$245,633Average Value$193Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
Small town full of rich history southeast of Albuquerque
Known as “The Gateway to Ancient Cities,” Mountainair "is a place where ancient cities, agriculture and art come together in a friendly community," says Todd Sledge, Realtor at Hawkeye Realty. Set about 70 miles southeast of downtown Albuquerque, this high desert community of nearly 1,500 people is home to the Salinas Pueblo Missions Monument, three ruins of pueblos and Spanish missions built during the 17th century. With shopping, dining and outdoor recreation close at hand, along with a “community that’s welcoming and laid back,” the neighborhood “has everything residents need,” says Sledge. Protestant and Catholic houses of worship border homes, and the area has a low crime rate; the CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10 here, compared to the national average of 4.
Ranch- and Pueblo Revival-styles surrounded by the desert
Dusty streets are lined with up to three-bedroom ranch-style homes and custom builds near the center of town, built between the 1940s and early-2000s on quarter- to half-acre lots, with room for horses and RVs. These homes range from $150,000 to $240,000, and feature earth-toned stucco exteriors, rock-edged foundations and driveways leading to two-car garages or carports; for a few, piñon and juniper trees dot front yards enclosed with metal or wooden fences. Further south and west, miles of desert separate neighbors in Pueblo Revival-style homes with up to five bedrooms, which range from $500,000 to $600,000, and vacant lots of up to 20 acres start around $30,000.
Houses in Mountainair come in many different styles and sizes.
Many artists from all over the country retire to Mountainair and design their own homes.
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Career programs at Mountainair district schools
Students may attend Mountainair district schools like Mountainair Elementary, then continue to Mountainair Junior High, both earning an overall B-minus from Niche. At B-rated Mountainair High, students can join the National Future Farmers of America Organization, helping them prepare for a future career in agriculture, while developing leadership skills.
Home of the Mustangs, Mountainair high school stands proud in the middle of it's namesake town.
Although small, Mountainair Junior High receives and A- Niche rating in diversity.
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Trails through Pueblo missions and camping under the stars
Nearby Chavez Memorial Park offers roughly 3 acres of walking trails, picnic areas and a playground for youngsters. Mountainair hikers head about northwest to trek over 3 miles of wooded foothill trails of the Manzano Mountains State Park, stopping under shade structures to photograph wildlife, before sleeping under the stars at one of its 23 campgrounds. “We have the cutest tassel eared squirrels here,” says Dylan Frentzel, Park Manager/Ranger for the Rio Grande Nature Center and Manzano Mountains State Park, and “birdwatchers keep an eye out for chickadees.” Mixing history with scenic desert views, the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument offers three sites: Quarai, Abó and Gran Quivira. Starting at Gran Quivira 26 miles southeast, explorers stroll along interpretive trails through the ruins of two limestone mission churches, before learning about the 17th century Mission of San Gregorio de Abó 10 miles west, wrapping up at the red sandstone ruins of Quarai to the north, where early Pueblo people introduced agriculture to the area.
Mountainair, New Mexico enjoys close proximity to bigger towns while staying secluded itself.
The Abo ruins provide a walkthrough history for residents of nearby Mountainair.
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Green chile burgers, brisket tacos and local produce
Local businesses and eateries line Broadway, Mountainair’s main corridor. Adorned with pictures of black and white horses, the family-owned Mustang Diner serves New Mexican and American fare, with the Mustang Burger – a half-pound patty with cheese, green chile and bacon – deemed popular. Diners order a BLT or brisket tacos inside the 1923 Shaffer Hotel’s cafe near Main Street, before heading to Family Dollar toward the south, or the B-Street Market, offering farm-fresh produce and grab-and-go panini sandwiches.
Though no longer open, the rosebud saloon was once a staple of Mountainair.
Alpine alley serves Mountainair fresh baked goods and tasty beverages all year round.
The Shaffer hotel restaurant is a historic building thats been serving Mountainair since 1923.
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Summer community events
Mountainair hosts an annual Fourth of July Jubilee, where folks can dance to live music the evening before, then catch candy tossed from a parade of classic cars and horseback riders on the fourth, followed by facepainting, and ending with a firework show. Every August, the Sunflower Festival at Main Street’s Monte Alto Plaza takes place, featuring live music, kids’ games and artists selling original paintings; raffles and costume contests are held, and folks can enter their designs to be featured as the festival’s t-shirt logo.
Public artwork is abundant in the town of Mountainair, such as this mosaic on Main street.
Many old buildings in Mountainair no longer serving the community, now act as canvases.
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Convenient transit options
Highways 55 (Summit Avenue) and 60 (Broadway) link residents to businesses, shops and restaurants, while nearby Interstate 25 leads to downtown Albuquerque, about 70 miles away; rush hour commute times can average an hour and a half. Most of the neighborhood doesn’t have sidewalks, but dusty paths bordering streets allow for walking or biking; Presbyterian Hospital and the city’s main airport, Albuquerque International Sunport, are both within 75 miles north.
There are many custom homes along the streets of Mountainair.
Changing temperatures
Mountainair doesn’t experience summer year-round; at an altitude of 6,495 feet, nights turn cool with warm days following. Freezing temperatures and winter snow usually only occur in the mountains.
Mountainair is a quiet town located at the foot of the Manzano Mountains.
Written By
Tess Evans
Photography Contributed By
Nate Myers
Video By
Jacob McAllister
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Reach out to
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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.
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On average, homes in Mountainair, NM sell after 69 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Mountainair, NM over the last 12 months is $282,500, up 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
1040-Acre Ranch in Torrance County, NMLocation:Just 6 miles south of Mountainair, NM, with convenient access via paved State Hwy 55. An hours drive to the Belen-Los Lunas metro areas for most supplies and less than 2 hours from Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or RuidosoProperty Description:This well maintained 1040-acre ranch in Torrance County offers a combination of extensive land, quality improvements,
1040-Acre Ranch in Torrance County, NMLocation:Just 6 miles south of Mountainair, NM, with convenient access via paved State Hwy 55. An hours drive to the Belen-Los Lunas metro areas for most supplies and less than 2 hours from Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or RuidosoProperty Description:This well maintained 1040-acre ranch in Torrance County offers a combination of extensive
80 Acres with Home in Torrance County, NM - Country Living with Mountain ViewsEscape to the tranquility of country living with this 80-acre property in Torrance County, NM. The property offers a perfect blend of privacy, convenience, and views of the Manzano Mountains. Perfect for enjoying outdoor activities, raising horses or cattle, or just getting away from the city. 1440 sq ft 3 bed 2 bath
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