Los Alamos NM questions
May 7, 2015, 12:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,323
Los Alamos NM questions
Spouse has a likely job offer in Los Alamos, is flying out there next week to meet employer, look around the area.
Employer says nearest airport is ABQ, then rent car for the 90 minute drive.
I am wavering about whether this is a place seriously to be considered, or to ask spouse to decline the offer.
We are in our mid-fifties and so wanted to relocate just one more time before retiring, and was so was seeking a job where we could then later retire without moving again.
I know some people who have ABQ on their list as potential retirement cities.
Okay, can any FT folks familiar with this area help me out with this? Why ABQ? Or, if not there, where else is nearby? My spouse seems to think we can live near ABQ and he can daily commute to Los ALamos. Is that crazy for him to think?
Thanks in advance for ideas on what he will find on his brief trip there next week!
Employer says nearest airport is ABQ, then rent car for the 90 minute drive.
I am wavering about whether this is a place seriously to be considered, or to ask spouse to decline the offer.
We are in our mid-fifties and so wanted to relocate just one more time before retiring, and was so was seeking a job where we could then later retire without moving again.
I know some people who have ABQ on their list as potential retirement cities.
Okay, can any FT folks familiar with this area help me out with this? Why ABQ? Or, if not there, where else is nearby? My spouse seems to think we can live near ABQ and he can daily commute to Los ALamos. Is that crazy for him to think?
Thanks in advance for ideas on what he will find on his brief trip there next week!
May 7, 2015, 1:28 pm
#2
Moderator Hilton Honors, Travel News, West, The Suggestion Box, Smoking Lounge & DiningBuzz
Join Date: Jun 2000
Programs: Honors Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle, National Exec Elite
Posts: 36,027
United currently flies a few flights daily to Santa Fe, which is quite a bit closer to Los Alamos.
If I had the opportunity, I'd take it in a heartbeat. Los Alamos is a fascinating town, very high educational levels, near enough to Albuquerque to get away, but isolated enough to be quiet and peaceful.
I love that part of New Mexico with all its varied climates and topographies.
I would think commuting from Albuquerque would get old fast. I very much like Albuquerque too, but it has gotten significantly more crowded and with much more traffic over the last decade.
If I had the opportunity, I'd take it in a heartbeat. Los Alamos is a fascinating town, very high educational levels, near enough to Albuquerque to get away, but isolated enough to be quiet and peaceful.
I love that part of New Mexico with all its varied climates and topographies.
I would think commuting from Albuquerque would get old fast. I very much like Albuquerque too, but it has gotten significantly more crowded and with much more traffic over the last decade.
May 7, 2015, 3:01 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,323
United currently flies a few flights daily to Santa Fe, which is quite a bit closer to Los Alamos.
If I had the opportunity, I'd take it in a heartbeat. Los Alamos is a fascinating town, very high educational levels, near enough to Albuquerque to get away, but isolated enough to be quiet and peaceful.
I love that part of New Mexico with all its varied climates and topographies.
I would think commuting from Albuquerque would get old fast. I very much like Albuquerque too, but it has gotten significantly more crowded and with much more traffic over the last decade.
If I had the opportunity, I'd take it in a heartbeat. Los Alamos is a fascinating town, very high educational levels, near enough to Albuquerque to get away, but isolated enough to be quiet and peaceful.
I love that part of New Mexico with all its varied climates and topographies.
I would think commuting from Albuquerque would get old fast. I very much like Albuquerque too, but it has gotten significantly more crowded and with much more traffic over the last decade.
We thought about living in ABQ solely because we want to make this our last move, and didn't anticipate finding all of what we want in Los Alamos.
Didn't consider Santa Fe, though.
From my wee bit of research, it seems NM has a relatively low cost of living. Perfect. Looking for a peaceful, less congested area than where we have lived in the past (Wash. D.C., Chicago, and now Kansas City). Check.
But, need to find work myself if spouse takes this job, and I like to be near a reasonable sized city that has things to do.
Also, I have asthma issues, and doctors have advised a dry climate.
May 8, 2015, 9:26 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA 2MM - UA 1P / Hyatt Diamond - SPG Plat / Hertz 5* - Avis 1st
Posts: 3,886
While Albuquerque wouldn't be on my list of desirable places to live, Santa Fe is very lovely, although even that would be a one-hour drive both ways to Los Alamos.
And be sure and read Walter Jon Williams' book "Days of Atonement" for a good feel of the neighborhood living around Los Alamos.
And be sure and read Walter Jon Williams' book "Days of Atonement" for a good feel of the neighborhood living around Los Alamos.
May 9, 2015, 11:17 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Hhonors Gold, AAdvantage Gold
Posts: 21
As mentioned, SAF (Santa Fe) is much closer (~45 minutes) and has service from both UA (DEN) and AA (LAX, DFW). But you can fly direct to ABQ from MCI on WN, so maybe that's what they meant. Prices at SAF are surprisingly competitive, sometimes it's even cheaper to leave from SAF than ABQ. Los Alamos does have a tiny airport which recently had puddle jumper service to ABQ, but I think that's gone away now.
I wouldn't recommend commuting from Albuquerque; you're looking at 90 minutes one way, minimum. But people do it and I think there are van pools so your spouse wouldn't have to drive it everyday. I think there are also vans that run from Santa Fe.
While NM in general is low cost of living, Santa Fe and Los Alamos are not. Compared to KC, housing prices will probably be a rude shock (though not nearly as bad as DC).
I wouldn't recommend commuting from Albuquerque; you're looking at 90 minutes one way, minimum. But people do it and I think there are van pools so your spouse wouldn't have to drive it everyday. I think there are also vans that run from Santa Fe.
While NM in general is low cost of living, Santa Fe and Los Alamos are not. Compared to KC, housing prices will probably be a rude shock (though not nearly as bad as DC).
May 9, 2015, 7:09 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,323
So, I've been on trulia and zillow to get an idea of housing options.
YIKES. Santa Fe is pricey, like living back in Washington DC.
But, we loved lot sizes in Eldorado and some of the charming architectural features of many of the homes.
Looking forward to our visit next week.
If we are returning our rental car to ABQ on a Saturday morning, can anyone advise how long to allow if we have a 9:30 a.m. WN flight back to MCI?
NO checked bags, we both have TSA pre=check, if that is an option at ABQ.
YIKES. Santa Fe is pricey, like living back in Washington DC.
But, we loved lot sizes in Eldorado and some of the charming architectural features of many of the homes.
Looking forward to our visit next week.
If we are returning our rental car to ABQ on a Saturday morning, can anyone advise how long to allow if we have a 9:30 a.m. WN flight back to MCI?
NO checked bags, we both have TSA pre=check, if that is an option at ABQ.
May 10, 2015, 7:53 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Hhonors Gold, AAdvantage Gold
Posts: 21
So, I've been on trulia and zillow to get an idea of housing options.
YIKES. Santa Fe is pricey, like living back in Washington DC.
But, we loved lot sizes in Eldorado and some of the charming architectural features of many of the homes.
Looking forward to our visit next week.
If we are returning our rental car to ABQ on a Saturday morning, can anyone advise how long to allow if we have a 9:30 a.m. WN flight back to MCI?
NO checked bags, we both have TSA pre=check, if that is an option at ABQ.
YIKES. Santa Fe is pricey, like living back in Washington DC.
But, we loved lot sizes in Eldorado and some of the charming architectural features of many of the homes.
Looking forward to our visit next week.
If we are returning our rental car to ABQ on a Saturday morning, can anyone advise how long to allow if we have a 9:30 a.m. WN flight back to MCI?
NO checked bags, we both have TSA pre=check, if that is an option at ABQ.
ABQ is usually a snap to get through, especially with pre-check (which it definitely does have). I can usually get from curb to gate in 15 minutes or less. The rental cars are in a consolidated faculty pretty close to the terminal, so it shouldn't take too long to return your car. Sometimes there are very long lines at the WN check in counter, but if you don't check bags and check in online (which you definitely want to do exactly 24 hours before your flight on WN), you won't have to wait in them. An hour is probably fine, an hour and half should be very safe.
May 10, 2015, 9:20 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: LAS
Posts: 1,323
ABQ is usually a snap to get through, especially with pre-check (which it definitely does have). I can usually get from curb to gate in 15 minutes or less. The rental cars are in a consolidated faculty pretty close to the terminal, so it shouldn't take too long to return your car. Sometimes there are very long lines at the WN check in counter, but if you don't check bags and check in online (which you definitely want to do exactly 24 hours before your flight on WN), you won't have to wait in them. An hour is probably fine, an hour and half should be very safe.