Santa fe vs tucson PLEASE HELP (Albuquerque: homes, pros and cons, living in)

[electric_wallflower]

i am moving in with a couple of friends in late february, and we will either be living in Tucson, AZ or Santa Fe, NM. Personally I would prefer to live in AZ because when I had visited there, I fell in love with the area. However, the decision is not completely up to me. I don't know much information about Santa Fe, so could someone please list important pros and cons to living there! Your responses are greatly appreciated!

[cynanthus]

Here are a few differences:

Tucson = 525,000 people
Santa Fe = 77,000 people

Tucson = 0.7 inches of snow a year
Santa Fe = 25 inches of snow a year

Tucson = 100.1 average high temp in July
Santa Fe = 81.9 average high temp in July

Tucson = 37.7 average low temp in Jan
Santa Fe = 18.8 average low temp in Jan

So... even though both cities are in the southwest, there are some huge differences in population and climate. Do you want a large desert city with warm temperatures? Or a small city in the mountains with four seasons?

[domino]

I agree with cynanthus . . . once you decide what your preferences and priorities are, the answer will be obvious.

[TomM1]

I moved to SF from Tucson.
Lived there in the mid 70's and from 2001 to 2008.
Grew up in Phoenix.

I still like Tucson.
Things I didn't like;
Hot 5 months out of the year.
Traffic. Some smog.
Light on culture.

It does have a nice mountain range nearby.

[jaxart]

While the biggest OBVIOUS difference is that of climate, it's difficult to otherwise compare the two. Both are highly desirable places to live (IMO), but for a variety of different reasons. It would be nice if a person could have homes in both locations, thereby enjoying a mild outdoor experience year around. Tucson has Santa Fe beat hands down if one needs access to large shopping centers and all of the major retailers.

[nategdh]

Well for Santa Fe residents usually do their big shopping in Albuquerque. Its not too far away, you can even take the roadrunner.

[TomM1]

Originally Posted by nategdh

Well for Santa Fe residents usually do their big shopping in Albuquerque. Its not too far away, you can even take the roadrunner.

Hmmmmm..... I wonder what you mean by "big shopping"?
I have yet to feel any need to go to Albuquerque for anything.
Although, I wouln't mind if they opened an Apple store in SF.

[rybert]

Yeah, that's got to be the only thing ABQ has that SF doesn't, an Apple store (as far as shopping goes...). The interweb will allow you skip the trip altogether.

[mortimer]

Originally Posted by jaxart

... It would be nice if a person could have homes in both locations, ...

I don't think it would be nice.

Having two homes means that you are never home.

If you go someplace for six months then someplace else for
another six months, then starting about three or so months in,
you start mentally preparing to move back to your other
home from your home. It's too confusing.

I say pick a place that you can tolerate all twelve months
and live there. If you want to go somewhere else, take a
vacation.

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by mortimer

I don't think it would be nice.

Having two homes means that you are never home.

Where I live probably 75 percent of the homes are "second homes" that people come to part time each year. After all, "Home is where the heart is!"