Random thought, I'm originally from Albuquerque and It's a a small town city with about 24,687 people. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Looking forward to hearing from you all. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
12 upvotes
7 Replies
Kyle W.
interesting, hadn't considered that
37 upvotes
Landon Gray
As someone who grew up here, it's been a really good experience overall. A lot has changed in the past few years though. school system used to be much affordable but now it's excellent.
13 upvotes
Sofia M.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 7 years. Moved from Seattle for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
retail is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is average - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Rising rent and home prices. Dating scene is rough. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 8/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
David G.
yep
9 upvotes
Sadie S.
glad someone said it
8 upvotes
Jeremy P.
I work in retail here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is tough. Hope this helps!.
5 upvotes
Albert H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a real estate agent, 54, moved here 6 years ago from LA. I've lived in Lakewood and Old Town, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Good airport with direct flights
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The dating scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Lakewood: Great for families. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Old Town: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from LA, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are competitive. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $60K-$130K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
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