Cuyamungue is a gateway to Northern New Mexico and Sante Fe
Cuyamungue is a small village in the rolling hills north of Santa Fe that was once inhabited by the Cuyamungué people. For modern-day residents, the community offers proximity to Santa Fe attractions and a gateway to Northern New Mexico. “Cuyamungue often appeals to horse people, artists and people who are looking for cultural significance,” says T.J. Rieland, an associate broker with Sotheby’s International Realty who has lived in the Santa Fe area since the 1980s. “It’s also relatively affordable in comparison to the city.”
Stucco-sided homes and Pueblo Revivals beside Rio Tesuque
The community lines the edges of the Rio Tesuque, a riverbed that remains dry throughout most of the year. Narrow paved streets and dirt roads wind past fenced yards with desert willows, fruit trees and outbuildings. Options include stucco-sided ranch-style homes with metal roofs, Pueblo Revivals and a few early 1900s adobe houses. With fewer than 200 residences in the community, not many listings come on the market. Recent sales have ranged from $330,000 to $415,000. In nearby Santa Fe, the median single-family sale price is around $730,000.
Homeowners maintain their own wells and septic systems, and all wells are metered and monitored to ensure that water usage does not exceed the allotted amount. Some properties have surface water rights, which may be eligible for transfer to the next owner.
Pojoaque Valley schools offer a few extracurriculars
Children can attend schools within the Pojoaque Valley School District, which earns an overall B-minus from Niche. Pablo Roybal Elementary School serves prekindergarten through third grades and gets a B, and fourth and fifth graders attend the C-rated Pojoaque Intermediate School. The Sixth Grade Academy scores a C-plus, while Pojoaque Middle School and Pojoaque Valley High School both earn B-minus ratings. The high school offers a few extracurricular activities, including choir, football and ski club.
Gabriel's restaurant, groceries in Pojoaque and more in Santa Fe
Cuyamungue residents have a variety of dining and shopping options within a 15-mile radius. The Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, on the opposite side of U.S. Route 84, has two onsite restaurants — Iguana Café and Red Sage. Gabriel’s, a few miles south, is a beloved, upscale Mexican restaurant. In neighboring Pojoaque , there are several more eateries, as well as the Pojoaque Supermarket. During the warmer months, the Poeh Cultural Center hosts a weekly farmers market. With Santa Fe about 15 miles south, locals also have access to award-winning restaurants, art galleries and walkable shopping districts.
Regional recreation includes golf and hiking trails at Nambé Falls
Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino is home to the Towa Golf Club, with three nine-hole golf courses that are open to the public. Another nearby attraction is Recreation Area, about 10 miles away in the Pueblo of Nambé. Visitors can choose to follow one of two trails — the low trail, which skirts the edge of the river, and the high trail — both of which lead toward the namesake waterfalls. To learn about Tewa and Pueblo culture, locals can visit the exhibits at the Poeh Cultural Center in Pojoaque.
While houses in Cuyamungue rest on privately owned land, most of the surrounding area belongs to local tribes, and people who are not members of the tribe are prohibited from using tribal land for hiking or other outdoor recreation.
Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival brings music and dance to the area
Throughout the year, Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino is a major draw for tourists, Rieland says. In August, residents may notice an uptick in the resort’s traffic during the Pathways Indigenous Arts Festival, a multiday celebration featuring Native American artists, filmmakers, dancers and musicians.
U.S. Route 84 connects drivers to Santa Fe, Los Alamos is also nearby
Cuyamungue is a car-dependent community, and U.S. Route 84 is the main thoroughfare. Santa Fe is about 15 miles south. Nearby employers include the Los Alamos National Laboratory, about 20 miles west. “Los Alamos recently had a major hiring spree, which has put a strain on housing,” Rieland says. Presbyterian Española Hospital is around 10 miles away, and Santa Fe Regional Airport is within a 25-mile drive.
