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My husband and I have lived on the east coast all our lives in very big, heavily populated cities. Now, ready for retirement, we are looking to head west. From what we have read, Santa Fe appeals to us for many reasons: warmer weather, small city, accessibility to outdoor activities, nature and beauty. We have many questions and I am trying to organize a plan for a visit and possible move. We will be visiting in the next month or so.
Such a large life change should probably start with renting first to really get to know the city/area (though the thought of packing and moving from the east coast, moving into a rental and then packing and moving out again when we buy a place seems more than overwhelming and almost un-doable. If anyone has any thoughts on how to make this part easier - please let me know).
So, if the collective "you" could tell us where would be a good place to begin to look for rentals during our visit?
The second step in this process is to assure that Santa Fe has health care of enough quality and quantity for serious illness without having to go to Albuquerque. Are there any tips on how to go about finding this out?
...moving into a rental and then packing and moving out again when we buy a place seems more than overwhelming and almost un-doable. If anyone has any thoughts on how to make this part easier - please let me know).
I've been faced with that dilemma several times in my working career, that required a number of relocations. We always put our goods in storage with the moving company while we rented short-term furnished. Then when we found a place that we felt would suit us long-term, we ordered the moving company to deliver our goods. Never had a problem, other than the usual stuff any long-distance move entails. Putting it in storage was never a concern since it is containerized at the point of pickup, stored in the container, and delivered later from the container.
NOTE: This is in reference to using the large commercial national movers like Mayflower, Allied etc. I don't have any experience with small discount movers. On several occasions we asked for access to the container while it was in storage to retrieve specific items and always had good cooperation from the moving company warehouse people. In several moves, we shipped a vehicle along with the household goods.
@joqua,
thank you for your reply. I didn't realize that the furniture, etc. is put in a container and then brought west. I thought we would have to move everything from here, it would be put on a truck, then taken out and put into storage. Bringing it from our house into a container and then stored in the container makes things much easier. Mayflower seems to be a popular company.
There is also the question of whether to bring east coast household items across the country. I have been told things have been broken by the movers, don't fit in the new place or fit in with the new landscape - so don't move too much and buy when you arrive - especially if you rent furnished to begin with.
I hope Santa Fe has short-term furnished places to rent.
Such a large life change should probably start with renting first to really get to know the city/area (though the thought of packing and moving from the east coast, moving into a rental and then packing and moving out again when we buy a place seems more than overwhelming and almost un-doable. If anyone has any thoughts on how to make this part easier - please let me know).
Thousands of military personnel do it all the time. Many employers will pay for moves. People move all the time. We have been in both situations several times. I even worked for a mover a few times.
If cost is no object, just have professionals come pack most of your belongings, put it in storage and then live off the few items you need until you want the remainder.
You learn to quit accumulating items you never use or really need. If you are in collecting antique furniture, you will pay for moving and storage etc. Our move from PA to NM in 1998 cost my wife's employer almost $20,000. Yes we had a lot of junk. (prized possessions)
I think it is a very good idea to rent first. There is so much to learn about a new area before investing in real estate in any neighborhood. And it sorta sounds like you all have never been to Santa Fe so it would be good to experience such new experiences as the dryness and high desert first.
As to medical, from our cabin on the high road, I have been able to assess specialists in both Santa Fe & Taos. Some highly acclaimed specialists chose to live in this area, so we are lucky there. Of course, it depends what type YOU might need.
Best of luck! Fall is a wonderful time to come for a visit. I bet you'll have a blast!
I didn't realize that the furniture, etc. is put in a container and then brought west.
No, normally it will be put in a trailer with other items, wrapped in moving blankets. It may be offloaded and moved to another container or warehouse.
You can have it loaded on POD's separate containers if you pay extra... Those containers you see on TV are usually overseas shipments.
Thank you all for your very helpful replies. We will move with much less than we currently live with!
Regarding health care and the need for specialists: we are looking ahead at what it may mean as we get older. We enjoy a healthy lifestyle but are aware that life can change fast. Living in large east coast metropolitan areas has provided us with easy access to excellent medical care but that is not a (happy nor enjoyable) reason to remain. However, moving to a place without a good hospital and doctors/specialists nearby would cause stress and defeat our goal of seeking an overall calmer life.
Any ideas on looking for a rental - perhaps furnished? Is that something that is better off left to a realtor?
@joqua,
thank you for your reply. I didn't realize that the furniture, etc. is put in a container and then brought west.
These are the sort of details that need to be worked out with whatever moving company one chooses to use. Storage can be at either end of the intended move. In some cases it might be wise to keep it close to where you moved from in case things don't work out. Here is a reference to the Mayflower web page on storage - with some information and a photo of the usual in-warehouse containers they often use:
When moving directly from one residence to another, if your goods don't completely fill the moving van, you may find your goods sharing the truck with other people's belongings. This can and does lead to errors, in my experience.
I don't envy anyone faced with moving a large household today. It was a lot simpler before moving companies were deregulated, IMO. Today there are literally dozens of options when choosing a mover, and many sob stories when it comes to shady operators.
Thank you for the link to the moving company. I agree, the cost, hassle and mistakes made during a move are probably too much to deal with. We will try to keep what we move to a minimum and figure out the rest when we get there. It will be a much simpler lifestyle and without the need to bring a lawnmower!
I think the more pressing issue is where we should look for a furnished short-term apartment.
I would like to look at some - or at least the areas - when we visit in the fall. I would also like to contact a realtor to help with our search if I find out that is a good way to go.
I appreciate any ideas about the apt search! Thank you!
I think the more pressing issue is where we should look for a furnished short-term apartment.
Using GOOGLE, type in "santa fe apartment locator" and you'll turn up more than you can possibly absorb by way of apartment rental web sites. Here is one that looks good, with photos of the sponsored complexes:
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