Mariposa combines suburban comfort with Southwestern charm
In the Mariposa Subdivision, residents get modern suburbia with a taste of the natural Southwestern environment. “Most of the people that go to Mariposa are going out there because they want to get away from the city life, but not be too far from the city,” says Randy Lawson, leader of the Lawson Realty team and a Realtor since 2016. Situated in the sandy outskirts of Rio Rancho, New Mexico’s third-largest city, this master-planned development provides views of the Sandia Mountains and access to several miles of trails through the region’s rugged landscape. Yet Mariposa also offers spacious houses, a community center and an on-site restaurant.
Neighborhoods share Pueblo and Mediterranean-style homes
Mariposa contains several neighborhoods, including Vista Sandia, Desert Highlands and Highland Meadows. The Peaks and Redondo neighborhoods are gated. Mariposa Estates is known for having roomier lots than some other sections of the development, up to an acre. “They’re going to be bigger square footage and have more amenities in the house, such as chef’s kitchens and granite or quartz countertops,” Lawson says. The architectural styles around Mariposa are similar, mainly Mediterranean and Pueblo. Most properties are under 10 years old, and new construction is ongoing. Homes sell for $400,000 to $830,000 based on square footage — the average is 2,400, but the largest options top out at over 4,000 square feet. The CAP Index Crime Score in Mariposa is 1 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Rio Rancho schools have high ratings, range of activities
Lawson says the Rio Rancho Public Schools system is one of the draws to the area. The district has an A rating on Niche. Students living in Mariposa may go to Vista Grande Elementary, rated A-minus, which offers Students Achieving for Excellence, a before- and after-school program with science, sports and music activities. The A-rated Mountain View Middle counts an art club and a student council among its extracurriculars. V. Sue Cleveland High carries an A-minus grade and has multiple successful athletic teams, with recent state championships in sports including football, boys and girls soccer, boys track and field, and girls wrestling.
Suburban setting blends with nature and public amenities
This development’s suburban atmosphere fades into the natural setting of the 2,200-acre Mariposa Preserve. Located just beyond the homes here, the preserve has roughly 10 miles of paths open to hiking and biking. Mariposa’s East Commons Park has a playground, a basketball court, a pavilion and open field space. The park is next to a 12,000-square-foot community center, with a gym and indoor and outdoor pools. Residents are also just about 10 miles from the adjacent Santa Ana Golf Club and Twin Warriors Golf Club, both open to the public.
Mariposa events help residents get active
The Mariposa Neighborhood Association hosts recurring events for residents, including monthly hikes and weekly Saturday-morning mountain bike rides. There’s also an August Harvest Festival with artisan vendors and a trunk-or-treat for Halloween. The city of Rio Rancho has an annual Fourth of July celebration with fireworks and an Oktoberfest event packed with drinks, food and live music.
Mariposa’s quiet setting is close to restaurants and shops
People may move to Mariposa to escape the city, but the development’s location is still close to commercial amenities. In Mariposa, the Screaming Coyote, a restaurant that opened in spring 2025 next to the community center, has a bar, TVs for sports, and a menu with hot dogs, flatbreads and other items. Roughly 20 miles away off Pat D’Arco Highway, a corridor with Walmart, T.J. Maxx and PetSmart, there are even more options. That area features The Block, a food court with multiple restaurants serving burgers, pizza, crepes, boba tea and more.
Commuters are close to area highways
Drivers in Mariposa are just about 4 miles from U.S. Route 550, which provides a relatively quick connection to Interstate 25. I-25 is a route to places like Sandia National Laboratories, one of the area’s major employers, 35 miles away. The Albuquerque International Sunport is a 32-mile trip on I-25 and has direct flights to over 30 places. The 59-bed University of New Mexico Sandoval Regional Medical Center is 7 miles away in Rio Rancho.
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Step into luxury and comfort with this exquisite single-level, 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath custom home, thoughtfully designed with a desirable split floor plan and sophisticated features throughout. From the moment you arrive, the pavered driveway and oversized finished 3-car garage set the tone for the high-end touches that await inside.The home boasts two spacious living areas, perfect for entertaining
This beautiful remodeled home is equipped with kitchen granite countertops, refrigerated AC, double master vanity, stainless steel appliances and a down stairs area that could be made into a 4th bedroom. Enjoy the privacy of a gated community with amenities that include a fitness center, indoor/outdoor pool and a community park. This is the one! Come make this house your home today.-3% credit
This beautiful property appraised for over $600,000 with a list price today of $499,000. Walk in Equity!!! Welcome to the highly desired Mariposa community in Rio Rancho, NM. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Sandia Mountains .This stunning home is move-in ready & waiting for you. With four spacious bedrooms, including two primary suites, three full baths, this home offers both comfort & style.
Time to Take a Second Look at This custom built home nestled on 1.5 acres in the enchanted community of Mariposa. Every day feels like a retreat in this 2663 ft. with 3 BR, 3 baths on a quiet cul-de-sac. Enjoy the spa-like primary bath. The gourmet kitchen will suit all your entertainment needs with comfort & style. Skylights & big windows will wrap you in the beauty of natural light. You are
Stunning sunset and mesa views with no neighbors on three sides, ensuring privacy and tranquility. A rare opportunity in this developing community, as few custom home lots remain. The fairly level terrain and building envelope near the road provide an ideal setup for easy construction. Mariposa's exceptional amenities include a clubhouse with indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, gym,
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Margaret Henderson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,052
Median Age
52
Population under 18
17.3%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
31.3%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$118,560
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$117,134
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
100%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
64.2%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12.7%
% Population in Labor Force
65.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
11''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
93°F
Annual Snowfall
10''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
40/ 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.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
