No. 2 Albuquerque, New Mexico
By Bob Frick, Senior Editor
From Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, July 2009
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Population: 819,576
Income Growth: 7.8%
Cost of Living Index: 98
Median Household Income: $45,634
Percentage of Workforce in Creative Class: 30%
What Albuquerque wants, Albuquerque gets -- and the city and state crave high-tech jobs, especially in the renewable-energy industry. So when Schott North America made overtures to many cities about hosting its flagship solar-panel plant, Albuquerque and New Mexico pounced. "We were overwhelmed with collaboration and enthusiasm," says Schott chief executive Gerald Fine.
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Officials enlisted two of the city's crown jewels to help entice Schott. The first, Sandia National Laboratories, is the government-owned, Lockheed Martin-run research-and-development engine for national defense. Sandia's gaggle of PhDs routinely collaborate with local businesses to develop technology. The second, the University of New Mexico, comes with its own R&D chops, plus tailor-made programs to educate workers in key Albuquerque industries.
The city and state also cut red tape and loaded up on incentives to attract Schott. Gov. Bill Richardson gave Fine his personal cell-phone number, just in case Fine needed help untangling any snags. Schott began looking for a site in July 2007, and it was ramping up production at its spanking-new plant in April of this year. "That's an astounding feat," says Fine. The plant's 350 employees will soak up some of the 2,000 workers laid off from chip maker Intel, a major local employer.
Albuquerque is developing its film industry with the same zeal. No Country for Old Men was made here, as was the latest in the Terminator series, Terminator Salvation, filmed at Albuquerque Studios. The industry has grown from 100 people eight years ago to 3,000 today, many of whom are locals trained for the new jobs. "We had one guy go from hauling wood to Hollywood," says Lisa Strout, of the New Mexico Film Office. It doesn't hurt that New Mexico pays 25% of the cost of films made locally. Strout says the city's vibrant arts community makes Hollywood types feel at home.
The city is a mélange of cultures. Native American and Hispanic influences flavor the architecture and food (when natives ask "Green or red?" they're talking about which chile sauce you prefer). A stretch of the old Route 66 has evolved into a funky, neon-charged neighborhood of shops and restaurants called Nob Hill.
Albuquerque bills itself as a green city and, figuratively speaking, it is. The city requires everything from homes to commercial buildings to be energy-efficient. And an impressive grid of bike paths makes it possible to commute from any point A to point B. A bike-only trail also runs along the Rio Grande, which bisects the city. But it's only along this corridor that the city is literally green. Elsewhere, you'll have to appreciate the many shades of reds and browns that color the Southwest.
Reader Comments (25)
Posted by: pam at 05/26/2009 06:31:44 PM
I moved in here 2 years ago and have never looked back (East)! It is great!
Posted by: Mark Baker at 05/26/2009 06:47:55 PM
It's nice to see an educated article from someone that appreciates what ABQ has to offer. But shhhhhh, don't tell so many people. ;-) As an architect in Albuquerque, it is fun to work with the traditional architectural styles and mix in ABQ's funky side too.
Posted by: Lynne W at 05/26/2009 11:56:29 PM
It's not a nice city. It's brutally expensive for the SW, has *terrible* public schools, the traffic situation is out of control, and you haven't seen corruption 'til you've seen 400 year old government corruption. It's my hometown and I love it, but finally left when they turned it into Orange County. Oh, and there's no water. Ha-ha. Good luck with those golf courses...
Posted by: Terri at 05/27/2009 12:06:26 PM
I came here from Los Angeles 1 1/2 years ago and like pam, haven't looked back. To Lynne... traffic and cost of living are miniscule compared to California and other places in the Southwest. I love it and plan to retire here.
Posted by: ADP at 05/27/2009 01:09:04 PM
Lynne W: So glad you left...As for Albuquerque, it's a fantastic place to live. It has more to offer than most cities of similar size.
Posted by: Tamara at 05/27/2009 01:50:52 PM
I'm sorry that's your perception of our WONDERFUL city... Albuquerque is thriving and poised for major growth in clean industries. I love the fact that we can cruise up to Santa Fe or Taos for a day trip. People here are becoming more aware of our stewardship with the gifts Nature has given us. With 4 mild seasons and low humidity I wouldn't trade places with anyone else! The people here are open and welcoming much like the landscape. I hope you are thriving wherever you landed.
Posted by: BOBnABQ at 05/27/2009 04:54:30 PM
My work the past 43 years has taken me all over the United States and when I became disabled I considered where I wanted to spend the rest of my life. I came back to Albuquerque because it's the friendliest place I've ever been. The city government is very receptive to citizen input, the weather is great with four seasons, public transit is among the best in the USA and contrary to what someone else posted, Albuquerque is much cheaper than many other cities in which I've lived.
Posted by: Larry at 05/27/2009 05:19:19 PM
I've lived all over the world in my military career and found Albuquerque to the be ideal place to settle down. The climate is great, costs are reasonable and the people are friendly. The city also added commuter rail that runs from Belen a small city about 30 miles south of Albuquerque to Santa Fe and they're talking about expanding it further. Yeah, this is a great place to live!
Posted by: greg at 05/27/2009 06:31:35 PM
I live in Albuquerque, wouldn't trade it for anywhere else. The climate is beautiful, and jobs are available. On the downside, it has become meaner and dirtier. With so many people uneducated, underemployed, and uninsured, it looks more and more like a third world country each day...Retail stores are decimated by shoplifters...This town is the speed trap capital of the U.S. There is a large influx...from the other parts of the country, but most of them look like they're from the Grapes of Wrath, rather than bringing any professional or technical skills to this embattled city. Think twice before you relocate here...
Posted by: tdp at 05/27/2009 09:43:36 PM
i'm bummed. i think albuquerque is the best kept secret in the country and now it will be out. the reason it's great is the caliber of people you find here. the jobs are solid, the climate is the best of phoenix and denver combined, the snow is available but not a nuisance and the people are smart and interesting. ..
Posted by: susan at 05/28/2009 12:41:55 PM
Is this a joke? Albuquerque is great if you like sprawl, no viable public transportation, corrupt public officials and a horrible education system.
Posted by: BurqueResident at 05/29/2009 12:54:33 AM
I moved here in my early twenties from Illinois seven years ago and became a seventh grade teacher. People here are friendly, a lot friendlier than in Illinois. But on the flip side, the standards here are pretty low. You get praised for doing the bare minimum, which gets to be tough if you like a challenging, stimulating environment. But in a way, it is a place where your destiny falls totally in your hands because there is no status quo pushing you in any direction. I think it is one of the few places that has REAL diversity. I agree that is NOT cheap to live here compared to cost of living. If you are moving from California or any other extremely expensive state, yes, its cheap. But coming form the Midwest it was a shock. There are things to do, but you have to hunt them up. The sprawl is pretty bad, but there are niches like nob hill and the south valley, etc. The mountains are beautiful and weather in unbeatable. But I found it hard to get used to the slow paced, low standard mode, as a young woman in her twenties. I am an educator here, and I have to say the general quality of education here is BAD!!!
Posted by: ABQDWELL at 05/29/2009 01:12:19 AM
Ah, Susan, have you heard of (or ridden) the Rail Runner and the ever expanding Rapid Ride bus service? Have you heard of or visited the Family School or Amy Biehl High School (a few of the innovative APS charter schools), or the Bosque School or the Albuquerque Academy (superb private schools)? Susan, I see 9 other cities calling your name.
Posted by: susan at 05/29/2009 02:52:26 PM
ABQWELL: I lived there for 30 years so yes I am familiar with all the things you speak to. Railrunner: 20 years to late, would have been great if Tony Anaya had got it going in the 70's but no, public transportation was not stylish with politicians then. Rapid Ride: good luck trying to get anywhere past 10pm....Schools: I was fortunate enough to attend a private school (SPX) but not every one can afford that or get into one of the charters. A friend of mine graduated from Highland with a 3rd grade reading level, quite innovative of APS to give her a HS diploma....I am very happy where I am now.
Posted by: NINI at 06/01/2009 04:06:37 PM
I HAVE BEEN A NM RESIDENT ALL MY LIFE! NO I HAVEN'T LIVED ALL OVER THE WORLD, BUT WHY WOULD I? ALBUQUERQUE IS GREAT! IN THE FALL HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THE SMELL OF GREEN CHILI ROASTING? DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING, NOT JUST IN OCTOBER, AND SEEING BALLOONS IN THE SKY! I HAVE TRAVELED A LITTLE AND I HAVE NEVER FOUND CHILI ANYWHERE ELSE LIKE IN ALBUQUERQUE. HOW ABOUT THE RIO GRANDE ZOO? ALL THE MUSEUMS? YOU CAN TRAVEL LESS THAN 2 HOURS AND BE AT DIFFERENT STATE AND NATIONAL PARKS? NOT TO MENTION THE ENTERTAINMENT THE CASINOS BRING? IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT PLEASE MOVE AWAY. MY CITY WILL BE BETTER WITHOUT YOU GRUMPS AROUND!!
Posted by: ABQMJ at 06/02/2009 03:27:10 PM
I have lived in ABQ most of my life and truly love it here. I did move away in my early twenties and lived in Dallas, Baltimore, Orlando and Tampa. The lure of the mountains, culture, and nice people brought me running back. You can't beat the weather, zoo, mom and pop restarants, etc. Just like any other city, ABQ has its struggles. APS has some definite improvement to do but also has some great options out there such as the Career Center at ABQ High, The Montessori Elem. School charter, and several top ranking private schools (SPS and Academy). It is a place that is different than any other city and may not be for everyone but it is a place where I am happy to call home.
Posted by: Alma at 07/03/2009 04:56:40 PM
So, I'm reading this article and I think it's giving me hope, again. I've been trying to relocate to Albuquerque for awhile now and have yet to find work? Can somebody tell me if anyone is hiring? How's the economy? And what about housing?
Posted by: Jeffrey at 07/22/2009 01:39:29 PM
Albuquerque has three outstanding assets to offer: the best weather in the continental US, relatively inexpensive rental housing, and a gorgeous landscape with big skies and organic architecture. That said, on the flip side, it's 2 hours to the nearest big city, Santa Fe, which is really quite small; it has only one walkable neighborhood, Nob Hill; the performance arts, mainly theatre, are for the most part non-professional---the artists involved get paid zip; low quality and limited live performance offerings; not much nightlife if you're over 25; and don't even think about moving here if you don't want to work in the following fields: IT/computer-related, health-care, defense, or really low-paying service jobs. Oh, forget about getting into the below-the-line (where almost all of the jobs are) film jobs unless you have a friend in the industry. Albuquerque operates on a real strong, "gotta know somebody...or hit the road" mentality. You are NOT getting a job here in city/state government, the arts, film, or non-profits, if you are not connected. The city starts to seem like a small town after 6 months.
Posted by: San Diego Dave at 08/13/2009 07:21:25 PM
I grew up in Albuquerque graduating from Valley H.S. and later UNM. If you like a full four seasons with plenty of sunshine, the Duke City cannot be beat. When I attended public schools there, the teachers were well paid and the standards were pretty high. I think the "dummying down" of America is pervasive and definitely not limited to NM, sadly to say. As you might guess I live in San Diego. At 14 I passed through here in the month of February. I was astounded by its warmth and emerald greenery. Years later, after high school, college, an army hitch and then graduate school I moved to SD at 28. Eventually, all my family became Californians, too. While I still have fond memories of Abq I've only visited there three times since 1978. Even with coastal California's expensiveness, I could never see myself moving back to Abq. I guess I just outgrew it.
Posted by: Enchanted w/ ABQ at 08/19/2009 05:09:48 PM
A 15 year resident of Albuquerque (transplanted from Los Angeles), it warms my heart and reaffirms my love of this great city to hear so many satisfied people commenting on what a treasure it is to live here. To those of you who insist on being negative, kindly relocate yourself to a place where you actually have something to complain about. Albuquerque isn't perfect, but the good far outweighs the bad.
Posted by: Eric M at 08/21/2009 02:24:07 PM
Albuquerque is a beautiful city, however, the mayor needs to find a way to improve the public transportation system, get aggressive with the embarrassing cockroach situation, especially in the downtown area, by contracting local bug spray companies, and do away with the drive through package liqour stores, which makes it too convenient to buy, drink, and drive, in a state with a horrible D.W.I. and traffic fatality rate. Other than that, keep on shining ABQ.
Posted by: J.Alexander at 09/25/2009 12:49:20 AM
My wife and I just entered into a lease option because we had to relocated due to employment reasons, and we're starting to notice an abundance of great deals on homes that have been foreclosed on, so should we break our lease option and lose our option fee to get a cheaper home or just ride it out....what do you think? (I need help!)
Posted by: Mark at 10/07/2009 04:27:35 PM
WoW! I knew I my wife & I liked Albuqerque when we stayed for just three days - passing through. Now that we have both officially retired ( still young) we are putting down roots in this great city! Having said that, if anyone wants to get me up to speed on Albuquerque, i.e., best place to buy a some beautiful mountain land with great views, best the city has to offer, great and respected home-builders, best steak, etc... would really help me out. Remember, we only had three days in Albuquerque so we are starved for good solid information. Thank you all and big congrats!!!
Posted by: Vero at 10/31/2009 03:26:43 AM
I would like to know what is the crime rate, (e.g murders, gangs, rap, burglary, etc..,) in Albuquerque? Is it a safe place to live? What about school system. Is it a good one? How much is housing? I am looking to relocate to another city but don't wanna relocate to a place where the crime is very bad. That is why I am trying to relocate somewhere else. Thanks!
Posted by: Marco at 11/04/2009 03:30:42 PM
Albuquerque, as well as much of the rest of New Mexico is a great place to live. The culture is very dedicated to personal space. It's mine. KEEP OUT!