We are considering moving to Santa Fe, could anyone help me with some info? (Albuquerque: real estate, job market)

[JustMarried10]

We are considering moving to Santa Fe from the south / east coast some time in the near future. I am a little nervous as I dont know much about the city or the south west in general for that matter. My main concerns are that we are a mixed race family, and very liberal- my husband and I have many tattoos, we enjoy motorcyles, and the outdoors. Could anyone tell me how conservative santa fe is in those regards? My daughter is in preschool and already is being teased about her racial background and I do not want to move somewhere where this would intensify. Is the job market still intact in Santa Fe? Is it a good place for 20 somethings with young children? Thanks.

[Poncho_NM]

JustMarried10;

Come out for a visit.

A mixed race family is not an issue out here unless you want to make it an issue.

Try to leave the politics and East Coast attitudes behind...

I would prefer Albuquerque over Santa Fe, but both would work well.

All of the above has been discussed frequently.


Rich

[JustMarried10]

Thank you.

[Poncho_NM]

JustMarried10;

You might read through these threads, Some typical discussions. You might get more answers to you questions, but until so, you might find this of use:


African American community

Anglo-Mexican Relations

Tell me about ABQ interracial relationships....

looking for diverse cities/communities

Anglo-Mexican Relations


Rich

[JustMarried10]

Thank you - Those were actually really really helpful! : )

[Towanda]

JustMarried10:

Have you ever visited Santa Fe?

It is very different from the south-east coastal USA ... and you will not know if it is for you without a visit here.

I lived for many years in Kansas and Texas, and am a native New Yorker, and I know that many people from some of those areas come here and really miss the "green". Here in Santa Fe, the landscape is not lush and green like you may be used to. We like to say "green is an accent color in New Mexico." This may or may not be a concern to you, and you won't know until you check out the area personally.

Being a mixed race family should not be any problem in Santa Fe at all - there are all colors here, and that adds to the richness of life. However, since it sounds like one of you is black, you should know there are not a lot of blacks here in Santa Fe. If you would miss living around other black people, that might make it hard for you here.

Being liberal, having tattoos and motorcycles -- none of that will make any difference to anyone you encounter here. I find Santa Fe very open-minded in accepting all kinds of people.

The only problem you would have is if you come here, and then complain that it is "different" here and try to change it to the place you left. Santa Fe is never going to be like any other place. I hope you can embrace it's unique-ness -- and then you should love it here. It is a very special place.

[Ziasforever]

I agree with Towanda. I can confidently say that you will have no problems here because of your mixed couple status. Towanda is right in that there aren't many African-Americans here but I see more and more the 10 years I've lived here.
Your children should have no problems either. The only thing I have to say is that the schools aren't very good academically here.
If education is important to you then Rio Rancho (a suburb of Albuquerque) has the best public schools in the state plus HP is opening a BIG call center there despite the downturn in the US Economy. You might check RR out if education is important to you.

[GreatSantaFe]

I, too, agree with everything Towanda has said. As far as Rio Rancho goes, the lifestyle between there and Santa Fe is like totally different. It's a way too congested and suburban development lifestyle for me. The traffic, and living cheek-to-jowl with my neighbors would drive me crazy. Still, the housing there is less expensive and the job market more plentiful.

[loborick]

Originally Posted by GreatSantaFe

I, too, agree with everything Towanda has said. As far as Rio Rancho goes, the lifestyle between there and Santa Fe is like totally different. It's a way too congested and suburban development lifestyle for me. The traffic, and living cheek-to-jowl with my neighbors would drive me crazy. Still, the housing there is less expensive and the job market more plentiful.

Another problem with RR is it is pretty conservative and I don't know how accepting they'd be of a mixed child. I know many in SF and there is no problem whatsoever.

[lowidle]

Hello we are here less than a month but based on your description and our observation of the human mix, you should be fine.We see lots of younger expatriots of other states. Please look at objective data regarding employment and the economy. We see a strong local economy in comparison to our old state. (CA) My personal observation is that the economic future of this city is very bright. One might expect lower wages however. We have found SF cost of living cheaper.

On the down side expect to drive lots as the city is spread out, real estate is expensive, plenty of litter, red light runners, agressive drivers.

Good luck