So, Born and raised here. With a population of 107K, Rio Rancho is a mid-size city. Average temperature is around 57--F, so the weather is moderate. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The city has invested a lot in new development. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
22 upvotes
6 Replies
Parker Stewart
facts
39 upvotes
Caleb Garcia
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a lawyer, 25, moved here 13 years ago from Atlanta. I've lived in Sunset and Downtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally underrated - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The walkability situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Downtown: 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 Atlanta, everything felt pretty good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is affordable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$150K 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.
34 upvotes
Sophie Chavez
This.
24 upvotes
Riley Kim
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Raleigh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in Uptown. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is developing right now, especially in finance. If you're in engineering you might struggle.
People: Generally pretty good. It took about 16 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Southern.
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