SANDOVAL COUNTY
County Offices
1500 Idalia Road
Bernalillo 505-867-7500
www.sandovalcountynm.gov
Chamber of Commerce
4001 Southern Boulevard SE
Rio Rancho 505-892-1533
http://rrrcc.org
Major Highways
Interstate 25; US Highway 550; Routes 44, 313, 448, 528
Distinguished as one of the nation’s most geographically and culturally diverse regions, panoramic Sandoval County offers a relaxed Southwestern lifestyle. This area plays a vital role in the Albuquerque metropolitan region, anchored by the rapidly growing city of Rio Rancho. Phenomenal growth and development has been the hallmark of Rio Rancho for several decades, transforming what began as a haven for retirees into a full-service community of young professionals and families.
Sandoval County reflects the very heart and soul of the Land of Enchantment with its crimson sunsets, golden sunrises, Native American heritage, and rustic small towns. At the same time, the city of Rio Rancho represents contemporary living and urban convenience at its finest. Within the Village of Corrales, these worlds converge in a blend of historic charm and vibrant new residential development. Residents and civic planners are committed to protecting the proud legacy of this vast region, responding positively to intensified growth and the sometimes divergent expectations it spurs without jeopardizing the area’s colorful and rich heritage.
Services
The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center and the UNM Hospitals anchor a comprehensive array of facilities, centers of excellence, specialized units, and research programs that ensure state-of-the-art healthcare close to home. Lovelace Sandia Health System is another leading healthcare provider in New Mexico, operating four acute-care hospitals and a rehabilitation hospital. The Presbyterian Healthcare Services network adds a number of valuable resources to the list, including the Presbyterian Cancer Treatment Center with two linear accelerators. Throughout the Albuquerque Metropolitan area, highly respected healthcare institutions meet every need from routine to the most advanced. Skilled professionals in every major specialty and most subspecialties combine with emergency care centers, family practice clinics, and same-day surgery centers for a full complement of options close to home.
Sandoval County is home to quality public school districts that offer dedicated staff members, a strong core curriculum, many special services, and extracurricular activities that foster personal growth and self-expression. Parents will find options for private education in independent and parochial schools that are close to home, expanding the alternatives for innovative learning environments. The opportunities for higher education within a few minutes from a Sandoval County community are equally impressive, ranging from community college and technical college campuses to vocational and career institutes, private colleges, and a major public university.
Lifestyle
From bustling Rio Rancho and the county seat of Bernalillo to the serenity of villages like Jemez Springs or wide-open wilderness, Sandoval County invites newcomers to enjoy a high quality of life. Many of the National Scenic Byways that traverse the county — including El Camino Real, Historic Route 66, and Corrales Road — are surrounded by such panoramic beauty that they enjoy state and national recognition. The Jemez Mountain Trail is a journey through time itself past remarkable geological formations, ancient Indian ruins, historic remnants, and an Indian pueblo.
Around the four seasons, this land-rich region encourages an active lifestyle that includes hiking, biking, camping, fishing, and cross-country skiing when the snow flies. Nearby Sandia Peak claims the world’s longest aerial tramway and offers winter skiing as well as summer mountain biking and hiking. The quaint village of Jemez Springs serves as one of the gateways to the Santa Fe National Forest with its wild and scenic rivers, while the urbanized community of Rio Rancho provides a wealth of developed recreational facilities and city programs including a 78-acre state-of-the-art sports complex.
The performing and visual arts are well-represented in the Albuquerque metropolitan region, while fascinating historic sites and fine museums dot the area. Rio Rancho boasts the J & R Vintage Automobile Museum and tours at Intel of New Mexico that offers an inside glimpse into cutting-edge technologies. Just minutes from Rio Rancho, Old Town Albuquerque brings to life the colorful beginnings of the region, featuring the Historic San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church as well as dozens of specialty stores, studios, galleries, and trading posts.
The selection of housing in Sandoval County ranges from rural acreage and horse properties to upscale enclaves that feature championship golf courses or vibrant suburban neighborhoods. Communities vary from historic villages and small towns to urban centers with first-rate shopping, dining, services, and industry offer a convenient and balanced lifestyle. Newcomers to Metropolitan Albuquerque will want to take their time discovering all that Sandoval County living has to offer.
Community Profiles
Bernalillo, Algodones
Town Hall
505-867-3311
www.townofbernalillo.org
Chamber of Commerce
505-892-1533
www.rrrcc.org
Situated north of Albuquerque, the small town of Bernalillo serves as the seat of county government and welcomes a brisk tourist trade to the area’s historic sites and premier Santa Ana Pueblo amenities. Nearby Algodones offers another quaint community near Albuquerque that offers a rural atmosphere where side roads remain unpaved and residential development blends with orchards, gardens, and pastures. Homes are not abundant and can range from older bungalows to million-dollar estates. The world-class cultural attractions in Santa Fe are also easily accessible. Bernalillo’s main street is rich in history, and the colonial heart of the community was called Las Cocinitas. Historic byways like Route 66, El Camino Real, and Old Highway 85 add to the charm of this quaint and quiet area. The town serves as a gateway to the Sandia and Jemez mountains for premier recreational sites close to home. Both communities enjoy easy access to the expanded amenities in Rio Rancho.
Corrales
Village Hall
505-897-0502
www.corrales-nm.org
Chamber of Commerce
505-764-3700
www.abqchamber.com
Situated in close proximity to Albuquerque’s premier amenities and attractions, the historic village of Corrales is brimming over with charm. The village extends into Bernalillo County, although the lion’s share of development is in adjacent Sandoval County. Many quaint adobe buildings line the narrow, two-lane road that serves as the village “main street. In spite of its rustic charm and rural feeling, the village has evolved as a desirable residential location. Many of the properties have irrigated acreage and allow horses. Home values are on the rise, enhanced by the area’s increasing popularity. Brilliant gardens, lush fruit trees, and picturesque equestrian images contrast with handsome contemporary homes on acre lots or scenic mini-farms. Antique shops, craft stores, fine dining opportunities, and spectacular views add to the appeal.
Cuba
Village Hall
505-289-3758
Chamber of Commerce
505-892-1533
www.rrrcc.org
The small village of Cuba is a popular stop for travelers along Highway 550, connecting central New Mexico with the four Corners region. Nestled at the base of a slope of the Nacimiento Mountains, this area is popular for hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing. Breathtaking views, abundant wildlife, a small-town atmosphere, and sweeping open space for ranches characterize this area. Although the quaint village is home to less than 1,000 permanent residents, it serves a regional rural population that exceeds 5,000. The village fringes the Navajo Reservation, the Jicarilla Reservation, and the Jemez Pueblo and borders the largest volcanic crater in the nation. Cuba is the last real town for many miles before arriving in northern New Mexico in the Farmington and Bloomdale region.
Jemez Springs, San Ysidro
Village Halls
Jemez Springs
505-829-3540
www.jemezsprings.org
San Ysidro
575-834-7398
www.sanysidronm.us
Chamber of Commerce
505-892-1533
www.rrrcc.org
Cradled in a southern rift of the dramatic red cliffs north of the Jemez Pueblo, the quaint village of Jemez Springs offers a peaceful getaway crowned by the famous Bath House fed by natural hot springs. Just south of the pueblo on level ground is the small village of San Ysidro, where one of New Mexico’s most spectacular scenic drives begins at the Junction of Highways 550 and 4. The Jemez Mountain Trail is a National Scenic Byway in recognition of its superb natural and cultural resources. This tree-shaded valley features art galleries, wonderful restaurants, and charming accommodations enhanced by outstanding recreational opportunities and the festivals and attractions in nearby pueblos. The narrow nature of the valley and large parcels of public land have preserved the intimate village setting that includes some families who have lived in the area for generations.
Placitas
County Offices
505-867-7500
Chamber of Commerce
505-892-1533
www.rrrcc.org
The unincorporated community of Placitas was named for the Spanish word for “little town.” This growing community of comfortable homes blends charming old adobe dwellings with contemporary construction that includes handsome executive homes on spacious lots that command breathtaking views. The area’s rolling terrain and lush high-desert vegetation create a scenic backdrop for community life, and the hiking trails in the Placitas area are exceptional. The world-class attractions in Albuquerque are just 25 minutes from home, while Santa Fe is only a 45-minute drive away along Interstate 25. Because of its centralized location, Placitas is expanding as a bedroom community for those who are employed in both of these larger cities. The community nestled along the north side of the Sandia Mountains for premier recreational opportunities around the four seasons.
Rio Rancho
City Hall
505-891-5000
https://rrnm.gov
Chamber of Commerce
505-892-1533
www.rrrcc.org
From its roots as a residential suburb of Albuquerque that attracted a significant percentage of retirees, the highly balanced city of Rio Rancho has emerged as one of the nation’s fastest-growing communities. Diverse neighborhoods and residential developments combine with thriving commerce and an impressive local economy to ensure a high quality of life in this family-oriented atmosphere. Magnificent views of the Sandia Mountains, warm summer days and cool evenings, and mild winter temperatures are natural magnets to this beautiful area in close proximity to Albuquerque’s amenities and attractions. New schools, attractive homes in a wide variety of price ranges, lush community parks, well-developed recreational facilities, bustling shopping centers, local employment opportunities, and responsive civic planners are keeping Rio Rancho at the forefront of New Mexico’s growth curve.
