Albuquerque

The city is divided into four quadrants: Northeast (NE), Southeast (SE), Northwest (NW), and Southwest (SW). The North/South dividing line is Central Avenue or “Old Route 66.” The East/West dividing line is Broadway. Each quadrant offers a diverse range of housing opportunities through a network of unique subdivisions and neighborhoods.

You’ll find Albuquerque’s friendly lifestyle helps newcomers feel right at home soon after they relocate. Many residents are active in their neighborhood association, of which there are more than 225 throughout the metropolitan area. The office of Neighborhood Coordination (505) 924-3914, a division of city government, provides workshops, a directory, a monthly newsletter and other assistance to neighborhoods dealing with such issues as zoning, parks and traffic.

• Albuquerque, founded in 1706, is one of the oldest inland cities in the U.S.
• Elevation is 5,314 ft., the highest metropolitan city on the American mainland.
• Albuquerque is the Hot Air Balloon Capital of the U.S. The city hosts the largest international hot air balloon competition in the world and draws crowds of more than 1.5 million people.
• Albuquerque covers more than 162 square miles, and is home to 857,903 people as of July 2009. It’s the 34th largest city in the U.S. in terms of population.
• The sun shines an average of 310 days a year. Year-round average temperatures range from 42° to 77°.
• Sandia Peak Tramway stretches 2.7 miles along the Sandia Mountains. It is the longest single span tram in the world. Sandia Crest offers a panoramic view of more than 11,000 sq. miles.
• Nine national monuments are located within a day’s drive of Albuquerque.

Employment

Job seekers are encouraged to contact the New Mexico Department of Labor, 501 Mountain Road NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102 (505) 843-1900. The agency offers the largest pool of job listings in the state, as well as a full staff of qualified employment counselors and placement interviewers.
The agency also issues several publications about the current job market: Large Employers in the Albuquerque Area, New Mexico Job Hunter’s Guide, New Mexico Labor Market Review, New Mexico 2006 Economic Projections. To order, call the Publication Hotline at (505) 841-8711. Also, check out the Department of Labor’s Web Site at http://www.state.nm.us/dol

Vehicle Registration

To register your vehicle (new residents have 30 days), you must take the vehicle to the Motor Vehicle Division and provide proof of (a) ownership, (b) liability insurance, and (c) compliance with state emission-control standards. Registration fees are based on the vehicle’s age and weight. Call 1-888 683-4636 for information and locations.

Taxes

New Mexico has a graduated state income tax. In other words, the tax rate rises as income increases, with personal income tax piggybacking on Federal income taxes.
The statewide gross receipts tax of 5.125% applies to almost all goods and services exchanged. Local communities can levy additional increments. The total gross receipts tax in Albuquerque is currently 7%.

All real property and business personal property is subject to taxation under New Mexico law. Real property valuations are based on market value. Business personal property must be reported to the Bernalillo County Assessor’s Office by the last day of February each year.

For information regarding real and business personal property taxation, call the Bernalillo County Assessor’s office at (505) 468-7031. For other tax questions, contact the Department of Taxation and Revenue in Albuquerque at (505) 841-6200.

Voter Registration

Albuquerque has no residency requirements for voter registration. Anyone who will be 18 years old by the date of the next election may register. To be eligible, you must be registered 28 days prior to the election. Information on locations of registration offices is also available from the Bernalillo County Bureau of Elections/Voter Registration at (505) 468-1291. You can also call the League of Women Voters (505) 884-8441; the Democratic Party (505) 830-3650 or the Republican Party (505) 298-3662.

In-State Tuition

To qualify for in-state tuition rates at the state schools, you are required to have been physically present in the state for a period of no less than 12 consecutive months. You must demonstrate your intention of becoming a permanent resident by registering your motor vehicle, obtaining a driver’s license and securing employment. An exception is possible for dependent students who move to the state with their families. Residency can be presumed if a parent supplies documentation of employment expected to continue throughout the coming year.