Santa Cruz vs. Santa Fe vs. Flagstaff (live, compare, places)
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I recently visited Santa Cruz, CA. I admire their political stance on a lot of issues; they are tolerant of diversity, kind to the homeless, against expansion, very liberal (although perhaps a little to slacking on gang issues.) I like the abundance of health food stores! Wow! Impressive. But the city is a little bit gritty and some people seemed socially odd, removed psychologically making no eye contact, not smiling. I'm fine with hippies but when they're in their own little world and sort of anti-social, I wonder what's going on with them. So Santa Cruz has its pros and cons.
I will be visiting Santa Fe and Flagstaff next month. To those of you who have visited or lived in both Santa Cruz and Santa Fe or Flagstaff, how would you compare them?
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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The way you described the hippies in Santa Cruz sounds a lot like the ones I've encountered in Oregon. I think the pot smoking passive aggressive mindset has a lot to do with it.
I haven't experienced Flagstaff (though I'd love to) but I have been to Santa Fe. It's different than any other city I've experienced and sort of marches to its own drum beat. The city has a strict uniform architectural code of adobe revival. A lot of it is very faux but still pretty cool nonetheless. Artistry is everywhere! Lots of art galleries, a very vibrant creative class, the hippies there are a bit older and the city has been very gentrified with a lot of money. Trust fundies like to hang out there, eclectic old ladies draped in turquoise jewelry, and there is a very palpable sense of new agey spirituality in Santa Fe. New Mexico, including Santa Fe also has a very large Native American influence, which I thought was pretty cool. I thought most places I went in New Mexico were pretty friendly. You may encounter a random pretentious snob in Santa Fe here and there but I didn't find the place anti-social at all. It's a really neat city, I'd definitely go back again. Oh yeah and the food there is awesome. Be prepared to answer the question; red or green chiles?
Thanks for your input, caphille! I'm really looking forward to Santa Fe!!
rm2, I know some people have strong attachments to the boardwalk amusement park because of childhood memories or otherwise, but I think the place is a blight on the landscape. I was really turned off by it. It's an area I would usually avoid.
Also Taos is very beautiful, so is the ride from SF going up to Taos, just breathtaking scenery. One of those memories that still tugs at my heartstrings.
The museums in Santa Fe are definitely also well worth your time.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 09-07-2011 at 06:08 PM..
I'll be in the Southwest (AZ, NM and CO) for 16 days.
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