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Albuquerque, New Mexico is the state's largest city, set in the high desert along the Rio Grande with the Sandia Mountains rising to the east, and the University of New Mexico anchors a large student community near its center. UNM's main campus sits just off Central Avenue, the historic Route 66 corridor, with the lively Nob Hill district immediately east and downtown a short ride west. Tens of thousands of students give the surrounding neighborhoods a steady college pulse. Green space defines the city: the Rio Grande Bosque offers miles of riverside trails, the Sandia foothills draw hikers, and parks dot the city. Old Town preserves the Spanish colonial roots, and the annual International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon event on earth, anchors the cultural calendar.
Just east of campus along Central Avenue, the classic student pick, full of vintage shops, galleries, and a walkable arts-and-cafe scene with apartments right by UNM.
Immediately around campus, this keeps you closest to class, with student-heavy streets and easy transit.
A short ride west on the ART line, offering a more urban setting with nightlife, the entertainment district, and rail access.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Albuquerque.
Getting around Albuquerque is easiest along the Central Avenue spine, where the Albuquerque Rapid Transit line, a bus rapid transit route, runs from the west side through downtown, past UNM, and out to Nob Hill and Uptown, with fares currently free. The broader ABQ Ride bus network covers the rest of the city, and a student pass typically comes with enrollment. Students near campus can manage daily life without driving. Check routes for neighborhoods beyond the Central corridor.
The campus area and Nob Hill are walkable, with class, food, and apartments close together. Biking is popular thanks to flat terrain, bike lanes, and the paved paths through the Bosque. The Central Avenue corridor ties the walkable districts together. Flat streets keep rides low-effort most of the year.
Albuquerque is spread out, so many students keep a car for grocery stores, the Sandia foothills, and neighborhoods beyond Central. A car-free life works if you stay near campus, but those farther out usually drive. Parking is generally manageable away from the densest blocks. Confirm permit and parking rules with your complex or UNM before move-in.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Student rentals near UNM commonly range from about $700 to $1,300 a month, with rooms in shared houses at the low end and one-bedrooms in Nob Hill or newer buildings higher. The Nob Hill area averages over $1,100 for an apartment, so sharing a place keeps each person's share down. Overall, Albuquerque runs gentler on the wallet than coastal college cities.
Browse student housing near each Albuquerque-area university.