Apartments for Rent in Albuquerque, NM - 470 Rentals available

Renter's Guide to Albuquerque

Located along the deserts of New Mexico, Albuquerque is a sight for sore eyes – or nature lovers.

With a huge number of parks both in and around the city – including over half a dozen national parks –Albuquerque is unbeatable when it comes to natural beauty.

In fact, US News recently rated Albuquerque as one of the top 50 best places to live. What's all the fuss about? We'll tell you.

Albuquerque is 189 square miles wide. For comparison, that makes it roughly half the size of Dallas, Texas and 33% the size of Phoenix, Arizona.

The city of Albuquerque sits 449 miles from Denver, 421 miles from Phoenix, and 267 miles from El Paso, the Texas city that's right on the Mexican border.

Albuquerque has a cool, semi-arid climate. You can count on at least 300 days of full sunshine per year, and the city spends about 15 to 20% of the year at temperatures over 90ºF.

Winter temperatures occasionally get close to or below freezing, but it rarely snows because of the city's low annual precipitation.

Spring and fall are very temperate, with cooler temperatures that hover in the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

Cost of Living in Albuquerque, NM

Let's talk budget.

If you're feeling hungry, you can grab dinner for two at a local mid-level restaurant for $45, while domestic beers will set you back about $4 each.

Average utilities for a 915sqft apartment come to around $161 per month, which includes everything you need – electricity, water, heating, and garbage.

Locals who are really looking to save money catch the public bus, courtesy of the City of Albuquerque Transit Department. Rides are just $1 for adults and 35 cents for students.

There's also the New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter rail system for longer trips, like to Santa Fe or other surrounding areas. Fares range from $2 to $10 a trip, depending on how far you're going.

Living in Albuquerque

One of the first things you notice about Albuquerque is its natural beauty. Clear, blue skies, warm but not too warm weather, and tons of parks. In fact, over 25% of the city is dedicated to parks – that's more than any other metro in the country.

Albuquerque's also got an interesting blend of cultures. Its proximity to the Mexican border and large Hispanic community make for some great dining options.

Of course, it's not all sunshine and good food. Albuquerque does struggle with some poverty and crime in certain areas.

Things to do in Albuquerque

You've got the day free and you're looking for something to do. Where will you go? First, let's lay out your options.

The Albuquerque Biological Park alone has tons of things to check out. There's a zoo, an aquarium, a botanical garden, and Tingley Beach, where the whole family can do some fishing or boating.

Other popular nature options around Albuquerque include Sandia Peak, La Luz Trail, and Rio Grande Nature Center State Park.

If you're in the mood to explore a little culture, history, or science, you'll love the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Explora Science Center, New Mexican Museum of Natural History and Science, Petroglyph National Monument, or the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History. That's a lot!

But you really don't want to miss the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Every fall, hot air balloon enthusiasts from around the world gather to spend over a week filling the air with hundreds of hot air balloons at a time. It's really a site to behold – maybe that's why it's earned a reputation as one of the most photographed events in the world.

Sports fans aren't left out in Albuquerque either. For that, you can hit up a University of New Mexico Lobos game or head over to watch the Albuquerque Isotops minor league baseball team, a fan favorite.

Working in Albuquerque

Albuquerque's biggest industries include manufacturing, energy (like solar and nuclear), aerospace, and defense.

Intel and General Mills are just two of the major companies that do their manufacturing in Albuquerque. Kirtland Air Force Base also employs tens of thousands of civilians from the city.

Top Colleges in Albuquerque, NM

Albuquerque's most prominent college is the University of New Mexico, which has one of the best medical schools in the country.

Another option is Central New Mexico Community College, especially for students seeking a shorter degree. There's also a school that caters to Native Americans – and has students from over 120 tribes –called the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute.

Tips for Renting in Albuquerque

Before you start packing, let's talk about some of the tenant laws in Albuquerque.

By renting a property, you're agreeing to certain things, like paying rent and taking care of the property. If you fail to follow these rules, your landlord can give you a seven day notice – which has to come within 30 days of the rule that you broke.

During the first seven days, you have the opportunity to fix the problem; one example would be paying overdue rent. If you commit the same violation within six months of the first, the landlord will give you a second seven day notice.

But this time, you won't have the opportunity to fix the problem. You'll be forced to either move out within those 7 days or be evicted.