Albuquerque Quadrants

Albuquerque is divided into the Northeast, Southeast, Northwest and Southwest quadrants. These quadrants (NE, SE, NW, SW) are appended to all Albuquerque mailing addresses.The north-south dividing line is Central Avenue (the path that Route 66 took through the city) and the east-west dividing line is the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks. Although this is technically the division of the city, in casual conversation Albuquerqueans sometimes use the perpendicular interstates I-25 and I-40 to divide the city into quadrants.

Northeast Quadrant

This is an area that has experienced housing growth since the late 1950's. It abuts the base of the Sandia Mountains and contains portions of the Sandia Heights neighborhoods, which are situated in or near the foothills and are significantly higher, in elevation and price range, than the rest of the city. Running from Central Ave. and the railroad tracks to the Sandia Peak Aerial Tram, this is the largest quadrant both geographically and by population. The University of New Mexico, the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, the Uptown area which includes both Coronado and Winrock malls, Journal Center, Balloon Fiesta Park, and Albuquerque Academy are all located in this quadrant. Some of the most affluent regions of the city are located here, including the Las Lomas-Roma neighborhood, the Netherwood Park neighborhood, the Academy Hills neighborhood, and many neighborhoods in the far northeast corner streching beyond the actual city limits into Sandoval County.

Northwest Quadrant

This quadrant contains historic Albuquerque Old Town, as well as the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center. The area has a mixture of commercial, low-income, middle-income, and some of the most expensive homes in the city. Northwest Albuquerque includes the largest section of downtown, the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park and the Bosque ("woodlands" Cottonwood forest), the Petroglyph National Monument, the Double Eagle II Airport, Martineztown, and Cottonwood Mall. Additionally, the "North Valley" area, which includes some small ranches and expensive residential homes along Rio Grande Boulevard and the Rio Grande (river), are located in this quadrant. The City of Albuquerque borders the villages of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque and Corrales in the northwest valley. The majority of the area on the west side of the Rio Grande (river) is known as the "West Mesa" and consists primarily of traditional residential subdivisions. Here the city proper borders with the City of Rio Rancho.

Southeast Quadrant

Kirtland Air Force Base, Sandia National Laboratories, the Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute main campus, the Albuquerque International Sunport, University Stadium, Isotopes Park, and "The Pit" (University Arena) are located in the Southeast (SE) quadrant.

The trendy Nob Hill neighborhood, which straddles Central Ave. between Carlisle Blvd. and Girard Blvd., lies on the northern fringe of the Southeast quadrant. The expensive residential developments of Four Hills and Ridgecrest are also located in this quadrant. In sharp contrast to these upscale developments, however, some of the most poverty-stricken neighborhoods in the city are also located in Southeast Albuquerque.

Southwest Quadrant

Traditionally consisting of agricultural and rural areas, the Southwest quadrant is often referred to as the "South Valley". Although the city limits of Albuquerque do not include all of the area, the South Valley is considered to extend all the way to the Isleta Indian Reservation. This includes the old communities of Kinney, Los Padillas, Mountainview, and Pajarito. The south end of downtown Albuquerque and the Bosque ("woodlands" cottonwood forest), the National Hispanic Cultural Center, the Rio Grande Zoo, and Tingley Beach are also located here. The southwest area is currently rapid development, including large retail stores and numerous subdivisions.