Moving to Albuquerque
If you’re thinking about moving to Albuquerque, you’d be joining the more than half a million people living in the city. The metropolitan area includes about a million residents. Albuquerque is New Mexico’s largest city. The second largest city, Las Cruces, has about 110,000 residents.
So, why have so many people decided to live in Albuquerque? Let’s dive into what makes the Duke City so desirable!
Employment in Albuquerque
With a median age of 38, most Albuquerque residents need to have jobs. Large industries in Albuquerque include healthcare, Sandia National Labs, education, and the film industry since the area is home to many productions. Both Netflix and NBC Universal have studios in Albuquerque, thanks to the state’s generous tax incentives for the entertainment industry. Albuquerque became known as the home of TV’s Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
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The minimum wage in Albuquerque for 2023 is $12 per hour and the average income for 2021 was about $57,000. Read about the 2022 jobs report.
Cost of Living in Albuquerque
The cost of living in Albuquerque is a bit lower than the national average, including rent, groceries, utilities, and transportation.
Great Weather
What’s the weather like in Albuquerque? Even though Albuquerque experiences all four seasons, the climate is temperate compared to many northern cities and the lack of humidity helps make the heat and cold more tolerable. Albuquerque also averages about 300 days of sunshine a year and outdoor activities can be enjoyed pretty much year-round.
Healthcare in Albuquerque
U.S. News & World Report ranked Albuquerque’s Presbyterian Hospital as the best in the state. Healthgrades ranks it in the top 5 percent of hospitals in the country.
University of New Mexico Hospital is a teaching hospital, the only certified stroke center in the state, and also houses New Mexico’s only Level 1 Trauma Center.
Lovelace Women’s Hospital has earned Women’s Choice Awards for patient safety and breast health. Lovelace Medical Center also treats strokes and has earned a spot on the Becker Hospital Reviews list of 100 hospitals with great neurosurgery and spine programs.
Veterans can get medical care at Raymond G. Murphy Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Education in Albuquerque
Albuquerque is home to public and private schools, with 33 high schools ranked on the U.S. News & World Report‘s Best High Schools rankings. The University of New Mexico is also included in its ranking of the country’s best colleges, drawing students from within New Mexico and other states to sign up to be a UNM Lobo.
Retiring to Albuquerque
The great weather, the affordable cost of living, access to quality healthcare, and lots of fun things to do make Albuquerque a great place to retire. Albuquerque is home to many retirement communities for those who want to live in a senior community, with independent living, assisted living, and memory care options. Albuquerque earned a spot on U.S. News & World Report’s list of best places to retire, as well as best places to live.
Having Fun in Albuquerque
The City of Albuquerque has worked for decades to develop outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities, so hikers, mountain bikers, cyclists, and birders all have places to enjoy. With the Rio Grande running through Albuquerque, you may also enjoy kayaking on the river and enjoying nature as you walk through the bosque, or riverside forests.
Albuquerque is also home to numerous museums and cultural centers. Take a day trip to nearby Native American pueblos and historic sites, like the Petroglyph National Monument.
If you enjoy shopping, there are plenty of indoor and outdoor shopping centers with all the big names. Since Albuquerque is a university town, you can find lots of activities at UNM, from sporting events to plays and concerts. The city’s many quality restaurants and theaters also provide great ways to have a good time.
Some of the biggest annual events in Albuquerque to enjoy include the world-renowned Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the Gathering of Nations Powwow, and the New Mexico State Fair.
So, as you can see, Albuquerque has a lot to offer if you’re considering moving to New Mexico’s largest city!
