$403,593Average Value$295Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
A community with rural character 10 miles from Downtown
The Far North Valley, most well-known for the International Balloon Fiesta, is rural yet is only about 10 miles from Downtown Albuquerque. The Rio Grande River is on the west side, and the Sandia Mountains are to the east. "It's a diverse community and has remained very agricultural in feeling even as the city has grown up all around it. There's nothing like it in Santa Fe or the rest of Albuquerque," says Susan Feil, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty who lives in North Valley. "Many of the young people who grew up in North Valley and then moved away came back."
The Far North Valley is known for the Balloon Fiesta
The annual International Balloon Fiesta is not only the biggest event in Albuquerque, it's the largest ballooning event in the world. Over nine days in October, the celebration brings about 80,000 people to the area. Hundreds of hot-air balloons varying in design and shape take flight, decorating the sky with vibrant colors and shapes. Festivalgoers smell roasting chilies in the air, sample many local flavors and enjoy music and other entertainment. "People from literally all around the world come," says Melven Louis, an associate broker with Albuquerque Realty. Plenty of locals are in attendance as well. "There's not anything huge stapled here in Albuquerque: We don't have major amusement parks or sports teams, so when we have significant events like this, it brings a big amount of the city out."
In addition to its signature event, the Balloon Fiesta Park hosts annual gatherings. The Great New Mexico Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival takes place in April, the Great New Mexico Beer Festival is held in June and the Harvest Wine and Music Fest takes place on Labor Day Weekend. Also at the park are the Golf & Event Center, the Sid Cutter Pilots' Pavilion and the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum.
Southwestern home styles and xeriscaped environments
Far North Valley has ranch-style homes and traditional Southwestern and Pueblo-influenced architecture with adobe and stucco. "Some of the homes are older, but some have been updated," Louis says. Real estate inventory is limited. In mid-January 2025, the two listings on the market were 1980s ranch-style homes in the $300,000s. In 2023, only one house had sold. That newly constructed, 2,800-square-foot Pueblo-style home sold for $825,000.
Xeriscaped yards are a popular option, as they are designed with drought-tolerant plants and other features that conserve water. An incentive is Xeriscape rebates on water bills.
Custom homes are popular in Far North Valley.
Xeriscaping is common around the residential parts of Far North Valley.
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Highly ranked Albuquerque district public schools
Public schools include Edmund G. Ross Elementary School, which earns a B-minus rating from Niche and Desert Ridge Middle School, which receives an A-minus. La Cueva High School has an A-plus, and Niche rates it as the No. 6 best public high school in the state. Albuquerque has an assortment of magnet schools with application-based enrollment.
Dining options include El Pinto Restaurant and La Reforma
The family owned El Pinto Restaurant and Cantina on Fourth Street Northwest specializes in New Mexican cuisine using Grandma's recipes. The restaurant is one of few in the country committed to exclusively using pasture-raised eggs; its onsite "Hen Hotel" houses around 200 laying chickens. El Pinto has received an Animal Welfare Approved (AWA) certification from A Greener World, an organization promoting positive farming practices. La Reforma combines a taqueria, brewery and distillery on San Mateo Boulevard Northeast. Its tacos and other street-style dishes are made with Mexico City in mind.
A few miles to the southeast, where Interstate 25 and Paseo del Norte Boulevard Northeast meet, there's a Target and a Lowe's. Cottonwood Mall, the second-largest mall in the state, is about 6 miles to the west, across the river. There's an Albertsons Market and a Walmart Supercenter around the mall.
El Pinto is a staple among Far North Valley locals.
El Pinto patrons enjoy traditional New Mexican food in Far North Valley.
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Wildflower Park, Sanchez Community Center and a bike park
People visit Wildflower Park for its views, playground and a trail that crosses the arroyo. Several miles to the east, the Raymond G Sanchez Community Center is a Bernalillo County facility that offers numerous wellness, fitness and enrichment activities. Center programs and events include a Harvest Festival, Breakfast with Santa, a kids' night out series and fishing excursions to Tingley Beach. Close to the community center, the North Valley Bike Park draws BMX and mountain bikers to its dirt track.
BMX riders enjoy the challenge of the North Valley Bike Park.
The Raymond G Sanchez community center gives Far North Valley residents a place to stay active.
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The Rail Runner has a stop in Far North Valley, providing residents easy transportation.
Highways, buses and Sandia Pueblo Rail Runner Station
Far North Valley is fairly car-dependent; those driving may take I-25 or state Routes 47, 528 or 556. Some ABQ RIDE bus stops are on Jefferson Street Northeast, Eagle Rock Avenue Northeast and San Diego Avenue Northeast. Sandia Pueblo Rail Runner Station is within a few miles of Far North Valley homes. Rio Metro's New Mexico Rail Runner Express commuter line runs north about 55 miles to Santa Fe. The southern route's stops include Downtown Albuquerque and Los Lunas. The Albuquerque International Sunport, the regional airport, is about 17 miles south of Far North Valley.
Close to the Pueblo of Sandia and the Village of Corrales
To the north is the actual Pueblo of Sandia. The pueblo operates the Sandia Resort & Casino, the Sandia Golf Course and the Bien Mur Indian Market Center, one of the Southwest's largest Native American-owned and operated stores. These pueblo-affiliated businesses are just a few miles east of Balloon Fiesta Park. The pueblo's impact on the community includes jobs for over 2,000 people, many of whom are not tribe members. Also north of the valley is the semi-rural Village of Corrales, often called "the Horse Capital of New Mexico."
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Nyshalynn Livingston,
an experienced agent in this area.
Parks in this Area
North Valley Bike Park
Baseball/Softball
Bike Trails
Balloon Fiesta Park
La Entrada Park
Alameda & Rio Grande Open Space
Picnic Area
Trails
River
Corrales Parks & Recreation
Wildflower Park
Transit
Airport
Albuquerque International Sunport
33 min drive
Train
Sandia Pueblo
Bus
San Mateo & San Diego
Bus
Jefferson & San Diego
Bus
Jefferson & Wilshire
Bus
San Mateo & Pasadena
Bus
Jefferson & Goldenthread
Bus
Jefferson & Watercress
Bus
Balloon Fiesta Park & Pan American Freeway
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Far North Valley
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
6
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Far North Valley, Albuquerque sell after 66 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Far North Valley, Albuquerque over the last 12 months is $666,333, down 10% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
FANTASTIC LOCATION in desirable NE Heights neighborhood. 2-Owner home, current owner-36 years! Watch the Hot Air Balloons during the Balloon Fiesta from the backyard redwood deck. 3 bedrooms, 1-3/4 baths, sunken living room, wood burning fireplace, separate dining room, kitchen with all the appliances, a separate laundry room with extra storage space. FRESH PAINT AND NEW CARPET!! LARGE corner
Awesome build site at an awesome price. No flood zone on this property. You can move the 109 CFS to the front or the back. Great view of the Sandia Mountains.
Imagine for a moment, it's a cool October morning, and you step outside onto your rooftop deck. Hugging your warm cup of coffee you look up. Against the beautiful New Mexico sky you see the early-dawn sun slowly rising over the Sandia Mountains with hundreds of hot air balloons over head. Horizon Village provides a unique opportunity to live next to Balloon Fiesta Park. Horizon Village offers
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
Reach out to
Nyshalynn Livingston,
an experienced agent in this area.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
1,531
Median Age
40
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
21.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$57,154
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$76,828
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.7%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
35.8%
Advanced Degrees
15%
% Population in Labor Force
58.3%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
8''
Average Winter Low Temperature
27°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
4''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
28/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
4/ 100
Minimal Transit
Transit Score®
14/ 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.
