The crow of roosters echoing through vineyards and orchards are your morning alarm clock in the village of Corrales. The name means "corrals" in Spanish, and the village maintains a pastoral charm even though it's on the edge of two major cities.
Nestled along the banks of the Rio Grande on the north side of the Albuquerque metropolitan area, the fertile lands of Corrales have been occupied since about 500 A.D. The village maintains a rural lifestyle to this day and its land is filled with vineyards, apple orchards and livestock pastures. Two ancient pueblos lie un-excavated within the village, and it is not unusual for residents to unearth artifacts dating back hundreds of years in their backyards. Today, Corrales maintains its Old World ambiance with charming touches you won't find in the city. Authentic mission-style architecture is meticulously maintained and includes old haciendas and the San Ysidro Mission. You'll find hitching posts in public parking areas and horses sharing the road with cars. One thing you won't see in Corrales is streetlights, which makes it easier to see a sky filled with millions of stars after dark.
Moving to Corrales
Because rental homes in Corrales are limited, it is ideal to start your search several months in advance. Some areas of Corrales are in high demand and rentals are snapped up within hours of going on the market. Enlisting the help of a property management company specializing in Corrales can help you anticipate properties coming available in the future before they hit the market. Properties rent on a first-come, first-serve basis, so you may wish to submit a rental application in advance to ensure you are ready to move ahead once your new place is available. And just think how nice it will be to move into your new home for rent and finally get those keys!
When planning your move, you'll want to consider Corrales' climate. Summer temperatures usually stay in the low 90s, but humidity in the pastoral area can climb to an uncomfortable 70 percent. Late afternoon storms sometimes dump large amounts of rain, so plan to move early in the day. Autumn is an ideal time to move, with sunny skies and warm, dry weather. Winter sees minimal snowfall and daytime temperatures are usually well above freezing. Spring presents a unique challenge as high winds are common from late March through early May.
Neighborhoods in Corrales
With its slow-paced lifestyle, pastoral scenery and breathtaking views of the Sandia Mountains, Corrales is ideal for those wanting an alternative to metropolitan living while still staying close to city conveniences.
Village Center: Single family homes with three to five bedrooms make up most of the housing in the Village Center of Corrales. Most homes were built between 1970 and 1999, but you'll find a large number of historic homes and new construction in this area also. You may find a duplex for rent in this area in addition to single family rental homes.
West Corrales: Rental prices in the western half of Corrales are some of the highest in New Mexico. Large, newly constructed homes characterize this neighborhood with floor plans generally between three and five bedrooms in size. Real estate vacancies are rare, so its a good idea to begin your search up to a year in advance in this area.
South Corrales: The southern tip of Corrales is home to several large apartment complexes, giving you access to both the rural village lifestyle and metropolitan living.
Top Apartment Complexes
Camino Real Apartments: Find one bedroom apartments here, as well as larger units with fireplaces.
River Walk at Puerta de Corrales: Has one and two bedroom apartments for rent with washer and dryer hookups. Both apartment complexes have swimming pools and welcome pets.
Living in Corrales
Sandia Peak glows red in the light of the setting sun. Watch it from the comfort of your backyard or head into the village to enjoy dining on an outdoor patio at one of Corrales' restaurants. You'll find a couple of joints that have been around for centuries, including Casa Vieja that serves up fresh locally grown food in a 300-year old adobe. Perea's Tijuana Bar and Restaurant is situated in a 300-year-old terrone and has been in business since the 1930s.
Wander down Corrales Road -- the village's main drag -- to browse through more than two-dozen unique shops and art galleries. Pick up some fresh, locally grown produce at the Village Mercantile or the Corrales Growers Market. Take a detour on Old Church Road to visit the Old San Ysidro Church, which functions as an art center and gathering place for musical events and lectures. Next door, Casa San Ysidro displays Spanish Colonial artifacts in a 19th century home.
Annual events celebrate Corrales' agricultural heritage and art community. An art studio tour each spring and art fest in late autumn let you meet local artists and watch live demonstrations. The July 4th parade has horses, a kazoo band and dancing scarecrows as regular features, as well as floats and musicians from the local community. The village's agricultural roots are the focus of the Corrales Harvest Festival the last weekend September. Buy fresh produce, taste homemade goodies and find your way through a corn maze or dance to live entertainment until the cows come home.