6 Best Neighborhoods in Albuquerque, NM 2022

Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a gorgeous city with plenty of pueblo-style architecture combined with Art Deco aesthetics. The city’s color, sun, and warmth make it a vibrant, welcoming Southwestern locale.

Duke City has a lot to offer any prospective renter, but you’ll need to strongly consider where in Albuquerque you want to call home. Fortunately, the city has a wealth of unique neighborhoods to choose from, so you can choose a neighborhood that suits you best.

If you’re ready to start your Albuquerque apartment hunt, we’ve got you covered. This guide will provide you with a list of Albuquerque's highly-coveted and amenity-packed neighborhoods.

Whether you’re looking to be in the center of the urban jungle or want some quiet suburban living, there’s an Albuquerque neighborhood that will best fit your needs.

Here’s a look at Albuquerque’s top neighborhoods.

1. Uptown

• Population: 1,542
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,824
• Median Household Income: $116,400
• Walk Score: 65
• Transit Score: 37
• Bike Score: 83

Uptown is one of the more business-focused areas of Albuquerque, with Coronado Center, Winrock Town Center and ABQ Uptown all located within the neighborhood’s borders. However, the business-centricity doesn’t take away from its attractiveness as a residential neighborhood.

As Uptown is near many businesses, shops, restaurants, and more, the sheer volume of things to do in the area draws residents of all kinds. That said, Uptown is on the more expensive side of renting in Albuquerque. High rent rates aren’t very surprising, considering the median household income for Uptown is into the six figures.

If you’re considering Uptown as a family, you’ll find that The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History and Hinkle Family Fun Center offer plenty of fun and adventure for the whole day. You can do some learning, race go-karts, grab a game of mini-golf, and much more.

Albuquerque is one of Southwest's skate hubs. Located just east of Uptown, Los Altos Skate Park is the largest skatepark in the region. So, grab your inlines, roller skates, boards, or bikes and head out for the day. Just be sure to grab a helmet!

2. Downtown Albuquerque

• Population: 92,972
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,250
• Median Household Income: $53,936
• Walk Score: 75
• Transit Score: 50
• Bike Score: 86

Downtown Albuquerque is the city’s hotspot for business and recreation. Like every established downtown metropolitan area, Downtown Albuquerque boasts a high density of apartments and condos.

The housing options in Downtown Albuquerque include modern interiors, bright exteriors, and some luxury units. So, there’s something for everyone, regardless of your preferences.

Young professionals flock to Downtown Albuquerque because of its thriving nightlife, walkability, green spaces, and restaurant options.

For those who love the great outdoors and want to take advantage of the city’s warm weather, Downtown offers easy access to West Park, ABQ Bio Park, and Rio Grande Park. There’s plenty to do at each park, including trails, picnic areas, stages for parking, and much more.

Downtown’s Civic Plaza is home to an open-air theater, though you can also find gorgeous architecture and theater events at the historic KiMO theater.

Finally, if you’re ready to be a part of a growing community, East Downtown or EDo, as it’s affectionately called, is a great option. In addition to becoming a part of a growing community, EDo offers a collection of loft apartments and recreation opportunities.

3. Academy Hills Park/Bear Canyon

• Population: 2,757
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,589
• Median Household Income: $64,069
• Walk Score: 44
• Transit Score: 26
• Bike Score: 56

Academy Hills Park is located just east of Bear Canyon and is part of a smaller smattering of neighborhoods along Academy Rd NE. The area is characterized by its proximity to Albuquerque Academy, one of the most highly-coveted private schools in the city.

For this reason, Academy Hills Park and the surrounding neighborhoods are populated by staff, students, and their families. Additionally, plenty of young professionals have settled in the area.

If you plan on moving to Academy Hills Park, you can appreciate the neighborhood’s quiet and unassuming atmosphere.

However, if you’re a cyclist or looking to run errands on foot, you’ll find Academy Hills Park’s poor bike structure and walkability to be an issue. In short, you’ll need your own set of wheels to get around.

The neighborhood's western border offers a ton of entertainment and dining options. So, it’s a great location for Albuquerque residents that want away from the hustle and bustle but not too far away.

4. Heritage East

• Population: 2,805
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $2,395
• Median Household Income: $121,300
• Walk Score: 27
• Transit Score: 21
• Bike Score: 59

Heritage East is one of Albuquerque’s primarily residential neighborhoods, making it a great location for families looking for a neighborhood that remains relatively quiet and boasts a strong sense of community.

Most residents of Heritage East are very dedicated to maintaining the neighborhood’s excellent safety rating.

The Heritage East Association of Residents (HEAR) pays a private security firm to patrol the neighborhood. So, if you’re concerned about staying safe in a big city, Heritage East is the place to be.

If you’re looking to rent in Heritage East, you can expect your pickings to include apartments located in apartment communities. So, amenities like pools, communal areas, in-unit laundry, and off-street parking are common.

With proximity to Rotary Park, Quintessence Park, and Heritage Hills Park, Heritage Hills is a solid find for those renters who prefer to spend their time outdoors.

Finally, commuting from Heritage East is an easy feat, as the neighborhood's northern border is Paseo Del Norte Blvd NE, a major thoroughfare.

5. North Valley

• Population: 11,149
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $1,500
• Median Household Income: $52,654
• Walk Score: 46
• Transit Score: 29
• Bike Score: 74

North Valley is a larger Albuquerque neighborhood that encompasses three smaller neighborhoods: Corrales, North Valley, and Los Ranchos. North Valley is situated along the city’s northern borders, with the Rio Grande along the neighborhood’s northwestern border.

The neighborhood is a prime destination for tourists, as some of Albuquerque’s most popular hotels and bed and breakfasts are located just east of the neighborhood's boundaries.

There are plenty of tourists and residents attracted to the antique shopping opportunities within North Valley’s shops. Additionally, the neighborhood’s farm shop offers the perfect decor and furniture to transform your home into a chic farmhouse dream.

North Valley’s restaurants and regularly-scheduled farmers' markets mean that good eats are always within reach.

The food options will be super useful if you plan on taking advantage of North Valley’s close proximity to Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. Birdwatching, hitting the trails, festivals, and wildlife watching are just a few of the park’s main attractions.

North Valley’s housing options include apartments and ranch-style homes, making the neighborhood a great destination for families and renting with pets.

6. Nob Hill

• Population: 4,767
• Median 2-Bedroom Apartment Rent: $2,500
• Median Household Income: $1,195
• Walk Score: 85
• Transit Score: 46
• Bike Score: 90

Nob Hill is home to one of Albuquerque’s prime shopping areas, a reputation the neighborhood has maintained since its inception in the first half of the twentieth century.

Although the neighborhood is quite far from the city’s downtown center, Nob Hill is still a trendy shopping area with plenty of foot traffic. Bikes are also quite popular in the area, as Nob Hill has excellent bike infrastructure.

The neighborhood includes many entertainment and recreation options, including admiring the Art Deco era architecture and scouring antique shops for trendy finds.

If you get tired and hungry from all that shopping, Nob Hill is rife with food options, including brick oven pizza and a wine bar.

You’re likely to find that many of the neighborhood’s shops are frequented by University of New Mexico students who are residents or visiting Nob Hill, as the university’s campus is nearby.

As for housing, Nob Hill’s apartments generally feature modern interiors with plenty of windows and pueblo-style exteriors.

Final Thoughts

Albuquerque is the place for you if you’re looking for a city with long sunny days, gorgeous, colorful architecture, and adventures at every turn!

Take the time to find an Albuquerque neighborhood that best meets your needs to get the most out of your apartment search (and future living arrangements).

Take our quiz to start your Albuquerque apartment search today!