Your Guide to Buying a Home in Albuquerque, NM

Buying a Home in Albuquerque, New Mexico

(Albuquerque is proud of its early Spanish history, but keeps a steady eye on its future)

Albuquerque is located in Bernalillo County

"On the banks of the Rio Grande"

New Mexico's largest city and one of the region's most important centers of industry, Albuquerque has its own story of humble beginnings. Founded in 1706 by colonists under the guise of King Philip of Spain, the site along the Rio Grande was chosen for providing good irrigation for crops, a source of wood from cottonwoods, willows and olive trees, and the nearby mountains that added a level of security that allowed safe trade with local Indians. These early Spanish settlers were religious people, and one of the first structures built on the modern site of Albuquerque was a small adobe chapel. This church, known as San Felipe de Neri, stands today in the heart of Old Town, the historic and sentimental heart of Albuquerque. Numerous year-round festivals commemorate this important section of the city, as this indeed was the "original" Albuquerque.

Today's city in many ways resembles the early days when life was simple. After all, the Old Town district is a living exhibit of the city's rich heritage. However, it must be also be noted that the city of Albuquerque is indeed a modern city. In fact, the city has seen a tremendous boom in the technology industry in recent years. Home to some of the nation's finest high-tech research facilities, Sandia National Laboratory, Phillips Laboratory, and the University of New Mexico, the city is strategically poised for the future. Entrepreneurs have become much more active in the city as certain military technologies are being found to have useful civilian applications. This trend will only add to the city's profile as an up-and-coming center of technology in the region.

New Mexico is a natural masterpiece, flanked on one side by the Sandia Mountain range, and on the side by the Rio Grande River, which meanders its way through the cottonwood-lined valley. Dormant volcanoes provide dominant and mysterious silhouettes against the crimson sunsets. The best way to enjoy these and other natural gifts is to utilize the many attractions dedicated to showcasing them. For example, the Sandia Peak Tram provides a direct route to the Sandia Mountains where, on a clear day, over 15,000 square miles of magical landscape are visible. Visitors leery of high places will find plenty of ground level parks filled with wildlife, willows and olive trees.

As the largest city in New Mexico and two hours from the closest metropolitan area, many people rely on Albuquerque for providing them a host of amenities. The city does not disappoint, with a strong arts and culture fabric intertwined with attractions, both historic and scenic. A few of the more popular sites in the city are the Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, the Explora! Science Center and Children's Museum of Albuquerque, and the National Atomic Museum. Visitors and residents alike will also enjoy the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, and Amapola Gallery in Old Town.

Albuquerque is located at the intersection of I-40 and I-25, and is located just 60 miles south of the state's capital, Santa Fe. The city is literally surrounded by several Indian Reservations, which only add to the city's strong historical and cultural foundations.