Where the Foothills Meet the Fairways: Inside Four Hills

By the Better with Baron Team

Four Hills Albuquerque is a foothill neighborhood in the city's far southeast corner, built around a 1950s golf course at the base of the Manzanita Mountains. Homes here sold for a median of about $479,900 over the past year, with trailheads inside the neighborhood and Kirtland Air Force Base a few miles west.

ABQ at a glance: The Greater Albuquerque median sales price for detached homes was $386,990 in Q3 2026, up 2.1% from a year earlier, according to GAAR's third quarter report. Four Hills typically trades well above that metro figure.

If you have ever driven east on Central past Tramway and wondered what sits up in those hills, this guide is for you. Here is what the neighborhood looks like, what homes cost and what to know before you start touring.

Where Four Hills Albuquerque Sits

Four Hills sits south of I-40 and east of Tramway, tucked into the foothills where Central Avenue climbs toward Tijeras Canyon. Most addresses fall in the 87123 zip code. The neighborhood rises above the rest of the city, so many lots look west across the Duke City or north to the Sandia Mountains. If views top your list, our guide to Albuquerque neighborhoods with mountain views compares more options.

Four Hills Road and Stagecoach Road are the main ways in, both off Central. Groceries and daily errands are close by at Four Hills Village Shopping Center, which stands on the site of the old Western Skies Motel, a Route 66 stop that opened in 1959.

A Quick History of the Neighborhood

The first home in Four Hills Village was finished in 1957, and the golf course opened in 1958, according to the Albuquerque Historical Society. It was the city's second country club, and the original development covered about 900 acres of rolling foothill land.

Early lots near the course came with design rules. Local historians note that the first custom homes had to meet a 2,000-square-foot minimum and get plan approval before construction. That is a big reason the older streets still feel so distinct today, with wide lots, mature landscaping, and homes that each look a little different.

The club still anchors the neighborhood today and now operates as The Canyon Club at Four Hills, with an 18-hole course that winds through the middle of the community.

Homes and Prices in Four Hills

Four Hills Albuquerque offers more variety than most people expect. The neighborhood has roughly 1,500 homes, and the mix spans almost 70 years of building styles.

• Mid-century custom homes: Many built from the late 1950s through the 1970s, often with slump block, archways, multiple fireplaces and big picture windows.

• Adobe and Southwestern styles: Classic New Mexico stucco and adobe homes mixed throughout the older streets.

• Newer traditional builds: Homes from the 1990s and early 2000s on the upper slopes, many with larger floor plans.

• Townhome and patio home enclaves: Smaller communities such as Villa Serena and Hidden Valley offer lower-maintenance options, some with their own pools or tennis courts.

On price, recent Homes.com data puts the 12-month median sale price in Four Hills Village at about $479,900, up 4% from the prior year, with homes taking about 49 days to sell. Listings have ranged from the high $200,000s for a two-bedroom home to around $900,000 for larger custom properties on half-acre lots.

Compared with the metro's $386,990 Q3 median from GAAR, Four Hills Albuquerque sits at a clear premium. Buyers are paying for lot size, views and an established setting that newer subdivisions cannot recreate.

Trails Right Out the Back Door

This is where Four Hills really stands apart. The Manzano/Four Hills Open Space trailhead sits at the end of Stagecoach Road, inside the neighborhood. The City of Albuquerque manages the area for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.

The trail network keeps growing. In 2025 the city opened the Route 66 Open Space trailhead off the I-40 frontage road, which connects to the same system. City staff said at the opening that you can now walk from Central all the way south to Four Hills on the trails.

For anyone who likes a quick sunrise hike or an after-work ride, having the foothills a few minutes from your door is a real quality-of-life perk. It also means the open space is part of the view.

Getting to Kirtland AFB and Sandia Labs

Four Hills sits just east of Kirtland Air Force Base and Sandia National Laboratories, two of the metro's major employers. The drive west along Central to the base gates is only a few miles, which keeps the daily commute short compared with the Westside or Rio Rancho.

Because so many buyers here work on base, VA loans in Albuquerque come up often in Four Hills searches. A VA loan can mean no down payment for eligible buyers, which can make the neighborhood's higher price points more reachable.

Downtown is roughly 20 minutes west on I-40,. Heading the other way, Tijeras and the East Mountains are just up the canyon.

Four Hills vs. Nearby Areas

If you are weighing Four Hills against nearby options, here is how they tend to compare:

• Four Hills: Established foothill setting, golf course, mix of mid-century and newer homes, with a median near the $480,000 range.

• Volterra: Newer construction next door with modern floor plans; it sits inside a Public Improvement District, which adds a special levy to the tax bill.

• East Mountains: More land and a mountain feel, with longer drives into the city. Our guide to East Mountains homes breaks down Tijeras and Edgewood pricing.

Tips for Buying in Four Hills

• Check the age of major systems. Many homes date to the 1960s and 1970s, so roof, plumbing, electrical and HVAC updates matter a lot on value.

• Ask about HOAs and enclave fees. Some townhome communities have dues that cover pools, landscaping or exteriors; many single-family streets have none.

• Look at the slope. Hillside lots offer great views but can mean steeper driveways and drainage to plan for.

• Budget for the tax reset. Your assessed value resets to market value after a sale, so review how Albuquerque property tax bills work before you set a payment budget.

• Separate club and home. Living in Four Hills does not include a golf membership; the club has its own membership options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Four Hills part of the City of Albuquerque?

Yes. Most of Four Hills is inside Albuquerque city limits in the far southeast corner, mainly in the 87123 zip code, south of I-40 and east of Tramway.

How much do homes cost in Four Hills Albuquerque?

Recent data puts the 12-month median sale price around $479,900. Prices range from the high $200,000s for smaller homes and townhomes to around $900,000 for larger custom homes.

Are there hiking trails in Four Hills?

Yes. The Manzano/Four Hills Open Space trailhead is at the end of Stagecoach Road and supports hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. It also connects to the newer Route 66 Open Space trailhead.

How far is Four Hills from Kirtland Air Force Base?

Kirtland sits just west of the neighborhood, a few miles down Central, which makes it one of the shorter base commutes in the metro.

Thinking About Four Hills?

Four Hills Albuquerque blends old-school Burque character with trail access that is hard to find anywhere else in the city. Whether you want a mid-century home with history or a newer build with a view, the right fit comes down to lot, layout and condition. Browse more Albuquerque neighborhood guides, or reach out to the Better with Baron team with any questions about the area. We are always happy to help.

This article is for general information only. Market figures change monthly; local data is from the Greater Albuquerque Association of REALTORS and Southwest MLS where noted. Neighborhood figures from third-party sources may not reflect every sale.