Sign In Register
Walter S. moving

Should I move to Oakdale or stay in Albuquerque?

Hi all, I'm a college student here and Has anyone dealt with this? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly.
28 upvotes

7 Replies

Leo Morales
I've lived in Pine Hills for about 7 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.

it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Close to major attractions
- The weather scene is tough

The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Chain restaurants dominate

Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for remote workers. Good luck with whatever you decide..
36 upvotes
Cora
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are decent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
33 upvotes
Anna R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.

Background: I'm a contractor, 25, moved here 5 years ago from Chicago. I've lived in Uptown and Lakewood, and traveled to most parts of the metro.

**What I love:**
1. Lots of new development happening
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year

**What I don't love:**
1. Chain restaurants dominate
2. Limited shopping options
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving

**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for retirees. decent vibes, walkable.
- Lakewood: 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 Chicago, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is reasonable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$130K here.

**Final verdict:**
Definitely worth checking out.. 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.
26 upvotes
Delilah Kelly
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Uptown. It's pretty good for what you get.

Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in engineering. If you're in marketing you might struggle.

People: Generally pretty good. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: improving. Tons of options if you like craft beer.

No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Everly R.
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The dating scene is honestly better than expected and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
19 upvotes
Zoey Mitchell
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value weather, you'll love it. The community vibe is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Riverside) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
18 upvotes
Peyton Lopez
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem challenging.

I've been here 8 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is dating scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into golfing, this place is improving.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The The Heights side vs the Maple Ridge side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Definitely worth checking out..
16 upvotes
← Back to Oakdale Community