Albuquerque, NM-safe?
 

Is Albuquerque NM a "safe" city to stay in?
I'm reading some posts about "drunks on the street, day and night" near the Hyatt hotel?
Is the "old town" area better to stay in than the downtown area?

Albuquerque's relatively small downtown area has undergone a revitalization in the past few years. Formerly bleak and deserted after dark, it now has a sizeable community of shops, galleries, restaurants and clubs. The nightlife seems directed at young singles (makes sense).

I've never felt unsafe there but I don't stay downtown when I visit Albq.

A couple of years ago I seem to recall the city gov't trying to pass some fairly stringent legislation to curb aggressive panhandlers so that says someone thought there was a problem. I think it was controverial stuff but I don't know what came of it.

Hope that helps a bit. It'll get your message back to the top of the queue.

obxgirl-Would we be better off staying in Sante Fe instead of Albuquerque, NM while we see the Balloon Festival, or maybe the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort would be better place to stay?
Not sure how far Sante Fe is from Albuquerque? Thanks!

Santa Fe is an hour drive from Albq on the Interstate. It's an easy drive but not one I'd recommend for the balloon fiesta because so many of the events take place at the crack of dawn or in the evening.

The Hyatt Regency Tamaya is a great place and if there are rooms available, I'd grab one right away. Hotels fill up quickly for this event.

Traffic is really congested around the fiesta park so consider using one of the park and ride shuttles. Or even better, the Tamaya resort probably runs a shuttle. I'd ask the hotel directly.

obxgirl-Thank you so much for your reply! I think we're going to go for the Hyatt Resort...