santa fe demographics (Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Los Alamos: middle-class, ski resorts, health insurance)

[eekwine]

great info, thanks again DB

just found this "Lovely 2 acre Pojoaque adobe hacienda with guest house, studio, big trees... and horses are allowed!"

could possibly do with less acreage depending on what surrrounds it

don't like big boxes or covenants or too much prestige (which generally attracts the wrong element in imo :~})

home & neighborhood charm, riding accessibility, peace & quiet & probably access to SF (will need to work but am pretty employable) are all important- also important is living where it is not too high of an elevation for ease of road travel

PS is there a thread on the Espanola area? not sure what that is like or how close to SF it is

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by eekwine

great info, thanks again DB

just found this "Lovely 2 acre Pojoaque adobe hacienda with guest house, studio, big trees... and horses are allowed!"

could possibly do with less acreage depending on what surrrounds it

don't like big boxes or covenants or too much prestige (which generally attracts the wrong element in imo :~})

home & neighborhood charm, riding accessibility, peace & quiet & probably access to SF (will need to work but am pretty employable) are all important- also important is living where it is not too high of an elevation for ease of road travel

PS is there a thread on the Espanola area? not sure what that is like or how close to SF it is

Sounds great and there are times when I would prefer two acres to five.

What's around it can be important up here. You could, depending upon the neighborhood, have similar places all around you, or a 40 acre estate on one side and a trailer on the other. Big trees are probably cottonwoods (a beautiful yellow in the fall) and make it sounds like you are close to the Pojoaque River (a courtesy title, not much water most of the time) or one of its tributaries. The view can be mountains or river or simply low hills or adobe walls and coyote fences. Look before you leap. Ask neighbors with horses about riding.

Please don't raise the subject of Espanola which is about eight miles north of Pojoaque. Search for existing threads. I shop and dine and visit friends up there. If you live in Pojoaque, the Walmart, Loews, etc are closer there than comparable in Santa Fe. But there are people on this board who won't set foot up there. Don't get us going.

And if you are up here, use the Nambe Drug Store in Pojoaque rather than the Walgreen's in Espanola -- shorter drive and shorter lines.

[eekwine]

DB-thanks again- no didn't want to start a thread on espanola, just wondered if there were some already which it sounds like there is- i'll search for a search option

[Towanda]

I personally love the covenants in Eldorado and glad they are enforced.

Because the lots are small (1-2 acres), the convenants keep the neighbors from encroaching on my rights and keep me from encroaching on theirs. No two story homes are allowed anymore (to keep from blocking a neighbor's view), outdoor lighting pointing upward is prohibited, which keeps the night sky dark and better for looking at stars. Housing design requirements keep a pueblo Santa Fe style architecture throughout Eldorado, which creates a certain ambience that Eldorado is known for. Trailers, boats, etc. are not permitted in driveways, and I am glad of that. Large areas planted and requiring irrigation are restricted, protecting the precious water.

Eldorado and the covenants are not for everyone. For me and my husband, they greatly enhance the character of the neighborhood. Anyone who dislikes covenants should look elsewhere for a home.

Another plus for Eldorado are the amenities the community offers for residents - greenbelts, shopping and restaurants, a fitness center and video rental place, a pool, tennis courts, a horse stables, a dog park, a wilderness preserve and nature trails, a library, a community center, a senior center, an elementary school, as well as many classes for residents to take.

[Devin Bent]

I'd be the first to admit that many people love covenants and did not mean to offend. But people who move to the southwest from older more established areas may only know zoning (enforced by local government) and be totally unaware of covenants (based on contract law). Of course, some areas back east have covenants, but I believe they are more the exception.

I think covenants or not is an issue for a home buyer moving here and people should be aware of how they differ from zoning. In some areas, and I suspect Eldorado is one, people are informed upfront about covenants. But in others they really are just stuck in the pile of papers that you receive at closing.

Like I say, I am not maligning Eldorado -- or I certainly don't mean to.

[Towanda]

Oh I know you weren't maligning, Devin.

I guess I just wanted to defend Eldorado a little because the covenants are what help keep it a special place to live....and we really do feel it is a special place.

And yes ... the covenants at Eldorado are presented right up front so no one has any excuse for not knowing they exist.

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by Towanda

Oh I know you weren't maligning, Devin.

I guess I just wanted to defend Eldorado a little because the covenants are what help keep it a special place to live....and we really do feel it is a special place.

And yes ... the covenants at Eldorado are presented right up front so no one has any excuse for not knowing they exist.

Yes, convents are legally binding on the theory the buyer gave an informed consent when he/she bought. Problem is that the courts have not been good about making sure that people did in fact give this consent.

If you get a pile of papers on closing day and you have never heard of covenants, it is a little late to go out and research the question. Typically, a bigger, professionally managed association -- and I believe Eldorado is one -- do a much better job of informing people.

Also the consistent look of the place should give potential buyers a clue that something is different.

[Towanda]

Our real estate agent - and he is not employed by Eldorado - made sure we were informed about the covenants the very first time we met with him.

Of course, we have been very familiar with the covenants for years, because we have owned property in Eldorado since 1993 and it was mandatory even back then that we knew about the covenants, and I think we signed a paper that we had received the information.

[santafescribe]

La Cienega is another option - trees, water, houses with bigger lots and a relaxed attitude towards most things, including horses. Unsurprisingly I find that clients with more relaxed attitudes fare best in La Cienega....

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by santafescribe

La Cienega is another option - trees, water, houses with bigger lots and a relaxed attitude towards most things, including horses. Unsurprisingly I find that clients with more relaxed attitudes fare best in La Cienega....

Sorry, my Spanish is very weak. But isn't "La Cienega," the swamp?

Seriously, please tell us something about La Cienega. I have driven by many times on the Interstate, but always in hurry to get to ABQ and have never gone in. Any pictures posted anywhere?

About 6,000 feet, it must be a little warmer than Santa Fe. The name implies it has water. That's all I know.