FREQUENTLY ASKED
Everything we get asked.
39 questions about the homes, the amenities, the renovation and how to apply - answered straight, with nothing left vague.
The basics
Where is Desertscapes Apartments?
Desertscapes Apartments is at 7303 Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109, in the Northeast Heights with the Sandia Mountains on the skyline.
Was Desertscapes called something else before?
Yes. The community was previously named Canyon Crest, and before that Arioso. It is the same property at 7303 Montgomery Blvd NE, under new ownership and going through a full renovation.
Who manages Desertscapes?
The Laramar Group manages Desertscapes day to day. Laramar has specialised in apartment communities since 1989 and runs properties in more than twenty markets from offices in Chicago and Denver. The on-site team is based at the property.
How do I contact the leasing office?
Call (505) 460-8588, or use the contact form at desertscapesapts.com/contact. Tours are booked online and the booking tool is open every hour of the day.
Who works at Desertscapes?
Six people look after the community on site: Jackie is the Community Manager, Aida is the Assistant Manager, Agustin is the Service Manager, Alexroy is the Groundskeeper, and Lorenzo and Jorge handle maintenance.
Is Desertscapes an Equal Housing Opportunity provider?
Yes. Desertscapes Apartments is an Equal Housing Opportunity provider and does business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Act.
Apartment homes
What size apartments does Desertscapes have?
Desertscapes has studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartment homes, ranging from 561 to 1,396 square feet.
What floor plans are available?
Seven plans are shown on the site, each named after a plant going into the new landscape: Agave is a studio with one bath at 561 sq ft (plan S1); Red Yucca is a one-bedroom, one-bath at 759 sq ft (plan A1); Sotol is a one-of-a-kind two-bedroom, one-bath at 900 sq ft (plan B1); Damianita is a two-bedroom, two-bath at 800 sq ft (plan B2); Desert Willow is a larger two-bedroom, two-bath at 1,089 sq ft (plan B3); Apache Plume is a three-bedroom, two-bath at 950 sq ft (plan C1); and Ocotillo is a three-bedroom, two-bath at 1,396 sq ft (plan C2).
What does the -TC after a plan code mean?
TC marks the tax-credit version of the same physical floor plan. An S1-TC has the same layout as an S1; the difference is which programme the home is let under, market-rate or income-qualified.
What is included in an apartment at Desertscapes?
Apartments have a fully equipped kitchen with a full-size range, refrigerator and dishwasher, an in-sink disposal, a dedicated pantry, ceiling fans, walk-in closets, and private outdoor space as either a ground-floor patio or an upper-level balcony. Wood-style flooring runs through the living areas with carpet in the bedrooms. Some homes have a fireplace. Features vary by apartment.
Do apartments have a washer and dryer?
Renovated apartments include an in-home washer and dryer. Shared laundry facilities are also available on site for homes that do not yet have one.
Is there internet at Desertscapes?
Xfinity 1 Gig internet service is available at the community. Ask the leasing team what is included with the specific home you are considering.
Are accessible or modified layouts available?
Accessible and modified layouts are available in select apartments. Ask the leasing team which homes are configured that way.
What is being changed in the renovated apartments?
Renovated homes receive new appliances, refreshed cabinetry with new doors and drawer fronts, new countertops with undermount sinks and a backsplash, new flooring, fresh paint throughout, and an in-home washer and dryer.
Community amenities
What amenities are open today at Desertscapes?
Open now: a seasonal swimming pool, a fitness centre with cardio and weight-training equipment, a playground, a BBQ and picnic area, on-site laundry facilities, gated access with the perimeter closed to through traffic, and controlled building entry by resident fob.
What amenities are being added?
The current renovation adds a fenced dog park, three propane fire pit patios, outdoor grilling stations, a shaded pergola with seating, a cornhole court on synthetic turf, bistro-lit walkways between the buildings, native desert landscaping, solar power, and Amazon package lockers. Work is phased and no completion dates are published - ask the leasing team what is finished today.
Is there a pool?
Yes. Desertscapes has a seasonal swimming pool with lounge seating around the deck, open through the warm months.
Is there a gym?
Yes. The fitness centre has cardio machines and weight-training equipment and is free for residents to use.
Is the community gated?
Yes. Desertscapes is a gated community with the perimeter closed to through traffic, and building doors open by resident fob rather than a shared code.
Is there a dog park?
A fenced dog park is part of the signed landscape contract and is being built now. It is not open yet.
Pets and parking
Does Desertscapes allow pets?
Yes. Cats and dogs are welcome, up to two pets per home. A 100 pound weight limit applies and some breeds are restricted. Contact the leasing team for the full pet policy and any fees.
What parking is available?
Open surface parking is available for residents, with covered spaces also offered. Ask the leasing team about current availability and any fees.
The renovation and the landscape
What work is happening at Desertscapes?
The whole property is being rebuilt around how the desert actually works. Lawn is being replaced with native desert planting, every building is being repainted with hand-painted murals, solar panels are being installed, apartments are being renovated, and new gathering spaces are being built. Work is phased across the community.
What is being planted at Desertscapes?
The signed landscape contract puts in 82 trees and more than 1,000 shrubs, grasses and perennials, all native or adapted to Albuquerque. Trees include 34 Desert Willow, 25 Chinese Pistache, 11 Smoke Tree, 11 Afghan Pine and one Chaste Tree. Shrubs and cactus include 140 Blue Mist Spirea, 133 Red Yucca, 127 Autumn Sage, 111 Knockout Rose, 95 Yellow Bird of Paradise, 48 Damianita, 48 Texas Sage, 31 Texas Sotol, 29 Potentilla, 27 Prickly Pear, 27 Spanish Broom, 22 Agave, 21 Catmint, 12 Soaptree Yucca, 11 Apache Plume, 10 Fernbush, 6 Ocotillo, 4 Arp Rosemary and 2 Butterfly Bush. Grasses and perennials include 24 Feather Reed Grass, 48 Moonshine Yarrow and 48 Whirling Butterflies Gaura.
Why is the landscaping being changed?
The old turf is being replaced with desert planting that lives on Albuquerque rainfall, which cuts water use substantially. New trees are going in along the walkways and around the gathering areas so the ground people actually use stays cooler in summer.
Why are the floor plans named after plants?
Each plan is named after a species going into the ground at the community. Agave, Red Yucca, Damianita, Desert Willow and Ocotillo are all named in the signed landscape contract, so the name on your home matches something growing outside it.
Who is painting the murals?
The murals are painted by Paz, an Albuquerque artist working under the handle pazehecatl. Every building is being repainted with desert-hill murals - layered bands of sand, clay, terracotta and sage with plant silhouettes drawn two and three storeys tall. The work is done on site, building by building.
Is Desertscapes doing anything about energy use?
Solar panels are being installed at the community, so more of the electricity used on site is generated on site rather than drawn off the grid. That sits alongside the desert planting, which cuts water use, and new shade trees along the walkways.
Affordable and income-qualified homes
Does Desertscapes offer affordable housing?
Yes. A portion of the apartment homes participate in an affordable housing programme with income and household qualifications. The leasing team can help you work out whether you qualify.
What is the difference between the market-rate and income-qualified homes?
They are the same physical apartments. Plans marked TC are let under an affordable housing programme with income and household limits; the others are let at market rate. Both are shown on the same tour and both are welcome to apply.
How do I ask about an income-qualified apartment?
Call (505) 460-8588 or use the contact form and say you are asking about income-qualified homes. The leasing team will walk you through the qualification process and the documents you will need.
Does Desertscapes accept Section 8?
Housing choice vouchers have been accepted at this community. Confirm current participation with the leasing team before you apply.
Touring, applying and living here
How do I schedule a tour of Desertscapes?
Book online using the Schedule a Tour button anywhere on desertscapesapts.com. The booking tool is open every hour of the day, so you can pick a time without calling during office hours.
What happens on a tour?
A tour takes in the grounds and the new desert planting, the murals at whatever stage they are at, a home in the plan you are interested in where one is available to walk, the gathering spaces, and the leasing office where you meet the on-site team. Both market-rate and income-qualified homes are shown on the same tour.
How do I check what is available?
Current availability is shown in the ResMan resident portal, linked from every floor plan on the site. It updates live, so it is always ahead of anything printed on a website.
How do I apply for an apartment at Desertscapes?
Apply online. Use the Apply button on any floor plan, which opens applicant registration in the ResMan portal.
Is there a resident portal?
Yes. Current residents pay rent, submit maintenance requests and manage their account in the ResMan resident portal, linked from the Residents page and the site footer.
How do I submit a maintenance request?
Raise and track maintenance requests in the resident portal, or call the office on (505) 460-8588. Agustin is the Service Manager and runs the work orders.
What does it cost to live at Desertscapes?
Current rents are shown in the live availability portal rather than on this site, because availability and pricing change frequently and stale numbers help nobody. Use the Check Availability link on any floor plan, or call (505) 460-8588.
Still have a question?
Call the leasing line on (505) 460-8588, or book a tour and ask in person.
Schedule a Tour
DESERTSCAPES
APARTMENTS
7303 Montgomery Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109
Tours by appointment - schedule online anytime.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Desertscapes Apartments is an Equal Housing Opportunity provider. We do business in accordance with the Federal Fair Housing Act.
Professionally managed by The Laramar Group. Pricing, availability, features, and program requirements vary by apartment and are subject to change.