Considering moving to Santa Fe: Advice? (Las Cruces, Alamogordo: landscaping, contractor, place to live)

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by ziaAirmac

Right on. I think it's one of the reasons why so many natives have this impression that they're being 'bought out' of their town. You can find original, diminutive homes literally living under the shadow of trophy estates. In Albuquerque the neighborhoods are much more homogenous, but in Santa Fe, many people have taken advantage of a relatively inexpensive lot (the structure on it many times is almost moot) to build their dream home in a place where only original, little adobes used to be. Once you build 3 or four of those on the block, with their requisite privacy curtain of adobe, the original residents start to look/feel like the interlopers. Of course this is all water under the bridge these days. Most of this transition has already taken place, but you can still drive the hills around the plaza and see a hint of what the town used to be like. I always loved walking along where the Acequia Madre ran through. Quiet, tree-lined, the babbling of the water over the flagstone and impossibly small and twisted, flying in the face of civil engineers best efforts. When I used to walk it as a kid, I imagined I was experiencing some of what Santa Fe was.

I enjoyed your post and I begin to understand better those of you who post that Santa Fe is not what it used to. I frankly find much of Tesuque sad -- tiny adobes under the shadow of trophy homes occupying several lots on top of a hill. It will be better when the transition is complete and we have no reminders of what use to be.

But old New Mexico is gone. Even in Espanola, which is largely Hispanic, no one visits the plaza -- instead they go to Walgreens or Walmart. A recent Saturday night I saw a distinguished old gentleman, dressed to the nines, sitting on a bench in front of Walmart and greeting everyone. This was the best he could do to recreate the plaza.

[Xavious Orgus]

Thank you for all the info.

I have ruled out the Airport Road area for sure.

It is my desire to be closer to the mountain views, as that is one of the reasons for my moving. I know I will need to be located around the Santa Fe area, because I will have to find a job and I don't want a long commute.

[Lovehound]

Me too XO. I want to be up from the valley floor a bit, just for the view. I may not be able to afford what I would prefer, but I've spent my whole life in the flatlands and I want a bit nicer place to retire to. I want a large lot too, maybe couple acres. No McMansions for me.

[santafescribe]

I am attaching the First Quarter 08 Market Report just issued today by Santa Fe Properties. Turn the graphs upside down and it'll make you feel better

[Xavious Orgus]

Thanks!! I have been waiting to see those!!

BTW, how is the transportation situation in town?? Lot's of easy walking or biking??

I am just trying to decide what kind of vehicle to buy before moving.

[Lovehound]

Man, I think I created a monster! I guess this forum was thirsting for a Santa Fe thread and I happened along at the perfect moment.

21 pages and still going strong!

[santafescribe]

Originally Posted by Xavious Orgus

Lot's of easy walking or biking??
I am just trying to decide what kind of vehicle to buy before moving.

It's absolutely a walking town, downtown. Once you get on Cerillos Road/St Francis or such, you need a car.

Biking? I bike a lot and have found some great trails and road routes. But I wouldn't bike anywhere in town - the streets are too narrow, and out on Cerrillos Road, there's just too mucn traffic.

Eldorado is a treat for both biking and walking.

I'd suggest you wait till you find out where you're going to live before buying the car. If you're going to live on the end of a long track, you need 4WD and probably high clearance. If you're closer to town, or on a real road, an ordinary car is grand.
Just as the Prairie Dog is the adopted animal of Santa Fe, I'd say the Subaru is the designated car, so that might be one to consider

[Devin Bent]

Good luck to you all.

[ziaAirmac]

Originally Posted by Devin Bent

... A recent Saturday night I saw a distinguished old gentleman, dressed to the nines, sitting on a bench in front of Walmart and greeting everyone. This was the best he could do to recreate the plaza...

Wow, that put a lump in my throat, because when you said 'distinguished old gentleman, dressed to the nines' I immediately thought of a picture I have of my great, great grandfather working on tin in a full suit in the front room of the Canyon Road house. To think of him witnessing what's becomes is a hard one to swallow. Good on you to see him and see what was really going on...

[Lovehound]

Santa Fe is way too big for walking unless you mean drive to downtown and then walk around, which would be fun. Not that you would cover all of downtown without getting worn out, or even in one day if you didn't get worn out.

I've already got 4WD so I'm ready for anywhere!