Moving from Santa Fe (Rio Rancho, Bernalillo: real estate, affordable house, neighborhoods)

[poochini]

Enough with this unrealistic town where a middle class person without a trust fund has no chance. What neighborhoods are optimal for a progressive, mixed-race, formerly (but happily no longer) east-coast, intellectual family with two dogs? And why?

Will continue to work a lot in Santa Fe, so north side of town makes sense. The kids want a yard with established trees. Must stay in the $275K or below range.

Thank you -- you can save me wasted hours looking cluelessly at real estate sites.

[Towanda]

I don't know where you should live in ABQ.

Just want to say that I live in Santa Fe, and I am a middle class person with no trust fund.

[Zoidberg]

Many opt for the US550 corridor, either Placitas/Bernalillo/or far north RR.

Bernalillo in particular has many homes with established trees. Play your cards right and you can walk or bike on up to the downtown RR station there from wherever you buy.

I do believe they are putting in some newer stuff around Algodones as well. 30 min to work, 30 min the other way to civilization. I seem to recall seeing trees around there.

I'd try trulia.com or zillow.com to begin with, once you pick a 'hood. Nothing like an intelligent mashup with a map to help you narrow down your selections.

[ABQSunseeker]

Yes, I would take a close look at Bernalillo. Prices are attractive now and the town is conveniently located next to I25 for getting all around the metro area. And there are plenty of big cottonwoods around since the town lies along the bosque. I'd even check out northern sections of Rio Rancho off Rte 550 pricewise. But the west mesa areas there won't be thick with trees.

[poochini]

Rio Rancho is not an option. We don't want something so "middle class suburban" and do want something that has a bit more urbanity to it, without being in the middle of things (a la Nob Hill). We lived in Park Slope Brooklyn before moving here.

Towanda, I bet I know you!

The school district thing is very important. My oldest will be attending Academy but my youngest will only be in 3rd grade. Someone was telling me the Nob Hill area is intellectual/artsy, etc, but what about the schools? I like the idea of NE Heights and Sandia Heights b/c the mountain proximity is truly exotic to me. But is that going to make me feel like I live in an episode of the Brady Bunch? No thanks.

[poochini]

PS Placitas is too expensive, from what I've seen.

[Mike Horrell]

I rode along 313 through Algodones twice this week. If the commute is acceptable
to you, the area itself is quite nice. There are also some interesting areas on Rt 313
just north of Rt 550 and well before Algodones.

Drive down and take a look.

[berncohomes]

Academy West would be a pretty good choice, lots of properties in your price range, a few older ones with yards with fully grown trees. You'll also see some newer properties in that area if that is more your thing.

Another good option would be the Foothills, might seem far but if you take the Tramway exit on I-25 you will be able to use the much less traveled Tramway Blvd which only really see's traffic after the County Line. Foothills North is obviously closer to I-25 than Foothills South.

Four Hills would be perfect and there are properties within your price range. Mostly older homes, 1800SF+ on nice sized lots, you'll find properties with established tree's and all very close to trails through the Four Hills, perfect for walking those two dogs you have.

I live in Four Hills and I can get to the the Tramway exit on I-25 in about 25 minutes.

[poochini]

Thanks Bernco, we are driving down for fun today and will definitely check out those areas. I had been seeing them pop up again and again as I did my searches. We do have a friend who lives in the foothills and they have a cozy and affordable house... cheers!

[berncohomes]

There are a lot of affordable properties in all those areas and I don't think you will have problem finding a place to fall in love with.

Cheers is such a British word - are you a fellow Brit??