Rio Communities, NM

Located just across the Rio Grande from Belen, Rio Communities offers a quiet, spread-out setting in Valencia County. Situated about 35 miles south of Albuquerque, the small city gives residents plenty of space, wide neighborhood streets, and a calm, relaxed pace. It grew out of mid-century residential planning, leaving behind spacious lots and an open desert feel with plenty of room to breathe.

Day-to-day living comes with great scenery, flanked by the river valley to the west and the Manzano Mountains to the east. Local students attend Belen Consolidated Schools, while Highway 47 and Interstate 25 provide quick access to nearby shopping, dining, and the Rail Runner commuter train. It is a practical, scenic choice for newcomers seeking affordable desert living with easy connections across the greater Albuquerque area.