West Belen
New ranch-style homes and undeveloped land
Along the edge of the mesa, Jardin De Belen is a planned subdivision with 2020s adobe-walled ranch-style homes in colors that blend with the surrounding desert. Set close together on sidewalk-lined streets, the homes here have three, four or five bedrooms, and with xeriscaped front yards, paved driveways and attached garages; prices range from about $250,000 to $350,000.Manufactured homes can be found near I-25 in the gated 55-plus Sunrise Bluffs community, and further west on multiacre lots that are surrounded by dirt roads and undeveloped high desert. Prices typically range between $60,000 for a two-bedroom manufactured home on over an acre to $215,000 for a three-bedroom in Sunrise Bluffs. Buyers can also purchase undeveloped lots; a 5-acre lot in the neighborhood's remote south can start at $4,500, while 50 acres on Camino Del Llano, the main road into Belen, can cost $550,000.
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Open space on the west mesa
According to Blackwell, the mesa's open spaces provide plenty of ways to get outside, though she cautions, “You must bring your own beer and shade.” The Rio Puerco, a Rio Grande tributary that’s dry most of the time, is a popular spot for hiking and off-roading. “Because it’s a run-off area, a lot of things come down, so there’s a lot to explore. You might find some pretty cool rocks and sometimes Native American findings.” The Belen Shooting Sports Association has ranges for trap shooting and archery, plus a dedicated pistol range. At Belen Regional Airport, residents can take a recreational flight and get a bird’s eye view of the high desert scenery, and adventure seekers can take a tandem dive with Skydive New Mexico.Local produce from Bomvida Farms
Within the neighborhood, hungry residents can head to locally owned spots like La Dos Gringas, known for New Mexican dishes like green chile stew and smothered burrito, and the 1950s-style Penny’s Diner, which serves up American comfort food like hamburgers and ice cream sundaes. Across I-25 in Belen, the Farm to You Retail Store by Bomvida Farms sells produce and meat from local farms; the store offers membership options for a flat fee. Other area grocery options include Lowe’s Market and Dollar Tree.
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Join the wrestling team at Belén High
Local kids can start school at Gil Sanchez Elementary, which earns a B-plus from Niche, then attend the C-plus-rated Belén Middle. At the C-minus-rated Belén High, students can join over 10 sports teams, including golf, tennis and wrestling; the boys’ wrestling team won the state championship in 2023. Private options include the B-minus-rated Calvary Chapel Academy for kindergarten through Grade 12 and the unrated St. Mary’s Schools for pre-kindergarten through Grade 8.West of Interstate 25
Interstate 25 borders the neighborhood to the east, connecting to Albuquerque, 36 miles north. Camino del Llano leads 4 miles east to downtown Belen, where the Rio Metro’s Belen Rail Runner station provides another way for residents to head north to Albuquerque. With no public transportation, bike lanes or sidewalks in West Belen, residents rely on their cars to get around. Presbyterian Urgent Care is 3 miles east, and the nearest hospital is Presbyterian Hospital, 35 miles away in Albuquerque. The Belen Regional Airport, which supports local aviation businesses and has no commercial flights, is in the neighborhood’s center; Albuquerque International Sunport Airport is a 33-mile trip.
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The World’s Largest Matanza
Every winter, Belen hosts the World’s Largest Matanza in Eagle Park. “Matanza means ‘slaughter,’ and so what they do is they slaughter pigs, and they cook them in every way conceivable,” says Blackwell. “If you’re a vegan, this is not the party for you.” Friends and families team up to cook the best pork dishes, and the ticket proceeds go toward scholarships for local students. “It’s quite a local cultural experience because many people, myself included, we do these in our backyards,” Blackwell says. “It’s taken off in a great way, and it’s a way we locals can share that culture with outsiders and really give you a flavor for what it’s like to be at a backyard party if you were to be born and raised here.”
Written By
Annie Franklin
Photography Contributed By
Angelo Esquibel
Video By
Bill Jennings
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Jessica Rasband
Jessica Rasband
Realty One of New Mexico
(505) 578-4209
182 Total Sales
3 in West Belen
$130K - $290K Price Range
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Nyshalynn Livingston
Nyshalynn Livingston
MORE Realty, Inc
(505) 295-2617
83 Total Sales
1 in West Belen
$252,000 Price
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Anita Rodriguez
AR
Anita Rodriguez
Realty One of New Mexico
(505) 622-3628
37 Total Sales
1 in West Belen
$249,000 Price
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Vallejos Realty
Vallejos Realty
Keller Williams Realty
(505) 806-1439
369 Total Sales
1 in West Belen
$185,000 Price
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Ramoncita Aragon-Romero
Ramoncita Aragon-Romero
Realty One of New Mexico
(505) 322-6386
23 Total Sales
2 in West Belen
$297,900 Price Range
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Laura Blackwell Jordan
Laura Blackwell Jordan
Keller Williams Realty
(505) 605-7343
62 Total Sales
1 in West Belen
$206,000 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 7th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 6th
- Public
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Parks in this Area
Eagle Park
Anna Becker Park
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | West Belen | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 2 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 4 |
| Burglary | 2 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 2 | 4 |
| Larceny | 1 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 2 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
West Belen Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in West Belen, Belen sell after 8 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in West Belen, Belen over the last 12 months is $145,000, down 77% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$155,000
Median Sale Price
$145,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$145,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
6%
Last 12 months Home Sales
11
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-77%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$148
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
299
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Median Year Built
2022
Months of Supply
2.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,653
Below the national average
1,924
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
6,534
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,783
Median Age
46
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
22.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$45,707
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$50,719
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
82.7%
College Graduates
19.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8%
% Population in Labor Force
51.9%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
10''
Average Winter Low Temperature
18°F
Average Summer High Temperature
93°F
Annual Snowfall
4''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Belen
Accessible, relaxed residential-rural hub with historic railroad charm
Jarales, Bosque
“Sister” farming and forested communities 40 miles south of Albuquerque
Los Chavez
Rural community close to a major interstate and the Rio Grande
West Los Lunas
Growing Los Lunas suburb in the Rio Grande River Valley
East Los Lunas
Rural homes and planned subdivisions along the tree-lined Rio Grande
Los Lunas
Fast-growing New Mexico village with enduring small town charm
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