relocating (Santa Fe, Rio Rancho, Los Alamos: apartment, rentals, houses)

[junben]

I will be relocating and although there is lots of info on housing cost does anyone have a general on what utilities cost in the santa fe area? Also, the job is in espanola and I know I dont want to live there, what areas are a reasonable commute?

[Vinegaroon]

Pojoaque, Tesuque, Abiquiu, Santa Fe and Los Alamos.

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by Vinegaroon

Pojoaque, Tesuque, Abiquiu, Santa Fe and Los Alamos.

I guess that is Pojoaque in the sense of Pojoaque Valley which includes Nambe, Pojoaque, Jacona, Jaconita, and Rio Rancho going east to west about ten miles south of Espanola.

Tesuque is further south and about as expensive as you are going to find.

Santa Fe is yet further south and you will first come to the north side of Santa Fe which again is expensive,

Los Alamos and White Rock are to the southwest and uphill. They are expensive because of restricted space, but share an excellent school system and now is a good time to buy up there. Probably about as safe as you are going to find. Apartment owners are having trouble filling their places.

Abiqui and Ojo Caliente are to the northwest and may have some of what you want to avoid in Espanola.

Going northeast you might want to go as far as Embudo/Dixon.

Utilities -- I have a well and septic so don't know about water and sewer. And I take my own trash to the dump. But I live in Nambe and electric and phone seem reasonable. Propane costs a fortune -- I suspect that is true most places.

[junben]

thanks, my next qustion would be there seems to be a wide range of prices on rentals ( will have to rent until I find a place), what is the big difference for? is it crime, views, location?

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by junben

thanks, my next qustion would be there seems to be a wide range of prices on rentals ( will have to rent until I find a place), what is the big difference for? is it crime, views, location?

I'm sorry, but the answer is yes -- all of the above plus prestige of certain areas plus schools plus quiet plus other factors???

You'd have to ask about specific areas -- even then it would be hard to say. Even a little place like Nambe has widely varying neighborhoods. Your neighbor might be a 100 acre estate or a trailer.

[Devin Bent]

Originally Posted by junben

thanks, my next qustion would be there seems to be a wide range of prices on rentals ( will have to rent until I find a place), what is the big difference for? is it crime, views, location?

Another thought on rentals. In Santa Fe and Los Alamos you will find apartment buildings. Prices will vary according to location, amenities, views. Some in Los Alamos have great views of the canyons.

Other places it will mostly be single or a few units -- your nicest places will be guest houses or casitas on larger properties. Some of the variation may be the idiosyncrasies of the owners -- and some owners may set the price high assuming that you will bargain.