The Northeast Heights is an upscale neighborhood located in northeast Albuquerque. Nestled at the foothills of the Sandia Mountains, this neighborhood blends natural beauty with big-city conveniences. Residents can shop, dine, hike, and mountain bike, all with a backdrop of breathtaking mountain views.
Like many Albuquerque neighborhoods, The Heights is spacious. Thus, most residents need a car to get around. Even so, The Heights makes it easy to clock in your daily steps — it has no shortage of scenic walking trails, bike paths, parks, or gyms.
Albuquerque is divided into four quadrants, northeast, southeast, northwest, and southwest. While it’s easy to think of the interstate highways, 25 running north-south and 40 running east-west, as the dividing lines, it is an older division that determines if addresses have NE, SE, NW, or SW tagged onto them. Central Avenue, which runs east-west, and the train tracks, which run north-south, are the official dividing lines of Albuquerque.
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According to the Multiple Listing System (MLS), the Northeast Heights area is officially east of Wyoming Boulevard, south of Montgomery Boulevard, West of Tramway Boulevard, and north of Central Avenue. But it could be generalized into much of the northeastern part of Albuquerque.
What Is There to Do in The Heights, Albuquerque?
If you enjoy outdoor activities, you’ll never get bored in this eastern Albuquerque town. Here are a few of the top attractions that The Heights has to offer:
- Sandia Mountains – Sandia means “watermelon” in Spanish. If you’ve ever had the privilege of watching the sunset reflect off this mountain range and turn it shades of pink and red, you’ll understand why. In addition to providing residents of The Heights with captivating views, these mountains magnetize mountain bikers and hikers.
- Elena Gallegos Open Space – If you prefer to behold the Sandia Mountains from a lower elevation, you can get your fix at Elena Gallegos Open Space. This picturesque park spans more than 640 acres. It has shaded picnic tables, grills, and easy access to Sandia Mountain hiking trails, making it the perfect spot for a day of family fun and relaxation. If you have a keen eye, you may even catch a glimpse of some wildlife during your visit.
- Shopping and restaurants – As a premier destination for shopping and dining, The Heights has a host of highly-rated restaurants, breweries, shopping malls, and specialty shops.
- Endless entertainment – Lastly, The Heights has an extensive array of entertainment options, including museums, movie theaters, performing art centers, escape rooms, climbing gyms, trampoline parks, and hot air balloon rides. It also hosts exciting festivals and community events from time to time.
The History of The Heights
In the early part of the 20th century, the area that became the Northeast Heights was used to graze sheep. When Albuquerque experienced a housing development boom after World War II, from 1946 to 1950, the resulting influx of new residents pushed the city’s edge to the foot of the Sandia Mountains. During this time, The Heights became developed while Albuquerque tripled in size.
What is the Housing Market Like in The Heights?
Due to its location and high-quality school districts, Northeast Heights is a highly sought-after neighborhood. In terms of home prices, The Heights is slightly costlier than some other Albuquerque cities — its medium home price is $368,300, while Albuquerque’s overall average is $350,000.
Fortunately, homes in The Heights typically retain their value over time. This neighborhood is landlocked by the Sandia Mountains, preventing any new construction in the area. As a result, most homes in the Heights are from the 1950s housing boom. These older homes feature a more traditional design than The Duke City’s typical southwestern style.
Is The Heights a Good Place to Live?
The Heights is a desirable place to live for many reasons we’ve discussed above. Its nature-loving residents enjoy an outstanding quality of life. Better yet, they don’t have to sacrifice any Duke City conveniences. Since The Heights is located just north of I-40 and east of I-25, its residents can frequent other parts of Albuquerque with ease.
What Hiking or Biking Trails are in The Heights Neighborhood, Albuquerque?
Whether you live in The Heights or want to stop by for a visit, you’ll want to check out its Albuquerque hiking and Sandia Mountains biking trails. Some local favorites in and near The Heights include:
- Interstate 40 Trail
- Paseo de las Montañas Trail
- Arroyo del Oso Trail
- North Diversion Channel Trail
- Paseo del Norte Trail/South Domingo Baca Arroyo Trail
While each of these trails is tailored to different skill levels, they all share the same scenic surroundings.
Experience New Heights in Albuquerque
All in all, The Heights’ natural beauty is second to none. What’s more, The Heights is just one of the many neighborhoods that make the Duke City so special. If you haven’t explored all that Albuquerque has to offer yet, it’s certainly worth a visit.
