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West Old Town

West Old Town

Neighborhood in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Bernalillo County 87104

$470,818 Average Value
$268 Average Price per Sq Ft
5 Homes For Sale

West Old Town is within the historic heart of Albuquerque

West Old Town is the broader neighborhood of Albuquerque's first settlement, Old Town, one of the most popular places to stroll, shop, eat and absorb New Mexican culture. Dried chilis hanging from beams, a central Spanish Colonial church and Pueblo-style buildings greet people along the pedestrian-friendly streets. "It's the most historic [part of] the city and has some of the most diverse architecture," says Valerie Almanzar, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty who was born and raised in New Mexico. Neighborhood streets, filled with their own Pueblo-style homes, blend seamlessly with this older part of town known for its eclectic shopping, dining, museum and galleries. ABQ BioPark botanic garden is another feature of West Old Town and the bosque — a large, forested area encompassing the Rio Grande — is adjacent to the neighborhood.

Pueblo-style homes are easier to find here

“Pueblo style is a lot of what people think of when they think of New Mexico, and its actually not as common as people believe. But this specific part of town is an area where you’d have better luck finding something like that,” Almanzar says. Whether Pueblo, contemporary or reflecting more of a minimal-traditional-style, stucco exteriors are predominant, giving the entire area a distinctive Southwestern feel. Prices range from around $225,000 to $540,000 for modest homes and rise to around $565,000 to nearly $1 million for larger homes, many in gated sections. The oldest properties are from the early 1900s, and many are on the vintage side, but there are a few that are new. Modest to small lawns capped in sidewalks are filled with reddish-brown pebbles and patchy grass, matching the earthiness of the homes themselves. West Old Town also has townhouses ranging from around $295,000 to $507,000.

Stop to smell the flowers and watch the hot air balloons fly

West Old Town Park is on the neighborhood's western side with a playground, basketball courts and picnic tables. The bosque and its trails surrounding the Rio Grande are adjacent to the park. The trails lead to the river's kayaking waters, and also to ABQ BioPark. One of the most accessible sections of BioPark from West Old Town is the botanic garden. "In the spring and summer, there's the natural beauty of the flowers, plants and trees, and it's right next to the aquarium," Almanzar says. "And they turn it into a winter wonderland in the wintertime." River of Lights has been a tradition for nearly 30 years, but it's just one of many local events. Shop owners prepare for months for the wave of tourists during Balloon Fiesta Week when hundreds of hot air balloons fill the sky. Local bands celebrate by playing in the town's central green space plaza.

The artsy, eclectic scene in Old Town and commercial options nearby

Old Town has numerous museums, galleries, restaurants and shops. Historic Old Town Portal Market gives local artisan vendors an outlet to showcase their handcrafted, southwestern jewelry. Smoke Signals Taos, Native owned and operated for decades, sells traditional healing pipes. Copper Topp Gallery both exhibits and sells its handcrafted works formed from the mineral. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science displays enormous skeletons and fossils from dinosaur species, including Tyrannosaurus and Seismosaurus.Restaurant Antiquity is a popular steakhouse in Old Town. "It's always busy. And [most] of the time, it's reservation only," Almanzar says. Ben Michaels is a go-to for authentic New Mexican cuisine and the overall vibe. "The owner is as likely to cook for you [as he is to] serve you and then get on the piano and serenade you," says broker Lisa Godin, who works for Keller Williams Realty and has been the owner of Peace of the Planet Properties since 2009. When residents want a different experience, they can head to Sawmill Market, an artisanal food hall less than a mile from West Old Town that opened in 2020.  Tiny Grocer ABQ is in Old Town and sells a variety of fresh vegetables, dairy, meat, flour, fruit and other products produced in New Mexico. Lowe's Corner Market and El Super are around a mile and a half away for more grocery options.

Public schools in Albuquerque

Grade schoolers head to Albuquerque Public Schools. Reginald Chavez Elementary School, Washington Middle School and Albuquerque High School are common pathways. Both the elementary and middle schools earn C ratings on Niche, while the high school scores an A minus. The high school was established in the late 1800s, making it the oldest in the city and one of the oldest in the state.

Commuters have options, including walking most places

West Old Town offers commuter conveniences outside of its walkability. Albuquerque’s primary east-west corridor, Interstate 40, borders West Old Town. The Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) bus connects travelers regional destinations like ABQ BioPark and Uptown, another popular spot for shopping in the city.

Kathryn Ashworth
Written By
Kathryn Ashworth
Kody Martin
Photography Contributed By
Kody Martin

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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 area? Reach out to Virginia DiRaddo, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Albuquerque International Sunport

28 min drive

Bus

Central & Clayton

Bus

Rio Grande & Pueblo Bonito

Bus

Rio Grande & Zearing

Bus

Central & San Pasquale

Bus

Art - Biopark Station

Bus

Lomas & Rancho Seco

Bus

Art - Old Town Station

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime West Old Town US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 3 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$535,000
Median Single Family Price
$550,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$268
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Last 12 months Home Sales
18
Months of Supply
3.30
Median List Price
$574,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
5%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-8%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
372
Median Year Built
2010
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,461
Above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,429
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,850
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,890

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Virginia DiRaddo, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
2,813
Median Age
41
Population under 18
23%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21.7%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$58,616
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$92,821

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
90%
College Graduates
41.3%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
19.9%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
8''
Average Winter Low Temperature
27°F
Average Summer High Temperature
91°F
Annual Snowfall
4''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

78 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

69 / 100

Some Transit

Transit Score®

39 / 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.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
West Old Town