Hello,

Our family may be moving to ABQ this fall!  We don't know the area very well.  We have two boys (12 and 10) that we homeschool.  We are also in Boy Scouts.  Can anyone give us some hints about where to look for a home?  What areas have high density of homeschoolers?  We like to be where the HS action is!  Also, any ideas about good Boy Scout Troops?  I am an Asst Scoutmaster now and would love to contribute to a troop.  Also, how do you like ABQ?  Looks like it will be a big change from the Dallas area.  Is it easy to get to colorado and the mountains in northerner NM?  We love hiking, camping, and the outdoors.

Finally, my wife is concerned about the 1955 to 1999 Kirtland AFB oil spill getting into the ABQ water supply.  What is the local scoop on that?  

Thanks!  
Rob

Hello Rob,
Best place to get Scouting answers is the local council - http://www.gswcbsa.org

We love Albuquerque, going to the mountains in New Mexico and Colorado, and camping and boating... definitely easy to get to if you do not mind driving.
We have a friend of the family that has been a realtor here for a very long time. He would be great at helping you find a home. I will make sure it is ok to post his information. Until then, best wishes!!!

Hi, Rob!

Though I have lived in Albuquerque most of my adult life, I did a stint in DFW for a few years. I have to say, I really love it here.

The homeschooling scene seems to be...everywhere. Homeschooling is definitely not sub-culture here; there are tons of homeschoolers around Albuquerque and as a result, there are a lot of opportunities for homeschooling. Lots of co-ops, classes, acceptance, and friends to be made.

I love the NE part of town. It's older, greener, and the yards are bigger.  But the West side is growing a lot and the houses are cheaper out there. I know there are a good number of homeschoolers out there, too. It does take longer to get to some things from out there, but if you're used to DFW driving, then the West side is close compared to that. But don't be fooled! You'll be bitten by Albuquerqueitis, and within a couple of years you won't want to drive "all the way out there..." (whether you live on the east or west side) even though "all the way out there" is 25 minutes away.

When you're settled, please feel free to join us for a parkday. We meet every Thursday at Loma Del Norte park. You can find the time in the scrolling news at the top of the forum homepage.

As for Boy Scouts, we are pretty active in it at this point with my nine year old. I had a very difficult time getting hooked up with a group trying to use the local phone number and web site for scouting. I have a friend who is den leader for a group and that was my ticket in. I can give you her contact info if you like. She is also a homeschooler, though not connected with this particular co-op.

Kim

Welcome Rob!  I would avoid the SE part of town that is near the AFB.  I think I heard that there is an issue with water over that way.  NE Heights or the west side pulls from different wells and I believe are "up stream".  They also have lots of home schoolers.

We are big believers in combining home school with Scouts!  We have three Eagle Scouts and an 11yo scout and the youngest son is just 5.  My girls have all done Girl Scouting too.  I love to assign Boy Scouts everyday in home school.  It is sooo easy for me!  As far as a troop, it just depends what you are looking for.  Most people choose one based on geography, church or meeting time.  If you wind up in the NE Heights we'd love to have you join in our troop.  My husband is the Scout Master and our cub pack is the one that Kim's son is in.  But there are lot of great troops and packs around Alb and Philmont Scout Ranch is just up the road!!!

Hi Rob,
   Hope you're still moving to ABQ, it is truly a terrific place to call home.  Being from OK and having lived in the DFW area for several years I can let you in on the world of differences with NM.  My wife and I have a 7 yr old that we homeschool, a challenge, but tremendous benefits.  ABQ offers a host of new adventures for you and your family.  The ABQ Balloon Fiesta is only days away, hundreds of hot air balloon fill the sky for nine days.  You can get down on the field and assist with launching the balloons.  The Hispanic and Native American culture adds a world of life.  The high desert climate will be a tremendous blessing from the heat and humidity of your area, typically mild winters are enjoyed in the ABQ area.  No and I must emphasis this, NO TORNADOS!  However, a lot of Texans and Okies contract desert allergies, they can be a serious nag.  Much fewer lakes than Texas, definetly a minus.  There are still a lot of places to go if you venture from ABQ, the mountains are awesome.

Homes are plentiful, however shop wisely.  Rio Rancho offers the most bang for the buck, but it is off the path in the far NW of ABQ.  2,900 sqft 3 yrs ago was 280 is now 190 if you look.  The East side of ABQ is popular for a number of reasons, it's the more established part of town, but the west side is up and coming(even though it is a more desert area while the east side is greener).  A lot of homes are going xeriscape(replacing grass with desert vegetation and rock/gravel covering).  NE Heights is going to be a little closer to what you're accustomed to, however there are a lot of Texans in Rio Rancho.  Try to visit Red River in northern NM, they call it Little Texas because of all the Texas that live there, a beautiful little town to visit.  Al

Remember you're moving out of the Bible Belt, get ready for culture shock.  I am a minister, it was worse when we moved here from OKC to Santa Fe.  Very liberal perspectives. On a different note probably 50% of the popluation are Cowboy fans.  All in all NM is an incredible place to call home.  Good luck and God Bless to you and yours.

RayD  

Thanks, Ray.  Yes, we'll be moving in December or January.  We visited last weekend and liked Rio Rancho for the amenities, but liked East Mountain for the scenery and acreage.  The NE Heights area seemed nice, but a little void of community facilities.  We did notice that there are relatively few evangelical/conservative churches in ABQ.  We're coming from Chuck Swindoll's church in Frisco, so it will be a major shock.  We're also coming from a homeschool/Christian Boy Scout Troop. But I'm sure we'll find the right places to plug in.  

We're looking forward to the move!

Quoted from 1386

  Hope you're still moving to ABQ, it is truly a terrific place to call home.  ...Remember you're moving out of the Bible Belt, get ready for culture shock.  I am a minister, it was worse when we moved here from OKC to Santa Fe.  Very liberal perspectives. On a different note probably 50% of the popluation are Cowboy fans.  All in all NM is an incredible place to call home.  Good luck and God Bless to you and yours.

RayD  

Rebecca, Can you PM me your troop number?  We're going to start looking for a troop soon and would love to check it out!

Thanks,
Rob

Quoted from RebeccaL

Welcome Rob!  I would avoid the SE part of town that is near the AFB.  I think I heard that there is an issue with water over that way.  NE Heights or the west side pulls from different wells and I believe are "up stream".  They also have lots of home schoolers.

We are big believers in combining home school with Scouts!  We have three Eagle Scouts and an 11yo scout and the youngest son is just 5.  My girls have all done Girl Scouting too.  I love to assign Boy Scouts everyday in home school.  It is sooo easy for me!  As far as a troop, it just depends what you are looking for.  Most people choose one based on geography, church or meeting time.  If you wind up in the NE Heights we'd love to have you join in our troop.  My husband is the Scout Master and our cub pack is the one that Kim's son is in.  But there are lot of great troops and packs around Alb and Philmont Scout Ranch is just up the road!!!

Angela, could you PM me the name of your realtor friend?  Thanks!

Quoted from 1117

Hello Rob,
Best place to get Scouting answers is the local council - http://www.gswcbsa.org

We love Albuquerque, going to the mountains in New Mexico and Colorado, and camping and boating... definitely easy to get to if you do not mind driving.
We have a friend of the family that has been a realtor here for a very long time. He would be great at helping you find a home. I will make sure it is ok to post his information. Until then, best wishes!!!