Relocating to New Mexico...

Just Jenn RN · Nov 19, 2011

First of all, congrats on your job offer :)

Albuquerque can be a great place to live and many people do enjoy it here. Depending on where you are coming from, you may find the social scene a little lacking, but it isn't TOO bad. Some people complain that "there is nothing to do," but it seems like they just aren't looking, because there is always something to do. If you are coming from a large metro area, you will probably find the commute to be better than a large city (although we do still complain about it ). The cost of living is pretty good here, and you will find that your nursing pay is probably more than adequate to live comfortably.

Can I ask where you are going to be working? Maybe I can give some suggestions there regarding traffic/parking/etc...

Also, any specific questions you have, maybe I can help.

noodlehead5050 · Nov 22, 2011

Thanks for replying Just Jen RN!

I am going to be working at UNMH. I was wondering if you know how the environment there is for nurses? And, any suggestions on where a good place to live would be?

Just Jenn RN · Nov 22, 2011

I work at a different hospital, but I was at UNMH for a lot of my clinical rotations in school (and have several friends who work there). It is a great place for a new nurse to learn and gain experience. Because it is a teaching hospital, so many people are open to helping you learn the ropes. Of course, there are always exceptions (we all know people like that), but aside from the ER which is just crazy busy most of the time, you will get a lot of good experience there. My friends that work there are very happy with their jobs, and many of them are new grads too. They have some of the best equipment and resources in the area, as well.

As for where to live: The mountains are East, so that should help you keep your bearings when you are driving. If you are planning on renting an apartment, I would say to avoid the far northwest side of town, but that is mainly because of the commute after a long day or in bad weather can be irritating (many people here don't drive too well in the snow :lol2: ) There are a lot of reasonably priced places in the NE part of town that are convenient to the hospital.

Where are you moving from? If you are moving from somewhere north, you will enjoy the fact that our winters are fairly short and usually involve minimal snow (of course, we do still complain about 'em )

noodlehead5050 · Nov 23, 2011

I am moving from the Denver metro area, CO so i know snow :) And you made me laugh about saying that the mountains are on the east, b/c I truly do navigate by where the mountains are, always on the west tho that is going to be hard to get used to.