New Mexico's "Hub City," Belen is nicknamed for the major BNSF Railway Southern Transcon rail junction. It's not a bad place for a rail junction, of course, sitting right in the heart of New Mexico, in close proximity to Albuquerque, located at the very Southernmost tip of the ABQ Metropolitan Statistical Area, 35 miles from the city itself. If you're looking into Belen real estate, you're going to be sitting in a prime spot for exploring the Land of Enchantment. Here's what you need to know before making a decision as to whether or not Belen is the perfect place for you to hang your hat:
How Do Belen Residents Make a Living?
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Belen's economic center lies in the "Heart of Belen," the nickname given to the downtown/business district of the city, located along Becker avenue and Dalies avenue. The area stretches from the BNSF rail yard all the way to Main Street, and it's a beautiful place to make a living. Downtown in particular is home to a number of charming old historic structures that date back to the early 20th Century, hearkening back to the city's railroad-roots.
Education and health are two of the big employers in New Mexico, and Belen is no different in this regard, owing 23% of all jobs to these industries. A good sign that Belen is still growing: 9% of jobs in the city are devoted to construction, with 744 people in the city working in this industry. Arts and entertainment make up another 583 jobs, or 7%, reflecting the cultured, artsy vibe of the town. More industrial jobs like transportation, retail, warehousing, agriculture and manufacturing make up another 34% of jobs in the area. The economic landscape of the town is quite diverse, and there's likely work to be found no matter your professional persuasion.
Is It Easy to Stay in Shape in Belen?
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Belen boasts plenty of options for people who like to stay in shape, from the Snap Fitness gym and health club to the Yes Organic Boutique and Spa. Although some would say that the town is a little too spread out to be very "walkable," you really couldn't ask for a better place to take a leisurely stroll or a jog around your neighborhood. Walking three miles to work every single morning might not be quite so tempting, and only 2% of the locals, or 187 people total, will bicycle or walk to work, with 82% going by private vehicle. But, Belen is a great place for recreational walking, running and jogging as you take in the scenery that blends the endless natural vistas with classic American architecture.
What Is Belen's Historical Significance?
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Being an important location for early 20th Century railroads, Belen is absolutely steeped in Southwestern history. If you'd like to take a peek at the historic scenery, check out the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie The Last Stand. The action film is shot in and around Belen. You couldn't ask for a better town to set a modern-day western than Belen, with its railroads, historical buildings and wide-open desert vistas.
Two famous locations in the city are the Belen Hotel and Central Hotel, both located on Becker Avenue. These two-story structures were built to house railroaders and rail guests back in the early 1900's. Owing to the town's deep respect for American history, the Belen Hotel is today a private art gallery and residence, while the Central Hotel serves as reception hall and winery.
Belen is a microcosm of the American Southwest. Here you have great food, classic architecture, traces of Native American and Route 66 culture, big, open spaces, railroads and a deep respect for the history of the region. Belen is sort of the quintessential Southwestern town, so a simple way to put it would be: If you love the Southwest, you'll love Belen, and if you don't like Belen, then the Land of Enchantment might not be for you.
