Cookies Required
Your savings are waiting - to proceed, please enable cookies in your browser settings.
15 Things to Know Before Hiring Albuquerque Movers
Quick Facts
Founded in: 1706
Population: Approx. 522,000 people
In addition to familiarizing yourself with the complicated spelling of the word Albuquerque, moving to this desert city will require other personal modifications including adjusting to the city’s dramatic temperature shifts, the palpable Hispanic influence on the city’s culture and the layout of your new city. Fortunately, Albuquerque residents are known for being extremely friendly and you should have no trouble finding a group of locals who can help you with your adjustment. Still, it can take a while until you’ve built a social circle in Albuquerque, and having a bit of guidance during the transition can help ease the process. The following Albuquerque moving guide will help you prepare for your move and create realistic expectations for your first days in Albuquerque. Good luck with your move!
Finding Albuquerque Movers
Choosing between different Albuquerque moving companies is no different than choosing movers to move to any other town – it’s a long, draining and nerve wracking process because you’re unfamiliar with your options and unsure which Albuquerque movers will truly be the most reliable. You can relax slightly, however, knowing that because you’re moving to a big city you’ll have a lot of options and you’ll surely find movers who are familiar with the area and equipped to handle your specific needs. Begin your search by speaking with people you know who have moved to the area, such as coworkers relatives or students. Get recommendations and names of specific Albuquerque moving services, and confirm their legitimacy with the Better Business Bureau and the American Movers & Storage Association. And, of course, don’t ignore your gut feeling about any specific Albuquerque moving service – chances are you’re probably right.
Cost of Living in Albuquerque
A serious benefit of moving to Albuquerque is that the average cost of living in the city is about 4% lower than the national average cost of living, and the percentage of unemployed residents is only about 5.50%, which is significantly lower than the national average unemployment rate of 8.50%.
The cost of housing in Albuquerque, however, is surprisingly expensive. A 1-bedroom apartment costs an average of $875/month to rent, and a 3+ bedroom home costs around $2000/month. Interestingly, the average cost of purchasing a home is only $166,000.
Sales tax in Albuquerque is around 5.9% which is low as compared with similarly-sized cities such as Oklahoma City and significantly lower than the sales tax in Louisville. In addition, the maximum state income tax in New Mexico is only 4.9%.
Albuquerque Quadrants
If you haven’t yet chosen the right Albuquerque neighborhood, you’ll be happy to know that you have a lot of exciting options. The city is divided into four quadrants, each with its own unique flavor and character. These quadrants are not just hypothetical – they are actually listed on each resident’s mailing address.
The northeast quadrant contains some of the city’s wealthiest neighborhoods as well as some more affordable housing options. This quadrant is also the home to the University of New Mexico and some posh shopping centers.
The southeast quadrant is a bit paradoxical as it has some posh residential areas but a higher crime rate than the rest of the city’s quadrants. The southeast quadrant is also the home of two large hospitals, Presbyterian Hospital and the University of New Mexico Hospital. Finally, this quadrant is an ideal choice if you’re looking to take advantage of Albuquerque’s exciting nightlife.
Although the southwest quadrant of Albuquerque has been expanded in recent years, it has traditionally been considered an agricultural area. The quadrant is rich with Hispanic culture and is the home of the Rio Grande Zoo.
The northwest quadrant is also undergoing considerable residential expansion and is popular because of its proximity to Albuquerque’s Double Eagle II Airport which provides service to commercial airlines. This quadrant is the home to the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park and contains a mix of low-income and middle-income neighborhoods.
Overall, moving to Albuquerque is a great opportunity to experience the southwestern flavor of the United States and to take advantage of favorable economic opportunities. Taking time to learn a bit about your new city will undoubtedly make the acclimation easier and will allow you to focus on enjoying the city instead of facing surprises in your new home.