La Mesilla offers country living near Española
La Mesilla is a bedroom community on the eastern side of the Rio Grande where locals wake to views of the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez mountains. Realtor LyAnn Vigil, who works for Keller Williams Realty and lives nearby, says the town's rural nature is a draw. "It's just the country living. You're not in a big city life, but you have a city surrounding you, and you get to enjoy your space." She adds that family ties are strong here, and the community is rooted in the land, with many using their acres to establish vegetable gardens and raise horses. The town is less than 5 miles from Española, a city dating back to the 1500s that serves as a commercial hub for rural areas north of Santa Fe.
Homes for hobby farming and horse riding
The town offers a mix of established ranch and Pueblo-style homes sitting on less than half an acre to nearly 4 acres or more. Some come with greenhouses, fruit trees, barns for hobby farming, private wells and irrigation rights. Listings may also feature multiple houses on one compound that homeowners can turn into rental units. Vigil says this is because some longstanding residents built these structures to move their whole family onto their land. Prices range from around $330,000 to $725,000 depending on a home's size, condition and amount of land it comes with. However, fixer-uppers have sold for as low as roughly $200,000.
Fishing, golfing and skiing are pastimes
The Rio Grande flows along the town's western side, giving anglers a convenient spot to cast their lines. Black Mesa Golf Club offers a public golf course with dramatic elevation changes just east of town, surrounded by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Vigil says people head into Española for parks, choosing the ones closest to their homes. Joe Romero Memorial Park is less than 3 miles north, with sheltered picnic areas, a playground and a basketball court. At New Mexico Wildlife Center, less than 5 miles away, visitors can see bobcats, reptiles, hawks, eagles and owls up close. Ski Santa Fe is a popular ski resort open seasonally and less than 35 miles away.
Shopping and dining between Española and Santa Fe
Many head into Española for dining out, which has a diverse range of eateries. However, the city is known for its Mexican and New Mexican restaurants. Riverside Drive has local favorites, including La Cocina New Mexican Restaurant and El Paragua Restaurant, which are family-owned. JoAnn's Ranch O Casados Restaurant has been a fixture here since 1984 and is a go-for for all-day breakfast. Center Market and Food King is also on Riverside Drive for groceries. So are chains, including some fast-food spots and Walmart Supercenter, and a few shoe stores, thrift shops and specialty boutiques, including Chimayo Trading Post, which sells Native American crafted wares, including hand-woven rugs to pottery. Santa Fe is around 25 miles away for even more options.
Public education through Española schools
Students attend the Española Public School District. They may begin at Tony Quintana Elementary School before filtering into Carlos F. Vigil Middle School and Española Valley High School. The elementary and middle schools earn C minus ratings on Niche, while the high school earns a C plus. The high school, home to the Sundevils, has the largest basketball facility in New Mexico, which was newly renovated in 2022.
The route through town
Country Road 120 is the main road connecting La Mesilla to nearby highways, Española and Santa Fe.
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
