Albuquerque, NM

The Rio Grande cuts right through the middle of Albuquerque, shaping how the city looks and how you get around. Along the water, the Paseo del Bosque trail runs for sixteen unbroken miles beneath massive cottonwood trees, offering a quiet paved path for cyclists and runners away from street traffic. Moving away from the river, the landscape changes fast. You can go from green valley farmlands fed by historic irrigation ditches to the high desert subdivisions of the West Mesa or the rocky foothills of the Sandia Mountains in just a quick drive. Because the river splits town, rush hour traffic tends to bottleneck around the few main bridges, so knowing which side of the river you live and work on is one of the first big decisions newcomers make.

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Albuquerque has deep roots that long predate its official founding in 1706. Ancient petroglyphs carved into the volcanic rock on the West Mesa sit alongside centuries of Pueblo history and Spanish colonial heritage. You will find that mix everywhere today. Historic Old Town offers adobe architecture, local jewelry shops, and the landmark San Felipe de Neri Church, while the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center gives newcomers an authentic introduction to the state's nineteen Pueblo nations. Just south of downtown in the historic Barelas neighborhood, old brick rail buildings host the popular Sunday Rail Yards Market. It is one of the best spots on the weekend to grab green chile breakfast burritos, browse handmade goods, and meet local vendors.

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Central Avenue, the city's famous stretch of Route 66, serves as the main east-west spine connecting several of Albuquerque's liveliest neighborhoods. Along this route, you will pass straight through downtown, the University of New Mexico campus, and Nob Hill, a trendy district packed with neon signs, indie coffee shops, vintage stores, and great restaurants. The dedicated Albuquerque Rapid Transit bus line makes hopping between these spots simple and free. If you want to commute or take a weekend day trip up to Santa Fe, the Alvarado Transportation Center downtown links local transit directly to the Rail Runner commuter train.

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When it comes to jobs, the economy is anchored by healthcare, higher education, aerospace, and national research. The University of New Mexico and its medical center employ thousands near the middle of town, while Sandia National Laboratories and Kirtland Air Force Base form a massive employment hub on the southeast side. Albuquerque is also known worldwide for the International Balloon Fiesta every October. Unique local wind patterns known as the Albuquerque Box allow pilots to take off, float across the valley, and navigate back down with incredible precision. For nine days, hundreds of colorful hot air balloons fill the morning sky over the Sandia Mountains, creating an unforgettable spectacle right from your front yard.