ABOUT PLACITAS, NM
By Sean Remington
Growing up, I used to spend many summers at well-known colorful locals', Al & Oma Sandovals', home perched high atop a scenic hill in Placitas. They are my Uncle & Aunt who claim to be the forty-somethingth residents of Placitas. While the jury is out on that one, the fact remains that due to them I have been abundantly blessed to experience the incomparable enchantment offerred by living in this peaceful village just north of Albuquerque bordering the Sandia Mountains on one side with incredible mesa vistas all the way to Santa Fe on the other side. Due to no light pollution from street lights coupled with homes nicely spread from one another, Placitas is in my opinion the very best place in the Albuquerque metro area to relax on your patio and watch the lazy southwestern sun set to the west. AMAZING!!!
Another rumor that I chuckle about related to Placitas takes place in the 1970's. Back then there were the two top-selling brokers of vacant land developments who were always competing. One sold land in the city (Albuquerque), while the other sold land in Placitas. The Albuquerque broker asked the Placitas broker "Now how on earth do you sell so much land w-a-y out there in the middle of nowhere?" The Placitas broker responded "Let me explain something to you. You city guys hunt high and low to discover a parcel of land with a view. Here in Placitas, I have a difficult time finding one that doesn't offer a view!" As time progressed, the seam between Placitas and Albuquerque has - like in many places - faded due to more development, faster speed limits, and most recently a widened interstate, and it is no longer thought of as "w-a-y out there."
Here is a brief history of Placitas:
While there is abundant evidence that Placitas was inhabited prior to 1765 chiefly by Native Americans, this is the earliest point in time when any records were scribed. In this year, a mix of Spanish and Native American settlers from nearby Bernalillo, Algodones, and San Felipe (known as the Las Huertas settlers) organized irrigation and farming systems which allowed them to reside here living an agrarian lifestyle and raising livestock.
Occassionally these settlers were under attack by marauding tribes, however were able to defend themselves with the help of a nearby Spanish settlement. Things began to change for the Las Huertas settlers when their nearby Spanish settler friends were ousted by the Mexicans who raided both colonies.
By 1840 or so the attacks subsided, many of the settlers decided to return home, and a land grant opened new areas to accommodate growing families. The present Village of Placitas was established featuring it's own spring-fed acequia system which still to this day supplies irrigation and domestic water to the historic Village.
Placitas experienced a major growth in the mid-late 1900's when developers aggressively sought out ways to bring water to more areas throughout Placitas. Afterall, it's charming high desert climate, picturesque natural landscapes dotted primarily with Pinon Pine and Juniper trees (which exude the most wonderful signature aromas), and dramatic views from nearly every spot in the Village were simply too good for homemakers and retiring executives to pass up.
Today, Placitas is thought by many to be a very exclusive/upscale place to live boasting a rich and vibrant small-town feel. While gardens do exist in Placitas, the area lends itself moreso to people who enjoy the low-maintenance and beauty of natural desert landscapes.
Population: Approximately 5,000.
- NUMBER1EXPERT 
