100 Best Places to Live in the USA

U.S. News analyzed the 100 most populous metro areas to find the best places to live. To make the top of the list, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life.

100 Best Places to Live in the USA

Albuquerque made the list at #74.

What’s it like to live in Albuquerque, NM?

Perhaps best known for the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and as the setting for AMC’s hit show “Breaking Bad,” Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a culturally rich and naturally beautiful metropolitan area. Sitting at the crossroads of New Mexico’s major highways (Interstates 40 and 25), Albuquerque has long attracted new residents with its favorable economy and artistic atmosphere.Albuquerque residents have plenty to keep them busy, from the art galleries of Old Town to the historic Native American sites all around the region.

The Albuquerque BioPark’s zoo, gardens and aquarium are popular with families, and a host of museums are great places to spend the rare rainy day. While its nightlife is tame by big-city standards, Albuquerque has a robust culinary scene that features local red and green chile peppers, and includes nationally recognized wineries and breweries.Albuquerque offers quick access to outdoor recreation, such as hiking, mountain biking and even skiing in the Sandia Mountains that border the metro area to the east. The Rio Grande that flows through the city center is a playground for kayakers, and miles of walking and cycling trails wind through its wooded banks.

Rankings

U.S. News analyzed 100 metro areas in the United States to find the best places to live based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people’s desire to live there. Albuquerque ranks as #74 with an overall score of 6.3 out of 10.

Albuquerque, NM Quick Stats

902,731 METRO POPULATION | $44,440 AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY | 68.7° / 45.4° AVG HIGH/LOW TEMPS

37.1 MEDIAN AGE | N/A MEDIAN HOME PRICE | 9.5 inches AVG ANNUAL RAINFALL

5.9% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE | $814 AVG MONTHLY RENT | 23.4 minutes AVG COMMUTE TIME

What’s the cost of living in Albuquerque, NM?

Albuquerque’s cost of living is slightly below the national average. Albuquerque wasn’t as affected by the housing bubble nearly as much as other parts of the country, and home costs are starting to rise. Additionally, Albuquerque has the highest property tax rates in the state. One- and two-bedroom apartments tend to rent for less than $900 a month, which is lower than the national average. Albuquerque residents also pay slightly less than the average American for groceries, utilities, and transportation.

What’s the weather like in Albuquerque, NM?

Albuquerque enjoys all four seasons. During a typical year, monsoon rains in June and September bring cooler temperatures just as 100-degree days are reached. Albuquerque receives three or four good snowstorms a year, though the snow melts quickly. In all, Albuquerque records around 300 sunny days a year, making it one of the sunniest places in the U.S.

Seasonal Temperature (Avgs)

38.0°F Winter

56.6°F Spring

76.5°F Summer

57.2°F Fall

Seasonal Rainfall (Avgs)

0.5 in Winter

0.6 in Spring

1.6 in Summer

1.1 in Fall

What’s the best way to get around Albuquerque, NM?

Given the large size of Albuquerque, plus people’s love for the nearby mountains and wilderness areas, most people rely on their own cars to get around. The Nob Hill, Downtown and Old Town neighborhoods are pedestrian-friendly, and Albuquerque does have extensive paved bike paths popular with both commuters and recreational riders.The ABQ Ride bus system operates routes throughout Albuquerque. The New Mexico Rail Runner Express is a passenger train that travels the north-south Interstate 25 corridor from the cities of Belen to Santa Fe, with four stops within Albuquerque and a fifth stop in the nearby town of Bernalillo.The Albuquerque International Sunport offers direct flights to roughly 20 domestic destinations and is serviced by major U.S. airlines such as American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue and Southwest Airlines. There is also an Amtrak train station and a Greyhound bus station.

Who lives in Albuquerque, NM?

Albuquerque’s population is slightly older, with the 45 to 64 age group making up a quarter of the population. Because of Albuquerque’s pleasant weather and low cost of living, it is also a popular retirement destination. Ages 65 and older represent 14 percent of the population.

Twenty-eight percent of Albuquerque households are families with children younger than 18.Albuquerque’s long Spanish and Native American history is easily seen in its population and culture. The Old Town Plaza, where the historic San Felipe de Neri church can be found, is surrounded by art galleries and restaurants that reflect the metro area’s Hispanic heritage. This area also hosts numerous cultural events, such as the San Felipe Fiestas.

Democrats outnumber Republicans in Albuquerque, though Independents have a noticeable (albeit small) presence. Meanwhile, roughly half the population is religious, and many who are identify as Catholic.

What is there to do in Albuquerque, NM?

Albuquerqueans of all ages enjoy hiking the Sandia Mountains and exploring area parks like Petroglyph National Monument. During the winter, residents are quick to head to the mountains for ski weekends. In addition to outdoor recreation, Albuquerque enjoys a thriving art scene with a wide array of local galleries and a flourishing performing arts scene. Families enjoy visiting Albuquerque’s zoo, aquarium and museums, such as the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science and the Explora children’s museum.

Albuquerque offers a diverse range of shopping, from major retailers to many local boutiques. Nob Hill still sports the neon signs of its Route 66 heyday, now lined with fun locally owned shops and restaurants. The culinary scene is dominated by New Mexico’s legendary green chile; however, Albuquerque also has a growing craft beer scene, not to mention a number of local wineries.

U.S. News analyzed the 100 most populous metro areas to find the best places to live. To make the top of the list, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life.

100 Best Places to Live in the USA

Albuquerque made the list at #74.

What’s it like to live in Albuquerque, NM?

Rankings

U.S. News analyzed 100 metro areas in the United States to find the best places to live based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people’s desire to live there. Albuquerque ranks as #74 with an overall score of 6.3 out of 10.

Albuquerque, NM Quick Stats

902,731 METRO POPULATION | $44,440 AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY | 68.7° / 45.4° AVG HIGH/LOW TEMPS

5.9% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE | $814 AVG MONTHLY RENT | 23.4 minutes AVG COMMUTE TIME

What’s the cost of living in Albuquerque, NM?

What’s the weather like in Albuquerque, NM?

Seasonal Temperature (Avgs)

Seasonal Rainfall (Avgs)

What’s the best way to get around Albuquerque, NM?

Who lives in Albuquerque, NM?

Albuquerque’s population is slightly older, with the 45 to 64 age group making up a quarter of the population. Because of Albuquerque’s pleasant weather and low cost of living, it is also a popular retirement destination. Ages 65 and older represent 14 percent of the population.

Democrats outnumber Republicans in Albuquerque, though Independents have a noticeable (albeit small) presence. Meanwhile, roughly half the population is religious, and many who are identify as Catholic.

What is there to do in Albuquerque, NM?

Find out more about what there is to see and do in Albuquerque, NM

By: Steve Larese (US News)

Click here to view source article.

100 Best Places to Live in the USA

02.01.2017

U.S. News analyzed the 100 most populous metro areas to find the best places to live. To make the top of the list, a place had to have good value, be a desirable place to live, have a strong job market and a high quality of life.

100 Best Places to Live in the USA

Albuquerque made the list at #74.

What’s it like to live in Albuquerque, NM?

Rankings

U.S. News analyzed 100 metro areas in the United States to find the best places to live based on quality of life and the job market in each metro area, as well as the value of living there and people’s desire to live there. Albuquerque ranks as #74 with an overall score of 6.3 out of 10.

Albuquerque, NM Quick Stats

902,731 METRO POPULATION | $44,440 AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY | 68.7° / 45.4° AVG HIGH/LOW TEMPS

5.9% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE | $814 AVG MONTHLY RENT | 23.4 minutes AVG COMMUTE TIME

What’s the cost of living in Albuquerque, NM?

What’s the weather like in Albuquerque, NM?

Seasonal Temperature (Avgs)

Seasonal Rainfall (Avgs)

What’s the best way to get around Albuquerque, NM?

Who lives in Albuquerque, NM?

Albuquerque’s population is slightly older, with the 45 to 64 age group making up a quarter of the population. Because of Albuquerque’s pleasant weather and low cost of living, it is also a popular retirement destination. Ages 65 and older represent 14 percent of the population.

Democrats outnumber Republicans in Albuquerque, though Independents have a noticeable (albeit small) presence. Meanwhile, roughly half the population is religious, and many who are identify as Catholic.

What is there to do in Albuquerque, NM?

Find out more about what there is to see and do in Albuquerque, NM

By: Steve Larese (US News)

Click here to view source article.