really have to reinforce that point with my girl friend over and over.
Ok, to the point (questions.. most of which would be orientated for my girl friend)…


1. What is the housing market like? I was considering buying a house, but will it be hard to sell it when I leave?

2. Where should I buy or rent a house/apartment? My girl friend will be trying to get into UNM, so living near the university would be ideal. Maybe, living somewhere with little crime and a lot to do. I realize most of the time you can’t get the best of both worlds. I was thinking downtown area or near the university. I’ll be able to spend about 900-1100 a month on housing.

3. What is the university like? Is it hard to get into? How are the university students?

4. What is the ‘night life’ like? Good partying? Good atmosphere?

5. How are the people? Friendly? Outgoing?

6. How is the music scene?

7. I have so many questions, but when I started typing this I forgot everything…

[Billygoat the Kid]

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

I have just a few questions about the city of Albuquerque.


I am PCS’ing to Kirtland AFB in March/April of next year. I am in a rather unique situation, sort of. I have been living in the Netherlands for the past three years. I have adjusted to European life fairly easy. I’m not big into partying anymore, but it the party scene in Europe is amazing, even in the small town of Maastricht where I currently live. Here in Maastricht there is a very large international university, so I have friends from all over the world. Norway, England, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Holland, parts of Africa, Poland, Estonia.. etc etc etc. Crime here is irrelevant, there is none. There are people that pretend to be ‘gangsters’, but are far from it. Riding around doing wheelies on mopeds and bicycles, shouting at people is hardly gang activity…especially for me, since I’m originally from Saint Louis.

Hi, Tom.

Well, that is quite a move! How did you decide on Albuquerque of all places??? Man, if I was still on base, I'd transfer out to Hickman AFB in a New York minute!

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

My girl friend is English / Dutch and by this I mean she is English, but has been living in Holland most of her life. We have been together for quite some time now and she will be coming with me to live in the States (not getting married, working on getting student visa, etc). I have adjusted to European life, yes.. riding my bike to the shop, walking everywhere, taking the train… the people, but I can adjust back to living in America pretty easily. But, I’m slightly worried about my girl friend. She came with me to the Army base and mentioned how nice everyone was there and that it’s “not like in films”. I told her it would be this way in the states as well… I’m not sure what crime is like in ABQ, but this is what worries me. My girl friend is rather outgoing and will talk to anyone… and the ‘gangsters’, since over here they are nothing. If you talk back to them they’ll shut up or won’t do anything, but I know it’s not like that in America. So… I’ll really have to reinforce that point with my girl friend over and over.
Ok, to the point (questions.. most of which would be orientated for my girl friend)…

The biggest concern I would have for your girlfriend would be culture shock. Coming from Europe/England/Holland to Burque is going to be quite a shock to her system. People here are sooo much different than there and even the rest of the U.S.

First of all, I'd be weary of talking to any 'ganstas', even the wannabe types. There are some serious douchebags here and a lot of them think they are tough and invincible. And guns are MUCH more readily available out here! That will be another thing that is way different than Europe.

Just remember to try your best to avoid trouble. Most of the time it won't follow you. This isn't St. Louis, but it does have a high crime rate and the gangbangers - even the wannabees - can still be trouble if they have a chip on their shoulder.

Also, be prepared to own a car. You really cannot commute in ABQ without one. Sure, we have buses and the Railrunner, but it is nothing like what you are used to in Europe, where you can practically walk, bike, or take a train to wherever you want.

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

1. What is the housing market like? I was considering buying a house, but will it be hard to sell it when I leave?

Probably. The housing market here isn't what it was 2 years ago. It's quite slow.

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

2. Where should I buy or rent a house/apartment? My girl friend will be trying to get into UNM, so living near the university would be ideal. Maybe, living somewhere with little crime and a lot to do. I realize most of the time you can’t get the best of both worlds. I was thinking downtown area or near the university. I’ll be able to spend about 900-1100 a month on housing.

I'd try for a home or casita near the UNM north campus, by the law school. Craigslist has some good homes for rent there. Just type in 'UNM North' or 'UNM' and you'll get some hits. It's a nicer area than the 'student ghetto', which isn't all that bad, but Central Ave. is a high area of crime.

Please see my other posts about this.

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

3. What is the university like? Is it hard to get into? How are the university students?

The university is quite good, IMHO. I go there now and although it is not your typical college campus that you see on Animal House, etc., it is a good school. And the tuition is impossible to beat. You can get up to 18 credit hours for about $7,000 for non-residents. However... depending on her Major, she can go to CNM to take courses that can transfer to UNM in order to establish residency! And it is not hard at all to get into. After all, the allowed me back in. And the students are just fine. I've never had a problem with anyone... yet.

Check this --> UNM (http://registrar.unm.edu/schedule/Spring2010/Sprg2010GeneralInfo.pdf - broken link) website for tuition. And be sure to check out CNM's website too.

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

4. What is the ‘night life’ like? Good partying? Good atmosphere?

Bro, I have to be brutally honest with you and tell you that the nightlife here in Burque is a complete and utter joke. You and your GF are going to be truly disappointed, especially coming from Amsterdam and most of Europe. The best thing here is Nob Hill (east of UNM campus), downtown (blah!), and the casinos. That's it.

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

5. How are the people? Friendly? Outgoing?

People here are relatively friendly. However, I think the meanest people I have ever met are from here. It's probably due to the lack of resources (jobs, money, career, education) that does it, and it goes from generation to generation. I speak as a native and as one who has lived in a few other cities and been around the block a few times. Let me tell you, the people here are much more different than what you are used to. The people here are just not as open as in other places. Some find it very difficult to make friends here (I don't). But there are nice folks here - you just have to look for them.

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

6. How is the music scene?

I hate to disappoint you again, but the music scene left Burque in the 90's. We used to have a great music scene here, but I think our government (gee, thanks Marty!) kinda chased them out of here. It's not as fun as it used to be back in the 80's and 90's.

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

7. I have so many questions, but when I started typing this I forgot everything…

I will say the food here is fantastic. And you cannot beat the weather. We have a mild-to hot summer, mild and windy spring, a not-so-freezing winter, and probably the best fall in the U.S. And it's an easy city to live in, compared to the taxed-to-death east coast and the traffic-ridden west coast. It's not very expensive to live here.

I hope this move works out for you and the GF. Good luck on your move!!!



--BtK

[td333]

Awesome information, appreciate it. I'm moving here because I've been forced to PCS from my assignment here back to the states...

As far as housing goes...I was looking at renting or buying a loft in the downtown area (The Lofts at Albuquerque High - Loft Apartments, Condos, Townhomes, Retail-Office Space).

As far as the partying scene is concerned, I was thinking more like the 'college' partying scene... house parties, hanging out, etc.

Anyways... I'm going to assume that 'partying' doesn't take place until wee hours of the morning (8,9, 10am)?

I do have a car, but I would preferably like to live somewhere that one wouldn't be really necessary (obviously besides driving to base).

Tuition does seem pretty good (although, nothing compared to free that is in Europe).

Oh, I am going to miss Europe. Four hours to Paris, two to Amsterdam, five to Berlin, few hours to England... cheap flying, GOOD beer...sigh. My girl friends parents went to America on holiday and said New Mexico/Santa Fe was one of their favorite places. So, that was a good start breaking the news to my girl friend.

[Billygoat the Kid]

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

Awesome information, appreciate it. I'm moving here because I've been forced to PCS from my assignment here back to the states...

Ah. Bummer!

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

As far as housing goes...I was looking at renting or buying a loft in the downtown area (The Lofts at Albuquerque High - Loft Apartments, Condos, Townhomes, Retail-Office Space).

That's not a bad place. They are kinda far from UNM, compared to my suggestion. I'd rent first, then decide if I like them well enough to buy.

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

As far as the partying scene is concerned, I was thinking more like the 'college' partying scene... house parties, hanging out, etc.

Oh. Hmmm... I am sure that stuff still goes on. I'm not too sure, as I am older than when I was a frat boy party maniac when I was first at UNM in the early and mid 90's. Man, those were the days.

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

Anyways... I'm going to assume that 'partying' doesn't take place until wee hours of the morning (8,9, 10am)?

I honestly could not tell you.

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

I do have a car, but I would preferably like to live somewhere that one wouldn't be really necessary (obviously besides driving to base).

Perfect.

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

Tuition does seem pretty good (although, nothing compared to free that is in Europe).

Technically, it's not "free", if tax dollars are being paid. But, you can always get Pell Grants for UNM. That should cover most, if not all of the cost of tuition.

Originally Posted by tommodonahue

Oh, I am going to miss Europe. Four hours to Paris, two to Amsterdam, five to Berlin, few hours to England... cheap flying, GOOD beer...sigh. My girl friends parents went to America on holiday and said New Mexico/Santa Fe was one of their favorite places. So, that was a good start breaking the news to my girl friend.

Man, that sounds like paradise to me. I need to make a trip out there for this summer. Anyway, welcome to Burque. Enjoy the food!


--BtK

[td333]

Awesome. I'm not really concerned with the university partying, however my girl friend is. I've been there, done that.. like you've said. She has too (she's been drinking/partying since about 14), but still has some left in her...

Not sure if she can get Pell Grants for UNM, since she isn't American. But... I'll have to research more on financing options for her.

Once I get there, I can assume that my housing office will provide more information on lofts/condos that are close to UNM.

Thanks for the info.

Oh and I am pretty stoked about the food..

[lisdol]

I'd definitely look into the area around UNM - if you can find a rental you can afford near north campus or West of Carlisle/east of UNM/north of central (the Monte Vista neighborhood) - its a really pretty area and a short walk to campus - no parking issues for her (in fact, its as close as a lot of the parking if not closer - and a straight shot - and a quick and pretty drive down Carlisle to the Carlisle gate for Kirtland. Since its just you two and you are used to Europe-sized housing, you can probably find something in that area that is acceptable - its not cheap and the houses are small for a family but for two I think you can make do just fine. Its a very walkable area as well which should help with some of the culture shock.

[td333]

yeah, i'll consider that, thanks. walking is a big issue.. sort of, for her. I'd rather her not drive anywhere since she'll be a new driver.. driving in holland is bad enough, with all the buses, bikes, scooters, taxis, trams, etc.

as far as culture shock goes, well.. its really for her. i'm used to the moving around... before europe i was based in minot north dakota. i'm kind of used to the 'put up and shut up' attitude. but as far as i can tell... abq looks amazing and im pretty excited to come. my chances were pretty high to go back to minot, so i was also excited about not having to go there again.

[lisdol]

lol no kidding about Minot. ugh.

So glad that is not one of the possible places we could go.

[violent cello]

If your girlfriend has good GCSEs and remotely good A Levels, she should walk into UNM. They have international requirements listed on there, but I can't remember what they are. UNM offers exchange programs with Hull University, the University of East Anglia, and the University of Aberdeen to name a few, so she should view UNM as being on a par with those.

If her school qualifications are Dutch, I don't know what those requirements are

[td333]

She's graduated IB with 32 points or something.

Originally Posted by violent cello

If your girlfriend has good GCSEs and remotely good A Levels, she should walk into UNM. They have international requirements listed on there, but I can't remember what they are. UNM offers exchange programs with Hull University, the University of East Anglia, and the University of Aberdeen to name a few, so she should view UNM as being on a par with those.

If her school qualifications are Dutch, I don't know what those requirements are