Living in Albuquerque

About Albuquerque

THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE AND NEW MEXICO

Albuquerque is a city of over 750,000 people, located in the valley of the Rio Grande River, with an altitude of 1,800 meters. The Sandia and Manzano mountain ranges lie just to the east of the city. As the largest city in New Mexico, Albuquerque offers many cultural amenities, including museums, concerts, a lively theater scene, and the world's largest Hot Air Balloon fiesta, which takes place for several days in October. 

For more information about the city of Albuquerque, please visit the following websites:

• http://www.visitalbuquerque.org/

• http://www.cabq.gov/visiting.html

About UNM

UNM is located near downtown Albuquerque (locals call it Duke City or Burque). Albuquerque is the 32^nd largest city in the United States with about 570,000 residents living here.

Learn more about attending UNM on the UNM Website: https://admissions.unm.edu/

Plan a visit to UNM: https://admissions.unm.edu/visit-us/index.html

Where Is Albuquerque?

Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, sits in the high desert. Its modern Downtown core contrasts with Old Town Albuquerque, dating to the city’s 1706 founding as a Spanish colony. Old Town is filled with historic adobe buildings, such as San Felipe de Neri Church, 5 museums, and shops selling Native American handicrafts. Nearby, The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center traces the area’s tribal history.

About New Mexico

New Mexico is located in the southwestern United States on the Mexican-U.S. border. Its neighboring states are Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Utah and Oklahoma. The spectacular scenery of its deserts, mountains, and wide-open spaces has earned New Mexico the title “Land of Enchantment.” New Mexico is the traditional home of many Native American peoples, and contains some of the best archaeological sites in the U.S. It was part of the Spanish colonial empire and then part of Mexico until the 1840's. Today, the state is noted for the diversity of its population, and its unique blend of Native American, Hispanic, African-American and Anglo arts and culture.

For more information about the state of New Mexico, please visit the following website:

• http://www.newmexico.org

• http://www.nmmagazine.com

• http://www.discovernewmexico.com

Weather

In Albuquerque, cool nights and warm days with very low humidity and bright blue skies are typical. The summers are hot, the winters are short and very cold, and it is a dry and mostly clear year-round. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from -3°C to 34°C and is rarely below -8°C or above 37°C.

Fall (Autumn):

September, October, November

Fall temperatures are cool and comfortable ranging from 18°C to 30°C. The days can get hot while the nights remain chilly.

Winter:

December, January, February

Winter temperatures are cold — with day averages ranging from 4°C to 8°C — and they may dip below 0° Celsius. Expect snowfall of a few inches. January is NM's coldest and snowiest month where temperatures can reach -18°C at peak cold season. Though, you can still expect lots of sunshine and comfortable days during the winter. NM receives many tourists during winter for Snowboarding and Skiing.

Spring:

March, April, May

Spring temperatures start off cool — ranging from 10° Celsius 26° Celsius — and gradually get warmer closer to Summer. Spring is known for being windy. 

Summer:

June, July, August

Summer temperatures can reach 35° Celsius, with possible thundershowers during July and August. Prepare to wear lots of sunblock and drink lots of water during the Summer.

Nob Hill

Many restaurants, pubs, cafes, ice cream shops, boutiques, dance/yoga studios, and local stores are in this area, just east of UNM. To learn more click here. 

Location: Located along Central Ave (also known as the historic U.S. Route 66).

Historic Old Town

Old Town has been at the heart of Albuquerque since the city was founded in 1706. Today, this neighborhood is a well preserved display of historic New Mexican architecture, and is home to many shops, souvenir stores, museums, galleries, restaurants, and cafes. To learn more click here.

Location: Located between Central Ave and Mountain Rd, just east of Rio Grande Blvd.

Coronado Shopping Center

This giant shopping mall has a wide variety of stores. For a list of shops, click here.

Location: Located on Menaul Blvd & Louisiana Blvd.

Downtown

This is the economic center of Albuquerque, and a place of cultural and social activity. It is the place to find live music from both local and traveling bands, theaters, restaurants, bars, pubs, and movies. To see what movies are currently playing, visit: Century 14 Theater. To learn more about Downtown click here.

Location: Located along Central Ave between 1st St and 7th St.

Uptown

This is the best place for shopping addicts. Tons of shops, restaurants, and New Mexico's premier day spa are in this area. To learn more click here.

Location: Located on Louisiana Blvd, just north of I-40.

State Fair Grounds

This is the home to the annual State Fair during the month of September. Throughout the rest of the year, the space is used for special events, concerts, and rodeos. There is also a flea market nearly every Saturday and Sunday throughout the year. To learn more click here.

Location: Located on Louisiana Blvd and Central Ave.

Sandia Peak Tramway

The Sandia Peak Tramway is the world's third longest single span tram ride. The panoramic view from the tram includes roughly 11,000 square miles of the city and surrounding areas and is a spectacular place to watch the sunset. For more information, visit Sandia Peak Tramway.

Location: Located on 30 Tramway Rd NE.