ah the signs of growth - I remember when Oregon was one area code and went to 2 - but I remember when we did not have to dial the prefix either only 4 digits got you to anyplace in La Pine... and neighbors shared phone lines because there were not enough to go around - this will be important to your buyers - good for you to keep them informed

I remember when I first moved to Saline and you only told people your last 4 digits too. Then we grew and they gave us another exchange 944, now Ann Arbor is 994. It was and still is easy to dial the wrong exchange as they are too close.

New Mexico is graduating to BIGGER and BUSIER things!!  Wow...how cool for YOU to be able to share that you've been around since there was only one area code for the entire state of New Mexico.  I guess that's what makes you THE BEST in ABQ, New Mexico!

Expanding sounds great!  It's always fun dealing with new area codes...I still have to think many time before calling my family b/c their area codes changed 10 years ago.  Sounds like homeowners in ABQ will have some new fun on their hands!

Funny things...

I remember it was annoying when our area code changed from 717 to 570.  But now it's old hat.  

Growing up my phone number was 226-3278.  I could call anyone else on the 226 exchange just by dialing 6-1234 first, instead of the whole 226-1234.  My parents were annoyed when you couldn't do that anymore.  lol

Dialing 806 and quickly hanging up caused your own phone to ring.  Why you would want to do this is beyond me.  But I do remember doing it to trick my mom into thinking someone was calling.  

Blah blah blah...sorry to ramble.  It's amazing what sets me off... 

Great Informative post Ashley. One area code for the whole state!!!!! That is unbelievable. I am surprised New Mexico was able to provide the consumers with one area code for this long.

Thesa - I have never lived anywhere that shared a line! My aunt used to have a party line and I thought it was so strange.

Missy - those area codes are too similar! I would always be dialing the wrong person.

Susie - NM really is growing. Albuquerque is changing all the time. My husband jokes "that building was not here last week" everywhere we go.

Leah  - I still can't get use to the "new" prefix for the east mtns. I just remember the one from years and years ago.

New Mexico is on the rise!  I remember living in Houston when the split came over 713 and 281.  It get's absolutely crazy!!!  Good luck with your growth

Karen - That 806 trick is funny. I remember one like that as well. There was another one that would tell you the number of the phone line too.

Mana - I am surprised we got by with just one for so long.

Chris - Wow we just have to split a state a town would be tricky!

Hey Ashley,  That's a good sign. Like everyone said...a sign of growth!  Sounds like ABQ is going strong!

Stephanie - It is a good sign. I'm sure it will be rough at first but it needs to be done so we can have a strong telecommunications network in NM.

Ashley,

I am always amazed at the shape of new area codes.  I guess they try to balance the population after a split but they always have an odd shape.  I wonder how long until you split again? 

My goodness Ashley,

I had no idea any state had one area code for the entire state. We have two in our county and you can't imagine how the people cry about that. We've had so many changes I went to an 800 number on our yard signs and some advertising. All too often it's difficult to tell where you are calling nowadays.

 The fact that you've had only one until now sounds absolutely charming to me. I think I need to visit ABQ.

I remember when OC changed their area codes... and when the Inland Empire added 951 it was such a BIG deal.  Businesses hate it (stationary, phone book, etc), but it happens quick enough.

Ashley, great leading sentence on this one.  Well-written.

Ashley - Like Joey, I remember the uproar when Riverside County added 951 and who was going to keep 909. We lived there then and my son had a clothing line named 909 and our area lost the 909 area code. It is always a bit complicated in the beginning, then it happens, everyone gets used to it and it is business as usual.

Ashley- I remember living in Hawaii and they only had one area code for the whole state! It was cool cause everyone knew you lived in Hawaii with our 808 area code. When I first lived here in Florida it was all 407 and then it changed one year at a time. I can not even count the new ones anymore! Growth! Katerina

Rita - The shape is funny but I know Albuquerque being the biggest city and Santa Fe being the capital where going to keep the old code. My parents live in a small town east of Albuquerque but they are in the old code and very happy about it.

Lynda - You should visit - there is much to enjoy here.

Joey - Thank you! I know the businesses are the most effected and the cost to switch all the printed pieces can be high. I am glad I don't have that to worry about.  

Paula - This is such a huge issues here as it is the first time. I'm sure when the time comes for a 3rd one it will be easier.

Katerina - Growth is good. It's amazing how something as seemingly simple as a new area code can cause such a commotion.

Wow this was a long time coming!  I guess I will have to remember this for the future and I have to change quite a few numbers in my phone.

Rey - It did take a long time. But it will be a good change.

Ashley, when we first moved to the Houston area 10 years ago they were adding a new area code.  At the time we were temporarily living in an apartment and as this was before the predominance of cell phones we had a temporary phone number.  We happened to however get a number where you had to dial the new area code to get us but you still did not have to use the new area code.  Long story short some lady in Houston was getting all my phone calls she would call to tell me that my kids had an orthodontist appointment and oh by the way you must be having a house built etc. etc. etc.  It was only for a few months so I lived with it but your post brought back the memories.

Changing all your marketing & stuff is hard, I once had to change my address & phone information 4 times in less than a year and only made one move.  (My AC changed, then a few months later the county renumbered my street address, then I moved then they renumbered that street - as it was done in stages throughout the county!)  Yikes, I forgot all about those times.  And like many commented on, I can remember party lines, as a kid, when visiting my grandparents, I could never understand why they didn't always answer the phone.  As I got older, I realized it was a different type of ring, but as a kid, you just hear ring-ring.  :-)

Marchel - What a pain but then again you had your own social secretary!

Ronald - I am lucky I don't have to change my information boy that would be a pain. My aunt had the party line and I thought it was so strange to share a phone line.