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ublisher of 95 U.S. and 32 International Relocation Guides, NewMarket PServices, Inc., is proud to introduce our online version. Now you may easily access the same information you find in each one of our 127 Relocation Guides at

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Alburquerque Information Guide [ 5 HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

The NewMarket Services Information Guide is designed as a valuable resource tool for you, the newcomer to Albuquerque. It is our intent in producing this publication to standardize important and helpful information on your new community in a format that is most useful to you.

Important telephone numbers, Albuquerque Welcomes You! packing and moving suggestions, and much, much more useful information is found throughout the Guide pages. Selected area businesses, many offering significant savings are found in the Business Directory Section, sorted by category.

The Guide can save you both time and money while providing you a continuous resource tool as you become more familiar with the metroplex. We do hope you find our Relocation Guide to be of assistance to you. If you do not find something you need, or if you have any suggestions for future issues of the Guide, please give us a call. We will be happy to assist in any way.

(866) 595-3792 Toll Free From everyone at NewMarket Services Welcome to Albuquerque!

6 ] Alburquerque Information Guide www.newmarketservices.com Albuquerque Information Guide [ Volume 10 [ Number 6

LOCAL INFORMATION Area Codes, Important Phone Numbers 12 Weather 12 Travel Information 13 About Albuquerque 9-10 Historical Background 14 Where to Stay 15-16 Publisher: NewMarket Services, Inc. Dining & Nightlife 16, 18 President: Patrick Morgan Entertainment 19 Recommended Tours 22-23 Managing Editor: Rebecca Wallace

Executive Editor: Jason Gerali MOVING Contributing Writer: Amy Tennant Smooth Transitions 25-26 Executive VP Sales & Marketing: Robert Fischer Choosing a Moving Company 25 Regional Sales Manager: Beth Hurley Packing Tips 25-26 Staying Organized 26 Art Department: Sprague Design Settling Into Your New Home 26 Graphic Designer: Dean Sprague What’s All The Talk About 29 NewMarket On-Line: Total Web Design, Inc. Pre-Move Checklist 30-31 IT and Web Development: Larry Bongiovi MOVING WITH CHILDREN & PETS Research Assistant: Stephanie Cooper, Lora Price Reinforce The Positives 33-34 Circulation: Little Drummer Boy Dist., Inc. Choosing a School 33-34 Phoenix Office: Selecting Child Care 34-35 PO Box 30534 Education 36-37 Phoenix, AZ 85046-0534 Relocating Your Pet 38 Phone: (602) 923-3415 FITNESS & HEALTH Fax: (602) 923-0774 Toll Free: (866) 595-3791 In the Kitchen 40 Physical and Mental Well Being 41-43 Chicago Office: Volunteering 44 902 North Ashland Chicago, IL 60622 HOUSING Phone: (312) 226-6288 Making the Right Choice 46-47 Fax: (312) 226-6290 Choosing the Right Home 48 Toll Free: (866) 595-3792 Home Inspection Checklist 49 NewMarket currently publishes Information Homecare Basics for New Homeowners 50 Guides for 95 North American and 32 Security 51 International Markets. To order your Home Buyer’s Glossary 52-53 NewMarket Information Guides for $3.50 each, please contact NewMarket Services Take Control of Your Energy Costs 54 toll free at (866) 595-3792. Who’s Who in Building 55 Selecting a Builder 56 In preparing this publication, every effort Selecting a Contractor 57 has been made to assure the accuracy of Mortgage Information 58-60 the information contained herein, but authenticity cannot be guaranteed. Listings are subject to omission, error or change BUSINESS DIRECTORY without notice. Business Directory Listings 61-65 All material in this publication is copyright protected and can only be reprinted with permission of the publisher.

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 7 THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO

ew Mexico is a southwestern state in the United States. New Mexico does not have a sales tax. Instead, it has a 5% gross Over its relatively long history it has also been occupied by receipts tax. In almost every case, the business passes along the NNative American populations and has been part of the tax to the consumer, so that the gross receipts tax resembles a Spanish viceroyalty of New Spain, a province of Mexico and a U.S. sales tax. The combined gross receipts tax rate varies throughout territory. Among U.S. states, New Mexico has simultaneously the the state from 5.125% to 7.8125%. The total rate is a combination highest percentage of Hispanic Americans (some recent immigrants of all rates imposed by the state, counties and municipalities. and others descendants of Spanish colonists) and the second- Started in 2005, New Mexicans no longer pay taxes on most food highest percentage of Native Americans (mostly Navajo and Pueblo purchases; however, there are exceptions to this program. Also peoples). As a result, the demographics and culture of the state are beginning Jan. 2005, the state eliminated the tax on certain medical unique for their strong Spanish, Mexican, and U.S. Amerindian services. cultural influences. The climate of New Mexico is best summed up as sunny and dry. With a Native American population of 134,000 in 1990, New The main factor in the climate of the state is elevation. Summers in Mexico still ranks as an important center of American Indian culture. New Mexico are hot below 5000 feet in elevation with daytime highs Both the Navajo and Apache share Athabaskan origin. The Apache frequently exceeding 100 °F. At the highest elevations, the upper and some Ute live on federal reservations within the state. With 16 70’s °F is the summertime normal high temperature. The million acres, mostly in neighboring Arizona, the reservation of the summertime peak is often reached earlier than in the rest of the Navajo Nation ranks as the largest in the United States. The United States and July and August often bring monsoon moisture prehistorically agricultural Pueblo Indians live in pueblos scattered to the state as moisture from the Gulf of Mexico comes into the throughout the state, many older than any European settlement. state. Summer nights are comfortable as the temperature drops Private service economy in urban New Mexico, especially in rapidly as the sun sets. The winters bring cooler temperatures than Albuquerque, has boomed in recent decades. Since the end of might be expected for a state at its latitude with daytime highs in the World War II, the city has gained an ever-growing number of south part of the state only reaching around 55 °F in lower retirees, especially among armed forces veterans and government elevations in the south, while many higher elevations in the north workers. It is also increasingly gaining notice as a health conscious barely average above freezing. Nights throughout the state tend to community, and contains many hospitals and a high per capita be below freezing in the winter. As a general rule, precipitation in number of massage and alternative therapists. The warm, semiarid New Mexico increases with elevation with the southern desert and climate has contributed to the exploding population of the San Juan Valley receiving less than 10 inches per year, while the Albuquerque, attracting new industries to New Mexico. highest areas of the state receive more than 20 inches per year. Cattle and dairy products top the list of major animal products of New Mexico. Cattle, sheep, and other livestock graze most of the arable land of the state throughout the year. New Mexicans derive Fast Facts POPULATION: 1,928,384 much of their income from mineral extraction. Even before AREA: 121,593 sq. mi European exploration, Native Americans mined turquoise for Santa Fe making jewelry. After the Spanish introduced refined silver alloys CAPITAL: they were incorporated into the Indian jewelry designs. New Mexico LARGEST CITIES: Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe produces uranium ore, manganese ore, potash, salt, perlite, copper MOTTO: Crescit Eundo “It Grows as It Goes” ore, beryllium, and tin concentrates. NICKNAME: Land of Enchantment Federal government spending is a major driver of the New DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME: No Mexico economy. The federal government spends 2 dollars on New TIME ZONE: Mountain Mexico for every dollar of tax revenue collected from the state. This WEB SITE: www.newmexico.gov rate of return is higher than any other state in the Union. [5]. The federal government also a major employer in New Mexico providing more than a quarter of the state’s jobs. Many of the federal jobs relate to the military; the state hosts three air force bases (Kirtland Air Force Base, Holloman Air Force Base, and Cannon Air Force Base); a testing range (White Sands Missile Range); an army proving ground and maneuver range (Fort Bliss Military Reservation - McGregor Range); national observatories; and the technology labs of Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). SNL conducts electronic and industrial research next to Kirtland AFB, on the southeast side of Albuquerque.

8 ] Alburquerque Information Guide ABOUT ALBUQUERQUE

OVERVIEW

lbuquerque is a city of diversity, with geographic and historic circumstances that brought Native American, Hispanic and Anglo cultures together to create a unique Amulticultural community. The land awes and inspires with the Sandia and Manzano Mountains to the east, the river valley cutting through the city and the West Mesa escarpment with its ghosts of volcanic activity. The weather is mild and it is not unusual for a 70-degree day during the winter, when people can be seen snow skiing at Sandia Peak Ski Area in shorts. Albuquerque is a year-round destination for travelers, offering recreational activities such as white water rafting, the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, gambling for the high-stakes enthusiast, hiking, skiing, world class bird watching and great dining. The mixture of old and new architectural styles is stunning. In spite of the size of the city and all of the amenities that go along with big city life, Albuquerque manages to retain a small town charm. Old Town Whether you stroll through this historic district on your own, or take a tour with the Albuquerque Museum, Old Town is the perfect place to begin exploring The Duke City. At the heart of this district is the original central plaza that is lined with over 100 quaint little shops. Like everything else in Albuquerque, a visit to Old Town is a delightful mix of old and new, with sights that range from Civil War cannons to the Church of San Felipe de Neri. A stroll around the plaza will give you a glimpse into the rich history of the area as well as a taste of the tremendous artistic talents showcased in places like The Adobe Gallery. Stop in at The Candy Lady for a delectable chocolate. Go further back in time with a trip through the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, or satisfy your childlike curiosity in the Explora! Science Center. You can stay in the area in the modern luxury of the Sheraton Old Town, or ALBUQUERQUE VITAL STATISTICS in the elegance of a bed and breakfast like the Bottger-Koch Mansion. Zip Code: 87201 Downtown Population: 712,738 The hub of business and government activity in the city is the bustling downtown area. The Civic Plaza also plays host to myriad other activities and during summer months, Median Age: 34.9 Summerfest is held. This is a celebration of New Mexico’s many cultures that showcases Male: 48.96% the food, music and dance of a different ethnic group every Saturday. While the Civic Plaza Female: 51.04% is downtown’s outdoor venue, the KiMo Theater, renovated in 1999-2000, is the city’s crown jewel of indoor venues for the performing arts. The Hyatt Regency, one of the city’s Ethnic Make-up: newest luxury hotels dominates the downtown skyline. With two lounges and a restaurant African American: 2.50% that offers fine dining, this is the ultimate hotel for the business traveler. Asian: 1.70% Midtown Hispanic: 41.60% This region of Albuquerque boomed following the Second World War when Route 66 Native American: 5.60% became an artery for interstate travel and migration to the west. The residential White/Caucasian: 69.60% neighborhoods are quaint, tree-lined streets with sprawling, 1950s ranch-style homes and a sprinkling of well-groomed parks. The uptown district is the retail center of the city. Two Home Median Value: $148,023 large, indoor shopping malls, Winrock Center and Coronado Center, lie within a mile of each Cost of Living Index: 98.8% other. Restaurateurs have taken advantage of the traffic generated by these centers. The Median Household Income: $39,486 Japanese Kitchen sushi bar caters to local businessmen and shoppers alike. The Sheraton

continued on page 10

Alburquerque Information Guide [ 9 NATIONAL HEALTH ORGANIZATION PHONE NUMBERS

National Health Organization Mental Health Simply dial plus the number below 1-800-*… National Alliance for the Mentally Illness (NAMI) 950-6264 Allergy National Down Syndrome Society 244-4444 Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America (AFFA) 727-8462 National Mental Health Association Resource Ctr 969-6642 Cancer Neurology American Cancer Society 227-2345 National Alzheimer’s Association 272-3900 American Institute for Cancer Research. 843-8114 Christopher Reeve’s Paralysis Foundation 225-0292 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of America 955-4572 American Parkinson Disease Association 223-2732 National Cancer Institute (CIS) 422-6237 Epilepsy Foundation of America. 332-1000 Skin Cancer Foundation (SCF) 754-6490 United Cerebral Palsy Associations (UCPA) 872-5827 Children’s Health Huntington’s Disease Society of America 345-4372 American SIDS Foundation 232-7437 Brain Injury Association of America Family Hotline 444-6443 Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) 344-4823 National Headache Foundation 843-2256 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation 223-1138 National Multiple Sclerosis Society 344-4867 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Alliance 221-7437 National Stroke Association 787-6537 National Reye’s Syndrome Foundation, Inc. 233-7393 Patient Care Spina Bifida Association of American 621-3141 Medic Alert Foundation U.S. 863-3425 or 432-5378 Infectious Diseases National Hospice Organization 658-8898 AIDS Hotline, CDC National, National STD Hotline 342-AIDS Shriner’s Hospital Referral Line 237-5055 (Spanish) 344-7432 Visiting Nurse Association of America 426-2547 (Hearing Impaired) 243-7889 Physical Disabilities Internal Medicine American Council of the Blind. 424-8666 American Diabetes Association 232-3472 American Speech/Language/Hearing Association 638-8255 American Heart Association 242-8721 or 968-1793 National Easter Seals Society 221-6827 American Kidney Association 638-8299 Woman’s Health American Lung Association 586-4872 Endometriosis Association. 992-3636 Arthritis Foundation 283-7800 Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization. 221-2141 Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Inc. 932-2423 *This is a Toll-Free Number! Lupus Foundation of America 558-0121 This is only a partial list of national health organizations. National Kidney Foundation 622-9010 Contact the National Health Information Center (NHIC) Spondylitis Association of American (SAA) 777-8189 at (800) 336-4797 for a more complete list.

NOTE: This general information is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional as it relates to your specific situation.

10 ] Albuquerque Information Guide ABOUT ALBUQUERQUE

Albuquerque Uptown offers a range of rates for all levels of business North Valley/South Valley travelers. If you are overwhelmed by the district’s hole-in-the-wall The Rio Grande Valley offers the visitor a glimpse of what the and specialty eateries, try the hotel’s Classic Grille, offering meals Spanish explorers saw in the 15th century when they rode north with a Southwestern flair. If you’re visiting over the weekend, be along the Rio Grande del Norte. The economic diversity of the city sure to drop in for the Fajitas-and-Margaritas-for-Two special. unravels as you follow Rio Grande Boulevard from north to south. Nob Hill/University Some of the homes in the south valley have withstood the test of This eccentric area is a mix of art deco, Spanish colonial, Pueblo time for hundreds of years. Nestled among these ancient dwellings and modern architectural styles. It has undergone a recent facelift are the Albuquerque Country Club and the Rio Grande Zoological and the Nob Hill Merchants Association has revitalized and Park. A new addition to the south valley is the Albuquerque reclaimed this formerly run-down neighborhood. Once-bland strip Aquarium and Rio Grande Botanic Gardens, where you can dine malls now house a mix of retailers, galleries and coffee houses that with the sharks in their exclusive restaurant. cater to students from the nearby University of New Mexico as well The North Valley is home to some of the city’s more prominent as the locals who drop in for a little gossip. Closer to the university families. The world famous racing family, the Unsers, have an estate are a variety of restaurants, delis and sidewalk cafes that offer fare here. Set in the adobe walls that surround the estate are wheels from the far reaches of the world. The award-winning Olympia Café from cars that actually ran at the Indianapolis 500. Giant, ancient has served authentic Greek cuisine from the same location since cottonwoods shade bridle paths and walking trails. The River Horse 1972. Just east of the Nob Hill area lie the New Mexico State Fair Ranch offers visitors an opportunity to take guided or unguided grounds, home of the sixth largest state fair in the US. rides along the banks of the river. A nice way to end the day is a visit Northeast Heights to the Anderson Vineyards, where you can taste one of New The sheer, pink granite Sandia Mountains provide a picturesque Mexico’s premier wines. backdrop for this sprawling area, which contains some of the East Mountains newest developments within the city limits. One of Albuquerque’s Surrounded by majestic ponderosa pines and expansive vistas, landmark features is the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway. For an this area is growing faster than some people like. Populated with a unforgettable evening, punctuated by one of the most awe-inspiring mix of income groups, age groups, and ethnic backgrounds, the views in the western United States, catch a ride on the tram to the east mountain area is seen as a retreat from the hustle and bustle top of the mountains where you can enjoy a sunset meal at the High of the big city. You can ski Sandia Peak Ski Area in the morning and Finance Restaurant. A drive past the opulent mansions that perch golf at Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club in the afternoon. Lodging in the East on the boulder strewn foothills of the mountains will take you to the Mountains is limited to bed and breakfasts and hikers’ Mecca of Albuquerque. Elena Gallegos Park offers miles of Elaine’s is a peaceful place to end the day. The frenetic pace of trails through the sage and juniper hills. On the north end of the the city is forgotten as visitors can enjoy a hot drink by the fire, or mountains, La Luz Trail winds to the soaring heights of Sandia sit on the porch watching the hummingbirds chase each other Crest, where hang gliders ride the warm air currents that rise from among the pines. the valley floor. West Mesa The silicon age drives the economy of one of the fastest growing regions in the country. The Intel Corporation has sparked a massive boom on the city’s west side. As new neighborhoods sprawl across the mesa, their growth is steered by the basalt escarpment of Petroglyph National Monument. A hike down the trails of this unique treasure offers visitors a glimpse into New Mexico’s prehistoric past. Shopping abounds at the new Cottonwood Mall, the state’s largest indoor mall. The Hilton Garden Inn, across the street from the Intel complex, offers a central location for the visitor with business on the west side. A drive down Coors Boulevard after dark offers a remarkable vista. The city becomes a sea of light that stretches from the distant mountains to the cottonwood Bosque of the Rio Grande.

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 11 IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS

City Area Code(s) Government Numbers The area code for Albuquerque is 505 Internal Revenue Service (800) 829-1040 Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213 Emergency Services All Emergencies 911 Directory Assistance 411 Crisis Pregnancy Center (800) 395-4357 Consumer Credit Counseling Services (505) 884-6601 Poison Control (800) 764-7661 Family Services For Children (505) 994-4931 Runaway Hotline (800) 392-3352 Landlord Tenant Hotline (505) 256-9442 Financial Services Shipping & Postal Services Automatic Teller Information Airborne Express (800) 247-2676 ATM Locator (800) 248-4286 DHL Airways (800) 225-5345 MasterCrd ATM (800) 424-7787 Emery Worldwide (800) 443-6379 VISA Plus System (800) 843-7587 Federal Express (800) 463-3339 Lost or Stolen Credit Cards American Express (800) 233-5432 UPS (800) 742-5877 AT&T Universal Card (800) 423-4343 Diners Club (800) 234-6377 Support Networks Discover Card (800) 347-2683 AARP Senior Community Service JCB (800) 736-8111 Employment Program (505) 248-0052 MasterCard (800) 826-2181 Albuquerque Women’s Resource Center (505) 242-7033 VISA (800) 336-8472 Crisis Pregnancy Center (800) 395-4357 Lost or Stolen Travelers Checks Hospitality House (505) 266-7503 American Express (800) 221-7282 MADD (505) 255-2955 Thomas Cook MasterCard (800) 223-7373 Rape Crisis Line (800) 721-7273 Travelers Check Customer Service (800) 645-6556 Ronald McDonald House (505) 842-8960 VISA (800) 227-6811 Teen Link (Various Topics) (800) 235-9678 United Way Of Central New Mexico (505) 247-3671

WEATHER

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Average High 46.8 53.5 61.4 70.8 79.7 90.0 92.5 89.0 81.9 71.0 57.3 47.5

Average Low 21.5 26.4 32.2 39.6 48.6 58.3 64.4 62.6 55.2 43.0 31.2 23.1

Average Precipitation 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.6 1.4 1.6 1.0 0.9 0.4 0.5

Temperature in degrees F, precipitation in inches

12 ] Albuquerque Information Guide TRAVEL INFORMATION

Airlines - Domestic Princess Cruises (800) 774-6237 AirTran Airlines, airtran.com (800) 247-8726 Royal Caribbean Intl. (800) 327-6700 Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air, alaskaair.com (800) 252-7522 Hotels/Motels American Airlines, aa.com (800) 433-7300 Best Western (800) 528-1234 Atlantic Southeast, flyasa.com (800) 282-3424 Budgetel Inns (800) 428-3438 Comair, comair.com (800) 221-1212 Clarion Hotels (800) 424-6423 Continental Airlines, continental.com (800) 525-0280 Comfort Inns (800) 424-6423 Delta Airlines, delta.com (800) 221-1212 Courtyard by Marriott (800) 321-2211 Frontier Airlines, frontierairlines.com (800) 432-1359 Days Inn (800) 329-7466 Hawaiian Airlines, hawaiianair.com (800) 367-5320 Doubletree Hotels (800) 222-8733 JetBlue Airlines, JetBlue.com (800) 538-2583 Econo Lodges (800) 446-4777 Midwest Airlines, midwestairlines.com (800) 452-2022 Embassy Suites (800) 362-2779 Northwest Airlines, nwa.com (800) 225-2525 Fairmont Hotels (800) 527-4727 SkywestAirlines, skywest.com (800) 453-9417 Four Seasons (800) 332-3442 Southwest Airlines, southwest.com (800) 435-9792 Hilton Hotels (800) 445-8667 Spirit Airlines, spiritair.com (800) 772-7117 Holiday Inns (800) 465-4329 SunCountry Airlines, suncountry.com (800) 359-6786 Howard Johnson Motor Lodges (800) 654-2000 United Airlines, ual.com (800) 864-8331 Hyatt Hotels (800) 233-1234 US Airways, usairways.com (800) 428-4322 La Quinta Motor Inn (800) 531-5900 Virgin Atlantic, virgin-atlantic.com (800) 862-8621 Loews Hotels (800) 223-6397 Airlines - International Marriott Hotels (800) 228-9290 Aeroflot (650) 615-9278 Meridien Hotels (800) 543-4390 Aeromexico (800) 237-6639 Omni International (800) 843-6664 Air Canada (800) 247-2262 Quality Inns (800) 228-5151 Air China (800 )986-1985 Radisson Hotels International (800) 333-3333 Air France (800) 237-2747 Ramada Inns (800) 228-2828 Air Jamaica (800) 523-5585 Red Roof Inns (800) 843-7663 Air New Zealand (800) 262-1234 Ritz Carlton Hotels (800) 241-3333 Alaska Airlines (800) 426-0333 Sheraton Hotels (800) 325-3535 Alitalia (800) 223-5730 Stouffer Hotels (800) 468-3571 Asiana (800) 227-9262 Super 8 Motels (800) 800-8000 British Airways (800) 247-9297 TraveLodge Motels (800) 578-7878 Cathay Pacific Airways (800) 233-2742 Westin Hotels (800) 228-3000 China Airlines (800) 227-5118 Inter-City Transportation China Eastern Airlines (800) 200-5118 Amtrak 800-872-7245 Egypt Air (800) 334-6787 Greyhound Bus 800-231-2222 Eva Airways (800) 695-1188 Service from City to numerous locations throughout the United Japan Airlines (800) 525-3663 States. KLM Airlines (800) 374-7747 Korean Air (800) 438-5000 Rental Cars LACSA (800) 225-2272 Advantage, advantage.com (800) 777-5500 Lufthansa (800) 645-3880 Alamo, alamo.com (800) 462-5266 Mexicana (800) 531-7821 Avis, avis.com (800) 331-1212 Philippine Airlines (800) 435-9725 Budget, budget.com (800) 527-0700 Singapore Airlines (800) 742-3333 Dollar, dollar.com (800) 800-4000 Skyservice USA, skyserviceairlines.com (877) 485-6060 Enterprise, enterprise.com (800) 736-8222 TACA, taca.com (800) 535-8780 Hertz, hertz.com (800) 654-3131 Cruises/Resorts National, nationalcar.com (800) 227-7368 Payless, paylesscarrental.com (800) PAY-LESS Disney World Reservations (800) 227-1500 Thrifty, thrifty.com (800) 367-2277 Holland America Cruises (800) 426-0327

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 13 HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Rio Grande has always brought life to the inhabitants of the eventually led to a declaration of war with Mexico in 1846. Two Albuquerque valley. The river provided water to traders and nomads years later, U.S. General Stephen Kearny declared New Mexico a as they made their way across the high desert. As early as 500 United States Territory and established a military outpost in A.D., pockets of civilization began to appear along the river that Albuquerque. served as the principal trade route between the pre-pueblo culture Less than 20 years passed before another flag flew briefly in the and other groups who lived to the north. For over six centuries, this skies above New Mexico, when the Confederate Army briefly culture thrived as the people developed transportation and occupied Albuquerque during the Civil War. 1880 marked the arrival communication networks. The bounty of the region provided rich of the railroad that changed the city dramatically and forever. The soil for farming, and the nearby mountains harbored wildlife for train depot divided the city into two districts, Old Town and New hunting. Although not a city by today’s standards, at least 15,000 Town. The people who arrived in the next five years began to people were cultivating the Middle Rio Grande Valley by the 15th outnumber the original inhabitants. This brought changes in century. architectural style and the city’s ethnic makeup. Soon afterward, The river that brought life to this peaceful civilization also served telephone and electricity made their debut. Albuquerque was as a conduit for the Spanish conquest. In 1540, a group of Spanish incorporated as a town in 1885 and just six years later was explorers under the command of Francisco Vasquez de Coronado recognized as a city. New Mexico was admitted to the United States encountered the natives when they traveled north from Mexico in in 1912, becoming the 47th state in the Union. Albuquerque’s mild search of the mythical Seven Cities of Cibola. At first, the Indians year-round weather brought about the building of sanatoriums that welcomed the new travelers with open arms, but the Spanish attracted many invalids from around the world. Two of the viewed the natives as heathens and therefore inferior. The two sanatoriums operating at that time, Presbyterian Hospital and St. cultures inevitably clashed. Coronado set up his winter quarters in Joseph Hospital, are still standing today. In 1926, the United States one of the pueblos, Tiguex (present-day Bernalillo near established the first transcontinental highway, Route 66. This Albuquerque). This was a harsh winter for the Spanish as they transformed Albuquerque’s main drag into a thriving tourist suffered from fierce attacks by the natives. One year later, Coronado attraction. In 1928, Albuquerque’s airport opened, officially returned to Tiguex on his trip back to Mexico. This was the internationalizing travel to the city. beginning of Spanish colonization of the area now known to The First World War had very little effect on the thriving city, but Europeans as Nuevo Mexico. The remains of Tiguex now form the this was not true for World War II. In 1942, the United States heart of Coronado State Monument. government built Kirtland Air Force Base, which became an integral More than a century passed and the American Southwest was part of the Manhattan Project. After the war, Sandia National claimed as Spanish territory. Don Francisco Cuervo y Valdez, the Laboratories, a research and development facility, was built on territory’s provisional governor, petitioned the crown for permission Kirtland. This top-secret facility became even more important during to establish a villa in the area in 1706. He proposed naming the new the Cold War. Sandia Labs has helped Albuquerque establish a settlement San Francisco Xavier de Albuquerque, in honor of the reputation as one of the world’s top high-tech research and Duke who was responsible for preliminary approval of Cuervo’s development cities. application. This settlement was nicknamed “The Duke’s City” by Albuquerque has made a commitment in recent years to the Spanish settlers. The 18 original families lived in a walled village preserving both its ancient and more recent past. The city council’s in an area now known as Old Town. In later years, Anglo settlers Quality of Life Tax has generated funds for the purchase and shortened the name to Albuquerque leaving out the first “r”. protection of many acres of open space and the enhancement of The Spanish colonies grew and in 1821, Mexico declared its existing facilities. Old Town is now a thriving tourist center and independence from Spain. The new government opened Nuevo downtown is the subject of an ongoing and highly successful Mexico to trade with the Americans. Under the spell of Jefferson’s revitalization project. The All-Indian Pueblo Council created The Manifest Destiny, Americans began settling in territory claimed by Indian Pueblo Cultural Center documenting and celebrating Pueblo the young Mexican government. When the United States annexed Indian history and accomplishments. the Texas Republic in 1845, Congress sent troops to the Rio Grande to protect the new territory. Clashes with Mexican forces

14 ] Alburquerque Information Guide WHERE TO STAY

Albuquerque has been a center of commerce for hundreds of Midtown years. Five hundred years ago it was a trade hub for pre-Pueblo and This part of the city was the original staging area for balloon pilots later Pueblo Indians. After the settlement of the region by the during the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta due to Spanish, this village sat on the Camino Real, or Royal Road. As the an abundance of quality, moderately priced rooms. The showpiece railroad crossed the nation, it chose Albuquerque as a major of the midtown hotels is the Albuquerque Hilton. Once Conrad terminus. Following The First World War came Route 66, a paved Hilton had mastered the art of building hotels, he built this highway that connected Chicago to Los Angeles. Through the years masterpiece. While Hilton’s La Posada was designed around this town that sits at the crossroads of the southwestern United Spanish Colonial architecture, the Albuquerque Hilton is Pueblo to States has been known worldwide for its hospitality and welcoming the core. Massive adobe walls inside and out curve and flow into accommodations. each other like molded clay. East facing rooms at the Hilton offer Hotels and motels are spread generously throughout the city, breath-taking views of the Sandia Mountains. with high concentrations in key areas, giving travelers to Golf enthusiasts who find themselves working all day need not Albuquerque a large number of choices for where to stay. despair. The Holiday Inn Mountain View sports a club with two Accommodations can also be found at local bed and breakfast inns state-of-the art golf simulators. Guests can attend conferences until sprinkled throughout the city. Location, décor and service vary dark and still get in eighteen holes at the Banff Championship Golf widely among these quaint, historic and sometimes trendy inns. Course, via virtual reality. The Albuquerque Marriott, a 17-story With more than 14,000 rooms available throughout the city, luxury hotel, offers business accommodations that rival any accommodations can easily be made at any time of the year with Albuquerque hotel. Located just off Interstate-40, the hotel has 120 the exception of the first two weeks of October. The popularity of rooms specifically geared at the business traveler. the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta has Northeast Heights skyrocketed over the past decade and rooms have been a premium As Albuquerque grew, it spread across the valley toward the commodity during the event. It is recommended that you make foothills of the Sandia Mountains. The Northeast Heights is the reservations well in advance if you are planning to visit during this ultimate in baby boomer communities with little strip malls, local time. markets and hole-in-the-wall eateries. Although these are primarily moderate to economy lodgings targeted at the tourist trade, the Old Town/Downtown service and amenities are high quality. The historic heart of the city offers the epitome of luxury accommodations. Modern high-rise hotels stretch into the New The Best Western Winrock Inn offers all the amenities of a Mexico sky while historic bed and breakfasts remind visitors of the modern hotel, along with the convenience of being right next to one city’s rich history. Old Town is a magnet for tourists with its shops of New Mexico’s largest shopping malls, Winrock Center. Further offering the best of Southwest arts and crafts. For the business east on I-40 is a collection of hotels and motels known around town traveler, the recently renovated Albuquerque Convention Center as hotel circle. Here you will find rooms at places like the Holiday sprawls across the east edge of the downtown area. As a result, Express, and the Ramada Inn Mountain View. Both offer panoramic lodging with a variety of room rates is available within walking views of the city, as well as the Sandia and Manzano Mountains. distance to the Downtown/Old Town areas. Southeast This district of the city is strictly business with the Albuquerque One of the most famous hotel tycoons, Conrad Hilton, is a native International Airport (known as the Sunport), Kirtland Air Force of New Mexico. Among his first hotel projects was La Posada de Base, Sandia National Laboratories and a large number of tech- Albuquerque. Built in 1939, it was the pinnacle of elegance in its related enterprises. day, and this dignity is now enhanced by its historical significance. Southwestern influence is carried throughout the hotel’s design with If airport proximity is a deciding factor in accommodations, you massive beams, known locally as vigas, exposed across the need not sacrifice quality. The Wyndham Albuquerque Hotel, atrium’s two-story ceiling. The visitor who wants more personal located adjacent to the Sunport is famous for deluxe service. Let accommodations can find them at the nearby Bottger-Koch Chef Steve Crenin at the Rojo Bar and Grill delight your taste buds Mansion bed and breakfast. with his Trout Crenin, a fresh trout prepared with pecan, corn salsa and chile sage. For luxury accommodations a short walk from Old Town, the Sheraton Old Town is an old favorite. Many repeat visitors to the city In the event you want to do your own cooking in your own suite, refuse to stay anywhere else because of the hotel’s reputation for the Amerisuites Airport may be more to your liking. This all-suite anticipating and catering to the needs of its guests. hotel caters to business travelers with its 800 square-foot meeting room and complimentary podium, flip chart and easel. One of Albuquerque’s newest hotels is the luxury high-rise of the Hyatt Regency. Located in Downtown, across Civic Plaza from the An assortment of moderately-priced hotels like the Holiday Inn Galleria, there is no finer place to stay in town. Express, Radisson Limited, and the Sleep Inn, cluster around the entrance and exits to the Sunport. Most offer shuttles to and from your gates, and some offer shuttles to downtown business locations.

Alburquerque Information Guide [ 15 WHERE TO STAY

South Valley/North Valley the late 1980s. Some of Albuquerque area’s nicest new motels have Albuquerque grew outward from the Rio Grande as an outpost been built on the hill directly across from Intel to provide convenient on the Camino Real. Fourth Street through the South and North accommodations for business travelers. Most of the rooms in these Valleys follows that historic route. Scattered along the adobe-lined establishments even provide two phones with two lines and data streets that flank this ancient route are a series of beautiful bed and ports. The Hilton Garden Inn is the newest hotel in Rio Rancho and breakfast inns. Some of these inns are historic haciendas built by even offers a complimentary shuttle to and from the distant Spanish colonists when Albuquerque was on the northern frontier of Sunport. The Best Western Rio Rancho is an established facility that Spanish territory in the New World. Hacienda Antigua was originally features the largest full service conference center on the West built as a trading post along the Camino Real. Now this sprawling Mesa. For those looking to avoid the convention, The Inn at inn welcomes guests from all over the world. For a trip even further Paradise is a bed and breakfast just a few steps away from the first back in history try Casita Chamisa where the owner works an active tee at Paradise Hills Golf Course. archeological dig right on the premises. Closer to the newer parts Corrales of town, the Ramada Limited provides luxury accommodations for This village was founded when Coronado wintered his horses a small price. One of Albuquerque’s landmark buildings is the here in the 1500s. Corrales, a quaint village that is slowly being Crowne Plaza Pyramid. Built to resemble a Mayan temple, this surrounded by the Albuquerque metro area, has been able to avoid palace includes a 10-story waterfall inside and is one of the most big city blemishes like towering chain hotels. In their place, Corrales popular hotels among visiting balloonists during the Kodak harbors a number of homey bed and breakfast inns. Some are Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. housed in historic adobe haciendas, while others are newer West Mesa structures that maintain the pueblo style of this laid back One of the fastest growing regions in the United States, this area community. One of these is the Nora Dixon House where the of town has tripled in size in the past few years. Rio Rancho, once owners take painstaking care of their adobe house and its guests. a suburb of Albuquerque, has incorporated and become a town in If you are willing to get out of bed early, the Yours Truly Bed and its own right. This growth was spurred on when Intel chose to build Breakfast offers a more uplifting morning, with a breakfast preceded one of the country’s largest microchip manufacturing plants here in by a hot air balloon ride.

DINING AND NIGHTLIFE

The rich cultural diversity of New Mexico has created a culinary Old Town’s bars and pubs reflect the quiet atmosphere of this melting pot. Finding something to eat is easy, but choosing from all historical district and rowdier nightlife needs to be sought in another of the options that may take awhile. There are a variety of ethnic part of town. restaurants, and for every one of these, there are at least three Downtown restaurants offering New Mexican cuisine. After the sun goes down in Old Town, the lights go on downtown. When native New Mexicans find themselves displaced from their Loosen your collar and lose the tie at Burt’s Tiki Lounge, where home soil for any period of time, the thing they miss the most is the tropical drinks are the specialty of the house and the kitchen food or, more precisely, chili. Fresh roasted chili is the foundation of remains open until 2am. For something a little more upscale, the all good New Mexican restaurants. If your heart says, “chili,” but Downtown Distillery offers live music, billiards and a restaurant that your stomach says, “I don’t think so,” there are still plenty of other serves a wide variety of sandwiches. A popular hangout for the dining selections. downtown lunch crowd is the Artichoke Café, a French bistro Old Town located on historic Route 66, which offers gourmet meals in a casual Offering the finest New Mexico beef, wild game and poultry, the atmosphere. High Noon Restaurant and Saloon serves gourmet meals in a casual Midtown atmosphere. No trip to this area of town would be complete without There is a bustling energy to this fast-paced region of the city. On- a stop at one of the restaurants on the plaza. Casa de Fiesta the-go business people, salesmen and executives in search of a Mexican Grill offers fine New Mexican dining with a full view of the quality meal have inspired a wide variety of coffee houses, fine plaza. Another favorite is Fry Bread Mama’s, which offers authentic restaurants and nightclubs. Navajo cuisine. Even if you’re not hungry for Navajo cooking, don’t A recent addition to this part of town and an instant favorite is pass up a sizzling hunk of fry bread topped with honey or powdered Vic’s Daily Café. Owned by the son of a long-time coffee house sugar. A short walk from the Plaza is the Sheraton Old Town and its operator, the Greek heritage of the family is apparent in the three- Customs House Restaurant, which offers a rustic, seafaring page menu that offers huge hamburgers, meatloaf with mushroom atmosphere to a landlocked clientele. gravy and Greek-style roasted chicken on a bed of rice pilaf. continued on page 18

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continued on page 17 800-842-4242 t WWW.INNSUITES.COMAlbuquerque Information Guide [ 17 DINING AND NIGHTLIFE

Tucked away in a corner of this neighborhood is Seagull Street Billy the Kid actually drank at the bar that now serves guests at Fish Market and Restaurant where you can almost hear the waves Maria Teresa Restaurant and 1840 Bar. For a close encounter with lapping against the pier. If you packed your boots and hat, the more recent celebrities, visit one of the most revered Mexican food Midnight Rodeo with its racetrack dance floor is the place for two- restaurants in the city, Sadie’s. Johnny Carson and other visiting steppers to cut a rug. celebrities make this a must on their to-do list in Albuquerque and it Northeast Heights/Foothills could be because of the margaritas. Another option is a Family-owned restaurants, local taverns and hole-in-the-wall combination plate and an imported beer on the patio at eateries are sprinkled across this section of town that slopes Geezamboni’s BBQ, the North Valley’s most popular barbecue spot. upward toward the Sandia Mountains. Garduno’s of Mexico and Corrales YesterDave’s Grill, are two local favorites that sit across the parking This quaint village wedged between Rio Rancho and north lot from one another and the lot is rarely empty. For a four-course Albuquerque has maintained its atmosphere despite the burgeoning gourmet meal with a twist, try the Mystery Café, a murder mystery metropolis on its fringes. Massive wood beams and thick adobe dinner theater. If this doesn’t provide enough entertainment, head walls surround a warm dining experience at Rancho de Corrales, up the street to Laff’s Comedy Caffe where locals go to find where Albuquerque residents go to escape the tension of the city. themselves or their friends taking the brunt of a good joke. For true four-star dining, try Jim White’s Casa Vieja, where there is Nob Hill/University no established menu, just an inventive chef with open-minded In this part of town, the dining experience ranges on the scale customers. Enjoy dinner and cocktails in this 300-year-old Spanish from great, cheap fast food to the most expensive in town. In the land grant home. University area, the coffee shops, cafes and diners may cater to the West Mesa student’s budget but everyone in town enjoys the fare. Café Exponential growth is the hallmark of this part of the metro area. Bubbles, in the Nob Hill Shopping Center, offers mostly sandwiches, And no fast-growing town worth its salt would go up without Texas and on Friday and Saturday nights, live entertainment accompanies barbecue. Rudy’s Country Store and Barbecue offers pit-roasted your meal. Club Rhythm & Blues will fulfill anyone’s need for jazzing meat cut and served right before your eyes. For authentic Italian up their life. For some of the best Italian food in town, sample some food washed down with micro brew, the Turtle Mountain Brewing of the offerings at Scalo. Company has just the thing. Famous among the locals for its Southeast impressive breakfast spread is Weck’s. If you’re really hungry, try The area around the airport is alive twenty-four hours a day. A Twister’s for a burrito so big it is sold as whole, 1/2, 1/4, or 1/8 size. taste of New Mexico awaits you even before you have to worry Albuquerque is the only major city within several hundred miles about finding a rental car or a shuttle to get away from the Sunport. and most of New Mexico relies on it for quality entertainment. The Garduno’s of Mexico, a local favorite with several locations city offers activities that are as diverse as the cultures that populate throughout the city, has staked out a spot in the airport itself. This the area. No matter what your tastes, there are year-round activities restaurant will definitely acclimate visitors to chili, New-Mexico-style. that will provide hours of enjoyment. The locals are particularly Down the street near the motels, you will find Quarters Barbecue. proud of the various venues here and contribute greatly to the You will also find the Rio Grande Yacht Club, one of Albuquerque’s success of events. most respected seafood establishments. North Valley/South Valley Along the Rio Grande, old haciendas hint of the history at the heart of Albuquerque. A number of these distinguished old homes have been converted into restaurants. El Pinto, located in the far North Valley, is such a place. Dinner on the patio while watching the setting sun illuminate the Sandia Mountains can only be topped by the accompanying mariachi music.

18 ] Albuquerque Information Guide ENTERTAINMENT

Whether you are an avid outdoors person, enjoy the symphony or Music ballet, or spectator sports, you will find something you enjoy. New Music is the heartbeat of any culture, and Albuquerque offers a Mexico is famous among outdoor sports enthusiasts. Mountain spectrum of choices for the music lover. The haunting rhythms of biking, world-class snow skiing, river rafting, hiking and a multitude Native American drums at the Gathering of Nations Powwow, the of other outdoor sports are only minutes away from anywhere in New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and Mariachi Espectacular, are town. a sample of what the city has to offer. Sports/Outdoors Popejoy Hall, on the University of New Mexico campus, hosts a Nowhere are sports fans more loyal than in Albuquerque and variety of touring musical programs throughout the year including evidence of this is most readily found at The Pit. The Pit is home to the Stomp percussion group. Now in its 23rd year, the New Mexico the UNM Lobo basketball team and is famous for its noise, energy Jazz Workshop sponsors dozens of concerts and several major level and pandemonium. There is no way to avoid getting immersed events during the year. When the stars come out, Albuquerque goes in the game when The Pit gets wound up. Both the Lobo men and to the Journal Pavillion, a brand new outdoor venue that seats women play in this arena and more often than not, it is before 8,400. Although small, the Adobe Theater is an intimate local standing-room-only crowds of nearly 20,000. The Lady Lobos hold favorite for musical plays. The hands-down favorite venue for the the NCAA record for the highest single game attendance. performing arts is the KiMo Theater, a restored picture palace built Up from the University, just off Central Avenue, is the busiest in Pueblo Deco style when movie palaces like Grumman’s Chinese coliseum in the state. Tingley Coliseum is host to many events year Theater were the rage. round. Every year, the first three weeks of September welcome the Dance New Mexico State Fair. The walls of Tingley also echo with 11 nights The New Mexico Ballet Company teams up with the New Mexico of Professional Rodeo performances as well as stage acts like Symphony Orchestra for special performances like the Nutcracker. Waylon Jennings, Def Leppard, Blood Sweat and Tears and Mark Popejoy Hall’s Ovation series often sponsors international dance Chesnut. At other times during the year, Tingly hosts the New troops like Ballet de l’Opera de Bordeaux. The Indian Pueblo Mexico Scorpions hockey team, the Indian National Finals Rodeo, Cultural Center has Native American dancing daily and during the the Gathering of Nations, concerts, monster truck rallies and dirt summer, folk dance performances can be seen at the Civic Plaza as bike races. The New Mexico Slam World Basketball League team part of Summerfest. just completed its first season here, and has moved its venue to the Theater Albuquerque Convention Center. If you like basketball, the Slam Theater abounds in Albuquerque, from professional traveling provides edge-of-your-seat, high-quality basketball. groups to experimental community theaters. The Vortex Theater is a Without a doubt, the most famous spectator event in town is the community-run center that provides a venue for local amateur annual Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. In the year actors to perform. The Albuquerque Little Theater is a big favorite 2000, more than 1,000 colorful hot air balloons filled the skies above among locals and is in its 70th season. For family-oriented the city during the first two weeks of October. Balloonists maneuver entertainment, the Strolling Players Theater Group offers a variety of to win events like the key grab, during which a set of new car keys performances throughout the year. is hung from a tall pole. The first pilot able to maneuver close enough to grab the keys gets to keep the car. Spectators are treated to musical entertainment and wonderful food provided by vendors as well as a chance to see one the world’s most colorful spectacles. Museums There is no limit to what one can see at the museums in the area. The Downtown area offers The Albuquerque Museum, Explora Science Museum and the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science. New Mexico’s night skies have attracted astronomers from all over the world and the LodeStar Planetarium shares its acquired knowledge with the curious public. Located on Kirtland Air Force base is the National Atomic Museum, which explains the official history of atomic science in the United States. There are a number of museums that would appeal to the person who favors oddities, such as The International Rattlesnake Museum and the Tinkertown Museum. If you’re interested in the history and culture of the Pueblo Indians of the area, schedule time for the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

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Standing at Sandia Peak, above Albuquerque, the splendor of Walking Tour of Downtown New Mexico spreads before you in verdant greens, beige and At the heart of this vibrant business district is Civic Plaza, a magenta. This point above the city lets you see the area in much the popular place for local business people to go when they want to same way as the people of the past saw the region. Mt. Taylor, a enjoy a brown bag lunch or grab a bite from one of the many dormant volcano, dominates the western horizon 70 miles distant. pushcart vendors. In the shadows of the high-rise buildings, this To the north, Santa Fe nestles in the foothills of the Sangre de gathering area is lined with little shops and cafes. In the summer Cristo Mountains. To the south you can almost see the eco-zone months, the city of Albuquerque hosts Summerfest, the place to go change as the climate becomes visibly more arid. for entertainment with international flare. To the east of Civic Plaza is the Albuquerque Convention Center, a venue teeming with From the overlook on the peak, the city is a patchwork quilt of activities and events year round. South of the convention center is neighborhoods. You can’t see or hear the hustle and bustle of the the Albuquerque Convention and Visitors Bureau. Downstairs, in big city but you can sense it. the basement of the visitor’s bureau, you’ll discover the Galeria, an There are many ways to navigate the neighborhoods and sights assortment of specialty shops and boutiques. One block south of in Albuquerque, from guided all-day tours to self-paced, self-guided the Galeria is Central Avenue, which flourished right after the hikes and walks. Some companies like Destination Southwest will opening of Route 66. No visit to downtown would be complete even tailor tours to meet your individual needs. If you’re in town without a stop at the KiMo Theater. This Pueblo-Deco picture during the Kodak Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, be sure palace was the epitome of entertainment when it was built, and was to check out Grey Line’s special Balloon Fiesta Tour. If you want to restored to its original condition during 1999 and 2000. see the more rugged side of the area, Outback Tours offers off-road Back to Nature safaris. Public transportation can get you to where you want to go, The Rio Grande Nature Center is one of the most visited parks in whether that’s downtown, the Civic Center or the Rio Grande the state of New Mexico. Located at the west end of Candelaria just Zoological Park. past Rio Grande Boulevard, this 270-acre park is a back-to-nature If you are the adventurous type, you may want to book a guided retreat right in the heart of the city. Outside, you can hike the trails tour of the Bosque from the River Horse Ranch, and spend a day and enjoy the river, woods and wildlife. In the visitor center you can in the shadows of giant cottonwoods riding on the same trails as enjoy the self-guided exhibits, bask in the beauty of the duck pond the Spanish Conquistadors. Or rent a motorcycle and head to the overlook, or visit the gift shop. open road and Sandia Crest. If mountain or recumbent bikes are At the other end of town is La Luz Trail. The trailhead is located more to your liking, they are available through a number of outlets. off Tramway on Forest Service Road 333A. It rises 3,700 feet and is Walking Tours of Old Town difficult to traverse, but it is well worth the climb. On the way up, you Few American cities have been able to preserve their history the will see dense forests, rugged canyons, sheer granite walls and way Albuquerque has. The original town center, Old Town Plaza is views of the valley below. From its base to the upper tramway surrounded by structures built in the early 1700s. The longevity of terminal, the trail is about eight miles long. You can hike one way these buildings is a testament to the soundness of their and make arrangements to be picked up at Sandia Crest, or you construction. Adobe walls, some more than two feet thick, were can ride the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway back down. If you are built from the very soil upon which they sit. Even though a thriving feeling particularly rugged, you can hike both ways. 21st century city bustles beyond the walls of Old Town, once you Sunrise in Albuquerque is a magical moment. As the sun rises enter the plaza, you are transported to another place and time. over the Sandia Mountains, their shadows creep across the valley One of the best ways to experience this area is through a guided floor. Do not let the sheer ruggedness of these mountains fool you. walking tour, and the Albuquerque Museum offers an excellent one. A paved road winds all the way to their 10,600-foot summit. On the The tour offers a narrated history as you stroll around the central way up, you might want to stop in at the Tinkertown Museum, a plaza. Many visitors prefer seeing this historic district at their own wonderful place that will inspire the child in anyone. Once you reach pace. If you choose the self-guided tour, don’t leave out a stop at the top, the overlook offers over 100-mile visibility on clear days. To the New Mexico Museum of Natural History, then have lunch in an reach this vantage point, head east out of the city on Interstate-40. Old Town cafe and visit any of the more than 100 shops and Once you pass through Tijeras Canyon, take New Mexico 14 north galleries. Tiguex Park, on the west side of Old Town, offers a place and follow the signs to Sandia Peak Ski Area. Drive past the ski area to rest after a stroll through the Albuquerque Museum Sculpture and continue up six miles of switchbacks to the summit. Garden. A visitor could easily take half a day to see the traveling and On the west side of town, beyond the tree-lined river valley, a permanent exhibits in the museum. black escarpment juts from the sagebrush-covered mesa. This is Petroglyph National Monument, where thousands of prehistoric examples of rock art have been preserved through the centuries for all to see. Guided and unguided hikes are offered through the monument’s visitor center. You can hike any number of trails, but

22 ] Albuquerque Information Guide RECOMMENDED TOURS motorized vehicles are allowed access to the trailheads. The most Many companies in the area offer tours in the skies above the popular route is the Boca Negra Trail. Visible from this trail are fine city. If you ever wanted to put on a scarf and a pair of goggles and examples of the ancient artwork sprinkled across the mesa. A word take to the air in an open cockpit biplane, Golden Wings has just of warning to the traveler: do not wander off the trails or endanger the thing for you. If your aerial desires lean more to hot air ballooning the artwork. there is no better place to be than the home of the Kodak Aerial Tours Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. Nearly a thousand Albuquerque has had a love affair with aviation since Charles balloonists flock here each fall to take advantage of the Lindbergh flew into town. But fixed wing aviation history pales when Albuquerque box, a weather phenomenon unique to the city. compared with Albuquerque’s fame for lighter-than-air flight. In Winds, blowing in different directions within a few hundred feet of 1976, Ben Abruzzo, Maxi Anderson and Larry Newman, three altitude, enable experienced balloon pilots to stay aloft and “steer” Albuquerque businessmen and aviators, were the first to over the city for hours. A number of certified companies offer successfully cross the Atlantic Ocean in a balloon. balloon flights. Some companies offer champagne breakfast and group rates, and all require reservations.

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 23 24 ] Albuquerque Information Guide MOVING

SMOOTH TRANSITIONS

Choosing a Moving Company Have at least three movers come to your home and give estimates. Be sure to ask whether the estimates are binding, non-binding or guaranteed not to exceed a certain amount. Obtain each company’s assigned Motor Carrier number and call the USDOT at (202) 358-7000 to determine if they are registered and have the proper insurance on file. Ask your prospective moving company for a copy of the “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet. Relocation to Your New Town If you’re one of the 40 million Americans planning to move this year, you need a strategy. Starting early and staying organized is the key to a painless move. In general, follow the pre-move checklists provided. These lists will help you track the myriad of details needed to facilitate your move. If you are selling your present home and/or buying a new one, refer to the home inspection checklist, choosing a morgage, and the mortgage glossary. If you are planning to rent in your new city, read the article on rental tips. And, if you are undecided, we hope the article entitled “Buying vs. Renting” will help you assess the pros and cons of each. Whatever decisions you face based on your particular circumstances, stay positive, calm and organized. And, don’t forget to make some time just for yourself. It will probably save you a lot of time in the long run! Packing Tips • Sort your belongings. If you don’t use an item, dispose of it. • Label boxes indicating what they contain and in which room they should be placed. • Drain gas and oil from power tools so they will not leak; dispose of all volatile or corrosive chemicals. • After cleaning out the refrigerator and/or freezer, place pieces of charcoal in them to prevent mildew. • Pack important records in easily accessible place. Include medical, dental, school, insurance, credit card and tax records. • Use strong, clean containers with lids secured with twine or tape. • Put no more than 50 pounds in each container. • Place heavy items towards the bottom of the containers; lighter items on top. • Protect all finished surfaces from scratching by wrapping them in paper. • Use plenty of cushioning such as shredded or crumpled paper to protect belongings in boxes. Remember that newspaper ink can rub off and stain items packed with it. • Pack items tightly to avoid shifting during move. • Fragile items, like china, should be packed in reinforced boxes or in special boxes with compartments. • Individually wrap and cushion electrical appliances.

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Albuquerque Information Guide [ 25 SMOOTH TRANSITIONS

• Make sure liquids and foodstuffs are placed in carefully sealed • Affix colored labels to the moving boxes according to destination. containers. Wrap and pack kitchenware tightly to prevent Put the same-color labels or signs on the door of the rooms damage. where these boxes go. This way, movers will be directed to the • Chests and dressers should not be overloaded since glued correct rooms if you’re not available to tell them where to put furniture joints could collapse. each box. • Unusually shaped or valuable items should be crated or moved • Make a detailed floor plan for where you want things to go in your by you and not the movers. Easily crushed items should be new home. Photocopy it so you can tack up copies in every room individually boxed and cushioned. for the movers. • You should not remove home fixtures such as window treatment • Take snapshots of wall units and shelves, so you know how hardware, towel racks and electrical fixtures. Unless your sales things were arranged on them. agreement specifically states otherwise, such items are usually Settling Into Your New Home considered legally part of your residence.Let the moving • Start by making the beds. Bedding tends to be bulky and company pack furniture, mirrors and artwork to prevent damage. eliminating lots of boxes quickly and easily will be encouraging. Stay Organized • Unpack and organize children’s belonging’s next. Young children Here are some basic tips to help make moving less traumatic: will quickly become restless without familiar things. Remember to • Pack an “Immediate Box” or an overnight suitcase with the position storage hooks and shelves that children will be using necessities you’ll be needing right away. Don’t forget to include within their reach. medicines and a first aid kit, toilet paper, tissue, and paper • Next, tackle the kitchen. This job will go much faster if each box towels. has been specifically labeled as to its contents. Simply labeling • Pack an “Immediate Kitchen” box including trash bags, the “Kitchen” doesn’t help you prioritize which box to unpack first. coffee pot or tea kettle, toaster, plastic silverware, paper plates, • Stay positive. Getting settled into your new home can seem styrofoam cups and some non-perishable snacks, such as overwhelming unless you look at it as a series of small projects. crackers, peanut butter, dried fruit. This way, there will be some • Congratulate yourself! You accomplished a lot today! instant sustenance while you get organized.

26 ] Albuquerque Information Guide 12/31/10. 28 ] Alburquerque Information Guide WHAT’S ALL THE TALK ABOUT. YOU PACK, THEY DRIVE MOVING?

Moving Decisions Save Time and Money Are you faced with an upcoming job relocation? With so many The “you pack, they drive” moving alternative saves you the options for moving your household items, it can be a difficult trouble of driving an unfamiliar vehicle as well as the stress and decision to determine which service best fits your moving needs. difficulty during a long-distance drive. Since the estimates provided Also, with a limited relocation budget from your employer to cover for this service are based on volume (space) and not weight, you will your moving costs, finding a service that complements your avoid unexpected higher moving costs and hidden fees associated pocketbook is important as well. While hiring a professional moving with other full-service moving companies. Unlike a rental truck, the company may be time-saving, the cost for full-service moving could normal moving expenses such as fuel, taxes, tolls, and unexpected be several thousand dollars. A recent trend in the moving industry costs such as flat tires and engine blowouts are covered by the is the do-it-yourself moving option. Most people associate do-it- service provider. yourself with the truck rental option; however, the “you pack, they Loading Service Options drive” moving alternative is becoming increasingly popular. The cost savings of using the “you pack, they drive” service New Moving Alternative largely result from packing and loading your trailer. Some customers With this type of service, you are expected to pack and load your may not have the physical ability or manpower to pack and load items in an adequately-sized commercial trailer. You are given up to their own trailer. This problem is relatively easy to solve—simply two business days to pack and load your goods. The cost of the check with one of the packing and loading companies suggested move is controlled by the customer because this service allows you by the “you pack, they drive” service provider. You can locate to pay for only the spaced used in the trailer. Once you have packing and loading assistance in both your origin and destination completed the packing and loading process, the trailer is picked up cities. By combining the “you pack, they drive” service with local by the local dispatch office. The trailer is then transported by a loading and unloading assistance, you can save money versus professional driver to your destination. You will receive an estimated using a full-service moving company. arrival time for delivery of your goods and will also have the ability to The Choice is Yours track your goods during the transit of your move. Upon arrival at During your search for the best moving option for your upcoming your new home, the trailer is delivered at the appointed time and job relocation, consider the “you pack, they drive” moving option you will unpack and unload your goods. The local dispatch office and know that you are in control of every aspect of your move. You will then come and remove the empty trailer. will not only save time and money, you will experience less stress and headache during an already stressful part of your life.

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 29 PRE-MOVE CHECKLIST

One Month Before Two Weeks Before

 Take Inventory. Decide what to keep and what to get rid of.  Notify Phone Company: Your new local phone company should be notified of your move no sooner than 30 business  Reserve a rental truck or select a moving company. Look for days prior to move, and no later than 5 business days before rental trucks and moving companies in local brochures, yellow moving. The service representative will run a quick credit check pages, or through your rental agent/ real estate broker. and assign you a new telephone number.  Make a moving file for important documents, such as family  Notify Utilities: The electric and gas service companies should medical and dental records, school records, legal documents be contacted at least two weeks before your move. The old and titles, banking and financial statements, stock and bond service will need your move out date and you should request certificates, tax returns, birth certificates and insurance the return of any deposits at this time. The new service will documents. Include all receipts – many expenses are tax need your move in date to determine when service will be deductible. turned on or transferred to your name. You can inquire if they  Make any car rental, airline or hotel arrangements. have a billing plan to balance out of season differences by  paying a set amount each month. If moving into an apartment, Gather moving supplies such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap and check with the property manager to see if service was left on paper for wrapping. before you call the utility companies. Write down the  Post Office: A week before you move, you should stop by your emergency numbers to call in event of a problem or outage. local post office to fill out a change of address cards.  Banks: (checking accounts, investments, etc.): Before you Correspondence cards are also available to send to various move to your new city, make sure all existing accounts in your companies such as credit card companies, magazine old bank are closed. Find a new bank to fill your personal publishers and any other organizations that should be needs and open accounts, order checks and obtain direct informed of your move. The mail will be forwarded to your new deposit forms if applicable. home for a full year. After a year, the mail will be returned to the sender with your new address stamped on it. You can get an  Find a new doctor and dentist and have your family’s medical official change form at the local post office or on the Internet at records transferred to them. www.usps.gov/movernet.  Refill any prescription medications which must be taken  Credit Card Companies: Immediately notify all your credit card regularly and arrange to have those prescriptions transferred to companies of your move. Keeping an individual file on each your new city. one makes this process much easier. We suggest using the  Arrange to register your children in their new school(s). Contact correspondence cards offered at the post office in addition to their current school(s) to have their records forwarded. requesting in writing that they send you a letter of confirmation. It is also recommended to make a follow up call.

 Purchase Insurance: If you are moving from out of state and are insured by a fairly large company, they will most likely have an office in the city you are moving to. If you need to find a new company, it is important to get homeowners insurance at least one month before the move. Those moving to an apartment need to contact the insurance company two weeks before the move. If you have large amounts of jewelry and/or furs coats it’s important to contact the agency as soon as possible since you will be needing additional coverage.

 Remember to request the return of any security deposits.

30 ] Albuquerque Information Guide PRE-MOVE CHECKLIST

One Week Before Moving Day

 Confirm any travel plans or reservations.  Early on moving day, reserve a large place for the moving truck to park. Mark off an area with cones or chairs. If you need to  Finish packing and make sure all boxes are clearly labeled. obtain parking permission from your apartment complex  Subscribe to the local newspaper and visit the Chamber of manager or the city, do so in advance. Commerce in your new city for additional community  Before work starts, walk through the house with the movers information. and describe the loading order. Show them items you intend to  Change of Address Notification: You will need to notify the transport yourself. You should have these items grouped in an Postal Service that you are moving. It is now possible to do so area prior to the movers arriving. Remain on site to answer the without visiting the post office. Go to website listed above. For movers’ questions and to provide special instructions. the fee of $1.00 you may fill out the address change  Walk through your home and make sure that everything was information online and receive an email confirmation. Or you loaded. Make sure you have the keys to your new home. may choose to print the form and mail it to your local post office. US Postal Service, www.usps.com  Remember that professional movers expect to be paid in full before your goods are unloaded. Check for damage, as items  Notify IRS: You will also need to notify the IRS that you have are unloaded and report any problems right away. moved. This will ensure you receive your IRS refund and/or any other correspondence. To change your address with the IRS,  Unless the company’s policy prohibits the acceptance of complete a Form 8822 (PDF), Address Change Request. This gratuities, it is customary to tip each mover. $20 is a good is available on the IRS website. IRS, www.irs.gov amount; you may want to tip more or less based on the service you received.

One Day Before  If you are moving yourself and getting help from friends, make sure you create a task list. Be sure to have everything packed before your help arrives. It is natural for people to work in pairs,  Pick up your rental truck or confirm your move with the moving company. but you should consider each person’s physical ability and health status. Plan to provide beverages and food for your  Make sure you and your movers have the directions to your volunteers. Load the truck according to the directions your new home. Plan your travel so that you will be there to greet truck rental agency gave you, and make sure that you them and unlock your home. Have a backup plan in case one understand how to operate and drive the rental truck before of you gets delayed. you leave the agency.

 Obtain the driver’s cell phone number and give him/her yours so you can stay in touch in case one of you is delayed.

 Ask what form of payment the movers will accept (check, money order, certified check, travelers checks) and make necessary arrangements.

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 31 32 ] Albuquerque Information Guide MOVING WITH CHILDREN & PETS

REINFORCE THE POSITIVES

Get family members focused on and involved in the process of moving. Hold a family meeting to discuss why, where, when and how the family will move. Encourage everyone to ask questions and express feelings. If possible, drive the family to see the new home and take a tour of the new neighborhood schools, shops and parks. Take photos or videotape the new house and neighborhood. Make lists for each older child of things to do to prepare for the move and assign them a special task or two. For example, they can read and inform other family members about the area history, landmarks, special events and amusements. Help children prepare for the move by having them assist with packing. Let them pack a box of special clothes, toys or books they would like readily accessible at their new home. Let each family member help plan how to set up his or her bedroom. Have them help select paint or wallpaper. Let them share ideas how to arrange the furniture. When the move takes place, set up the children’s rooms first. Choosing a School One of the most satisfying experiences a family can have is finding a school that fits its needs. That school will “feel right” because its administrators, teachers, and parents are part of a strong community that shares the family’s educational values. Children are eager to go there because the school program stimulates their curiosity and provides them with outlets for their interests. Parents will be pleased because their involvement in their children’s education will be welcomed and encouraged. In order to find the best school for your child, you should begin by observing your child’s learning habits. Even as preschoolers, children begin to develop different approaches to learning. These inclinations provide strong clues about what kind of school would serve them best. In her book Your Child’s First School, educational consultant Diana Townsend- Butterworth offers these suggestions of things to watch for in determining your child’s orientation to learning: • What does your child enjoy doing? • What excites your child and arouses his or her curiosity? • What seems to be frustrating? • Does your child thrive in a structured environment or seem to prefer one that offers more freedom? • Is your child quiet or rambunctious? • Does he or she prefer to work on projects alone or with other children? • Does he or she have any special interests or abilities?

Make a list of answers to these questions as well as taking note of any other characteristics you notice about your child. As you read more about individual schools, and when you visit the ones that interest you, you will be better able to choose a school that suits your child. continued on page 34

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 33 REINFORCE THE POSITIVES

For high school, parents often choose a new school for their set of expectations for the youngsters. Admissions directors at children. This is frequently because their current school goes only schools will gladly connect you with parents of current students so through eight grade. As you look for a high school, consider your you can make an informed choice for your child. child’s learning style as well as his or her interests when deciding Most schools believe parents should have a strong role in their upon a school. Also keep in mind your own family goals, which may children’s education. Being involved in a child1s education involve preparing for college, in making this important choice. strengthens the whole family and sends a message to children that What about family expectations? In order to provide a good education is an important part of their lives. Schools know that the match, a child’s school must also meet a family’s needs. Here again, way in which parents choose to become active in their children’s you may want to prepare a list of expectations and use it as a guide schools varies greatly. They provide many different opportunities for in the search for the best school for your child: parental involvement. Most schools have strong parent associations that organize social events, help coordinate volunteer activitied, and • What goal do you have for your child’s long-term education? Is provide an organizes means of communication between parents college preparation a priority? and school. • How important to you is parental involvement in school activities? Each of these encounters strengthens the life of the schools and • Do you expect the school to have a role in developing a child’s creates a community of committed adults supporting the goals of character by encouraging respect for adults and peers as well as the schools and the students. This feeling of community, with adults others in society, including the disadvantaged? and students working together for a common purpose, is one of the • How important is it to you that you have a strong relationship and distinguishing strengths of a good schools. share a philosophy with other parents at the school? Supporting this success is the school system’s Blueprint for • How interested are you in providing a home setting that gives Progress. This foundational document unites staff and stakeholders your child time for homework? with common beliefs, priorities, and goals. Lifting the schools higher • How important to you is a before-school and after-school and higher from that foundation are the intensity of focus and quality program? of effort demonstrated by teachers, students, administrators, staff members, parents, volunteers, Board members, and supporters. Before beginning a search for a school, parents should reflect on Their dedication, intelligence, skill, consistency, and creativity are these questions, and their expectations for schools. Parents who reflected in every rising test score and every recognition this school choose schools wisely are pleased after their children enroll system receives. because the family and the school work in harmony with a common

SELECTING CHILD CARE

When you’re new to a community, locating a person or program In home to provide child care for you is not the easiest of tasks. Due to Some parents may prefer the one-on-one contact an in-home expanding demand, just finding an opening may be difficult. care provider can offer, especially for an infant. The International Pinpointing a place that is not too far or too expensive and, most Nanny Association (INA) recommends that you interview any importantly, a provider whom you trust, may take days or weeks of prospective hire at least twice and that you conduct a criminal persistent phoning and visits. background check, which is usually done by most placement As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure that your child is agencies. safe and happy in a child care environment that is fun, educational, One key to good child care is whether the caregiver can adapt to and nurturing. You will need to consider many questions. But you the needs of each child and family. Not all children of the same age are not alone — an increasing number of parents rely on quality are at the same level of development; each child has unique child care so that they may work. About 70% of parents place their character traits. A good caregiver understands these personal and young children in some type of daily care. Knowing in advance that developmental differences and creates a program to meet each this is not an overnight process makes it a bit less overwhelming. child’s needs. Center-Based Care Types of Child Care The most popular type because there are so many options for You might like the home-like feel of a family child care home, or children of all ages. You take your child to a place that is organized maybe you want your child to have opportunity to socialize with and staffed specifically to care for a group or groups of children. peers in a larger child care center. You might be looking for after Some types include day care centers, preschool programs, school care for your child, a summer camp experience or a program before/after school programs. that can accommodate his or her special needs. It will help you in your search to learn more about each type of child care setting.

34 ] Alburquerque Information Guide SELECTING CHILD CARE

Day Care Center Preparing Your Child For Child Care If you’re considering a day care center or another group setting, Most young infants, up to seven months, adapt to caring adults you should spend some time observing the center and talking to and seldom have problems adjusting to good child care. Older parents with children in the center. You should also expect that your infants may be upset when left with strangers. They may feel child will be assigned to the same caregiver to promote a sense of separation anxiety, which is a normal part of development for some security and consistency. Inquire about the rate of staff resignations; children. They will need extra time and your support to “get to low staff turnover minimizes the need for young children to know” the caregiver. Some children show changes in behavior repeatedly adjust to new caregivers. when they start child care. Toddlers may cry, pout, refuse to go to Preschool Programs or act angry in other ways. Preschoolers may regress and behave Preschool programs are offered through Head Start, child care like a younger child. They may be more wakeful at night. This centers or local public and private schools. They can be offered as behavior usually goes away after a few days or weeks in high-quality a half-day program for three or four days a week or they can be part child care, just be sure to monitor. of a full day program at a child care center. You may help your child adjust to a new child care arrangement. Before/After School Programs Arrange a visit with in-home caregivers while you are at home or These programs give children additional time and opportunity to when you need child care for a short time. Visit the center or family engage in hands-on enrichment activities in reading, science, math, child care home that you have chosen with your child before art, drama, and specific “safety” topics that include conflict beginning care. Show your child that you like and trust the caregiver. resolution and drug abuse. Most programs offer homework assistance and some offer tutoring. Most also provide supervised Some children like to carry a reminder of home when they go to physical activity and healthy snacks, or even dinner. School age child care. A family photograph or small toy can be helpful. Talking programs are often provided through local schools, child care to your child about child care and the caregiver is helpful. Being centers, churches, or youth-oriented community organizations. prepared makes any new experience easier for children. There also Quality features include opportunities for children to make individual are storybooks about child care that you and your child can read and group choices about activities, opportunity to improve together. (Check with your local library, another great outing for a academic skills, spaces for children to relax and rest, well parent and child) supervised spaces where they can be active, nutritious snacks, and After a child has been in child care, a sudden change in parental involvement. caregivers may be upsetting. This can happen even if the new caregiver is kind and competent. If you are concerned about your Choosing Child Care child's feelings, you may want to arrange a meeting with the In addition to the forms of child care, you want to take into caregiver or ask your pediatrician for advice. Parents need to help account the following factors: the caregivers and the child deal with any changes in the child's • Age and personality of your child. routine at home or child care. High-quality child care helps children • Child care needs of all the children in your family. grow in every way and promotes their physical, social and mental development. It offers support to working parents. Your pediatrician • Location of your workplace, home and child care facility. wants your child to grow and develop with enjoyment in a setting • Hours you need child care. that supports you as a parent. • What you can afford. In the final analysis, locating a child care provider with whom you When you begin your search, start with the telephone. Plan to are confident is well worth the searching. Why? Your child benefits spend a few minutes with each call. Describe your needs and ask greatly from such an arrangement, meeting and interacting with about the program, staff, location, other children in care, and what other children and adults. The child learns and grows from is included in the cost. Make an appointment and visit the center, experience, often times a major step in establishing independence school or home, and plan on spending at least an hour at each and becoming his or her “own person.” And you feel more at ease place. Visit once to observe the children in care and at another time leaving them. outside of regular structured hours to spend time with provider or For more information you may want to visit the following website: director. American Academy of Pediatrics, www.aap.org In any group center, health, safety, and hygiene must be given priority in all settings. All children and staff members should have current immunizations; staff should have clear criminal background checks. The facility must be child-proof and all staff members should wear disposable gloves when changing diapers. Toys should be disinfected on a regular basis and frequent hand washing should be promoted among the staff and children to minimize the spread of infection.

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 35 TYPES OF HIGHER EDUCATION

Community Colleges Nearly 3 million students are believed to be taking online classes Community colleges exist for two major purposes. The first is to at institutions of higher education in the United States this year. That serve as a bridge from high school to college by providing courses number has been growing about 25% a year recently. Now, virtually for transfer toward a bachelor’s degree. Four out of 10 college- all public higher education institutions, as well as a vast majority of bound high-school graduates start their college education this way. private, for-profit institutions, now offer online classes. By contrast, The second function of community colleges is to prepare only about half of private, nonprofit schools offer them. students for the job market by offering entry-level career training as Online schools offer everything from Associate’s degrees to well as courses for adult students who want to upgrade their skills Doctoral programs with available emphases in everything from for the workplace. They often offer programs that are not available Business Administration to Criminal Justice to Nursing. Some at four-year schools, like fashion design. programs require students to attend some campus classes or Liberal Arts Colleges orientations, but many are delivered completely online. Liberal arts colleges offer a broad base of courses in the Online courses generally require a computer with a broadband humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Most are private and connection, but are now a serious option for the busy professional. focus mainly on undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small Public vs. Private and personal attention is available. Public colleges are usually less expensive, particularly for in-state Online Learning residents. They get most of their money from the state or local Recent years have witnessed the rise of online degree programs, government. Private colleges rely on tuition, fees, endowments, and to allow the busy professional a chance to work at their own pace other private sources. Private colleges are usually smaller and can from the comfort of their home on the path to getting a degree. The offer more personalized attention and often more prestige. costs to students are typically the same as for traditional classes— Universities and financial aid is equally available—while the cost to the institution Generally, a university is bigger than a college and offers more can be much less. majors and research facilities. Class size often reflects institutional There are online universities ranging from legitimate distance size and some classes may taught by graduate students. learning systems to fly-by-night degree-mills. It’s important to Upper Division research a particular institution before deciding to enroll in their Upper-division schools offer the last two years of undergraduate system. Generally, brick-and-mortar schools that also offer online study, usually in specialized programs leading to a bachelor’s classes are the safest, though there are plenty of fully accredited degree. Students then generally transfer to an upper-division online universities out there. college after completing an associate degree or after finishing a second year of study at a four-year college.

DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES

Certificate or Diploma Combined Bachelor’s/Graduate Degree (or Joint Degree) These non-degree offerings generally lead to employment in an Complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s or first-professional occupational field. For example, to enter fields such as computer degree in less than the usual amount of time. In most programs, science or teaching, you may first have to get a certificate or students apply to the graduate program during their first three years diploma. of undergraduate study, and begin the graduate program in their Associate Degree fourth year of college. Successful completion results in awarding of You receive an associate of arts (AA) or associate of science (AS) both bachelor’s and graduate degrees. These are sometimes degree after completing two years of study similar to the first two referred to as “4 +1” programs. years of a four-year college. After earning an AA or an AS, you may Masters Degree transfer to a four-year college to complete the requirements for a These signify more specialized training in a particular field. They bachelor’s degree. The associate of applied science (AAS) degree is are competed after the bachelor’s degree, usually over the course awarded on completion of technological or vocation programs of of 2 years for the full time student. study. Doctorates Bachelor’s or Baccalaureate Degree These generally signify some significant research in the field, and Complete a four- or five-year, full-time program of study (or its are an upper level degree. part-time equivalent) at a college. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) are the most common.

36 ] Albuquerque Information Guide PAYING FOR SCHOOL

FAFSA www.fafsa.gov • Federal Student Loans made to parents: Much higher limit, but FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form payments start immediately that must be filled out annually by university to determine their • Private Student Loans made to students or parents: Higher limits eligibility for federal financial aid (including grants, loans, and work- and no payments until after graduation. study programs). In addition, most states and schools use Getting Your MBA Part-time information from the FAFSA to award non-federal aid. Getting your MBA may be imperative to you and your career. The FAFSA consists of numerous questions regarding the More than 40% of all graduate students are working adults, so it is student’s finances, as well as those of his or her family; these are possible to balance the rest of your life with your desire to continue entered into a formula that determines the Expected Family your education. Contribution. The amount of the EFC can vary widely, depending on You’ll generally spend three to four hours a week with the a number of factors; for example, one such factor is whether a instructor in a 3-credit class. It’s generally recommended that you student has siblings in college at the time. spend about 8 additional hours a week studying and preparing for The best place to look for help before you start filling out your the next classroom session, so 12-15 hrs a week total. FAFSA is at your school's financial aid office. So where are you going to find an extra 15 hrs a week? It helps Other Sources to journal how you do spend your time during the week, and then FAFSA only scratches the surface of the money available to list priorities. Lower priority items, like watching TV, may take up students for school. There are many state and private scholarships more time than you realize, and can be shelved so you can continue out there. The easiest way to find listings of what scholarships that your education. you may qualify for is by going to a scholarship database online and Re-prioritizing your time is the most crucial step in ensuring you’ll doing a search. Some handy sites for this are: have success on your path to your degree. Make sure you discuss Lunch-money.com your goals with your boss, friends, and family, so they know what to Finaid.org expect as you add this major commitment to your life. Fastweb.com Collegeboard.com It’s not recommended that you participate in any website that asks you to pay a fee to search for a scholarship; there are many wonderful free sites available. Types of Financial Aid Financial aid may be classified into two types based on the criteria through which the financial aid is awarded: merit-based or need-based. Merit-Based Merit-scholarships are typically awarded for outstanding academic achievements, although some merit scholarships can also be awarded for special talents, leadership potential and other personal characteristics. Merit scholarships are sometimes awarded without regard for the financial need of the applicant. Athletic scholarships are a form of merit aid that takes athletic talent into account. Need-Based Need-based financial aid is awarded on the basis of the financial need of the student. The amount of need based aid is generally based off the criteria on the FAFSA. Loans While included in the term “financial aid” Higher Education Loans differ from scholarships and grants in that they must be paid back. They come in several varieties in the United States • Federal Student Loans made to students directly: No payments until after graduation, but amounts are quite limited

Alburquerque Information Guide [ 37 RELOCATING YOUR PET

Your coffee is finally brewing after what seemed like an endless where the closest veterinarian is located and, of course, he or she search through the boxes left by the moving company. The disk can’t be as good as Dr. Morris…and Prince just loved Dr. Morris. jockey on the radio reads the weather forecast and you learn that it Farfetched? Not really. Pets are probably most overlooked when is 90 degrees outside with an expected high of 110. Welcome to it comes to relocating. Most people just expect their pets to wake your new city, but at least your company gave you a nice raise for up completely adapted to their new surroundings as if nothing relocating. changed. Although this is true for many pets, just as many find Just as you start thinking that everything is proceeding smoothly relocating to be traumatic. Furthermore, most people wait until their and that your new city really does have a lot to offer, you realize pet is ill before finding a new veterinarian. Prince, your four-year old Great Dane, isn’t acting right. Now what? What should you do then for your pet when relocating? Actually Is he really sick? Homesick? What’s worse is that you don1t know the place to begin is in your hometown before you move. Speak to your own veterinarian and tell him/her where you are moving and ask his/her advice. In most cases, this alone will be sufficient to find out what is necessary to prepare your pet for transition. Further, people will be surprised how often their veterinarian can recommend someone in the area where they are moving. Whether or not this person will actually become your new veterinarian is not as important as the peace of mind that the recommendation is from someone you trust. Finally, don’t wait until your pet is ill before looking for a veterinarian. This is an extremely emotional time and nothing can be more traumatic than having to find a veterinarian in the midst of a crisis. It is obvious, then, that you should find a new veterinarian before that first crisis occurs so that when the need arises, you will be prepared. How do you go about finding a new veterinarian in a new city? The best place to begin is simply the NewMarket Services Information Guide. Location is an important factor, as many pets don’t travel well and, in the case of emergency, distance may be a factor in receiving timely treatment. After making a list of local veterinary clinics, take the time to go visit them. Talk to the staff. Ask about office hours, fees, whether appointments are required, and what services are available. Also, ask if it is possible to talk to the doctor so that you can introduce yourself and at least have a first impression to help you make your choice. Finally, ask your neighbors which veterinarians they take their pets to and why. Then, of course, it’s your decision, but at least you have gathered some information on which to base your decision. Remember to NEVER leave your pet in a car in hot weather, as heat conditions in cars can quickly become fatal to animals.

38 ] Albuquerque Information Guide Alburquerque Information Guide [ 39 FITNESS AND HEALTH

IN THE KITCHEN

tarting with Thanksgiving, turkey is an important part of many holiday meals. We all look forward to the smell of the turkey roasting for hours in our homes. It is very Swelcoming for guests, and puts everyone in a festive mood. Most of the fat in turkey is within the skin and most of the fat within the meat is in the dark meat. The white meat with the skin removed is a good food source for people on low- fat or low sodium diets. The meat fiber is easier to digest than other types of meat, which makes it a good choice for individuals that may have digestive problems.Turkey is an excellent source of several important vitamins and nutrients such as iron, niacin, zinc, potassium, and B vitamins. And what about blaming the turkey for your after dinner lethargy? Turkey does contain L-tryptophan, an essential amino acid that has a sleep inducing effect. However, L-tryptophan needs to be taken on an empty stomach and without any other amino acids or protein in order to make you drowsy. There’s lots of protein in a serving of turkey and it's probably not the only food you are consuming at the meal. The truth is that you could omit the bird altogether and still feel the effects of the meal! The day after the feast is equally anticipated for those wonderful leftovers. But you can only eat so many turkey sandwiches and may need another use for the scraps. Try the chili recipe below. And after the first of year when all of the treats are gone and the waistband needs shrinking, try the recipe with ground turkey for a low-fat, satisfying meal. Simple Turkey Chili Ingredients 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 (16 ounce) cans canned kidney beans - 2 onion, chopped drained, rinsed, and mashed 2 tablespoons garlic, minced 1/3 cup chili powder, or to taste 4 cups water 1 teaspoon paprika 4 cups cooked turkey, chopped 1 teaspoon dried oregano or 2 pounds ground turkey 1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper 2 (28 ounce) cans canned crushed 1 teaspoon ground cumin tomatoes 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper Direction Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic, and cook until tender. Pour water into the pot. Mix in all remaining ingredients except kidney beans, and garlic.Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 30 minutes. Add kidney beans. Serves 16. Please visit our website, www.NewMarketServices for more recipes. Be one of the first 25 people to enter a recipe this month and receive $10 and automatic entry into our $2500 semi-annual best recipe contest. See website for details.

40 ] Alburquerque Information Guide PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL BEING

Choosing a Health Club • Does the club offer instruction in a sport or activity that you might Your move is filled with many new challenges. If your life style want to learn (tennis, squash, swimming, etc.)? includes working out a priority will be to find a club that meets your • Does the club offer a variety of leagues? If you want to compete needs. Or a new move may bring the perfect time to implement - is the club affiliated to the right leagues, and does it have teams those healthy lifestyle changes that were on your New Year’s of the right standard for your competencies? Resolution list for the past several years. • Does the club offer a variety of high-quality weight equipment? It Begin your search before you move. Ask your current club for should include free weights, such as barbells and dumbbells, and recommendations or perhaps they even have reciprocity with a club machine weights, you really need both to get a proper workout. in your new location. If you belong to a national chain, chances are • Does the club offer a sufficient number and variety of programs good that you will be able to transfer your membership. for you to achieve other goals (stress management, weight However if you do find yourself looking for a new club, use this management, smoking cessation, social activities, etc.)? check list to help you find the place that will work best for you. • Are there long lines at the equipment, or crowded aerobics When visiting a club use your own observations and question the classes, at the time that you would be using the club? staff and current members. Be sure your new club will be able to • What are the real costs? Make sure you understand all rates, meet your fitness, social, and safety needs. charges and fees because these can vary widely, and many clubs • Is the club clean and well maintained, especially the locker rooms require contracts ranging from a few weeks to a year or more. Be and the shower areas? sure you’re entitled to use all facilities, such as pools and spas at • Are staff members friendly and helpful? Make sure there is always no extra charge. someone available to answer your questions, to show you a new • Is child care available if you need it? exercise, or how to use a piece of equipment. • Is there adequate parking available if you need it? • Does the location for work for you? It’s best to select a club that’s One way to find out whether a club is right for you is to try it out near where you live or work. for a few days. Some clubs offer a special guest pass for • Do fitness staff members have appropriate educational prospective members. But even if you have to pay for a week to try backgrounds and/or certification from nationally recognized it out, it’s better to spend the money than to make a long-term certifying agencies? commitment to a club that doesn’t work out. Try the club during the • Are new members provided with a club orientation and hours you will normally be using it. It will give you a realistic idea of instruction on how to use equipment? what the club environment while you are there. • What age group do you see while visiting? If you are in your 50’s, It’s important to read health club contracts carefully. Don’t do you really want to work out with a group in their 20’s (and vice assume the club offers classes such as aerobics as part of the versa)? Be sure to visit club at the time you will be normally using membership. While some do, others charge extra. If the health club the facilities. requires a long-term commitment, find out whether you’ll be able to • Does the club have the cardiovascular resistance equipment you get a refund if you need to cancel your membership due to a job want and need to achieve your fitness goals? transfer, an injury or if you simply find that the club isn’t working for • Does the club offer sufficient number and variety of programs for you. you to achieve your fitness goals (aerobic, racquet sports, It’s a fact that of every three people who join a health club, only basketball, etc.)? If classes or group activities help to motivate one will work out there 100 days a year. Find a club that you are you and the health club doesn’t offer the classes you need, comfortable with and you will greatly increase your chances of sticking with your exercise program won’t be realistic. being the one of three people that are there more than 100 days a year. NewMarket Services wishes you good health.

Alburquerque Information Guide [ 41 PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL BEING

Coping With Change a new community requires finding new sources for familiar services. Did you know that your body and mind sense change as stress? Finding a new hairdresser, barber, drugstore, food market, doctor, Whether you change the place you live or where you work, it all lawyer, cleaner and shoemaker are all necessary. You not only have adds up to stress. The more changes that come at one time, the to locate these services, but you need to determine if you are more stress you experience. satisfied with the quality of the services provided. Forming a comfortable working relationship with the service provider adds more stress to the change itself. Perhaps your whole lifestyle changes if you are moving from a smaller or larger community. With long-distance moves, you will have to make new friends and develop a different emotional support system. When these changes are not made through your own choices, but are the decisions of a boss or someone in your family, then the stress is even greater. Children have to make changes because of their parents. They need special help and understanding getting settled in school and making new friends. Often, they will have difficulties as they adjust to the new surroundings. Changes produce stress not only within yourself, but also with the people with whom you are close. It may cause you to react differently from your usual behavior. If you are in a relationship or marriage, you may find more tension developing, with less patience or tolerance of the other person. If you live alone, not knowing where to go to make new friends can bring feelings of isolation and loneliness. Creatures of Habit Psychologically, most of us are creatures of habit and quickly develop repetitive patterns that make us feel comfortable and secure. Ever notice that most people find the same seat or section Self-Image of the commuter train or bus? Drivers usually take the same route Your attitudes towards change often depend on your self image every day. We do this in order to reduce stress. and expectations of how difficult it may be. Your self image is the The sameness of established behavior develops a sense of inner vision of who you are. It is the basis of your every thought, control over ourselves and surroundings. By seeking repetitive word and action. Moving, with the many changes it entails, offers an habits, we save our energy for new events that are either excellent opportunity to modify and/or improve your self image unpredictable or uncontrollable. When change removes the through the risks of taking positive action. sameness from our lives, we attempt to relieve the tension Some people welcome change as a challenge or an exciting new produced by uncertainty and newness. We look for ways to develop experience. Others may resent the inconvenience and extra effort other familiar patterns. they need to make to re-establish a comfortable routine. Still others Management of Change feel overwhelmed by the unknown and are not sure where to go or To manage change effectively, several simple steps will help you to whom to turn. adjust to the newness and extra effort needed to establish different Often, stress causes old issues, defeats or concerns to patterns in your life. resurface. Perhaps new worries and fears form unexpectedly, or • Organize your time so you can finish the tasks you have you feel tired and fatigued most of the time. Decision making planned. abilities are affected, and you seem to be having less fun and • Have realistic expectations. Do not plan to complete everything enjoyment. These are all telltale signs of stress brought on by within the first few weeks. change. • List your priorities and finish each one before you go on to the When signs of stress affect you, it may be a time of emotional next. transition, indicating old behavior patterns are not as effective as • Provide your body with recreational time and time to relax. they once were. This is often a good time for self-reflection-to look • Trust your first impressions; they are most often right. at what you like in yourself and what you do not like. Stress Periods of change can offer you an opportunity for growth within When you relocate to a new city, all categories of your life are yourself. Professional consultation may be useful during this period. changed. Along with the obvious changes listed above, moving to PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WELL BEING

Choosing a Primary Care Provider Guidelines to Narrow Your Choices One of the most important decisions that you will make in your • Insurance – With the risings costs of health care, be sure your relocation process is choosing a Primary Care Provider for you and insurance will be accepted. your family. Don’t put off the decision until you get sick. Your PCP • Professional credentials - any provider you consider should have will be responsible for approximately 90% of your health care. The graduated from an accredited medical school, and be sure relationship you develop with this health professional can be the key they're board certified. to keeping illness at bay, and it is your best connection into the rest • Professional affiliations - Your provider should be affiliated with a of the medical system. Your PCP can help you seek appropriate large, well-equipped hospital, either as a staff member or as an consultations with specialists if or when the medical problem is attending physician, a title that carries with it admitting privileges. beyond the realm of his expertise. • Practice arrangements - You may choose a solo practitioner or a A generation ago, people relied on General Practitioners (GPs) for group practice, in which two or more doctors in the same all their medical needs, from treating colds, and backaches to specialty or different specialties share the same office. setting broken arms and delivering babies. The competent GP • Location and office hours - If these aren’t convenient, you may knew the medical histories of every member of a patient's family have a difficult time making an appointment. because he treated them all. Today, Primary Care Providers are bringing this tradition back with the addition of providing preventive Make a Consultation Visit and Consider the Following health measures. More emphasis is now placed on preventive • Office is clean and the staff is courteous and helpful. medicine. You are now responsible for the health of you and your • You are seen by the doctor within a reasonable time of your family by making informed decisions, improving your diet and appointment or you are given a good explanation for any delay. exercising. A primary care provider (PCP) is a general practitioner • You are not rushed through the visit. The provider listens to you, who sees people of all ages for common medical problems. Your does not interrupt you and encourages you to voice your PCP is often involved in your care for a long time, so it is important concerns about your health. to select someone with whom you will work well. You will want to • The doctor is well-informed about preventive health measures, choose someone that emphasizes wellness and self-care by giving such as nutrition, exercise and the widely recommended use of you the information needed to make healthy lifestyle choices and screening tests. He should be quick to inform you of healthy health care decisions. lifestyle choices. Below are some guidelines to help you make your decision. • You’re comfortable talking to the doctor and the doctor explains Begin by Gathering Some Choices. things so that you can understand.

• Before you move ask your current health care provider for a Most importantly, don’t put off the decision until you get sick. If a referral. You can also ask other doctors you respect and see health care problem arises, and you have not yet chosen a provider, regularly. it is usually best to seek non-emergency care from an “urgent care • If you belong to a managed care plan, find out what doctors are center” rather than a hospital emergency room. This will often save affiliated with it. you time and money. However recent years, many emergency • Ask friends, relatives or business associates. Referrals from rooms have expanded their services to include reasonably priced people you know are usually based on trust and confidence in the urgent care within the emergency room itself or an adjoining area— provider. to find out, call the hospital first. • Hospitals usually offer a referral service that can provide you with the names of staff doctors who meet certain criteria you may be seeking, however they will not vouch for the quality of care.

Alburquerque Information Guide [ 43 VOLUNTEERING IN YOUR COMMUNITY

One of the best ways to become involved in your new community Many people are reminded of their wish to volunteer during is through volunteering. The benefits of volunteering are many, for holiday seasons, but this is when organizations might have an everyone involved. Ask your employer for advice. Many companies excess of help. If you want to volunteer during the holiday, give employees paid time off to volunteer and will often publicize remember to contact the organization in advance. Otherwise, time their employees’ community service. According to the research your work for the lean season. group Independent Sector, the U.S. volunteer sector is equivalent to Volunteering is fun, leads to learning new skills, meeting 9 million full-time workers. Whether you have an hour or a weekend, interesting people, making new friends, sharing your talents, and if you want to help kids or the environment, there are great keeping in touch with the community in which you live. Whether it is organizations that will excite your particular interest, broaden your important to you to solve a community problem, advance a worthy horizons and fit into your time schedule. cause or to develop as a person, volunteering offers many benefits Don’t forget to include your family. If your children are school age in appreciation for the gift of your time and expertise. chances are there are many opportunities to volunteer at their Once you have chosen an area of interest, how should you go school, or even in their classroom. That is a great way to meet other about involving yourself? See what the Web can do for you. 1-800- parents with children the same age. Clean up a neighborhood park Volunteer.org, a service of the Points of Light Foundation & with your children. Spend a morning at a homeless shelter with your Volunteer Center National Network provides listings of local and children. You’ll find that volunteering is not only a fun family-bonding virtual volunteering as well as contact information for Volunteer experience but a great way to teach children the importance of Centers across the nation. Open the classified section of your local giving back to the community. paper. Check out the bulletin boards in your office. Or just start How you get involved with your community depends on your calling the local agencies you're interested in. interests, skills and time. Choose something that fits well in to your One of the best ways to make these contacts is to walk right into schedule and makes you excited about working together to help the organization—a library, a shelter, training facility, or a political make a difference. Every person has that capability. Each of us can office—and find out who organizes volunteers. You can tell a lot by right a wrong, fill a plate, visit a shut-in or clean up a park, and that meeting the volunteer coordinator and any volunteers who happen does make the world a better place. to be on duty. While you won’t earn a paycheck for volunteering, There are several things to consider when choosing in what to you will earn valuable experience, a sense of accomplishment, and involve yourself. First of all be selective, think about what matters to the satisfaction that only comes from personally making the world a you, and where you wish to spend your time. If you have certain better place to live. social issues that you feel passionate about, it’s a great place to put your energy. You may have particular skills that will steer you toward a certain organization. Are you willing to explore new opportunities? Volunteering can teach you valuable new skills that you may use in other parts of your life. "You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give." - Winston Churchill

44 ] Alburquerque Information Guide Alburquerque Information Guide [ 45 HOUSING

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE…

Rent or Buy? The decision to rent or buy in your new location is dependent upon many considerations unique to your personal situation. Some of the potential factors involve the tax implications, down payment, other investment vehicles, the length of time you are anticipating being in your new location and whether or not your current home has sold. If you decide to buy, should you purchase an existing home or build a new one? Again, many factors have to be considered. Will an existing home need a lot of repair or remodeling to bring it to your standards? What about the difference in the cost of operation and maintenance between new and an existing structure? How should you finance a renovation? Which home will appreciate faster? Will it be difficult to get a construction loan? Is it better to rent for a while to become familiar with neighborhoods in your new city? What about capital gains tax if you don’t close in time? We suggest you seek the advice of a certified financial planner and a realtor to thoroughly clarify your options. These choices can become quite complex. Some Advantages to Renting Whether you’re in your first apartment or a longtime resident, there are many advantages you are afforded by choosing apartment living. Mobility: You enjoy the freedom to move, to accept that better job, to take the vacation you’ve dreamed of. No maintenance: Just relax and delight in the grounds and facilities maintenance technicians keeps attractive for you. Flexibility: You have the ability to increase or decrease your living space without the burden of sales pitches, closing costs, interest rates or the high cost of maintaining a home and property. Location: The choice is yours! Recreation: Chances are, you’ve chosen an apartment community with a swimming pool, tennis court, weight room or sauna. Apartments have the equipment and people to maintain them, which is no small task for the homeowner. No waiting: If you’re like most apartment residents, moving into your apartment was easy and fast. You settled into your new home without lengthy paperwork, a loan approval period or a large financial investment. Your Current Residence As you prepare to move, a big decision may include whether to sell or rent your current property. Ask yourself the following questions as you make this decision. You may also want to ask advice from a real estate agent. Market Is it a seller’s market? Signs include low interest rates and shortage of homes for sale. How long have similar homes been on the market and how long are you willing to let your home be on the market? Or is it a good rental market and do rental units have tenant waiting lists? Is your property in a trendy area? Desirable areas typically garner higher rents and seldom have vacancies.

46 ] Alburquerque Information Guide MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE

Financial had a gas clothes dryer in your unit. Check out the refrigerator/ Is this property good for rental income? Can you charge more for freezer for storage space. Is there enough counter and cabinet rent than you pay for mortgage, taxes and upkeep? How will selling space? Don’t forget to keep an eye out for bugs, especially in a affect your federal and state tax situation? Furthermore, if your high-rise building. property does not sell quickly, can you afford to keep the home Inspect the central air conditioning and heating systems. Ask vacant while it’s on the market? If not, do you feel you will be able other tenants if there is enough heat in the winter. It can be costly if to find a renter on a short-term basis? Are you likely to want to move you have to buy or rent window air conditioning units. back into the home some day? Is there enough storage space? Do you have enough closets for Rental Tips clothes, linens and general items. Are there built-in shelves and Apartment experts say that some detective work is needed to bookcases for books and DVDs? Do you also get a storage space conduct a search that finds the most livable rental residence for the that is not adjacent to the unit? money. After you have weeded out a good apartment complex from Does the building have special amenities such as a swimming many rent signs and/or listings, scanned the neighborhood you like pool, game room, barbecue area, and exercise room or tennis for the best rental possibilities, you will be ready to scrutinize each courts? Keep in mind that recreational amenities generally will property and landlord for shortcomings. It is easy for a prospective increase your rent. You should consider what features you will really tenant to gather quick clues about the general care, maintenance of use. the building, and cleanliness of the area overall. Try to talk to the How is the noise level in the complex? Have neighbors been tenant who is vacating the apartment you are planning to rent. He playing music louder than you prefer? Are you located by a major or she can tell you a great deal about the pluses and minuses of airport, freeway or train tracks? living there. Here are some tips for inspecting the inside of the Do you need an apartment that takes pets? If not, do you want apartment: to live in an area that does? Do tenants appear to be cleaning up Is it clean? Carpet should be cleaned and walls/ceilings should after their pets? What is the management policy for pet size and be freshly painted. Does the apartment have a bad odor? It could maintenance? be a tip that the prior tenant had a pet or cooked spicy foods. Rental experts suggest that tenants should tour several Check room sizes with a floor plan. Make sure the furniture that apartment complexes before placing a deposit on a unit. The you will be moving will fit. Is the bedroom near the bathroom? Does minimum deposit to hold a unit is usually $100. Prospective renters the dining room adjoin the kitchen? still need to fill out an application and pay an application fee. This Inspect kitchen appliances. Check the stove to see if all burners will hold your unit while your employment, credit and rental histories work. Does the range have a hood with a fan? Is the oven self- are being checked out. This process usually takes 7 to 10 days to cleaning? Is the stove gas or electric? If it is gas, you may have an complete. extra monthly charge for cooking gas. This would also be true if you

Alburquerque Information Guide [ 47 CHOOSING THE RIGHT HOME

Making a final decision and determining which house to make an Schools offer on shouldn’t be taken lightly. The decision should be made If you have school-aged children and plan to send them to public rationally and not guided by emotion. You most likely won’t have the school, you definitely want to consider the reputation of the luxury of taking your time on deciding which house you’d like to neighborhood school. If you plan on sending your child to a private pursue. However, since it is such a major decision you would like to school, how long is the commute? You will likely spend a lot of time base it on factual information. Some broad categories to consider driving your child not only during the school day but for extra- are: curricular events outside the daily school schedule. Which ever Appreciation school you decide, you can usually find general district information Ask your real estate agent to retrieve sales of homes in the and state standardized test results online. Always plan a visit to the neighborhood over the past few years. If one neighborhood shows school and receive the information first-hand from school an annual average 8 percent increase and another is skyrocketing administrators. You should also talk to teachers and parents. at 15 percent, you may have your decision made. Sellers’ Situations Crime If you don’t know already, ask your real estate agent how long the Go to the local police or sheriff department and ask about crime house has been on the market. Usually the longer a house has been in your specific neighborhood. You might find theft or vandalism to listed, the better chance the seller will accept an offer lower than be more prevalent in one area than another. Also please visit the asking price. Conversely, if the house has been on the market for website, www.familywatchdog.us. When you visit this site you can just a couple days, the sellers will probably wait for a better offer if enter your address and a map will pop up with your house as the you offer less than the listed price. Your real estate agent might also small icon of a house and red, blue, green, dots surrounding your be able to dig up additional information about the sellers, like why entire neighborhood. When you click on these dots a picture of a they’re selling. If it’s a job-related move or a divorce, the sellers likely person will appear with an address and the description of the crime want to move as quickly as possible, meaning you have a better he or she had committed. shot at them accepting a lower price. Style and Substance Drawbacks The SUBSTANCE are things that cannot be changed such as the Rarely will you be lucky enough to find a perfect place. Think location, view, size of lot, noise in the area, school district, and floor about the cons associated with each house and determine to plan. The STYLE represents easily changed surface finishes like correct them or how much of a negative impact each will have. carpet, wallpaper, color, and window coverings. Buy the house with The House good SUBSTANCE, because the STYLE can always be changed to Make a list of the amenities and attributes you want your house match your tastes. to have. Be specific. Prioritize that list. Then, rate how each house measures up to each need on your list. Neighborhoods If you have kids or pets and being close to a park is important, you’ll want to consider that. How close are shopping, restaurants, churches, and other services? Are the streets maintained? How do your prospective neighbors keep up their property? How long will your commute to work be? Property Taxes Property taxes may vary from one neighborhood to another. This can sometimes affect whether you view a community as a desirable place to live. Higher property taxes often mean newer and more modern schools, well-maintained roads, and bountiful community services.

48 ] Albuquerque Information Guide HOME INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Finding faults in a home doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t Interior buy it. But it will help you to know the type of repair costs that The kitchen and baths are the most expensive rooms to should be anticipated, and sellers often will make adjustments in renovate, so check their condition carefully. A newly-painted interior their asking price on the basis of problems discovered in an may look nice, but it could be hiding something. inspection. Plumbing Inspectors look for the following: Turn on the bathroom sink faucet and shower and then flush the Brick and Concrete toilet. When the toilet starts to refill, does the water pressure Check pavement, driveways and horizontal brick surfaces for diminish? Fill sinks and tub with three inches of water. Do they drain cracks. Is there damage from freezing? What is the condition of the properly? Do faucets leak? Lift up the carpeting. Are there any signs mortar between the bricks? Is any pavement buckling from of flooding or decay? spreading underground tree roots? Roof Electrical Are shingles curling and lifting? Find out how old the roof is, and Open the door on the fuse box or circuit-breaker panel. Is the you will have a pretty good idea of when you will have to replace it. electrical service adequate? The average house should have 100- Termites and Carpenter Ants amp service. Is it wired for 220 volts, which is necessary for electric Look for evidence of termites and carpenter ants on basement dryers and ranges? wood framing. Is there saw dust like wood or paper debris? Can Exterior you find evidence of termite tubes or tunnels? Termites live in earth, Is the house well maintained? Does the roof sag? Are the exterior so make sure that there are no places where earth is closer than six walls out of line? What is the condition of the paint, especially on the inches to wood. Like termites, carpenter ants like wood and wood south and west sides, where sun exposure is greatest? Is there products. adequate drainage away from the house? Water Damage Heating & Cooling Look in the basement for signs of leakage. This could be a result How old is the heating/cooling system? Has it been maintained? of poor drainage around the house. Water damage also is caused Ask to see the owner’s cooling bills for the previous year. This will by seepage through porous basement walls and condensation, give you an idea of its energy efficiency. which frequently is caused by inadequate ventilation. Basement Insulation walls painted a dark color may be an effort to disguise a past Check the attic and crawl space. Is the insulation adequate and problem. Beware of chalky white water stains on foundation walls complete? Has it been properly installed? Does the insulation or partitions; stains on wood and drywall; delamination of paneling obstruct the air vents, preventing the house from “breathing” and and lifting or buckling floor tiles; or a damp, mildew odor. possibly causing wood rot? Does the home have storm windows? Windows and Doors Has the glazing putty dried and shrunk, allowing water and air seepage? Is the wood decayed? Are the window and door frames caulked and weather-stripped?

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 49 HOME CARE BASICS FOR NEW HOMEOWNERS

You’ve finally done it—you’ve just moved into your brand new Appliances home. The smell of fresh paint still permeates the air. You’re likely Remember to read the instruction manual for every appliance in consumed with unpacking, setting up furnishings, rearranging, your new home. The manuals provide recommended cleaning and decorating—energized by the blank pallet you have to work with. maintenance schedules and sometimes your warranty will become But once you’ve signed the thick pile of closing documents, the void if you don’t follow these recommendations. moving trucks have left and everything is neatly in its place, what do Driveways you do next? It’s time to get a handle on the routine maintenance If you have an asphalt driveway, remove oil, gasoline and similar you’ll need to perform in order to ensure that you and your family substances immediately with soapy water. live comfortably in your new home for years to come. Here’s some To avoid holes in your asphalt driveway, refrain from resting patio advice to get you started and help save money while you’re at it: furniture or bicycle stands on it. Maintaining a clean home will ensures it will last longer and works Do not burn anything on your driveway. better. Dust and dirt, if allowed to accumulate, can harm the finishes Gutters and Downspouts on blinds, cabinets, countertops, floors, sinks, tubs, toilets, walls, Clear away leaves, tree limbs and other debris from gutters and tiles and other items. If dirt does accumulate, make sure to clean it downspouts. with a substance that does not scratch or damage the finishes. Downspouts should be turned away from your home’s On the outside of your home, make sure that gutters and foundation. downspouts do not get clogged with leaves or other objects. The Every four to six years, paint gutters that are not are made of exterior of your house is built to withstand exposure to the aluminum or vinyl to help prevent rust. elements, but a periodic cleaning will improve the appearance and, Heating and Cooling Systems in many instances, prolong the life of siding and other exterior Late summer or early fall are the ideal time to do an annual products. inspection and cleaning of these systems. When you bought your home, you probably received a warranty Make sure you change the filters every three months. from the builder on workmanship and materials. This warranty applies to problems related to the construction of the home, but it Keeping your pilot light burning during the summer will help keep does not apply to problems that arise because of failure to perform the furnace dry and prevent corrosion. routine maintenance. For example, if your roof begins to leak after Registers help regulate the flow of air and maintain the desired six months because of faulty workmanship, your warranty would temperature in your home. Keeping registers closed in rooms you cover that. If you develop a problem because water backed up in don’t use will save on cooling/heating costs. clogged gutters that you should have cleaned, the builder is not Using heat generating appliances in the evening and reducing the responsible for repairs. Also, some items, such as appliances, may number of lights on will help keep the temperature down and save be covered by manufacturers’ warranties and are not the on costs during the summer. responsibility of the builder. Plumbing You should fully familiarize yourself with the terms of your Every member of your family should know where the intake warranty soon after you move into your home. With all the valves are located. Label each one. excitement surrounding a move into a new home, most people have If any of your appliances develops a leak, inspect your drain trap. little desire to curl up in front of the fireplace and read a legal A partially clogged drain can cause overflow. Use a plunger or a document. Nonetheless, you should not wait to read your warranty plumber’s snake to unclog the drain. If you need to, use boiling until a problem arises. Set aside an hour to learn what your rights water to help unclog a partially opened drain. Call a plumber if these and responsibilities are from the outset. techniques don’t work. Here are some additional tips for properly maintaining specific A worn washer, a loose part in a faucet or steam in a hot water systems in your new home. pipe generally causes a noisy pipe. Do not hesitate to repair the noise because vibrations can follow the noise and lead to leaks. SECURITY

Each year more than six million residential burglaries occur Computer Security throughout the United States. That’s one every ten seconds! In Computer security is the process of preventing unauthorized use addition to the worry of home burglaries, we now also need to of your computer. concern ourselves with computer hackers and personal identity • Use of anti-virus software on all Internet-connected computers. theft. Listed below are some things that you can do to reduce your Be sure to keep your anti-virus software up-to-date. chances of becoming a victim. • Use of some type of firewall product, such as a network Home Security Checklist appliance or a personal firewall software package. • Have home security system professionally installed that offers a • Turn off your computer or disconnect its Ethernet interface when 24 hour monitoring system. Make sure to post the home system you are not using it. An intruder cannot attack your computer if it stickers and window decals: this should alert and deter would be is powered off or otherwise completely disconnected from the intruders. network. • Never stop mail or newspaper deliveries, it signals that you are • Use software backup tools if available, and store the backup away. Have a neighbor pick up all deliveries if possible. disks somewhere away from the computer. • When recording your answering machine message, do not state Identity Theft that you are not home or out of town. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal • When leaving for an extended period, put lights and stereo information without your permission to commit fraud or other /television on a timer to give the appearance that someone is crimes. While you can’t entirely control whether you will become a home. victim, there are steps you can take to minimize your risk. Exterior/Interior Security • Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal • Replace all locks immediately upon moving into your new home information before you discard them. and install deadbolts on all outside doors. • Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social • Secure your sliding glass doors with pins to prevent all horizontal Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number and vertical movement. Also install security film over the glass on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary or ask to use panes for additional protection. another identifier. • Remember to lock all doors and windows. • Don’t give out personal information on the phone, through the • Provide remote panic buttons for children and/or elderly mail, or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing residents. with. • Never keep garage door openers in cars that are parked outside • Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails; instead, type in a of your home. web address you know. Keep Your Valuables Safe • Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your • Keep your important papers, heirloom jewelry and large amounts mother’s maiden name, or the last four digits of your Social of cash in a safe deposit box. Security number. • Engrave your valuables with your social security number or drivers license number. • Store jewelry, firearms, furs and like in a small closet with a non- hinged solid core door that has a deadbolt. • When purchasing new electronic equipment, breakdown cartons before discarding them. This way you avoid advertising your new purchase to the entire neighborhood and drive-by observers.

Alburquerque Information Guide [ 51 HOMEBUYER’S GLOSSARY

As you start shopping for a new home, you may encounter some Contingency Condition that must be met before a contract is unfamiliar words and terms. The following glossary will help get you binding. through the maze of buying a home. Convertibility Ability to change a loan from an adjustable rate Adjustable-Rate Mortgage (ARM) Loan with an interest rate schedule to a fixed-rate schedule. adjusted according to movements in the financial market. Many Covenant Agreement between seller and buyer on a piece of offer lower-than-market initial interest rates that rise only gradually property, restricting the use of that property. (Also called deed for the first few years. restriction.) Annual Percentage Rate (APR) Annual cost of credit over the life of Deed Legal document representing property ownership. a loan including interest, service charges, points, loan fees, Default When a borrower fails to make the required payments of mortgage insurance and other items. a mortgage contract. Appraisal Unbiased, professional opinion of a property’s value Density The number of homes built on a particular acre of land. based on its style and appearance, construction quality, usefulness Allowable densities are determined by local jurisdictions. and the value of comparable properties. Debt-To-Income Ratio Long-Term debt expenses as a percentage Assessment Tax levied on a property or a value placed on the of monthly income; used by lenders to qualify borrowers for worth of a property by a taxing authority. mortgage loans. Assumption Transaction allowing a buyer to assume responsibility Due-on-Sale Clause in a mortgage contract requiring the borrower for an existing loan instead of getting a new loan. to pay the entire outstanding balance upon sale or transfer of the Broker (Real Estate) Person who receives a commission or fee for property. bringing buyer and seller together and assisting in the negotiation of Earnest Money Sum paid to the seller to show that a potential contracts between them. A license is required in most states. purchaser is serious about buying. Building Code Local regulations controlling design, construction Easement Right-of-Way granted to a person or company and materials used in construction. Building Codes are based on authorizing access to the owner’s land. For example, a utility safety and health standards. company may be granted easement to install pipes or wires. An Buydown Subsidy, usually paid by a builder or developer, to reduce owner may voluntarily grant an easement or can be ordered to grant the monthly payments on a mortgage loan. one by a local jurisdiction. Buyer’s Agent A real estate agent who represents only the buyer Equity Difference between the value of a home and what is owed in a real estate transaction. on it. Callback Request by a homeowner for a builder to handle a service Escrow Handling of funds or documents by a third party on behalf request. of the buyer and/or seller. Cap Limit to the amount an interest rate or monthly payment can Escrow Amount Amount set up by a lender into which periodic, increase for an adjustable-rate loan either during an adjustment usually monthly, payments for taxes, hazard insurance, period or over the life of the loan. assessments and mortgage insurance premiums are made. Funds Certificate of Occupancy Document from an official agency stating are held in trust by the lender who pays the sums as they become the property meets the requirements of local codes, ordinances and due. regulations. Fair Market Value Price at which property is transferred between Chain of Title History of all documents transferring title to a parcel willing buyer and willing seller, each of whom has reasonable of real property, starting with the earliest existing document and knowledge of all pertinent facts and neither being under compulsion ending with the most recent. to buy or sell. Change Order Homebuyer’s written authorization to add, delete or Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Federal agency that insures change an item specified in a contract. mortgages with lower down payment requirements than Closing Meeting to sign documents that transfer from a seller to a conventional loans. buyer. (Also referred to as settlement.) Fixed-Rate Mortgage Mortgage with an interest rate that remains Closing Costs Charges paid at settlement for obtaining a mortgage constant over the life of the loan. loan and transferring a real estate title. Hazard Insurance Protection against damage caused by fire, wind Commission Agent’s fee for negotiating a real estate or loan storms or other common hazards. Many lenders require borrowers transaction, often expressed as the percentage of the sales price or to carry it in an amount at least to the mortgage. mortgage amount. HVAC Common building industry abbreviation for heating, Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions (CC and Rs) Standards that ventilation and air conditioning systems. define how a property may be used and the protections the Index Interest rate or adjustment standard that determines the developer makes for the benefit of all owners in a subdivision. changes in monthly payments for an adjustable-rate loan.

52 ] Albuquerque Information Guide HOMEBUYER’S GLOSSARY

Infrastructure Public facilities and services needed to support Point One-Time charge assessed by the lender at closing to residential development, including highways, bridges, schools and increase the interest yield on a mortgage loan. sewer and water systems. Presettlement Walk-Through Final inspection of house prior to Inspection Examination of work completed on a structure to closing, conducted by builder and buyer. determine compliance with building code and other code Principal Amount borrowed, excluding interest and other charges. requirements. Property Survey Survey to determine the boundaries of a piece of Joint Tenancy Form of ownership in which the tenants own a property. Cost depends on the complexity of the survey. property equally. If one dies, the other automatically inherits the Recording Fee Charge for recording the transfer of a property, paid entire property. to a city, county or other appropriate branch of government. Loan Origination Fee Lender will charge a fee for the cost of Specifications Contractual document describing in detail the work processing the loan, usually calculated as a percentage of the loan to be performed; method of construction; standards of amount. workmanship; quality, type and manufacturer of materials and Loan-To-Value-Ratio Relationship between the amount of a home equipment for a particular project. loan and the total value of a property. Tenancy in Common Form of ownership in which the tenants own Lock-In Rate Commitment from a lender to make a loan at a pre- separate but equal parts. To inherit the property, a surviving tenant set interest rate at some future date, usually for not more than 90 would either have to be mentioned in the will or, in the absence of days. A fee may be charged to “lock-in” a rate. a will, be eligible through state inheritance laws. Mortgage Commitment Formal written communication by a lender Title Evidence, usually in the form of a certificate or deed, of a agreeing to make a mortgage loan on a specific property, specifying person’s legal right to ownership of a property. the loan amount, length of time and conditions. Title Insurance Insurance against any title defects that may exist Mortgage Origination Fee Charge for the work involved in preparing prior to the time the title is passed from one owner to the next, and and servicing a mortgage application. which may come to light in a future transaction. Permit Document issued by a local government agency allowing Veterans Administration (VA) Federal agency that insures mortgage construction work to be performed in conformance with local loans with very liberal down payment requirements for honorably codes. Work may not commence until permits have been obtained, discharged veterans and their surviving spouses. and each permit issuing agency must inspect the work at certain specified points during construction. PITI Principal, interest, taxes and insurance: the four major components of monthly housing payments.

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 53 TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR ENERGY COSTS

The cost of cooling your house continues to rise. There are a • Close doors to rooms that are not being used. number of ways you can save a significant amount of money on • Run full loads in your washer and dryer, and use “solar drying” your energy bills. In fact, it’s possible to save up to 25 percent on (clotheslines). your power bill by using the following tips. While your results might • Use energy saver option on your dishwasher, allowing dishes to vary, you’re guaranteed to find at least a few ways to save money. air dry. The idea behind all our advice, and in fact our entire conservation • If you A/C unit is on the ground, keep the area around it clean and effort, is to give you the information you need to make the right free of obstructions to maintain air flow. decisions. • Unplug your televisions/VCR when you’re on vacation. Most new These simple steps don’t cost a thing, but can potentially save sets draw power even when they’re turned off. you 10-25% on your monthly energy bill. • Keep lights and lighting fixtures clean, especially if you’re • Turn off lights and appliances when not in use. Don’t forget your reducing the number of lights you use. Dirt absorbs light. Let computer - it can use as much energy as a refrigerator. Most new lights cool before cleaning them and never touch halogen bulbs computers have “sleep” settings. with your bare hands. The oil from your skin can greatly damage • In the cold months, set the thermostat to 68 degrees when the bulbs. Use a small piece of paper to hold the bulb. home, and then back to 58 degrees when sleeping or when you • If your dishwasher has a filter clean it. are not home more than four hours. • Clean the reflectors underneath the burners on stovetops. • In warm months, set the thermostat to 78-80 degrees when home and 5 to 10 degrees warmer at night or when you’re not There are plenty of low cost, easy to do projects or steps you can home. do to save another 10-25% on your energy bill. • Do not turn your air conditioning off in the hot months when • Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones. you’re not home. Your house will store up the heat and you’re This will typically save $1 per bulb changed out (for bulbs running likely to make the air conditioning run for hours to feel 4-6 hours per day) and reduce heat in your home. Regular bulbs comfortable. use most of the electricity to generate heat so use care when • In the winter, open window coverings on the sunny side of your changing bulbs. home to take advantage of “free heat from the sun” Close the • Caulk windows and caulk and weather-strip doors. Keep the coverings on cloudy days or right after the sun sets. outside air out and the inside air in. • In the cooling season, close blinds and drapes during the day to • Install a hot water heater blanket but be careful not to cover vents keep heat out. or temperature settings. • Also, use your dishwasher, clothes washer and dryer, and cook • Install hot water pipe insulation. Do keep the insulation at least six as late in the evening as possible. inches away from the flue (exhaust pipe) of gas water heaters. • Barbecue outside if practical, keeping in mind the heat and effect • Plant trees and shrubs on the south and west side of your of sun on your body. By reducing the heat coming into your home residence. The vegetation acts as insulation and provides from any source, will reduce the load on your air conditioning. shading, reducing thermal gain in a building. • Use pool trippers to reduce the time your swimming pool pump • Fix leaky faucets Install low flow showerheads. runs on—eight to twelve hours a day is plenty in the summer • Use room fans to keep the air moving and reduce the feeling of months, less in the winter months. heat in your home. • Set your water heater to 120 degrees. • Replace furnace and air conditioner filters. Spray the filters with a • Vacuum your refrigerator coils (underneath and in the back) and light coating of lemon furniture polish or vegetable oil cooking don’t obstruct the coils. They need air space to work. spray to help trap dirt in the filter. • Keep the seals (gaskets) on refrigerators and freezers clean. • Check the seals on your refrigerator and freezer. • Keep your freezer as full as possible. You can place containers or • Replace normal thermostats with programmable thermostats. plastic bottles filled with water in the empty spaces. • Make sure food is cool and covered before it goes into the refrigerator.

54 ] Alburquerque Information Guide WHO’S WHO IN BUILDING

Architect Lender Building design professional who has completed all required The financial institution that provides construction loan financing university training in architecture and passed state licensing exams; during construction and permanent financing for the home buyer initials A.I.A. and F.A.I.A. indicate membership in a professional after the home is built and there is a property settlement, referred to organization, but not licensed status. in our area as closing. Most lenders make what is referred to as Builder or General Contractor “end loans” which is the loan made to the buyer of a new home, and The buck stops with him or her in construction projects. The others make both the “end loan” and “construction loan financing” general contractor secures bids for all work and materials; hires, which provides funds to pay for costs incurred during construction. coordinates and oversees subcontractors; files for permits and Owner Builder arranges for inspections; and generally makes the final decisions in An individual or family who finances and manages a home all construction-related matters. building project (usually with the assistance of a builder or general Building Inspector contractor who is hired to manage all or a particular phase of the One or more local officials who oversee and regulate every phase construction of the home) with the intention of retaining ownership of residential construction. Regulations vary widely. In most states and residing in the home after completion. area home construction meets standards contained in the Uniform Subcontractor Building Code. In addition, applicable provisions of the Uniform Fire A specialist who undertakes responsibility for one phase or trade & Plumbing/Mechanical & Electrical codes are enforced. Typically, within the project and reports to the general contractor. In a typical permits are issued and inspections are made at key stages of home building project, subcontractors generally include: an construction by County and City building code enforcement excavation contractor who digs foundations and grades the site; a departments. masonry contractor who handles all concrete, block, brickwork and Building Designer paving; a framing contractor who constructs the shell and interior Generally unlicensed professionals (license not required for partitions; a roofing contractor; a heating, ventilation and air- practice) who, by experience, are competent to design homes, conditioning (HVAC) contractor; a plumbing contractor; an electrical prepare drawings and write specifications; they often work in contractor; drywall installers; insulation contractors; finish association with licensed architects. carpenters who generally handle wood flooring, trim work, and Construction Manager/Foreman cabinet installation; and a painting contractor. The general contractor’s right-hand man. A construction Surveyor manager can be on site when the general contractor is not. A professional with the training and equipment to establish or Design/Build Firms verify property lines. The surveyor also plots and marks the An organization that provides both architectural planning and topography of the site, which is crucial in preparing the site plan. He general contracting services, and offers a different approach to the or she may also be employed to stake out the building site, setting conventional arrangement in which the designer and builder are reference marks for foundation excavation, establishing grades for separate entities. roads or driveways and marking the locations for a septic system Interior Designer and water well, if necessary. Specialist in decoration and furnishing; special training and Title Insurance Company licensing not required. Initials A.S.I.D. following individual’s name The entity that conducts a comprehensive search of the public indicate membership in a professional association, for which records to make sure that the title received by a buyer of a new training and passing tests are required. home is “free and clear of any liens and encumbrances”. This Kitchen /Bath Designer assures the issuance of a clear or “merchant able” title in favor of Specialist in designing these rooms; initials C.K.D. and C.B.D. the buyer of a new home at the closing of the sale of the property. indicate certification by a professional association, for which training and passing tests are required. License is not required for practice. Landscape Architect Specialist in landscape and garden planning; primary concerns include site selection, grading, access, drainage and protection of existing plant material. License required for practice.

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 55 SELECTING A BUILDER

Are you shopping for a new home? Start by shopping for a Service After the Sale and Home Warranty professional builder first. Whether you are buying a townhouse, a While you are shopping, ask about the builder’s service after the detached home in a subdivision, or a custom-built house, the sale. Most builders offer some form of warranty. Many builders back construction quality of your new home will be determined by the their own warranties on workmanship and materials, typically for quality of your builder. one year. Other builders offer warranties backed by an insurance Start your builder-search process by calling your local home program. One of the most important criteria for selecting a builder builders association. They can give you the names of reputable is the warranty protection provided on the home. Ask for a copy of builders in your area. Ask friends and relatives about builders they the builder’s warranty. Read the document thoroughly and be sure have dealt with directly, or ask them for the names of acquaintances you understand what protection is provided. If you have any who have recently built a new home. questions about the coverage, talk to the builder prior to finalizing The Interview Process your purchase. Once you have developed a list of builders who are building the Be Thorough type and price range of home you are interested in, research their When selecting a builder, be thorough and ask a lot of questions. reputations and the quality of their work. The best way is to visit Get as many specifics as possible. If you receive the answers homes that they have built and talk to the owners. Ask the builders verbally, take notes. Never hesitate to ask a question because you on your list for the addresses of their recently completed houses, are afraid of sounding “stupid” or uninformed. What seems like a subdivisions, or townhouse communities. At the very least, drive by “stupid” question may yield a very important answer. and see if the homes are visually appealing. Buying a new home is probably the biggest and most important Look at homes that are the same style as you plan to buy. A good purchase you will make in your lifetime. By doing your new “home” time to visit is on a weekend morning when people are outside work to select a builder, you will instill in yourself and your family a doing chores. Introduce yourself and explain that you are sense of confidence and knowledge that you have made the right considering buying a home from the same builder who built their choice. home. If you have additional questions about selecting a builder, contact Ask about their satisfaction with the home and whether the your area’s Builders Association. Ask for a builder list that identifies builder delivered what was promised in a timely manner. Ask if they the price categories and subdivisions in which they build. Be sure to would buy another home from this builder. People will generally tell tour the Parade of Homes in the Fall and Spring. It is an excellent you if they are happy with their purchase. way to get familiar with the housing market in this area as well as Quality and Value individual builder’s products. When examining a home, look at the quality of the construction features: the cabinetry, carpeting, trim work, and paint. In viewing a home, you must determine whether it lends itself to the type of lifestyle you want to lead. Look at the amount of interior living space and how efficiently the space is used. Find out if the builder is incorporating state-of-the-art energy efficiency features, both in appliances and insulation.

56 ] Albuquerque Information Guide SELECTING A CONTRACTOR

Every year hundreds of families are taken advantage of by 8. Make sure all required permits are secured and inspections are disreputable individuals or companies who represent themselves to made.The contractor should be expected to secure all necessary be reliable, reputable contractors. If you are planning to hire permits. Beware of contractors who want you to secure the someone to repair or make improvements to your property there are permit as the property owner. It is permissible to do so, but it is safeguards you can take to assure the best selection of a contractor very unusual that a reputable contractor will ask you to do this. for you. 9. Make sure you have a written contract with the contractor that Consider the Following details: 1. Hire only licensed contractors. Contractors are required to be a. A full description of all work to be done. licensed to do certain types of work. When selecting a contractor b. A firm date of completion you should make sure the contractor holds a current, valid c. Total cost of the job. license either issued by your city. d. Contractors license number. 2. All contractors do not possess the same expertise.Ask for e. All warranty information. references and check those references to assure yourself that f. Quality of materials to be used. the contractor is qualified to do the type of work you are wanting g. How and on what basis payments are to be made. done. h. How changes and payment for changes will be handled. 3. Check business references. Ask the contractor for a list of business references that you can call and verify that the 10. Make sure complete architectural drawings are done and relationships with suppliers and subcontractors are good ones agreed upon if you are having a room addition added, or and that the contractor pays his bills. extensive remodeling done. Be certain that detailed material specifications are also provided and made a part of the contract 4. Call the Better Business Bureau to find out if there are any you sign. complaints or charges pending against the contractor. 11. Monitor the work being done in accordance with the 5. Call local trade associations for information about selecting a contractual agreement with the contractor. If you have contractor. questions about what is being done or problems with the 6. Ask for proof from the contractor that he has general liability contractor, either ask questions or confront the problem head insurance and workers compensation insurance in order to on when it occurs in order to minimize any conflict and reach a protect you, as the property owner, against any claim in the event satisfactory resolve as quickly as possible. the contractor, his employees, or someone else is injured as a 12. Final payment should not be made until you are satisfied that result of work being done on your property. the job has been completed in accordance with the terms of the 7. Make sure the contractor you are contracting with will be contractual agreement between you and the contractor. personally involved in coordinating the work to be done on your property.

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 57 MORTGAGE INFORMATION

You may have a difficult time deciding which type of home feature was designed to provide housing and assistance for mortgage is the best for your needs. The world of home finance veterans and their families, and the dream of home ownership offers so many variables and options that it’s often hard to keep became a reality for millions of veterans. VA will guarantee a them straight. The following may help you better understand the maximum of 25 percent of a home loan amount up to $104,250, differences and find a home loan that’s right for you. which limits the maximum loan amount to $417,000. Generally, the Fixed-Rate Mortgages are very popular because the interest rate reasonable value of the property or the purchase price, whichever and monthly payments are constant. Fixed loans are generally is less, plus the funding fee may be borrowed. All veterans must amortized over ten, fifteen, twenty or thirty years. Property taxes qualify, for they are not automatically eligible for the program. and homeowners insurance may increase, but generally your Interest-Only Mortgage is really an interest-only option that works monthly payments will be very stable. During the early amortization with various mortgage types. This option has regular payments, period, a large percentage of the monthly payment is used for typically monthly, for a fixed period of time; however, payments paying the interest. As the loan is paid down, more of the monthly consist of one hundred percent interest. No principal is paid during payment is applied to principal. A typical 30 year fixed rate the interest-only period. When that period ends, the borrower is mortgage takes 22.5 years of level payments to pay half of the obligated to make payments of principal and interest. Because the original loan amount. You may also opt for “biweekly” mortgages, time remaining in the loan term to repay the principal is shorter than which shorten the loan by making a payment every two weeks. it would have been, payments will adjust upward, sometimes (Since there are 52 weeks in a year, you make 26 payments, or 13 substantially. The appeal of interest-only payments is savings. When “months” worth, every year.) principal is not being paid, monthly payments are dramatically Adjustable Rate Mortgage (ARM) is a loan which allows for the lower. On the risk side is potential for loss. If the need to sell arises adjustment of its interest rate according to the terms of the note and and the property value has stayed flat or declined, a borrower might as market interest rates change. With this type of mortgage loan be in a position where the mortgage loan balance is higher than the program the interest rate and payments may be adjusted as market value of the property. frequently as every month. The purpose of the program is to allow Balloon Mortgage Loan generally has a short term, commonly mortgage interest rates to fluctuate with market conditions. The anywhere from 3-7 years. During that term, borrowers make regular initial interest rate for an ARM is usually lower than that of a fixed equal payments of principal – the amount of money borrowed – plus rate mortgage, where the interest rate remains the same during the interest. At the end of the loan term, a “balloon” payment is due for life of the loan. A lower rate means lower payments, which might the entire loan balance. Options for handling the balloon payment help you qualify for a larger loan. Also if you do not plan to keep your include paying off the balance when due or refinancing before the home for more than a few years, the possibility of rate increases payment comes due. Balloon mortgages are usually offered at isn’t as much of a factor. But no one has a crystal ball to predict the lower interest rates than other fixed-rate loans. In addition, fluctuation of interest rates, so it is somewhat of a gamble. payments are calculated using a period longer than the term of the FHA Mortgage Loan is insured by the Federal Housing loan. As a result, balloon loans offer affordability for short-term Administration. FHA is part of the U.S. Department of Housing and circumstances. Borrowers do need to plan ahead so they are not Urban Development (HUD), one of its chief purposes is to help caught unprepared when the balloon payment is due. people obtain financing to buy their homes. The FHA doesn’t make Choosing a type of mortgage is not the only decision you must the loans, but insures loans made by banks, savings and loans, face. Several other criteria are listed below. mortgage companies, credit unions and other approved institutions. Hybrid Mortgage combines features of both fixed-rate and FHA does not originate loans. FHA insures the mortgage and pays adjustable-rate mortgages. A hybrid mortgage loan may start with the lender if the homebuyer defaults on the loan, or fails to repay the a rate that is fixed for a period of time. When that fixed-rate period loan. Almost anyone who has a satisfactory credit record, enough expires, the loan then converts to an ARM. The initial rate for a cash to close the loan, and sufficient steady income to make hybrid mortgage loan is typically lower than prevailing fixed rates. monthly mortgage payments can be approved for an FHA-insured The lower rate enables more buying power up front. On the risk side mortgage. There is no upper age limit and no certain income level is the uncertainty of how high interest rates will be when the fixed- required, although individual mortgage amounts are limited by law. rate period expires. VA Mortgage Loan is similar to the FHA mortgage. The U.S. Lending Institution are used When you’re looking for a home loan, Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees loans made by you might work with an officer at a bank or other lending institution, institutional lenders to eligible veterans. The guarantee helps protect or you might choose to work with a mortgage broker. The loan the lender in the event of the borrower’s default. The VA Loan was officers at a bank, credit union or other lending institution are initiated in 1944 through the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act, more employees who work to sell and process mortgages originated by commonly known as the GI Bill of Rights. The GI Bill was signed into their employer. They often have a wide variety of loans types to law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and provided veterans with draw from, but all originate from that specific lender. a federally guaranteed home loan with no down payment. This

58 ] Alburquerque Information Guide MORTGAGE INFORMATION

Mortgage Brokers are professionals who are paid a fee to bring Appreciation is the increase in the property’s value, either by together lenders and borrowers. The mortgage broker working to improvement in the market or improvements made by the owner. secure your loan is earning a fee for that transaction—and the Balloon Mortgage is a loan that acts like a fixed rate but is due in better deal they achieve for a lender, the more they are paid. Don’t three, five or ten years. At that point you must pay the outstanding be too anxious to disclose the interest rate you would be willing to balance in one lump sum. accept, let them tell you what terms they can secure. Shop around Buydown is the process of buying a lower interest rate by paying to make sure the terms are reasonable. more points at closing. There should be little difference between obtaining a loan from a Conventional Mortgage is a loan that is under $ 240,000 and meets broker or a local lending institution. Maybe none, but you should be Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac standards, the largest purchasers of aware of the differences between the two positions. A mortgage home mortgages on the secondary market. broker may find you a lender in another part of the country. The loan Convertible Mortgage is an ARM with the option to convert to a office will likely be able to offer more personal service while your loan fixed rate mortgage as specified in the contract. is being processed and once you are an established customer. FHA Loans are issued by FHA approved lenders. The FHA insures Discount Points are fees paid to a lender at closing in order to its loans so that borrowers can get them with only 3 to 5% down lower your mortgage interest rate. While buying points is sometimes payment. The FHA has certain criteria to qualify for these loans. a good decision, many times the purchase costs you more than it Fixed-rate Mortgages are self amortizing loans with a constant rate saves. The cost of each point is equal to one percent of the loan of interest. These loans are commonly for 10, 15. 20 or 30 year amount. For instance, for a $100,000 loan one discount point periods. equals $1,000. Each discount point paid on a 30-year loan typically lowers the interest rate by 0.125 percent. That means a 5.5 percent Interest Rate is what the lender charges for the use of their money. rate would be lowered to 5.375 percent if you purchase one point. Expressed as an annual percentage of the amount borrowed before Paying for points lowers your interest rate, because the lender financing expenses. receives the income in a lump sum at closing rather than collecting Initial Interest Rate is what lenders charge on an ARM until the first the interest as you make payments on your loan. Whether or not adjustment is made. This rate is usually much lower than fixed rate paying points makes sense for you depends in part on how long mortgages. you plan to keep the loan. Jumbo Mortgages are loans greater than $ 227,150 with an interest rate that is a quarter percentage higher than conventional Helpful Mortgage Terms loans. Adjustable Rate Mortgage is a loan with a rate that adjusts to Lifetime Cap is the same as an annual cap except there is limit on market conditions. The rate of adjustment will be stated in the how high the interest rate can increase over the entire life of the contract. mortgage. Adjustment Index is a guide lenders use to change ARM interest Loan Commitment is a promise by the lender to provide the agreed rates during the life of a mortgage. The specific index to which your amount of money stated on the mortgage to close on a home. The ARM is tied to will be listed in the mortgage contract. commitment also states the interest rate, term of loan, and usually Annual Cap is a limit on how high the interest rate on an ARM can expires within 60 days. rise in a single year. Annual caps are specified in the better ARM Loan Servicing is the institution that handles the administrative programs. processing of your loan such as billing and collecting payments. Annual Percentage Rate Equals the true cost of a loan including Loan-to-Value Ratio is the proportional relationship of the financing charges and fees. mortgage loan to the value of a home, expressed as a percentage. Amortization is the process that reduces the amount owned in a loan. It can be made in a lump sum or periodic installments. Appraisal Value is estimating the property’s worth which is based on comparable properties. Appraisals that are completed by certified professionals, and are used by lenders to verify the home’s value and justify the mortgage commitment.

Alburquerque Information Guide [ 59 MORTGAGE INFORMATION

Mortgage Calculator You can obtain your property taxes from the local township office How much do you qualify for based on typical lender and you can contact your insurance agent for homeowner rates. requirements? Generally, the lender will require that your monthly Now, while shopping for your mortgage, you probably have payments not exceed 28% of your gross monthly income. Lets take discovered the current interest rate. Use the chart below; find the a look at how a lender would typically determine your ability to meet column, which applies to that rate. Follow the number down until monthly house payments. you find the number that is closest to your principal and interest First, determine your gross monthly income from all sources. payment. To the left of that you will find the loan amount for which Then multiply that amount by 28% to determine an approximate you probably qualify. If you intend to apply for a 90% loan, divide the allowable monthly payment. This payment includes principal, loan amount by .90 to calculate the price of the house that would interest, taxes and insurance. From this amount subtract taxes and require this monthly payment. insurance to arrive at your allowable principal and interest payment.

The example below illustrates this procedure: Gross Monthly Income $2,500 X 28% = $700 Less: Monthly Taxes & Insurance (100) = $600 12% Interest Rate for 30 years for $600= $60,000 $60,000/.90 (Loan to Value) =$66,667 = Estimated Maximum Home Price For Qualification

$ 5% 5.5% 6% 6.5% 7% 7.5% 8% 8.5% 9% 100,000 500 550 600 650 700 750 800 850 900 150,000 750 825 900 975 1050 1125 1200 1275 1350 200,000 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1600 1700 1800 250,000 1250 1375 1500 1625 1750 1875 2000 2125 2250 300,000 1500 1650 1800 1950 2100 2250 2400 2550 2700 350,000 1750 1925 2100 2275 2450 2625 2800 2975 3150 400,000 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 3000 3200 3400 3600 450,000 2250 2475 2700 2925 3150 3375 3600 3825 4050 500,000 2500 2750 3000 3250 3500 3750 4000 4250 4500 550,000 2750 3025 3300 3575 3850 4125 4400 4675 4950 600,000 3000 3300 3600 3900 4200 4500 4800 5100 5400 650,000 3250 3575 3900 4225 4550 4875 5200 5525 5850

700,000 3500 3850 4200 4550 4900 5250 5600 5950 6300 750,000 3750 4125 4500 4875 5250 5625 6000 6375 6750 800,000 4000 4400 4800 5200 5600 6000 6400 6800 7200 850,000 4250 4675 5100 5525 5950 6375 6800 7225 7650 900,000 4500 4950 5400 5850 6300 6750 7200 7650 8100 950,000 4750 5225 5700 6175 6650 7125 7600 8075 8550 1,000,000 5000 5500 6000 6500 7000 7500 8000 8500 9000

60 ] Alburquerque Information Guide AIRLINES BANKS/FINANCIAL SERVICES

Airlines and UNM. Feel the comfort, convenience New Mexico Bank & Trust and sense of home. Come in from the 7021 Jefferson St. NE American Airlines cold… Albuquerque, NM Reservations call (800) 433-7300 (505) 830-8100 Flights at your fingertips. For passenger Tierra Antigua 5905 Tierra Antigua, N.E. Welcome to New Mexico Bank & Trust reservations and information call us or your online. We are a full-service community travel agent. Albuquerque, NM 87111 (866) 367-2551 bank, delivering financial solutions for Continental Airlines businesses and consumers. We offer what RENT WITH EQUITY, Equity Residential’s may be the best customer service in the Reservations call (800) 523-3273 exclusive NATIONAL rent to own program banking industry. If you’re already a Want to be treated with respect, fly the allows residents to earn equity toward a customer, you know what we mean. If safe and courteous skies with Continental new home. Nowhere else can you take you’re not, try us. You’ll be glad you did. Airlines. advantage of a national rent to own United Airlines program of this kind! All features included New Mexico Bank & Trust Reservations call (800) 241-6522 in rent, garages have remote operated 2300 Louisiana Blvd. NE Serving more of the nations top 100 doors. Albuquerque, NM business centers than any other airline. Wyoming Place (505) 830-8100 Small package dispatch, same-day airport 5222 Wyoming Boulevard, NE Welcome to New Mexico Bank & Trust to airport. Albuquerque, NM 87111 online. We are a full-service community (888) 657-1199 bank, delivering financial solutions for businesses and consumers. We offer what Apartments If space is a must for you-then look no may be the best customer service in the further! The Arroyo Del Oso public golf Gatewood banking industry. If you’re already a course and city tennis courts are 6300 Montgomery Boulevard customer, you know what we mean. If conveniently located across the street. 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We offer what for your personal tour! 2900 Louisiana NE may be the best customer service in the Albuquerque, NM banking industry. If you’re already a Mesa Del Oso (505) 553.2291 customer, you know what we mean. If 5100 Mesa Del Oso Road, N.E. Our commitment to you is a rapid and you’re not, try us. You’ll be glad you did. Albuquerque, NM 87111 flexible response, with completely local (866) 367-2241 control and decision-making. We New Mexico Bank & Trust RENT WITH EQUITY, Equity Residential’s emphasize the personal element involved 4001 Southern Blvd. SE exclusive NATIONAL rent to own program in working with our customers and special Rio Rancho, NM allows residents to earn equity toward a attention is given to creating a strong and (505) 830-8100 new home. Nowhere else can you take long-lasting relationship. Our staff is Welcome to New Mexico Bank & Trust advantage of a national rent to own professional, qualified, and eager to online. We are a full-service community program of this kind! Close to provide the kind of service you deserve. bank, delivering financial solutions for everything…Grocery Stores, Banks, businesses and consumers. We offer what Restaurants and much more! Come and New Mexico Bank & Trust may be the best customer service in the see for yourself, and you won’t want to 320 Gold SW Suite 100 banking industry. If you’re already a leave! Albuquerque, NM customer, you know what we mean. If (505) 830-8100 Sunchase you’re not, try us. You’ll be glad you did. Welcome to New Mexico Bank & Trust 3901 Montgomery NE New Mexico Bank & Trust online. We are a full-service community Albuquerque, NM 87109 1612 East Spruce St. bank, delivering financial solutions for (888) 306-5698 Portales, NM businesses and consumers. We offer what If you’re looking for great value in a great (505) 830-8100 may be the best customer service in the location…Welcome home to Sunchase. banking industry. If you’re already a Welcome to New Mexico Bank & Trust Here at Sunchase we believe our residents customer, you know what we mean. If online. We are a full-service community come first! Let our staff provide you with you’re not, try us. You’ll be glad you did. bank, delivering financial solutions for service and value that is second to none. businesses and consumers. We offer what Our spacious floorplans and ideal may be the best customer service in the northeast location offer easy access to banking industry. If you’re already a I-25, Montano Bridge, shopping, business

Alburquerque Information Guide [ 61 BANKS/FINANCIAL SERVICES EDUCATION customer, you know what we mean. If Education PreK Education 6-12 you’re not, try us. You’ll be glad you did. Academy Montessori Florida Air Academy New Mexico Bank & Trust 11216 Phoenix NE 1950 South Academy Drive 709 Pile St. Albuquerque, NM Melbourne, FL 32901 Clovis, NM (505) 299-3200 (321) 723-3211 (505) 762-4741 This school offers a bilingual preschool and www.flair.com Welcome to New Mexico Bank & Trust kindergarten program, as well as an At Florida Air Academy, Cadets at have the online. We are a full-service community afterschool Spanish language school. An opportunity to get a first-rate education bank, delivering financial solutions for eclectic mix of learning methods are used, geared to the learning styles of young men businesses and consumers. We offer what and the curriculum is structured and and make friends from around the world. may be the best customer service in the developed based upon the changing The school accepts young men in grades banking industry. If you’re already a needs of the children. Resource teachers 6 through 12. The Academy boasts a 16- customer, you know what we mean. If provide enrichment programs in art, student average class size and college you’re not, try us. You’ll be glad you did. drama, music and physical education. The prep curriculum taught by accredited staff, school’s goal is that, by the time a student many with advanced degrees. Cadets at Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque has completed Kindergarten, he or she will Florida Air Academy receive leadership 225 Gold SW be a happy and confident student, who training and an emphasis on community Albuquerque, NM 87102 can read, write, and speak two languages, service. Other programs include an (505) 243.3388 and who is well-prepared to succeed as excellent sports program, extensive Sunrise Bank of Albuquerque offers a they move on to first grade. computer curriculum and optional flight complement of services that can be training and SCUBA certification. tailored to meet your unique personal or Education PreK-5 Florida Air Academy is located on Florida’s business banking needs. These include Manzano Day School Space Coast and is fully accredited. personal and business deposit accounts, 1801 Central NW Contact our Admissions department for tailored loan financing, private banking, Albuquerque, NM, 87104 more information on Fall, Spring, and personal trust, full service brokerage and (505) 243.6659 Summer enrollments. investment management. We believe in taking the time to listen to our clients and Manzano Day School is a pre-kindergarten For additional Information contact: Donna delivering customized and convenient through grade five independent elementary Stratford Director of Communication services. We are proud to have a school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (321) 723-3211, Extension 30028 seasoned and professional staff who has a Beyond the core curriculum of reading, sincere desire to provide unsurpassed writing, math, social studies, and science, Sandia Preparatory School service to our clients. To this day, referrals all children receive instruction in art, music, 532 Osuna Road NE by satisfied customers make up our largest physical education, technology, and Albuquerque, NM 87113 source of new business. Spanish. The history of Manzano resides in (505) 344.1671 the children who have been enriched by Sandia Prep is an independent coed Car/Truck Rental the school. Since 1938, Manzano has school with a college preparatory program provided a nurturing educational for grades 6-12 on one campus. The joy of Avis Rent a Car community in which children experience learning and living is at the center of all we Reservations call (800) 331-1212 the joy of individual and collaborative do. We provide a well-balanced program Offers low-mileage quality maintained GM achievement. where the school, as an extension of and other cars. Computerized for fast families, supports the quest for human service & low rates for day, week or long Education PreK-12 excellence and individual growth. term mini lease. Rehoboth Christian School Budget Rent a Car PO Box 41 Education 9-12 Worldwide Reservations (800) 527-0700 Rehoboth, NM 87322 New Mexico Military Institute Right now, Budget has great rates on (505) 863.4412 101 W. College Blvd. equally great cars. So don’t let them pass A Rehoboth education helps students Roswell, NM 88201-5173 you by. For your local or one-way rental develop confidence, competence, and (505) 622-6250 choose from Budget’s World Class Fleet at compassion. Rehoboth is committed to the airport or in your neighborhood. building students up not only intellectually, Founded in 1891, NMMI is a co- educational, residential, college preparatory Budget Rent a Truck but also spiritually and emotionally, helping them grow into mature Christians who high school and two-year junior college in Worldwide Reservations (800) 527-0700 a military setting, located in Roswell, New Right now, Budget has great rates on approach the world with a healthy perspective and the skills necessary for Mexico. New Mexico Military equally great trucks. So don’t let them Institute,operating within a conducive pass you by. living in it. Rehoboth teaches students to serve willingly, to appreciate the diversity of military environment, will be the nation’s Hertz Car Rental God’s world, and to know the importance finest college preparatory high school and Reservations call (800) 654-3131 of achieving personal excellence for God’s university parallel junior college. As an Still The biggest, still the best. Biggest glory. institution of higher and secondary Selection of low mileage cars. Customer education, New Mexico Military Institute service is the most important thing we do. will provide challenging academic

62 ] Albuquerque Information Guide EDUCATION NATIONWIDE TRAVEL preparation through a structured learning Homes By Joe Boyden, LLC Executive/Family Suite offering one King environment affording extensive 11896 North Highway 14 bed or two Queen beds in the bedroom opportunities for leadership and character Tijeras NM 87059 and convertible sofa in the living room. For development. (505) 281-9593 the romantic experience, a Presidential www.joeboydenhomes.com Jacuzzi Suite with oversized Jacuzzi tub Home Builders/Developers Joe knows home building. Since 1980, Joe and living room with a convertible sofa is Centex Homes, New Mexico Division Boyden has been designing and building available. Each Suite offers a microwave 7601 Jefferson NE, Suite 320 award-winning homes that fit your ever- oven, refrigerator, coffee maker with tea Albuquerque, NM 87109 changing life. Joe knows that no two and coffee, hairdryer, Free High Speed (505) 761-9606 families are alike. We offer a wide variety of Internet Access and much more! Meeting www.centexhomes.com plans and locations to provide the most Facilities can accommodate groups of 10 to 40 with free audio visual. Fax and copy Centex Homes, with 20 years of customization possible. services, unlimited local calls and other experience building in New Mexico, is Joe knows New Mexico. He built his home business support services available. building over 10 communities throughout here, raised his family here, and uses that central New Mexico. Located in Los experience to help you choose and build Moving Supplies Lunas, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and the best home for your family. Dial-A-Box Santa Fe, Centex offers pricing to fit the From the initial planning stages through to White Plains and The Bronx, NY needs of every family and we’re sure to the final walk-through and warranty of your TOLL FREE: (866) 4-DIAL-A-BOX / have a great home to fit your lifestyle. new home, Joe Boyden ensures customer (866) 434-2522 Today’s low interest rates and great satisfaction. Each custom home is incentives make it the perfect time to buy a designed, inch by inch, to the highest www.dial-a-box.com new home. From where you want to live to quality standards. Your family’s needs and Nationwide Travel how you want to live, Centex is building a desires are the foundation on which we home just for you. build. No matter your style, price range, or Bellagio The Resort 3600 Las Vegas Blvd South Hinkle Homes location preference, Joe knows how to Las Vegas, Nv 89109 PO BOX 14934 build your family the home you deserve. (702) 693-7223 Albuquerque, NM 87191 Sunlight Homes (505) 292-6094 Experience a world unto itself at “the most Albuquerque, New Mexico romantic hotel in the world.” Hinkle Homes is a family company that (505) 856.5888 • AAA Five Diamond Award winning resort. builds custom homes in any Albuquerque, For over 25 years, we have been designing Rio Rancho, or East Mountain location. For comfortable, beautiful and extremely • Nine world-renowned restaurants over forty years the Hinkle name has been energy efficient custom homes for including Aqua, Prime, and AAA Five synonymous with quality real estate discriminating buyers across the US. Our Diamond Award-winner Picasso. developments in the Albuquerque area. homes are designed to fit your lifestyle, • “O” by Cirque du Soleil, an extraordinary This background forms the cornerstone your land and your building budget, with fusion of water, dance and aerobics. upon which Hinkle Quality Homes was solar orientation, views and effective use of • Via Bellagio- a collection of the worlds founded. This family owned and operated natural resources in mind. Abundant most sophisticated boutiques from company builds unique custom homes in windows provide natural day lighting and Giorgio Armani, Chanel, Tiffany, and the greater Albuquerque area. Let us help winter heating. Rooms flow together Hermes. you turn your dream home into reality! naturally and indoor space joins with John Kaltenbach Homes outdoor space effortlessly to create a • The Conservatory and Botanical Gardens P.O. Box 21114 unique and comfortable living environment. charms guests with its natural beauty. Albuquerque, NM 87154 • Dancing Fountains cavort on an eight (505) 856-8553 Hotels acre lake. Best Western InnSuites Hotel & John Kaltenbach Homes is a custom Fairmont Hotels home builder and contractor in Suites Airport Albuquerque Toll Free (800) 527-4727 Albuquerque, Santa Fe and the 2400 Yale Boulevard SE www.Fairmont.com surrounding areas of NM. For over fifteen Albuquerque, NM 87106 Boston, Las Vegas, Dallas, New Orleans, years, this New Mexico home builder has (505) 242-7022 New York, San Francisco & San Jose been known for liveable homes and Toll Free Reservations: (877) 771-7810 America’s Grand Hotels since 1907. attention to detail. Whether contemporary Located at the entrance to the or traditional, southwest or modern, they Albuquerque Airport near I-25 and I-40. Hilton Hotels are thorough in design and construction. just three minutes to the Airport Terminal. Worldwide Reservations John Kaltenbach Homes is focused on The InnSuites Suite Hotel & Resort is Toll Free (800) 845-8667 building the highest quality houses for their centrally located at the entrance to the www.Hilton.com clients. Airport. InnSuites Hotels offer “Your Suite Hilton Hotels, Resorts, Suites, Hilton Choice” of a newly refurbished studio Garden Inn, Conrad International Hotel. InnSuite with your choice of two Queen beds or one King bed with convertible sofa bed. Or try a newly refurbished two-room

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 63 NATIONWIDE TRAVEL NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS

MGM Grand • COYOTE UGLY Bar and Dance saloon from two beautiful series of homes, the 3799 Las Vegas Blvd. South and the Dueling Pianos at the Bar at Pecos Series and the Rio Grande Series. Las Vegas, NV 89109 Times Square. Colores del Sol (702) 891-1111 • New York City’s original Gallaghers 3283 Primo Colores St Searching for non-stop action and pulse- Steakhouse. Santa Fe, NM 87507 pounding excitement? “The City of • Be the toast of the town in the Big apple (505) 991-2578 Entertainment” awaits your arrival. Bar with live entertainment nightly in “The www.centexhomes.com • La Femme-the sensual French sensation Greatest City in Las Vegas.” Colores del Sol is adjacent to the South direct from the original Crazy Horse in • ZUMANITY, Another side of Cirque du Meadows Open Space Park and is just Paris. Soleil, the creative climax of sexuality, minutes away from everything spectacular • Tabu - The ultra hip lounge designed to humanity and art. Santa Fe has to offer. stimulate and arouse your senses. Pan Pacific Resort Hotels The Meadow at Anderson Hills sm • Live the nightclub lifestyle at studio 54 . Worldwide Reservations 3223 West Meadow Drive SW • Sixteen masterpiece restaurants including Toll Free (800) 327-8585 Albuquerque, NM 87121 celebrated chef Tom Colicchio’s Pan Pacific Hotels & Resorts. North (505) 452-0642 www.centexhomes.com Craftsteak and Michelle Mina’s NOBHILL. America, Japan, Southeast Asia. Beautiful new floor plans specially • The king of the jungle overlooks the Lion Treasure Island designed for the New Mexico lifestyle. Habitat. 3300 Las Vegas Blvd. South • The Grand Garden Arena and Hollywood Las Vegas, NV 89109 Presidio - Coming Summer 2007! Theatre feature top name entertainment. (702) 792-5627 I40 at Eubank Enjoy the adventure and romance of this (505) 761-9606 Mirage Hotel & Casino engaging resort filled with new-world www.centexhomes.com 3400 Las Vegas Blvd South amenities. Rancho Oro at Cabezon Las Vegas, NV 89109 ® 2125 Via Sonata Rd. (702) 791-7111 • AAA Four Diamond Award winning resort. Rio Rancho, NM 87124 Immerse yourself in this tropical South Sea (505) 994-2421 oasis filled with luxury and excitement! • World-famous pyrotechnic sea battle www.centexhomes.com between the pirate ship, Hispaniola, and • Experience the elegance and This fabulous southern Rio Rancho the British frigate, H.M.S. Britania in the sophistication of our newly redesigned masterplan will include parks, trails, open middle of the Buccaneer Bay. guest rooms. spaces and excellent Rio Rancho schools! • Mystere by Cirque du Soleil, a Rancho Oro offers a fine selection of • Dive into interconnected lagoon and mesmerizing mix of powerful acrobatics, homes with beautifully designed, open thundering waterfalls at the new Mirage circus skills and dance. floorplans and eye-catching exterior pool. • Eight exciting dining options including elevations. • Ten international restaurants including Kahunaville and Buccaneer Bay AAA Five-Diamond award winner Renoir. Rancho Plata at Cabezon Restaurant-fine dining overlooking the 2215 Via Esterlina Ave. • Exotic White Tigers, Lions and a family of explosive battle in Buccaneer Bay. Rio Rancho, NM 87124 Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins in Seigfried • A beautifully appointed wedding chapel. (505) 896-9344 and Roy’s Secret Garden and Dolphin www.centexhomes.com Habitat. • A tropical pool area and lavish spa and salon. Welcome to Cabezon, the community • A fire-erupting volcano sparkling lagoons you’ve been waiting for! This fabulous and tumbling waterfalls. New Home Developments southern Rio Rancho master plan will • Dive into interconnected lagoon and include parks, trails, open spaces and Alegria Active Adult Community thundering waterfalls at the new Mirage excellent Rio Rancho schools! 901 Cottonwood Circle pool. Bernalillo, NM 87004 Rancho Santos New York-New York (505) 771-3367 4345 Santo Domingo Street 3790 Las Vegas Blvd. South www.centexhomes.com Santa Fe, NM 87507 Las Vegas, NV 89109 Life keeps getting better for adults 55 or (505) 480-4786 (702) 740-6969 better! Just north of Albuquerque and less www.centexhomes.com The best of New York City meets the best than 40 miles south of Santa Fe, Alegria is Rancho Santos is a great place to call of Las Vegas in one exciting location. Be a central New Mexico’s first active adult home in Santa Fe! Homes and part of it. community. Condominiums featuring a great location within walking distance of shopping and • ESPN ZONE sports-themed dining and Residents will enjoy a 9,000 square foot dining. entertainment. clubhouse with indoor and outdoor pools, • Live performances nightly from the a fitness center and rooms for hobbies and Award-winning comedy of Rita Rudner. entertaining. The community will also feature walking trails with access to the Rio • The thrilling Manhattan Express Roller Grande Bosque and open spaces. Select Coaster.

64 ] Albuquerque Information Guide NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS NEW HOME DEVELOPMENTS

Sagewood at Northern Meadows Toscana at Cabezon Villa Sonata 1330 Aspen Meadows Dr 2652 Violeta Circle 4002 Sandia Vista Rd Rio Rancho, NM 87144 Rio Rancho, NM 87124 Santa Fe, NM 87507 (505) 896-0893 (505) 459-6943 (505) 459-6921 www.centexhomes.com www.centexhomes.com www.centexhomes.com Homes designed for the casual and Beautiful new floorplans specially designed New homes in a great neighborhood comfortable New Mexico lifestyle, with for the New Mexico lifestyle. nestled in the rolling hills just outside of bright and airy floorplans to let in the Ventana Al Sol historic Santa Fe. sunshine. 7905 Unionville Court NW Sundance at Huning Ranch Albuquerque NM 87114 3411 Wagon Wheel Street SW (505) 897-7600 Los Lunas, New Mexico 87031 www.pulte.com/nm (505) 866-1433 Ventana West, Albuquerque’s award www.centexhomes.com winning 940 acre master planned Huning Ranch is a 2,200 acre master community offers your family a lifestyle full planned community in Los Lunas. Planned of amenities including a 15 mile trail amenities include schools, parks, trails and system, neighborhood parks and a community center! recreation areas, a new middle school just across from Ventana West and future on- site elementary school. Ventana Al Sol with its 131 home sites is just one of the three beautifully planned communities within Ventana West, each with their own distinctive models and floor plans. These Pulte homes range from $210s to the low $240s.

Albuquerque Information Guide [ 65