Albuquerque is consistently ranked as one of the fittest and healthiest cities in the U.S by Men’s Fitness each year. The city is home to acres of parkland and hosts various events involving physical activity each year. This, in conjunction with various city wide programs, allows Albuquerque and its residents to be healthy, active, and fit. There are various features of Albuquerque that could cater nicely to active lifestyles. If you’re looking for a city and community that will embrace and enhance your active lifestyle, then Albuquerque might just be the city for you. However, what is it that makes Albuquerque such a great fit for the active lifestyle?
Parks and Recreation
One of the easiest ways to stay active in a city is to frequently visit the parks that the area offers. Parks allow residents to stay active by providing a space where they can walk or jog. Thankfully, there are almost 300 parks located in Albuquerque, providing more than enough space for you to get your morning jog in.
Parks also provide spaces for the whole family to get active. Playgrounds are the perfect place for young children to get their daily physical activity in while also having a lot of fun. The city of Albuquerque also sponsors various recreational activities for their younger residents. The city offers activities such as rock climbing, rappelling, caving, archery, snorkeling, frisbee, golf, and biking for children aged 11-17. This program is called “extreme recreation” and provides everything required for the activities, including chaperones, training, and gear.
Climate
Albuquerque has that warm New Mexico climate that’s perfect for outdoor activities. The winters aren’t extremely cold and unbearably snow-filled like the north, while the summers don’t involve the humidity that plagues the southeastern states like Florida. This allows Albuquerque residents to live an active outdoor lifestyle year round. Albuquerque runners don’t have to resort to the treadmill or brave temperatures in the negatives during their mild winters.
When an area’s climate is unpleasant, it is a deterrent for residents to leave the comfort of their temperature- controlled homes and be active. However, Albuquerque provides its residents with a comfortable climate year-round, which is a major contributing factor to why Albuquerque always ranks so highly in terms of physical fitness and lifestyle.
Hiking Trails
New Mexico is home to some of the best hiking trails in the nation, and Albuquerque is no different. The city has an initiative called “Open Space”, which has allowed the city to acquire various lands and open them to the public. These areas acquired in the Open Space Initiative include Boca Negra Canyon, Rio Grande Valley State Park, and the Paseo de la Mesa Trail. These “open spaces” provide residents a chance to go outdoors and explore. Residents can contribute to their active lifestyle, while also experiencing some of the local sights and geography at the same time. The abundance of these open spaces has ensured that if a potential resident is looking at homes for sale in Albuquerque, NM or in any of its surrounding areas, then it is almost a guarantee that one is nearby. With such an abundance of opportunities, it’s no wonder that the residents of Albuquerque live such an active lifestyle.
