East Mountains

The East Mountains is an area rather than a city: the east flank of the Sandias, reached by I-40 through Tijeras Canyon. It covers the village of Tijeras, Cedar Crest, Sandia Park and the town of Edgewood, plus Sandia Knolls and Ponderosa Pine, in Bernalillo and Santa Fe counties. Homes sit among pinon and ponderosa at 6,500 to 7,500 feet, with four real seasons and far more snow than the valley. Lots run large, and most properties rely on a private well and septic.

Recreation is close: the Sandia Ranger District station on NM 337 backs onto the Tijeras Pueblo archaeological site, and NM 536 climbs past Cienega Canyon and Tinkertown Museum to Sandia Crest at 10,678 feet. NM 14, the Turquoise Trail, runs north through Cedar Crest toward Santa Fe, and Paa-Ko Ridge draws golfers. Commutes to Kirtland Air Force Base run 25 to 45 minutes. Inventory stays deep, from manufactured homes on acreage to gated custom builds.