Albuquerque is the largest city in New Mexico that combines various cultural traditions, events and cuisine. It’s an affordable location with great weather and plenty of parks and landmarks to explore while still maintaining a small-town feel. Discover some of the reasons you should move to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Things to Do

Since the weather is almost always pleasant in Albuquerque, you can expect to spend a lot of time outdoors if you make this place your home. During the day, you can visit the local parks, mountain biking trails, many winter activities, climbing, hiking and explore this city’s rich history. At night, you can sit outside and gaze at the vast array of stars or enjoy one of many outdoor patios. Put on your comfortable shoes and take part in these rejuvenating activities.

1. Explore the Sandia Mountains

Albuquerque is at the foot of the Sandia Mountains, which creates the perfect backdrop for any hike or outdoor event. These majestic mountains range in color from pink, purple, green and blue, depending on how the sunlight casts over them.

Besides these gorgeous mountains’ aesthetic qualities, they also provide parks, miles of abundant trails and great weather to help you get fit and spend time outdoors. Even though snow is rare in Albuquerque, the peak of the Sandia Mountains is a popular spot for winter sports. You can participate in the following activities by yourself or with your new friends:

• Bicycling
• Hiking
• Horseback riding
• Camping
• Nature viewing
• Picnicking
• Sledding
• Tubing
• Skiing
• Snowboarding

 

You can also take the longest aerial tramway in North America up to Sandia Crest, where you get a panoramic view of central New Mexico and beyond.

2. Check Out the Local State Parks

There are more than 288 park sites within the city of Albuquerque for you to explore on foot, bike or kayak. One of the most famous parks in the area is the 17-mile-long Petroglyph National Monument Park in Westside. Native Americans and Spanish settlers carved the petroglyphs into the volcanic rocks about 400 to 700 years ago.

You can also fly a hot air balloon, golf or go for a hike at Balloon Fiesta Park, which overlooks the Rio Grande Valley. Besides enjoying the park’s annual International Balloon Fiesta®, you can book a special event here, such as a wedding or graduation party.

The Rio Grande Valley State Park overlooks the enormous river that runs through Albuquerque. Take a hike up the Paseo del Bosque trail or take part in some paddlesports in the river itself.

3. Learn About Albuquerque’s History in Old Town

Since Old Town is Albuquerque’s original location, it plays a significant part in the area’s rich history. The Old Town Plaza, which honors the region’s Spanish colonial influences, is at its center. The plaza has one flag each for Spain, Mexico, the United States and the state of New Mexico, paying tribute to each of this area’s cultural affiliations. Besides learning about Albuquerque’s rich history, you can also explore Old Town’s cultural events and holiday festivals throughout the year.

 

Climate

Instead of the harsh winters and rainstorms that are prevalent in other parts of the country, Albuquerque gets 310 days of sunshine a year. Since the sun is almost always shining, you can spend your afternoons outside and dress lightly. Sunlight also boosts your mood and gives you the vitamin D you need to fight off infections and other medical conditions.

Besides enjoying sunshine most days, Albuquerque also doesn’t usually experience extreme events such as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes and tsunamis. The area’s lack of humidity makes all four seasons in Albuquerque pleasant. The average yearly temperatures range from the high 80s in the summer to the mid-40s in the winter.

Cost of Living

Your income stretches further when you decide to make this small town your home. Albuquerque ranked No. 9 in Move.com’s 2019 list of the most affordable cities in the United States. Besides affordable housing, the taxes and overall cost of goods are also lower than in most parts of the country. Most attractions in Albuquerque are cheap, especially if you want to spend most of the day outside. Living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, can help you save money you could use toward retirement or other personal financial goals.

Culture

Even though Albuquerque is a relatively small town, it offers all the amenities you’d find in a bustling metropolitan area without big-city traffic, noise and pollution. This city’s inviting atmosphere provides a smooth transition to your new home by giving you plenty of opportunities to make new friends.

Albuquerque’s demographics include an eclectic blend of Mexican, Hispanic and Native American customs, arts, music and cuisine. New Mexico is home to 23 different Native American tribes, each with a separate governing system, set of traditions and way of life. You can explore three reservations near Albuquerque to learn more about Native American history and culture. You can also visit the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center in Near North Valley to learn about the Pueblo people.

New Mexico also offers distinct architecture, with adobe and Pueblo-style homes reflecting Native American and Spanish design. You’ll also see adobe in other areas besides homes and businesses because of this ancient building material’s ability to keep the inside cool.

Cuisine

New Mexican food offers a delicious blend of flavors from its Mexican, Spanish, Native American and American influences. This cuisine is particularly unique because of its use of red or green chile. When you go to a restaurant, the server will usually ask you whether you want green, red or Christmas with your meal. Fast food restaurants even put green chile on their burgers. Though you can find delicious food anywhere in Albuquerque, Barelas/South Valley is a popular spot to get authentic New Mexican and Mexican cuisine.

Events

Albuquerque offers exciting events throughout the whole year. One of the most popular events is the annual International Balloon Fiesta® in early October, the world’s largest hot air balloon festival. This nine-day event is a popular site for locals and tourists to watch hundreds of hot air balloons float into the sky over the Rio Grande Valley. You can attend the New Mexico State Fair in Uptown Albuquerque in September, where horse racing and Native American and Spanish art demonstrations are popular attractions.

The San Felipe Fiesta in Old Town takes place every year in late spring. The fiesta pays tribute to the San Felipe Church built in 1706 that acted as a fortress for settlers. While attending the event, you can celebrate Albuquerque and spend time exploring the rich history that Old Town has to offer.

Contact Us to Find a Home in Albuquerque

Our team at Elevated Management Group makes it even more of a pleasure to live in Albuquerque, N.M. Explore our wide selection of rental properties in Albuquerque to help you settle into your new home quickly.

We provide rental houses and apartments, depending on your budget and need for space. We’re also here to answer any questions you may have about our rental properties. For more information about how to make your home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, reach out to us online or call 505-257-6090.