Belen, NM: Home of The Hispano Matanza, the world's largest Spanish-style barbecue party.
Located near the center of New Mexico, Belen has been dubbed as the heart of the state
Belen, NM: Home of The Hispano Matanza, the world's largest Spanish-style barbecue party.
Located near the center of New Mexico, Belen has been dubbed as the heart of the state. That's not too far from the truth as this 4.7 square mile-city that's home to 7.313 people is touted to be "The Hub City" because of the rail junction of BNSF's rail line within the city. Even way back in its history, Belen's strategic location has been the major reason for its progress and development, attracting early Spanish settlers to live here. Today, colonists are long gone but the city has continued to enjoy the perks of its good location.
So, how does it feel to move to Bethlehem? (No, that's not a typo‰Û_that's Belen in English to you.) You'd soon know. But just to make sure it doesn't get arduous for you, here is some information to make the move a whole lot easier.
Country or City?
Belen may be known as the Heart or Hub City of New Mexico but it still has some neighborhoods that are reserved for people who'd rather live with sprawling wide open space for their backyard. However, if you are someone who thinks silence can be deafening, the city has premier apartments within the city center as well.
Apartments Living or Family Houses?
A third of residential developments in this city are apartment complexes and buildings. Thus, if you can tolerate living close to neighbors, Belen has a good apartment to rent for you. But if you can't imagine not having your own private yard where you can do your thing, fret not, the majority of rental properties in this city are still of the single detached type.
The Documents You'll Need
There likely won't be a pack of renters beating a path to landlords' doors in this city. But just in case you've just been handed the perfect abode, you wouldn't want to sit on the decision, would you? Just have the basics ready (picture ID, rental history, proof of income) and you can get a rental application processed right away in this part of the country.
Get a glimpse of how certain neighborhoods roll and you can keep your apartment search focused on an area or two that suits your lifestyle best.
City Center: A suburban neighborhood of apartment complexes, buildings and single detached houses, Belen's City Center is busy with commerce, history, entertainment and dining options. Though not a very walkable area, this neighborhood is located off I-25.
Los Trujillos: Adjacent to the City Center and situated on the banks of the Rio Grande, this neighborhood is rife with mobile homes and single detached houses. This is the home of the Harvey House Museum and Senator Willie M Chavez State Park.
Rio Communities: Located on the eastern banks of the Rio Grande, this neighborhood has lots of townhomes, mobile homes and single detached homes. High-rise living or one-bedroom apartments are very rare in this area. This is home to the Terra del Sol Golf Club.
Jarales / Pueblitos: This rural neighborhood is perfect for those who want to live away from the noise of the city. If you do manage to find a rental property in this area (which is quite rare, by the way); you'll have farms and those living in mobile homes for neighbors.
Take a stroll in Belen's City Center and you'll have a brief glimpse of its early start. You'll see structures built in the early 1900s and made of bricks from the local brickyard of that time. If you want more of history, dine at the Harla Mays and you get to see a historic theater-turned-restaurant, which at one time in its history showed the biggest marquee films.
Belen knows how to throw a party as well. Some of the must-attend events are The Hispano Matanza and Our Lady of Belen Fiestas, a 220-year old celebration tradition that's widely attended by tourists from other states.
If parties and celebration is really not your thing, Belen also has lots of parks with the amenities to host recreation like sports, hiking, and picnicking. And of course, if you can't stay away for long from big cities, Albuquerque is less than an hour's drive away via I-25.
History‰Û_party‰Û_outdoors‰Û_and city scenes. Sounds like the good life, doesn't it?
