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7 Things You Should Know if You're Moving to Albuquerque

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty

New Mexico FlagMoving to Albuquerque? Bienvenido a Albuquerque!!!

Life is a little different here in the state that many people forget even exists (they think it's in Mexico). Here are 7 things you need to know if you're planning to relocate.

 

1) This is Manana-Land.

We operate in a different time zone here where you're not late until...Well you're never really late! Life here in the Land of Enchantment is a little more laid back than where you're coming from, especially if you are from east of the Mississippi. If you're used to showing up for appointments or meetings early, better learn to carry a book or your Kindle. Meetings here at 7pm start at 7:15pm. Or so.

2) We Hate Jalapenos

We do, however, love green and red chili! The hot pepper of choice here is the Anaheim Chili, not the Jalapeno. We like to smother our food in sauce made with it. It can be very hot! And if you like tomatoes in your salsa you'll be disappointed.  

3) There are No Tarantulas

They have all been eaten by the Rattlesnakes! Well, that's not totally true, but it's not like there are rattlesnakes and tarantulas on every corner, just out on the mesa. Or in the east mountains. Or in the bosque. We don't have scorpions running around either. Um. Usually.

New Mexico Green Chili4) It Snows Here

And they shut the schools down if there is a half inch or more of the white, fluffy stuff. Sometimes before that if it's really cold (like 30 degrees OMG). You have to understand, the state of New Mexico only owns one snowplow, and it only works in odd numbered years.

5) We Have a Legendary River

But don't get too excited, it's not that impressive. The Rio Grande is WAY smaller than the Mississippi, or the Ohio, or the Illinois, the rivers I grew up around. Don't buy a ticket for a cruise on a Riverboat casino...

6) It Never Rains

Really. Never! We get around 9 inches of rain per year on average. Some years, like this year, we may get only half of that. If we're lucky. But when it does rain we drive like idiots because, well, it's raining!!!

7) There Are a Lot of Great Albuquerque Neighborhoods to Choose From

Sorry, I had to put that in here, after all, this is a real estate blog, right? Learn more about the Albuquerque Neighborhoods you may want to consider living in. And of course you need to call me, because 1) I know the Albuquerque real estate market really well, 2) I'm experienced, and 3) hopefully you know this already, but I love to have a laugh now and then! 

 

***Warning***Special bonus point for my Gringo friends: Feel free to enjoy the Posole and Tamales at Christmas time, but beware the Menudo. Don't ask, just trust me on that.

 

Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

I was just wondering about Albuquerque NM neighborhoods.

Nov 05, 2012 11:09 AM
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

Rich.... and you have fabulous balloon festivals.. seems to be a big thing out there! I can only wish that New York did NOT have snow.... and would have more balloon festivals.. We do have them, but not as  many.

Nov 05, 2012 11:16 AM
Rich Cederberg
eXp Realty - Albuquerque, NM
eXp Realty Agent Albuquerque

Sorry then Virginia, this post wasn't really helpful at all, was it? lol

Janis, Yes we have balloons too. Really big ones.

Nov 05, 2012 11:20 AM
Emmary Simpson
Las Cruces Homes and Land - Las Cruces, NM
Serving Las Cruces, NM

Not just love chile but you'll find it in every single dish, no matter where you go...McDonalds, steak houses, with your soda at the Stop n Rob on the corner. Ok, maybe not that last one :)

Nov 05, 2012 11:30 AM
Michele Sims
Affinity Real Estate, LLC - Alamogordo, NM

You can get green chili apple pie in Pie Town! And it is good!

Nov 05, 2012 11:36 AM
Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

I came over here after I caught Eric's share of it. I think I'll stick to being here in Florida, I don't like chilis, rattlesnakes or snow =)

Nov 05, 2012 11:48 AM
Rich Cederberg
eXp Realty - Albuquerque, NM
eXp Realty Agent Albuquerque

Emmy, That's right, even at MacDonalds!

Michele, I haven't been to PieTown in a few years. I think a roadtrip is in order!

Melissa, Can you say alligators and hurricanes?

Nov 05, 2012 11:51 AM
Eric Proulx
RealEstate.com - Kirkland, WA

I'll take snakes over spiders any day!

Nov 05, 2012 11:56 AM
Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant
Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC
Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Rich...Awesome, Like your Localism Post. I'm sure anyone looking to move knows how it is in New Mexico.

Cheers

Nov 05, 2012 12:05 PM
Anonymous
Janet

So that's what happened....I moved to Mañana Land....I now get why about a year ago I started putting everything off until mañana.....I can blame it on NM. I feel soooooooo much better now.

Nov 05, 2012 12:22 PM
#10
Sharon Paxson
Sharon Paxson, Realtor® EQTY Forbes Global Properties - Newport Beach, CA
Newport Beach Real Estate

Great post Rich!! Good thing the tarantulas were eaten by the rattle snakes!!! 

Nov 06, 2012 12:49 AM
Sally Weatherley
EXIT STAGE RIGHT - Vancouver, BC
Vancouver Home Staging, Home Stager Vancouver, B.C

Rich - Albuqurque, New Mexico sounds like paradise to me!  Only 9 inches of rain per year?!!  Are you kidding me?!!  I'm seriously thinking of building Noah's Ark - it hasn't stopped raining here for weeks! 

Nov 06, 2012 03:17 AM
Rich Cederberg
eXp Realty - Albuquerque, NM
eXp Realty Agent Albuquerque

Eric, For me it's a toss up.

Fred, Yep, my post about sums up everything anyone could ever want to know about New Mexico. Not!

Janet, Ha ha, yes, you can blame on the manana land. It has nothing to do with being a mom and having lots of school age children!

Sharon, The tarantulas are so big they crunch when you step on them. And the snakes, well at tleast they give off a warning.

Sally, I hear British Columbia is beautiful. We could use some of that rain.

Nov 06, 2012 05:05 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

How interesting, you have snow, but no rain:) Amazing! 

Feb 27, 2016 03:43 PM
Anonymous
Jen Ruscoe

How about retiring there-Kaiser Senior Advantage, or similar?

Dec 05, 2016 11:39 AM
#15
Anonymous
whitney

Great post. I just moved my parents to Las Lunas to retire there, they fell in love with a D.R. Horton community and home. I liked it as well, I may join then soon. NM has a lot to offer.

May 14, 2017 09:07 PM
#16