Tucked in a rural valley in the Sangre de Cristo foothills, the Village of Rio en Medio is named for the river flowing through it. Bounded east by sweet-smelling ponderosa pines and west by rugged juniper-piñon woodlands, Rio en Medio offers immediate access to the diverse environments of Northern New Mexico, all in a narrow mountain corridor spanning under a square mile. Rio en Medio was originally settled by Hispanic farmers in the 1870s. The local economy was centered around fishing and firewood, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Mission Church was the only gathering place, and the best way around was to ride on donkeyback. Now, locals fish in the Rio en Medio for sport, Our Lady of Sorrows still holds services, and residents can be seen walking with their donkeys among the new hillside estates and mountain trails.
Hiking and skiing in the Santa Fe National Forest
The Santa Fe National Forest forms Rio en Medio’s eastern border and spans 1.6 million acres across the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The community’s gateway into the forest used to be the 3-mile Rio en Medio Trail, but during the 2022 monsoon season, portions of the trail were destroyed by floods and wildfires; as of fall 2024, restoration of the trail and its trailhead are still underway. Now, local hikers, cyclists and equestrians head 8 miles west to the 8-mile Aspen Ranch Loop, the closest Santa Fe National Forest path; visitors here can picnic in aspen groves or go fishing in the Rio en Medio, which runs along parts of the trail.
Ski Santa Fe — better known as the Santa Fe Ski Basin — rests further east in the forest. With over 88 ski slopes, skiers can enjoy steep, challenging runs like the Chilies Glade or shorter, flatter descents for little kids, like Chipmunk Hill.
Custom Northern New Mexico estates and riverside lots
Surrounded by views of the Jemez and Sangre de Cristo mountains, homes here sit among the dirt roads and cottonwood groves along the Rio en Medio. Most of the village’s original 19th-century dwellings have been long since replaced with stately custom-built homes from the 1990s and 2000s. Most of these three-to-five-bedroom homes are Northern New Mexico style, with tan stucco exteriors, pitched metal roofs and wraparound porches; their lots range widely between 1 and over 20 acres, but all are used for garden spaces and fruit orchards. These homes rarely come to market, with less than 15 being sold in the last 5 years; in that time, prices have ranged from $700,000 to $1.3 million, with acreage and bedroom count shaping prices. Undeveloped parcels of land sit along the lush Rio en Medio; lots range between 3 and 18 acres, and prices range from $200,000 to $500,000.
Most homes and lots have surface-level water rights to acequias (irrigation ditches) fed by the Rio en Medio; several also have private wells or rights to groundwater. Homebuyers are advised to check with their real estate agent and the New Mexico State Engineer if they have rights to surface and groundwater.
Important to know
Between June 15th and September 30th, Santa Fe is impacted by the North American Monsoon Season, and Rio en Medio’s valley-like location and central river make it especially susceptible to extreme weather events. In 2022, lighting-related to monsoon storms caused a wildfire upstream of Rio en Medio, causing the struck area to become susceptible to flooding; when monsoon rains later came, they flooded the Rio en Medio Watershed, destroyed portions of the Rio en Medio Trail, and caused significant damage to river-bound roads and homes. As of Fall 2024, the Rio en Medio Trail and Trailhead are off limits, and residents who have to cross the Rio en Medio to reach their homes are still unable to do so with vehicles. The Friends of Rio en Medio (a neighborhood association) are working with Santa Fe County, the Tesuque Pueblo and US Department of Agriculture Forest Service to repair the watershed and developed plans to potentially re-establish the Rio en Medio Trail.
Drinks, pizzas and groceries at Tesuque Village Market
Around 6 miles south, the Tesuque Village Market has been one-stop shop for mountain villages northeast of Santa Fe since 1989. The market’s breakfast chimichangas are as popular as the brick oven pizzas are for lunch; draft beers are served at the bar, and a global array of vintages are poured in the wine room. The general storeroom stocks a few groceries, but most Rio en Medio residents head 13 miles south to the DeVargas Center for its Sprouts Farmers Market and Market Street. For a more upscale dining experience, El Nido can also be found in the Village of Tesuque; diners can enjoy stuffed roast poblanos and sear seabass, all cooked with a roaring open fire.
Tesuque and Santa Fe schools
Local kids can attend Tesuque Elementary, which earns a B-minus from Niche, and can continue to Milagro Middle, which receives a C-minus. At A-minus-rated-Santa Fe High, student athletes can join the school’s successful legacy of 28 state championships, including a 2021 victory for the boys’ soccer team.
Narrow roads and nearby highways
Although Rio en Medio’s remote, mountainside location is an area draw, it’s miles from the nearest highway or public transportation option. Route 84 is 5 miles west, and from there, Downtown Santa Fe is 10 miles south. The central Rio en Medio Road is notoriously narrow, and during peak hiking times in the summer and fall, parked cars can make it difficult to navigate. The CHRISTUS Saint Vincent Regional Medical Center, 16 miles south, is the closest hospital. The Santa Fe Regional Airport is 22 miles south, and the Albuquerque International Sunport is 78 miles south.
Santa Fe Opera
Rio en Medio is also near the City’s Different’s vibrant cultural scene. About 10 miles south, The Santa Fe Opera's outdoor amphitheater is surrounded by mountain views; the opera company is famous for playing new and standard opera repertoire, all adapted into unique modern settings.
GreatSchools:
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Welcome to 7 Loma Linda View in Rio en Medio, Santa Fe County New Mexico. 1.93 acre lot with remarkable views of the Pojoaque Valley. Excellent location near Rancho Encantado Four Seasons Resort, Santa Fe Opera, and the traditional Village of Tesuque. This is a special opportunity for someone wanting to build a dream home in the Land of Enchantment. Take Note: Property is also being offered as a
Welcome to 5 Loma Linda View in Rio en Medio, Santa Fe County New Mexico. 1.84 acre lot with remarkable views of the Pojoaque Valley. Excellent location near Rancho Encantado Four Seasons Resort, Santa Fe Opera, and the traditional Village of Tesuque. This is a special opportunity for someone wanting to build a dream home in the Land of Enchantment. Take Note: Property is also being offered as a
Presenting a unique opportunity to own a 2.69-acre lot in the historically rich community of Rio En Medio, located just 20 minutes from the vibrant heart of Santa Fe Plaza. This exceptional property has its own well, a 1953 pre basin well with up to 3 acre ft of water and an irrigation ditch running through the property provide a water source for your dream home with beautiful landscaping. The
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
50
Median Age
56
Population under 18
16%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
38%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$74,999
On par with the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$104,188
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.5%
College Graduates
50%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25%
% Population in Labor Force
52.4%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
15''
Average Winter Low Temperature
17°F
Average Summer High Temperature
86°F
Annual Snowfall
41''
Area Factors
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.
