Moving to Albuquerque? Here’s What You Need to Know

Have you ever considered moving to Albuquerque? Well, if so, then here are some things you should know before you move. Nothing bad – Albuquerque is vibrant and full of culture. These are things you may not know yet, and that’s our goal — to inform you about our vibrant city. 

You probably know the weather (Albuquerque gets all four seasons, but mild and dry), but do you know everything? Let’s find out! 

The History of Albuquerque

If you’re moving to Albuquerque, then you need to know about the city. Albuquerque has a very rich history that begins centuries before New Mexico even became a state. The city was officially founded in 1706 and has continued to grow into a large metropolitan area. Signs of the historic Albuquerque still remain today, including rock carvings at Petroglyph National Monument, Old Town Plaza, and the iconic Route 66. 

Even long before that, though, Albuquerque was an epicenter for history. All the way back in 2,000 B.C, the Pueblo people lived and developed a sophisticated culture and mastered arts, crafts, masonry, and ceramics. These techniques have been passed along through generations and are still practiced today.

The first European visitors to the area were Spanish explorers in 1540 under the leadership of Francisco de Coronado. 

By the 1700s, King Philip of Spain granted permission for a group of colonists to build a city along the banks of the Rio Grande. The city was named by the colony’s first governor in honor of the Duke of Albuquerque back in Spain.

Many of the buildings erected by early Spanish settlers still stand today in Old Town Albuquerque.

Albuquerque Demographics

Albuquerque is the 32nd largest city in the United States, with well over half a million residents. It has a population density of 2,975 people per square mile, which is significantly higher than the New Mexico average as well as the nation’s average. The median age in the city is 36, and families make up most of the population. 

A majority of the residents do speak English as their first language, though about 25% of them are also fluent in Spanish. The city is a healthy mix of people who were born there and people who moved there, about 50% to each category. 

It’s also very diverse. The largest part of the population identify as Hispanics, and a large number identify as Caucasian, Asian, Black, and American Indian. If you’re looking to become immersed in many different cultures, then this city is for you.

Art is All Around You

From nature to human-created art, Albuquerque is beautiful and picturesque. Albuquerque is one of the richests cities in the world when it comes to their culture, history, and their celebration of it. 

Albuquerque residents can enjoy hiking, biking, and running at the Copper Trailhead in the Sandia Mountains. The Cibola National Forest borders the eastern edge of Albuquerque and is an ideal place to hunt, fish, and go horseback riding. 

If you are a history buff, you can marvel at 700-year-old symbols and designs from Albuquerque’s first settlers at the Petroglyph National Monument. Get a birds-eye view of the city 10,000 feet up on the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway. Bordering the southern edge of the city is the Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge, a 570-acre nature preserve full of mountains, volcano tubes, and the Rio Grande River

In terms of art, the city has a wonderful local arts scene. The 516 Arts gallery is one of the most popular contemporary art spaces in the city and offers innovative exhibitions, events, workshops, and lectures.

The Richard Levy Gallery showcases contemporary work in the pop art, abstract, and geometric vein. 

With more than 700 events a year, The National Hispanic Cultural Center promotes the preservation and importance of Hispanic culture and art. Colorful murals and public art pieces also decorate buildings and spaces nearly everywhere you look in ABQ. But the art in Albuquerque isn’t only on the walls. 

One beautiful holiday tradition is the lighting of luminarias, which is a 300-year-old custom where votives are put in paper bags and placed throughout the city as a way to celebrate the birth of Christ.

Why Move to Albuquerque?

If you’re not convinced by all of this, then let us offer one final point: Albuquerque is the best of all worlds. The weather is perfect and you get all four seasons, you’re close to many major cities and vacation destination locations, the cost of living is 5% lower than the national average, and you’re surrounded by diversity. 

It has every amenity you want and is a relatively large city. It also has access to the area’s largest and best storage unit facility. What more could you want?