49 Ranch Rd, Cedar Crest, NM 87008

"This is more of a rural community that celebrate a few barbecues a year as a fund raiser for local fire department as well as a way to meet the new neighbors that have moved in the neighborhood."

"We moved here from Southern California in 2008 to escape the traffic and high cost of living. Sandia Park (Paako) is a wonderful community nestled in a pinyon-juniper pine forest on the west side of Highway 14 (the Turquoise Trail). The HOA is strong, there's a security patrol, as well as neighbors who watch out for each other - and any bears...! (We get a weekly update with community news and any bear activity!) Although it's technically in Bernalillo County, it's on the extreme edge and can't really be included in BC statistics (the Sheriff says it's the safest place in the East Mountains, fwiw). It's very quiet so long as you don't live too near Hwy 14. We don't walk at night if it's too dark, but otherwise it's a good walking neighborhood, and there are lots of hiking trails within a few miles. The local community center (Vista Grande) offers a nice gym and workout classes, and hosts lots of groups as well as the local garden club. We wouldn't mind a few more restaurants in the mountains; the ones in the mountains seem to play "musical rentals" or come and go (perhaps due to the recession). We don't belong to the Paako golf club, but the cafe there is open to the public and useful in a pinch. The Triangle grocery store is less than 10 mins away and have a nice selection for a medium-size store. Costco, Walmart, Trader Joes and Smiths are just off the first few exits in ABQ (about 25 mins from Paako). If you like wildlife and birds, you see it all here, from bears to bumblebees. Bluebirds are nesting in our yard, and there are woodpeckers year round. Lots of butterflies too; this week alone we have caterpillers for Black Swallowtails, Western Swallowtails and Two-tailed Swallowtails. A monarch flitted by last week, although they are rare in the mountains. After SoCal, this is an oasis. No earthquakes - or hurricanes, or tornados. Just keep a close eye on hot dry winds for fire danger; however, the roads have good access and there are fire hydrants everywhere.."