? about living in Santa Fe area (Albuquerque, Rio Rancho: crime rate, mortgage, house)

[Towanda]

We bought our property in Eldorado near Santa Fe fifteen years ago. It is all paid for and the value has increased six-fold. Because we already own the very expensive land, we are going to be able to afford (barely) to build a house on it.

Buying that land was one of the smartest things we ever did.

[corraleno]

First of all, I'd definitely avoid Espanola. If you can stand the longer commute (45 minutes or so), Rio Rancho is certainly worth looking into, especially the newly developing north end, which is closer to I-25 (in Bernalillo). Also, as someone mentioned, the RailRunner commuter train should be operating to SF from Bernalillo in the near future. You can find a house in the $150K bracket in a decent single-family development in Rio Rancho. Good place to raise kids, and the Albuquerque area is cheaper than Santa Fe for gas, groceries, etc. Lots of kid-friendly activities and amenities in Albuquerque, too (zoo, aquarium, natural history museum, kid's science museum, lots of parks and summer programs.)

I can't imagine where you'd find a place for $150K in Santa Fe -- most empty lots cost more than that, and you'd figure at least $100/sq' to build on it. Check realtor.com for an idea of housing prices in SF and RR, and mapquest can give you estimated commute times.

You would definitely like the climate here after Houston! No humidity, and even if it's hot, the aridity means you never feel sweaty and clammy.

[shammy]

In Eldorado (great neighborhood - lowest crime) my realtor told me recently that a 2 bdrm 1 1/2 bath 1000 sq ft home with a 1 car grag sold for $260K but that is very rare. Very hard to find a home under $300k.
The school system in SF s*@ks!

[Towanda]

shammy ~

I don't have any children in school anymore, but I am interested to know what the school in Eldorado is like. Is it a part of the Santa Fe school system?

[shammy]

Towanda - the grade school in Eldorado (and it's lower grades only) is one of the best in NM. It is also one of the richest.
After grade school my friends with kids tell me, it really goes downhill. I know people who really can't afford it but are spending thousands per year at the Santa Fe Academy and other private schools because their kids have been crime victims in the high schools in SF.

[BrianH]

Santa Fe would be a great place to live, if you like that kind of place. Everything looking the same just dosent get me going. Plus its the only place in the world ive ever spent $8 on a 12oz bottle of beer!

[sabbaticalgirl]

Santa Fe is certainly an expensive place, but I was able to find a three-bedroom home within 1 1/2 miles from the Plaza for under 300K. I might be in the minority, but I do believe that houses are out there, especially in Casa Allegre and definitely near Airport Rd (south of town) that are affordable.

Rio Rancho is certainly more affordable, but in my opinion, you're just in another giant suburb where it takes at least 30 minutes to get to Albuquerque and 45 to Santa Fe.

I don't know about the schools, but what I've heard isn't that great. There are some good charter schools out there, though.

For me, the joy of Santa Fe (and what's worth paying for) is the big sky, mountains, world-class food and culture, lack of humidity, 300+ days of sunshine, not too hot summers and close proximity to all sorts of outdoor activities.

[Towanda]

Thanks for your post, sabbaticalgirl. As a future Santa Fe resident, it is nice to read something positive from someone who lives in the city. I look forward to more of your posts about Santa Fe in the future.

[tito]

Originally Posted by Towanda

Thanks for your post, sabbaticalgirl. As a future Santa Fe resident, it is nice to read something positive from someone who lives in the city. I look forward to more of your posts about Santa Fe in the future.

My first choice was to try to move to Santa Fe, but I had to settle in Las Cruces because I could not afford to buy what I wanted in SF. As a matter of fact, when I told the Real Estate people that I had earmarked $200,000 for housing, they totally ignored me and did not even bother to answer my e-mails, as if I were and indigent person. I supposed that if you tell them you have 300,000 and more available for housing, they will send you a listing. I believe you are very fortunate getting a house for under 300 and I wish you a lot of success in Santa Fe. Please keep us informed about your new experiences as a new resident in that elite city.

[Towanda]

We own property in Eldorado that is all paid for and worth a nice little sum compared to what we paid for it. We hope to have a house built on the property, but if the bids from builders come in too high, we will sell the property and will be able to afford to buy an existing home in Eldorado. It's all very exciting!