I love this City Different! - 12/30/2022

I’ve recently moved to Santa Fe from Colorado. I love Santa Fe for various reasons… mostly because of the tricultural aspects of it. We have amazing Native American, Spanish and Anglo art and history here. I immediately got involved in church activities at the beautiful Basilica of Saint Francis and instantly made dozens of friends. I also found a great job in the downtown area and frequent the many restaurants and shops as a result. Santa Fe is possibly the best place to live in America for its unique architecture, landscape, gorgeous blue skies and inclusive culture. But no matter where you live, YOU need to make the effort to become part of the community. About housing…yes, Santa Fe is pricey, but we moved from Longmont, Colorado and bought a beautiful, new house for LESS than what we sold our house for in Longmont…. same square footage, better quality. If you look outside downtown you can find something more reasonable, and the views only get better as you leave town. The only reason I give it 4 instead of 5 stars is because there is a growing sense of crime that the local government seems to do nothing about. I have not personally been affected, but one does see more homelessness than before. That is unfortunately a growing trend nationwide. Increased housing costs may be a reason…again, a national problem. I am an independent, leaning toward Republican, and feel welcome here. People are polite and friendly here too, particularly the Hispanics. It’s a very relaxed place. I feel very much at home. Would I move to Santa Fe again knowing what I know now …YES! Do I have any regrets moving here? NO! I feel like I’m the luckiest person alive living in this town.

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Great, but not perfect - 5/26/2019

Bought a house here in 2013 and split my time here with other house in Adirondack Mountains of NYS. Santa Fe is great, but not perfect. Love the climate. 306 days of great sunshine and deep blue skies. Summers rarely hit 90F. Low humidity here in the high desert so no sleepless nights as nighttime temps back down to 60F to 70F even in the heat of summer. City at 7,000’ elevation gets about 20” snow a year, but a Ski Santa Fe on mountain with 12,000’ elevation, gets over 240”. Great arts and culture. 3rd biggest art market in US. Many free events and festivals. People very friendly for a small city that can be over run with tourists. Within 3 miles of the historic Plaza restaurants and real estate pricy, but go further out and prices much lower. Many working families opt for just south of the city or in the town of Eldorado. Biggest negative is the beaucracy here. You would think the Colonial Spanish never left. Single task at DMV can take 3 hours. Local Social Security Office a disaster.

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Carnival of fools - 3/15/2019

The only 2 things about Santa Fe that are nice is the scenery and the weather. But, those two things cannot bring about the total comfort and homeyness that makes a city a great place to live. Firstly, Sperling shows a fatal flaw about Sante Fe. A 50K average income with a close to 400K avg housing price? Hmmm, Denver home prices with 35% less avg income. California rent prices in a little town with ZERO private sector industry (Tourism does not count because those jobs have menial wages) and state gov't jobs. Umm, No. The other fatal flaw is that Santa Fe is always rated as one of the top 5 rudest cities in America. They have deadly drivers, a huge illegal (Yes liberals, illegal means illegal) population, extremely HIGH income inequality (something liberals always yammer on about but never do anything about) and a shrinking population and tourism. Even though Santa Fe is a failed little town with a looming deficit, it doesn't stop their pretentious residents from making it as an expensive of a city as any big city in N.Y. or California. It's like a fairytale land for these transplants, but it drives out or burdens the local population which are mostly hispanic. Again, great weather and scenery are the ONLY pluses about Santa Fe and I give a star to each for a total of two.

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Not worth the hefty price tag - 12/18/2018

Santa Fe is beautiful and has nice weather, but it's got a big city cost of living while not having much to offer in exchange. It's small, doesn't really have anything to do and gets boring, but charges like it's a metropolis. I mean there's Meow Wolf, the surrounding pueblos, the Plaza, and that's about it. Each of those get pretty old after two or three visits. I will say though, the animal shelter is very nice. They take great care of the dogs, let you pet them and interect with them; so if you're looking for a dog that's already social and well taken care of, they've got you covered!

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A great place to live or visit! - 5/5/2017

400+ Years of history and culture embody Santa Fe. Located at 7,000" with the ski basin at 12,000 makes a spectacular setting and weather that is impossible to beat with four full seasons. Just an hour north of Albuquerque with 600,000 population and many additional activities. When I moved here 25 years ago wishing to live in the mountain west I took all of the Sunday newspapers for a year from Colorado to Santa Fe. Santa Fe always has activities year round compared to many which were only seasonal. A world class opera is just one of the many entertainment venues. The cost of living statistics don't tell the whole story as it is an informal place not requiring a suit and tie anywhere. Property taxes are low which makes a big difference. It's a great place to live.

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Great Mountain Sports, Art and Culture - 3/4/2016

Great for Art lovers, anyone who loves mountain sports, rock hounders, anyone interested in Native American or Spanish Colonial History/Culture

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Living in Santa Fe....a realistic view. - 1/12/2016

I have read many comments about the high costs of living in a place like Santa Fe and would like to add my 2 cents. If you have lived in higher cost of living areas such as the East Coast or SoCal you will not find Santa Fe expensive...it will be quite comparable. The City Different has set aside areas where housing is affordable 200K or under to buy. Sure, there are plenty of areas that have housing that is much higher than that...but the point is that this is reasonable for a Capitol city and tourist area. Rents are not the cheapest- but then again, consider where you are moving to. There are cheaper areas that surround SF where the rents do go down if you are willing to commute. I find food costs to be the same as the other places that I have lived. Utilities are a bit cheaper and with the mild climate more affordable. Santa Fe is a place that is inhabited by different sectors of society: the local hispanic/white community, the artistic community, government and town workers, health workers, Native Americans, etc., etc. It is culturally a family oriented place with lots of visitors. That is not to say that aren't plenty of singles...there are but expect that overall they are a bit older. I find that the beauty and cultural opportunities override the other deficits that the City Different has. You have to know why you want to come here and know what you are facing when you do.

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Middle Class stay away - 8/25/2015

I'm a young/middle age, single professional who is middle class. The disparity in this town is staggering related to the socio-economic classes. I can't find anyone who is an average working class resident. It's extremely disproportionately aged (those 55 y.o. and older), reserved, socially conservative (although, strangely, everyone here is a registered democrat) and absolutely bland. Nothing open at night except lousy bars. Not a major college which restricts the movement of different ideologies. Really can't think of a worse place for my demographics. Came here for a job and can't wait to leave. These are the 3 classes I observe: low income, Hispanic, redneck type many who rev up their engines as it's some sort of a status symbol to have a vehicle without a muffler so they can act like punks out of hell, then the zoned out hippies and worst of all the ultra-liberal, white democrats who feel they own everything (they actually do). I've never lived in a place where I just want to take some heavy duty pill and end it all. Worst place in the universe. Oddly, I enjoy the arts and creativity which is what originally was so appealing about this area. Now, I feel the type of art here is extremely parochial and boasts gaudy frames holding overpriced ugly, drab, canvases of lifeless scenery. Hey, that's the flavor of Santa Fe. I don't want red or green… Just get me the hell out of here!

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Quality of life is good, cost of living is high - 12/18/2014

The quality of life is good in Santa Fe although you do have to contend with limited shopping and entertainment options. The traffic is low and the job opportunities are also limited. The cost of living is high and it's tough to make a go of it here.

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in answer to the cons of moving to santa fe - 8/4/2013

Rationally, I agree with many of the criticisms from former residents of the city different. However,like many of you my introduction was as a tourist, the main difference was upon leaving my first time, I found myself really crying at the thought of going home. From that point on, I've been there many months, even going so far as buying two and a half acres in Eldorado for only 50k, unheard of now. But I've found that the people treat me as I treat them. Yes, I've definitely picked up the vibe that some people want us to leave, and certainly the enormous wealth is disturbing. I lost my small plot in a divorce, and I only have two close friends but when I'm not in Santa fe, I am miserable. No price is too dear to wake up to those turquoise skies, see the mountains and walk the red earth. No, I'll gladly die in Santa fe. Sign me, former new yorker, soon to be former richmonder. They can keep this humidity, and talk about traffic and crime come here.

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Unsettled in Santa Fe - 10/12/2012

My husband and I moved to Santa Fe from suburban NJ nearly a year ago. I thought we had checked it out thoroughly and was excited about retiring here. While I know adjusting to a new place takes time, I am very unsettled here. Perhaps because so many people come her to re-invent themselves, they seem quite self-absorbed. I have gotten involved in numerous organizations and volunteer groups, but still haven't made friends. This is a very curious place. Despite the physical beauty of Northern New Mexico, I feel a heaviness here. It is also difficult to live in a city with so much wealth alongside desperate poverty. Public education in Santa Fe is abysmal and the sense of hopelessness can be seen in the dropout rate and prevalence of teen pregnancy. I urge anyone considering a move here to rent before buying.

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Santa Fe overall - 6/28/2012

Lots of sunshine, great outdoor activities, and a strong art and cultural scene make Santa Fe a desirable location, but under-performing public schools, a high rate of property crime and drug abuse, and expensive housing have younger residents looking for other options.

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Traffic - 6/19/2012

I just left Santa Fe after living there for six months. It's a poorly-designed town, full of ugly strip malls and traffic-stuffed roads running helter skelter. Almost everyone I met was broke and looking for jobs with no luck. Decent housing was hard to find and expensive and the landlords were shifty characters out to make a buck on unsuspecting newcomers. My Santa Fe experience was a waste of time and money. I wish I hadn't gone.

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I still love it...but - 1/21/2012

I lived in Santa Fe for almost two years (during 2009-2011) and although I decided to leave I still love that part of the country. The draw for me was and still is the surrounding pueblos and the mix of cultures that live within the city itself. The climate, high elevation and architecture are things I love there too. As mentioned in another post the excessive DUI and DWI's are appalling and real problems in and around Santa Fe. Another issue is that if you're of the 'middle class' you have to be really careful about which neighborhoods to consider buying a house in, so consider yourself forewarned. A couple of people told me when I was new there that Santa Fe either embraces newcomers or throws them back to where they came from and I became a 'throw back'. As a middle class divorced/single woman who works online and knew nobody there when I arrived I found it difficult to develop any sustaining friendships but I don't 'blame' the town, it just wasn't a good fit for me. Within days of my move odd, annoying and sometimes frightening things began happening and this continued throughout the time I lived there. Finally the clincher came and I realized that somehow I just didn't belong there and I left as fast as I could arrange to get out. I want to return as a tourist again, which is what enticed me to move there in the first place and when I do I sure hope it results in fabulous experiences and good memories instead of what I felt when I became a former resident.

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has it all - 4/8/2011

I've been visiting Santa Fe for years and continue to find it a wonderful place. Touristy a bit? Yes, in spots. Expensive? Yes, in many cases. Is it perfect? No. Personally, I haven't found that perfect place yet. I don't know what some of those writing negative reviews are expecting: no place this livable and attractive and culturally rich is NOT going to expensive real estate and restaurants. You have to decide what you want and what compromises you're willing to make . . . but Santa Fe has a lot to offer.

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How much QOL is enough? - 2/27/2011

If you are craving a smaller community that offers most of the amenities of a much larger community, then Santa Fe is the place to be. With fewer than 80,000 residents, Santa Fe offers dining, arts, and events comparable to many much larger cities. Recreational opportunities cover the seasons and historic/ cultural richness abounds.

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Santa Fe Climate - 10/29/2010

It's one of the best parts of living here. It's mild year round with only some snow in the city during the winter. Yet we have 12,000ft peaks nearby so the winter sports are here at the same time.

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Community College - 8/22/2010

Best education in the region

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Santa Fe's beauty for tourists only - 3/15/2010

This city is unrealistic of the people that inhabits it. Most of the people here are struggling economically and the rich are on the outskirts striving to keep their idea of the city alive. There is no balance of good living here. The only part of the city that is attractive enough is downtown area and is only maintained for tourists attraction, but the feeling and the vibe of the place is not there. People are what makes the place beautiful not the buildings. When there is an attempt to build exclusivity in a very small space it brings conflict and disenchantment. This place has a withering identity like an old lady who can't accept has lost her beauty and youth and still attempts to retain it by all means and is in denial that is gone. Santa Fe beauty is at the plaza only.

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So expensive - 1/13/2010

I moved to Santa Fe from Springfield, IL back in 2006. I wasn't prepared for the daily expense to simply live here. Sure, those who make less can and do live here, but it is generally living beyond your means, read, "credit cards". Dining out is wonderful, choice-wise, but get ready to pay for it: a simple breakfast burrito can run from $10-$14. If you have wine with dinner, expect to pay an average of $150 for you and your partner. I'm sorry, but it's just not worth it. Yes, I love the mountains. I love being able to drive 20 minutes to the trail head. And I've tried it different ways: don't go out, eat at home, live "cheaper". It doesn't work for me. I feel that in order to truly appreciate all the wonderful things of this place - and there are many - you simply have to have some money. If you do, I highly recommend living here.

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