A Cultural Wealth - 9/1/2006

Although I've lived in Santa Fe for the most part since 1980, it wasn't until a few years ago that I heard it described as in some ways "a little New York City"--in that one can find something different to do every night of the year if one wants to. The weekly events calendar is simply huge and multi-faceted.

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Challenging place to raise kids? - 8/15/2006

There are so many wonderful things about Santa Fe that we already appreciate. The fantastic sunny, dramatic weather; the mountain vistas; the regional cuisine and art; the diversity; the outdoor recreation (hiking, skiing); and other positives. Let's face it -- Santa Fe is a world-class town in many aspects. The biggest question we have is what type of place is it to raise children. We have heard about the quality of schools and education is low. Even high-cost private schools such as Santa Fe prep have a lot of drug use, some say. We don't live there, and this may be overblown. Please set us straight if we are off-base! We have thought about moving to Eldorado with its excellent elementary school, nature preserve, and possible future direct rail link to downtown Santa Fe. What are your thoughts on raising kids in Santa Fe? What about Eldorado? Thanks, Dave

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Happy in Santa Fe - 6/20/2006

The person who has nothing good to say about a wonderful place to live should move out of Santa Fe. They will probably never be happy anywhere they move and need to stop complaining and look around them. Santa Fe is the "City Different". It is called such because of the wonderful climate, fantastic architecture, interesting history, diverse culture, beautiful mountain vistas with some of the most wonderful sunsets anywhere in the world. I have lived here for 6 years and can tell you that nothing else compares to Santa Fe. Cost of living, housing, etc. has not gone up as high as some of the most popular west coast and southwestern locations. Our increses in housing costs are within a comfortable range. We have no more problems than any other city our size and in some respects less. So to the person who wants to gripe about everything, dig a hole, get in and cover yourself against the world because that is what you will need to do to become a happy person. Leave Santa Fe to those of us who love living here.

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Great place to live - 5/24/2006

This is a great place to live. We started coming here in 1978, bought a house here in '92 and moved here permanently in 2005.

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Moving out of Santa Fe - 4/27/2006

Santa Fe is a lovely city with great food. However, living here has problems: - cost of living is very, very high - housing prices are beyond being affordable for the majority of people who live here. Even new homes being built in the city (which are of poor quality and have NO land) are up and over $400,000. - Graffiti and vandalism are a big problem and the city is not even close to handling it. Every morning there are new walls tagged and vehicles with their windows broken out. - speaking of the city - I was recently verbally abused by a city employee in a city truck. He blocked my path on the one way entrance and would not let me through even though HE was going the wrong way. Told me "F*** you, I can go wherever I want to b****!" I had to drive around him on the sidewalk. Complained to the city, but nothing was done about it. So remember to give city vehicles the right of way - apparently, they are entitled. - DUI drivers are a serious danger at all hours of the day - the public schools are terrible - good teachers, but so top heavy that none of the money gets to the classrooms - lots of gang problems - overall sense of apathy Needless to say, I'm moving my family out of here - it is NOT a good place to raise kids.

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Living quality in Sante Fe? - 4/19/2006

I would love to hear more about Sante Fe. I have a teenage son that I came to find out is not going to be raised here in Monument, Colorado. I want to find a nice place to raise him. I love Sante Fe but really haven't spent much time there. Mostly traveling thru from CO to AZ. Please send me the 411 on Sante Fe. I have made from 20,000 a year here in Monument to over 60,000 a year up in Englewood, both here in Colorado. I have been in the mortgage business for almost 14 years now. With much appreciation, Paula

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Finding work in Santa Fe in Technology - 4/19/2006

Hi, My husband and I are considering moving to the Santa Fe area. I am an Information Technology Project Manager. All I can find in job listing is for Construction and wastewater Project Managers. I'm trying to find out where to find IT Project Manager jobs, or else find a company that is willing to cross train me (I'll be happy to take classes or do whatever it takes) to make a move into construction or waste water projects. Any recommendations on either front? Thank you! Doreen

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Residences for sale - 4/18/2006

I'm interested in seeing residences for sale in Santa Fe, NM.

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Thinking of moving - 3/19/2006

I am thinking of relocating to Santa Fe and wanted to know about housing, jobs etc.

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How the living wage affected our business... - 3/11/2006

We love Santa Fe and were going to be moving ourselves and our online business there. However, once we found out about the living wage, we put that idea on hold, and it's been on hold for more than two years now. We may yet move to Santa Fe, but we will probably set the business up in Bernalillo or Albuquerque. We are a small business with 3 employees besides ourselves, and we simply cannot afford to commit ourselves to submit to this manipulation.

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How Living Wage influenced our business... - 3/11/2006

We love Santa Fe and were going to be moving ourselves and our online business there, but once we found out about the living wage, we put that idea on hold. We may yet move to Santa Fe, but will probably set the business up in Bernalillo or Albuquerque. We are a small business with 3 employees besides ourselves, and we simply cannot afford to commit ourselves to submit to this manipulation.

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Living Wages - 1/22/2006

Read Thomas Sowell's book "Basic Economics", to learn about the second order effects of "living wages", "affordable housing", etc. Also, look up the three "green" cities that FDR build as part of his socialist experimentation. The problem overall with these issues is that they look like good things to do, but their long-term effects are quite the oppposite of their intentions.

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Living wage - 11/1/2005

I'd sure like a list of the businesses that have closed because of the living wage ordinance. These things always turn out to be urban myths. If not, I'd be most interested in seeing a complete list, along with some sort of statement from the owner of the business that s/he closed due to higher overhead associated with paying a living wage to employees. Thanks. I look forward to your reply, Curtis, though I doubt it will be forthcoming.

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The living wage, revisited - 7/24/2005

The living wage is not at all novel to Santa Fe. Many small, tourist areas have some version of it. Look at Aspen, Santa Barbara, etc. for examples. I am not aware of a SINGLE business that has ceased operation in Santa Fe because of it -- mostly since it applies ONLY to those who employ over 25 employees. As a percentage of Santa Fe businesses, there are VERY few who employ this many people. A few of the litigators are high volume restaurants who can hardly say they are endangered by paying reasonably... unless it means the owners get only 3-4 trips to Europe this year instead of 6! Puh-lease... Yes, some businesses have been affected, but it seems that $8.50 an hour (the current living wage) will not go far in a city where everything costs DEARLY -- one should comparatively examine our water costs, for example, before (or in light of) the wage structure. Already among the highest in the NATION, our rates will increase nearly 70% this fall. Rents are outrageously high, compounded by the condo-izing of most apartment complexes that were supposed to provide affordable housing when built a decade or so ago. Developers here think "affordable" means houses in the $175K range -- when the wages are LOW, LOW, LOW due to tourism, etc. Try borrowing for a $175K house when one makes $8.50/hr. Shoot, even if one makes $30K a year, it's not happening in mortgage-land! Lots of pressures are at work economically here, but the $8.50 wage sure seems like a minimal issue in light of the extremely regressive taxation, very low property assessments, the high percentage of vacant/vacation homes, the extremely low educational spending per pupil, the lack of any meaningful middle class, the gouging at the gas pumps, the high cost of living/basic services, etc. As a 13 year resident, I have had NO problems finding good-paying work, but then, I have a doctorate (finished at age 24), and I work HARD whether or not the job expects or demands it. Moving up has never been a problem for me, despite my gender (F), race (mostly W), age (young), or years in Santa Fe (just off the bus). I just retired for medical reasons, but I also more than tripled my salary over a period of 11 years at ONE institution by applying for, and earning, promotions to more responsible positions. I retired making well over $60K before benefits, etc. It is possible if one works hard.

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The living wage - 5/18/2005

Santa Fe has gained national exposure in passing the first known living-wage ordinance in the country. The raise in the pocketbook is nice, however, the ancillary negative effects of this measure do not offset the positives. Various businesses (a lot of smaller operations) have shut down due to the high payroll cost. Plus, expenses have increased in relation to the wage increase. If you desire a place where you want opportunity for advancement and choice in the marketplace, don't relocate to Santa Fe.

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