Santa Fe Employment & Life Style? (Albuquerque, Los Alamos: real estate, insurance, job market)

[BikeNraftNJ]

Hi all,

I am a 40-something non-Caucasian female east coaster thinking of the Sana Fe area as a relocation site for a myriad of reasons. The top three reasons include: (1) more employment opportunities [the east coast job market is competitive as there are many college educated people competing for a fewer number of jobs], (2) dryer weather which is supposed to be better for those with joint issues, and (3) plentiful outdoor activities such as mountain biking and white water rafting [I live a highly active outdoorsy life].

I am interested in hearing from those with first-hand experience living in Santa Fe. Given my three top reasons for considering Santa Fe and my self-description, is the area a good fit for me?

Thanks!

[Devin Bent]

I'd say you're right on 2 and 3. One reservation -- outdoor activity in general is great BUT maybe not for white water rafting. There is white water rafting on the Rio Grande but I have never been that impressed by the water clarity.

#1 Santa Fe has a relatively low unemployment rate -- both nationally and even for New Mexico. But the economy is highly dependent upon government and what I think we call hospitality. There are other jobs -- e.g., a movie studio may be coming in and Los Alamos certainly employs scientists -- but government and hospitality dominate. And of course we have all the standard sort of stuff: retail, health care, law, accounting, insurance, real estate, etc.

So #1 depends on your skills and interests.

If you don't think that you fit well in the Santa Fe job market, then you might consider Albuquerque which is considerably larger and has a greater number and diversity of jobs. Albuquerque also has 2 and 3 except white water rafting.

This is my cut on this -- anybody wants to differ or correct -- please go ahead.

PS There is a thread on the Albuquerque sub-forum about moving without having a job first. You might want to look at it.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/albuq...ut-having.html

[Vinegaroon]

#1: Wrong

#2: Correct

#3: Correct

Don't move here without a job in hand, unless you have enough funds to do so. Look at the Santa Fe New Mexican classified to get an idea of available employment. You can find it online.

[carolina00789]

You're right about everything but the job opportunities. Not much except in the hospitality industry....restaurants, hotels, etc. Sales jobs in the jewelry stores, art galleries, etc, for VERY low wages.