What's up with Taos? (Santa Fe: insurance, credit, house)

[Kung Fudge]

Hello - just graduated from college here with one of those fancy useless degrees (philosophy). I'm having a hell of a time finding any kind of salary-type office work here in Chicago so I thought I'd try to move somewhere else and just get something that will support me. I've lived in Chicago my whole life and I need a change of pace.

I've never been to the Southwest but I hear names like Sedona and Taos tossed around a lot as virtual paradises on earth. Are these strictly tourist spots? Is it possible for someone with no qualifications to move there and get something to support himself (giving tours or something)? Also, I don't bike and don't plan on getting a car - how walkable is Taos?

[Zoidberg]

Funny that you mentioned fancy and useless.. those are the first two words that pop in my head when you mention Taos.

Taos is not very walkable. Plus, imagine Chicago weather but no Chicago mass transit or sidewalks. It's not too far off during some winters.

Taos is also not where you want to move and then look for a job. Housing costs are high, employment prospects are low, and the wealthy bring their means with them or go commute to far-off lands (think movie stars).

Sedona models itself after Taos, so I'd expect a similar set of problems.

Maybe you can go live on an island somewhere before it's discovered by the jet set.. seems to me there's better philosophizing to be had that way.

[Kung Fudge]

Haha, alright - that's about the answer I was expecting. I'm mostly just trying to find somewhere walkable and affordable more than anything and these are the 'cool small towns' that you generally hear about, but it sounds like a lot of them lost their true appeal a long time ago.

[newmex]

Originally Posted by Zoidberg

Funny that you mentioned fancy and useless.. those are the first two words that pop in my head when you mention Taos.

Taos is not very walkable. Plus, imagine Chicago weather but no Chicago mass transit or sidewalks. It's not too far off during some winters.

Taos is also not where you want to move and then look for a job. Housing costs are high, employment prospects are low, and the wealthy bring their means with them or go commute to far-off lands (think movie stars).

Sedona models itself after Taos, so I'd expect a similar set of problems.

Maybe you can go live on an island somewhere before it's discovered by the jet set.. seems to me there's better philosophizing to be had that way.

I grabbed a copy of the Taos News as I boarded a flight out of ABQ today.
Judge for yourself what kind of leadership that could be distilled from this crowd...

Taos News | School begins for Taos Municipal Schools

I hope this link holds...

I copied the pic in case it doesn't.



I had fun picking out the grammar and spelling mistakes on the 3 hour flight back to Cleveland. Copy mistakes even in the ads...Beats the Crossword or Soduku. I seem to find more errors in these small papers, and there is not much to comb over, really...though I'm not perfect, but jeeez...

Kung Fudge can get in as a copy editor and get it right for them...working at the "paper", you can get a better pulse of the people, or no pulse at all. Beats being a tourist guide.

I love the quote of the school principal in the link provided above, “We’re the bomb.”

Even taken out of context, It's not a good choice of words of a school official in the arena of passivity that is promoted in their school environs.

Never been to Taos, but was in Sedona last week. I agree with Zoidberg. Found Jerome, AZ a notch more palatable. I'll leave that for the AZ forum.

[Vinegaroon]

Originally Posted by Kung Fudge

Hello - just graduated from college here with one of those fancy useless degrees (philosophy). I'm having a hell of a time finding any kind of salary-type office work here in Chicago so I thought I'd try to move somewhere else and just get something that will support me. I've lived in Chicago my whole life and I need a change of pace.

I've never been to the Southwest but I hear names like Sedona and Taos tossed around a lot as virtual paradises on earth. Are these strictly tourist spots? Is it possible for someone with no qualifications to move there and get something to support himself (giving tours or something)? Also, I don't bike and don't plan on getting a car - how walkable is Taos?

If you plan on getting around simply by walking, you should stay in big cities where there is mass transportation and services.

[smartyknickers]

Hi, I've never been to Sedona, but I've been to Taos several times. Here are my thoughts, in response to your questions:

OK, first of all, give yourself some credit. Except for the rare few who have been steadfast in their career paths since age 19, most of us are not working in jobs that are directly related to our college majors. A bachelors degree proves to employers that you have the intelligence and perseverance to take on a variety of challenges. You don't need to be the next Sartre to be gainfully employed.

But I digress...

Taos *can* be paradise on Earth, if you have the right attitude and a massive bankroll. In my experience, the people who are most happy in Taos are the artists, artsy types, independently wealthy hippies, small business owners (boutiques, galleries, professional services), and hospitality moguls. They have a vision, and the magic of Taos helps them live it out. Nobody's in a rush... they take time to smell the proverbial roses.

Regarding employment: Taos is not exactly blossoming with white collar opportunities. Art, construction, tourism and hospitality are a huge part of the Taos economy. Unless you're willing to be specialized (i.e. an insurance agent, a doctor, an I.T. person) you will be hard pressed to find an abundance of general office jobs. I have also witnessed one of the most grand asymmetries in wealth in Taos, but I won't go down that road,

As a single person, you may be able to "get by" on giving tours, but the cost of living in Taos is kind of outrageous, so you'd have to do some research on housing prices ahead of time.

On a side note, you are perfectly qualified (actually, overqualified) for many of the jobs in Taos, despite the fact that there aren't load of jobs out there for the taking.

Regarding transportation: unless your home and workplace are confined to the small parameters of the plaza (aka Old Town), you will want some form of transportation. A bike might work in the spring and summer, but it snows (a lot) in the winter months.

Zoidberg is right on about the fancy and useless thing.

Good luck in your job search!

[Idunn]

You've heard that Taos, NM and Sedona, AZ are virtual paradises on earth because in some respects they are. A lot more so than many other places. But not without a few rough edges thrown in. If you want to live there you can, but in either case it will take some creativity and effort if you do not arrive with large bankroll.

Of the two, Sedona more of a tourist town, although this an important facet of the Taos economy as well. In either case they draw as many tourists because each enjoys a lovely and scenic setting and, beyond all the fine restaurants, art galleries, spas, and sights, there is a deeper underpinning upon which so much of the rest is based. If you have more than a passing interest, this may be what is drawing you.

In Sedona's case this has to do with the many vortexes in and in close proximity to the town. Briefly, these are power spots, particular alignments of energy of the earth unique to these spots. Although Sedona enjoys a quite picturesque setting, and a pleasant place to visit and rejuvenate, many people visit specifically to discover something other within themselves.

Taos is similar in this respect, but with no vortexes that I know of. There are, however, natural hot springs down along the Rio Grande river not far outside of town. Like Sedona, many tourists only touch the surface, enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and general ambience, a pleasant vacation and not much more. But Taos is one of the true epicenters of southwest art, and so much of this is derived from the spirit, the soul of the place. Even if no more than gazing at a particular painting, many understand that there are deeper currents here. Whether they fully appreciate it or not, why many are drawn.

Surely more so than Sedona, this is also why so many people have traveled from elsewhere specifically to live in or near Taos. More than a few have found it an ideal climate in which to reinvent themselves. To look for something other, perhaps to seriously pursue an interest in the arts for the first time in their lives. Or in many another way to make a departure, in whole or part to reinvent themselves.

If you haven't learned from a distance, you would in short order on the ground in either local that neither offers a panacea. Particularly in Taos, being a relatively expensive town in an otherwise poor county in a relatively economically poor state, there are day to day reminders that even the most beautiful flower grows from dirt, and will shortly return to it. There are strong currents of lightness and darkness. But also part of the attraction. Only don't expect it to be entirely easy. In either local, and particularly Taos, you will likely be tested and seriously question your motives and desires.

Sedona not as much so, but it would be possible to live in Taos without a vehicle. If you lived near the Plaza it would be a short walk to secure groceries and most else you might need on a daily basis. But this is not advisable. Either of these towns is like most other western towns in being spread out and designed more for automobiles than pedestrians. And beyond this, there is so much else you might see and do in the near and somewhat distant vicinity that you would be needlessly depriving yourself for want of the most effective means of transportation. Your time there will surely prove much richer if you pay the necessary cost.

And that applies to more than transportation. You wouldn't be amiss in visiting before making the commitment or not to remain. But should you, probably due a reason beyond mere ease, as that you could find more easily elsewhere. So if you do live there, become that you are seeking.

[AngelsAlive]

I am considering moving to Taos from Phoenix, but these posts are pretty discouraging. One thing though, about how walkable, getting around. Taos does have public transportation, does it not? It has a public bus system. I don't expect it to be as great as getting around Chicago or NY, but the bus system in Phoenix is on a slow ride if you compare it to other major cities, in terms of frequency and routes.

I have a chance to house share in a lovely house for a very reasonable rent. I am a writer but need other work, and it's sounding pretty dismal in Taos, but so is Phoenix. The isolation comments concern me. Maybe I should stick to Santa Fe, where I was originally looking. I love Santa Fe, but thought maybe Taos would be good too.

The house share is walkable to the Plaza — that sounds good.

I'm guessing people posting here are public transportation users anyway, doesn't sound it. Everyone told me you have to have a car in Phoenix, and you don't. There's now light rail too. You just wait longer for busses than in Chicago or New York or San Fran. And there's no subway.

More on Taos please, is it really that isolated and tough to make it?

[AngelsAlive]

Kung Fudge,
A philosophy degree proves you can think. (Or we hope so.) Critical thinking. Most employers want people who can think and solve problems. Don't diss yourself like that!

[Towanda]

Fancy and useless are not the words that come to my mind when I think of Taos.

I would call it scenic, charming, beautiful.

Taos is located in an utterly gorgeous setting (at least in my opinion), with the dramatic backdrop of the mountains, cool streets with big trees and adobe architecture.

Yes, the city is very liberal and a bit kooky, but I am about as conservative as you can get and I could live in Taos and be happy. Next to Santa Fe, it is my second favorite place in New Mexico.

I imagine it is not a very walkable ctiy, but you could get around on a bike there, I would think. And yes, they have winter weather, so if that discourages you, Taos is not the place for you. Some people love the weather there; I would.

Jobs? I have no idea. That would be the big challenge in moving there, I think. Depends on what jobs you might be willing to take.

Don't let anyone discourage you if you have a dream. Every city is livable if you feel that it is livable for YOU.

Best wishes and success!