Northeast Albuquerque is a highly sought-after place to live in the Albuquerque Metro due to its proximity and ease of access to much of the city. The Northeast Heights is anything north of I-40 and east of I-25. The Sandia Reservation borders the heights to the north and will remain preserved land in perpetuity. The natural southwest landscape and valley of untouched land add to the charm. It also keeps the housing supply low and demand high because there is no more room to build to the north, meaning prices continue to go up in the Northeast Heights.
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Median home prices vary drastically with the more sought-after neighborhoods hovering around a mid range of $949,000 and some neighborhoods in the mid range of $375,000.
» » » » » » » » RECOMMENDED RESOURCE: Albuquerque Moving Guide: Westside « « « « « «
Many of the city’s most popular neighborhoods are nestled in the Northeast Heights and the school districts are a big draw along with the close proximity to the airforce base, Downtown, Old Town, Uptown, ABQ Sunport, and more.
General Neighborhood Info
Some of the most popular neighborhoods are:
Tanoan: Tanoan is a well-established, upscale neighborhood with a golf course and country club. It’s known for its manicured lawns, gated communities, and beautiful homes.
High Desert: Nestled against the Sandia Mountains, High Desert offers stunning views and access to hiking and biking trails. It’s an affluent neighborhood with a range of home styles.
North Albuquerque Acres: This area features larger lots and a more rural feel while still being in close proximity to amenities. It’s popular among those who want more space and privacy.
Sandia Heights: Located at the base of the Sandia Mountains, Sandia Heights offers breathtaking mountain views and easy access to hiking trails. It’s a quiet and scenic area.
La Cueva High School Area: This neighborhood is popular among families due to its proximity to La Cueva High School, a highly-rated public school. It’s a well-established and residential area.
There are many desirable neighborhoods in the Northeast Heights.
Foothills: The Foothills is characterized by homes located at the base of the Sandia Mountains and east of Tramway Blvd. The neighborhood offers spectacular views of the Sandia Mountains. The area is also known for its extensive hiking and biking trails, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Eagle Ranch: Eagle Ranch is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and newer construction homes. It offers a range of amenities, including parks and shopping centers.
Heritage East: Heritage East is a well-established neighborhood with tree-lined streets and a mix of home styles. It’s known for its sense of community and convenience.
Antelope Run: A more affordable option in the Northeast Heights, Antelope Run offers a mix of housing types and is close to parks and schools.
Vista Del Norte: This neighborhood features well-maintained homes and is known for its family-oriented atmosphere. It’s close to shopping and schools.
Vineyard Estates: Vineyard Estates is a gated community with upscale homes and a focus on privacy and security.
Parks, Recreation, and Family Fun
Elena Gallegos Open Space: Located at the base of the Sandia Mountains, Elena Gallegos Open Space offers beautiful natural surroundings and numerous trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. It’s a popular spot for wildlife viewing and picnicking.
North Domingo Baca Park: North Domingo Baca Park has basketball courts, a large playground, walking and biking trails, tennis courts, a community center, picnic areas, and open space. This park is conveniently located on Paseo Del Norte close to I-25.
Embudo Hills Park: This neighborhood park features a playground, picnic tables, and open spaces for various recreational activities. It’s a great place for families to enjoy a day outdoors.
Hoffmantown Park: Hoffmantown Park offers a playground, basketball courts, and shaded areas. It’s a lovely spot for a family outing or a game of basketball.
Academy Hills Park: A well-maintained park with a playground, basketball courts, and open grassy areas. It’s a great place for kids to play and families to relax.
Jerry Cline Park: This park features tennis courts, a dog park, and a multi-use trail. It’s a favorite among tennis enthusiasts and dog owners.
Eisenhower Park: Eisenhower Park is known for its baseball and softball fields, making it a popular spot for sports enthusiasts and local teams.
Schools
Albuquerque Public Schools is the largest school district in New Mexico and serves the Northeast Heights area. Some of the public schools in this district include:
Elementary Schools
- Double Eagle Elementary School: GreatSchools Rating – 9/10
- Georgia O’Keeffe Elementary School: GreatSchools Rating – 8/10
- Hubert H. Humphrey Elementary School: GreatSchools Rating – 8/10
- North Star Elementary School: GreatSchools Rating – 9/10
- Osuna Elementary School: GreatSchools Rating – 8/10
- Dennis Chavez Elementary School: GreatSchools Rating – 8/10
Middle Schools
- Desert Ridge Middle School: GreatSchools Rating – 9/10
- Madison Middle School: GreatSchools Rating – 8/10
- Eisenhower Middle School: GreatSchools Rating – 7/10
- Grant Middle School: GreatSchools Rating – 7/10
- The remaining Middle Schools in the district are rated between 3 and 5 on Greatschools.org
High Schools
- La Cueva High School: GreatSchools Rating – 8/10. La Cueva High School is one of the most well-known public high schools in the Northeast Heights. It is highly regarded for its academic programs, extracurricular activities, and sports teams. La Cueva has won the state championships in girls soccer 15 times since 1989.
- Eldorado High School: GreatSchools Rating – 8/10. Eldorado High School is another prominent public high school in the area. It offers a range of academic and athletic programs and is known for its strong sense of community. Student-athletes from Eldorado High School have earned scholarships and accolades for their athletic abilities and contributions to their teams. Notable tidbit: The last season of Stranger Things was filmed at Eldorado High School.
- Del Norte High School: GreatSchools Rating – 6/10. Del Norte High School is located a bit south of the Northeast Heights area but is still accessible to residents. It offers a variety of academic and extracurricular opportunities. Del Norte High School’s academic achievements are reflected in its students’ performance on standardized tests and participation in academic competitions.
- Sandia High School: GreatSchools Rating – 6/10. Sandia High School is one of the city’s prominent public high schools with a strong academic and extracurricular reputation winning several state championships in multiple sports.
Private Schools
There are many private schools in the northeast heights. For a complete list, check out our Private School Guide.
Charter Schools
Public Academy For Performing Arts: The School’s Mission: “The Public Academy for Performing Arts is a public charter school that integrates a rigorous college preparatory curriculum with the performing arts and prepares students to pursue their passions and talents.”
For more charter school options, check out our Charter School Guide.
Why I Love Living Here
Moving to the Northeast Heights of Albuquerque can be an attractive option for families, offering several selling points that make it a desirable place to live. As stated above, a big draw is the highly-rated schools providing excellent academic options for children. The Northeast Heights continues to be a safe and family-friendly place to live.
With its scenic beauty and outdoor recreational opportunities, you don’t have to go far to see the best that New Mexico has to offer. It really is the Land of Enchantment. Families can explore the extensive trail systems in the foothills, visit the Sandia Peak Tramway, or go skiing and snowboarding in the winter months.
Easy access for commuters and a strong sense of community is another draw of the area. The Northeast Heights is conveniently located near Albuquerque’s cultural attractions, including museums, galleries, and theaters, offering enriching experiences for the whole family. Families have access to a wide range of shopping and dining options along major thoroughfares like Paseo del Norte, Academy, Montgomery, and Wyoming boulevards.
Neighbor Interview
What neighborhood do you call home, and how long have you lived there?
The Foothills, specifically Kachina Hills, and we have lived here for 11 years.
Can you describe your neighborhood and what you love about it?
The neighborhood is quiet and the people are very friendly. There are many mature trees and extraordinary views of the mountains, city lights, sunsets, and overall beauty as far as the eye can see. It has easy access to the open space and walking trails of Embudo Canyon which connects to a network of trails at the base of the Sandia Mountains and offers incredible views of the city and mountains.
What are some of your favorite outdoor spots or parks in your neighborhood?
The Piedra Lisa Park is a great place for families. There is a lot of open space to play sports and also a nice playground, picnic area, and basketball court.
Where do you like to shop for groceries or run errands in your neighborhood?
We are close to many shopping options but my favorite places to shop for groceries are Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods. Both are close by and easy to get to.
Are there any local restaurants or eateries you frequent? Any favorites?
Our family loves local eateries. Some of our favorites that are close by are: Tako Ten, Zorbas, Cinnamon Sugar and Spice Cafe, and El Patrón.
What’s the nearest healthcare facility or hospital in case of emergencies?
We are closest to Presbyterian Kaseman Hospital and about 10 miles from the University of New Mexico Hospital.
What kind of housing options are available in your neighborhood? What do you like about your own home?
I love that the homes in our neighborhood all have their own unique charm and are far from cookie-cutter. Our home is a split level and spans four levels of living. We love our home and our yard, but we are in the middle of a full overhaul remodel. These homes were mostly built in the late 70’s and early 80’s, and they are in need of remodeling if they haven’t already been remodeled.
For information about other areas in and around Albuquerque, check out our Ultimate Guide to Moving to Albuquerque.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ABQ Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
