Moving to Albuquerque? Burque is a fantastic place to settle down with your family thanks to its various family-friendly activities and events like the annual Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, excellent schools, and more. Check out these five top neighborhoods in Albuquerque for families!
Glenwood Hills
- Home Price: $394,800 median purchase price; $691 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 73% of Albuquerque neighborhoods
Glenwood Hills is one of the best neighborhoods in Albuquerque to raise a family! Surrounded by the northern Bear Canyon and the eastern Sandia Foothills, this neighborhood offers many opportunities for family walks and hiking trips in Albuquerque parks and open spaces. In terms of housing options, you’ll find everything from ranches and townhomes to Contemporary and Spanish Revival-style homes, perfect for all family types and sizes. And with a variety of nearby public, private, and charter schools nearby, including Mountain View Montessori School and the Albuquerque Academy—the best high school for STEM in New Mexico—parents can be confident their children will receive a well-rounded education.
Things to Do in Glenwood Hills
Stay in shape with a variety of fitness classes and activities for the whole family, or sign your kids up for summer camp or swim team at Highpoint Sports and Wellness. Go on a hike and explore the Sandias along the Embudito Trailhead. Bring your family out for a round of mini golf, play laser tag, or ride go-karts at the Hinkle Fun Center. Take a walk, ride your bike, or unwind and enjoy the views of the surrounding landscape at Casa Grande Linear Park. Enjoy all-day breakfast items like the Carne Adovada, Egg & Hash Browns, and Beans & Cheese breakfast burritos at Golden Pride. Try New Mexican staples like Huevos Rancheros, Taquitos, and Chile Rellenos at El Patron. Order traditional homemade sandwiches with spreads like the Chicken Salad, Roast Beef, and Egg and Spinach at Annie’s Soup Kitchen, a local fixture for nearly 50 years. Or grab slices of the Lobo, Green Chile, or Salsiccia pizzas from Firenze Pizzeria.
Huning Castle
- Home Price: $281,800 median purchase price; $848 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 59% of Albuquerque neighborhoods
Located near Downtown Albuquerque, Huning Castle is a popular neighborhood for singles and young professionals—but it’s also a favorite with young families! This area offers affordable apartments, ranches, and Spanish Revival-style homes ideal for families of all sizes. Parents can confidently send their children to nearby Albuquerque schools like the dual-language Dolores Gonzales Elementary School, or Manzano Day School, an institution dedicated to providing child-centered learning. Residents can also take advantage of beautiful green spaces and sights of the Rio Grande river in this neighborhood, while still being just minutes away from exciting Downtown and Old Town Albuquerque attractions and amenities.
Things to Do in Huning Castle
Take your kids to the Africa amphitheater for Thursday story time, sign them up for a week-long summer adventure at Camp BioPark, or visit eclectic birds like the Indian or Blue Peafowl at the ABQ BioPark Zoo. Check out over 250 interactive exhibits like Curious Bubbles, Water Flow Patio, and Engineering Gravity at the Explora Science Center. Swim laps, play 18 holes, have your kids learn from golf pros with the PGA Junior League, or sign them up for tennis summer programs when you join the Albuquerque Country Club. Watch the waterfowl, fish for rainbow trout and channel catfish in the Central Pond and Children’s Pond, or walk your dog at Tingley Beach. Start your day with a Spanish Omelet, Huevos Rancheros, or a Breakfast Taco from Garcia’s Kitchen. Try Pan Seared Norwegian Salmon, Mini Beef Sliders, or Roasted Chicken from Seared Bistro, located along Route 66. Enjoy the Frito Pie, Tartar Tots, or Foot Long Chili Dog at Dog House Drive-In. Or relax among nature while enjoying a Greek Salad, Duck Tacos, or a Cuban Torta at Vinaigrette.
Nob Hill
- Home Price: $315,800 median purchase price; $1,151 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 62% of Albuquerque neighborhoods
Centered around Central Avenue—a popular ABQ street along historic Route 66 lined with vibrant shops and restaurants—Nob Hill is one of the best areas in Albuquerque for families. This neighborhood features affordable ranches, Southwest, and adobe-style homes perfect for families of all kinds—along with architectural landmarks like New Mexican architect Bart Prince’s Spaceship House. With a diverse selection of well-regarded schools like Serendipity Day School and Bandelier Elementary School nearby, as well as The University of New Mexico bordering the neighborhood to the west, there’s no shortage of excellent educational options for children of all ages. On top of all this, Nob Hill in Albuquerque promotes community engagement and helps residents feel at home with annual events like Route 66 Summerfest and Shop & Stroll.
Things to Do in Nob Hill
Have a family board game night with games like Bananagrams, Ticket to Ride, and Candy Land at Empire Board Game Library. See screenings of limited-release films on the big screen, or rent movies like The Woman Who Loves Giraffes, Tommaso, or Children of the Exodus online at the Guild Cinema, “Albuquerque’s oldest still-running movie theater.” Sign up for Ballet, Contemporary, or Afro-Cuban Folkloric dance classes at the Maple Street Dance Space. Take a walk with the whole family, learn about World War II history, and enjoy a nice picnic under the shade of the trees in Bataan Memorial Park. Enjoy a diverse selection of breakfast items like the Chorizo and Egg Torta, Chicken and Waffles, and Buttermilk Pancakes at The Shop—one of the best Nob Hill, ABQ restaurants. Try waffles like the Goat Cheese & Cherry, Peach Cobbler, and Strawberries & Cream at Tia B’s La Waffleria. Take the family out for lunch with options like the Crunchy Cajun Chicken Sandwich, Spicy Beef Banh Mi, or Fish & Chips from the Flying Star Cafe. Or choose from 40 different pizzas—including the BLT, Grecian, or Gourmet Pesto—at Slice Parlor.
North Albuquerque Acres
- Home Price: $387,567 median purchase price; $1,336 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 91% of Albuquerque neighborhoods
If you’re looking for a quaint ABQ neighborhood to live in, check out North Albuquerque Acres! Located near the Sandia Mountains and about 20 minutes from downtown, North Albuquerque Acres is a quiet area that’s considered one of the safest neighborhoods in Albuquerque. Families with children can choose from a wide selection of highly-rated schools nearby, including Double Eagle Elementary School and North Star Elementary School. And if you’re searching for houses for sale in North Albuquerque Acres, you’ll find options including ranches, Spanish Revival, and Southwest-style homes with plenty of space for kids to run around.
Things to Do in North Albuquerque Acres
Explore the breathtaking terrain of the Sandia Mountains and the Cibola National Forest via the La Luz Trail and numerous other hiking trails, and remember to grab a souvenir from the gift shop when you ride the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway up into the mountains. Explore the variety of youth and adult activities like the rock climbing wall, game room, and fitness center at the North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center. Enjoy a night of ice skating, register your kids for skating lessons, or watch the New Mexico Ice Wolves (NAHL) play at the Outpost Ice Arenas. Head less than 15 minutes away to enjoy thrill-seeking rides like the New Mexico Rattler, Sidewinder, or Wind Rider at Cliff’s Amusement Park. Grab a Bullet Latte, French Toast, or Greek Omelet for breakfast at the Cinnamon Sugar & Spice Cafe. Enjoy a delicious Shredded Beef Sandwich, St. Louis Pork Ribs, or Peppered Turkey Breast at The County Line. Try authentic German bread and pretzels at Das_Brotkoerbchen. Or dine on Home-Style Chicken Udon, Mongolian Beef, or Rice Paper Salmon at Jinja.
Ventana Ranch
- Home Price: $192,820 median purchase price; $987 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 85% of Albuquerque neighborhoods
Consider Ventana Ranch in Albuquerque when deciding on where to live with your family! Houses for sale in Ventana Ranch include Southwestern, Spanish Revival, and modern ranch homes perfect for mid to large-sized families. With great schools like Ventana Ranch Elementary School, Coyote Willow Family School, and Volcano Vista High School, parents can be confident their children have access to quality education in this safe, affordable Albuquerque neighborhood. Additionally, Ventana Ranch residents can find a strong sense of community thanks to the Ventana Ranch Community Association and events like Westside Summerfest, where neighbors gather together for food and drink, entertainment from local performers, kid-friendly activities, and more!
Things to Do in Ventana Ranch
Play a round of basketball or take your kids to the playground at the 17-acre Ventana Ranch Park. See hundreds of petroglyphs created by Native Americans and early Spanish settlers while walking along the Boca Negra Canyon, Rinconada Canyon, and Piedras Marcadas Canyon, or explore cinder cone volcanoes at Petroglyph National Monument. Sign up for cardio training, strength training, or circuit training at Powerflex Gym. Go swimming, play volleyball, or relax on the vast grassy areas of the resident-only Ventana Ranch Community Center. Enjoy refreshing drinks like To-Taro, a Thai Shake, or Jasmine Fruit Tea from Ma’s Tea House. Pick up Hunan Chicken, Pineapple Shrimp, and Lemon Chicken from Rose Garden. Eat classic New Mexican foods like Tampico Fish Tacos, Steak & Enchiladas, and Shrimp Diablo at Little Anita’s New Mexican Foods. Or much on sub sandwiches like Pastrami & Provolone, Ham & Swiss, and Meatball & Provolone—or make your own pizza—at Dion’s Pizza.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
