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I currently live in Austin and just visited Santa Fe over the holidays. I LOVED it, and have always been drawn to it. I am looking to move somewhere new in March 2014 and thought about Santa Fe as a possibility. Ive done some research and read about how Santa Fe is really low key and boring, not for young people, etc...I am not looking for a large city or anything but do want a place that has a good social scene and nightlife, a place that is quaint and chill. I will be moving by myself with no connections so meeting people is important. So with all of that said I just had a few questions:
1. Ive read a lot about the crime there. Is it REALLY that bad? Do you feel threatened walking around or leaving cars on streets, etc.?
2. What are the different neighborhoods/areas of town good for young people (are there any)?
3. Id be renting a small apartment or room, are there any good reputable websites for home searching?
Any other helpful info would be great! Thanks all!
I moved to Santa Fe early last year. The petty crime is something you need to be aware of. My apartment was robbed, and I know at least six coworkers who have also been robbed. I know a handful of others who've had their cars broken into for annoying stuff -- change from the ashtray, etc.
The social scene and nightlife in Santa Fe are atrocious. Most of the people I've talked to say it took them a year or longer to establish a social circle. It's not a good place for spontaneous nightlife. That said, every other aspect of life here, for me, is outstanding -- the food, the weather, the low-stress vibe, the job, the short commute to work, the clean air.
With the understanding that visiting a place is not living there, I would suggest that you visit 2 or 3 times, if possible, at different times of the year. Get as far away from the plaza as you can, not because it's bad, it just does not represent what living here is like. Go see the various types of housing, their locations, and determine if they will be an improvement for you. My experience is that most people need a year or so to get established in the community. The more you show up, the faster it will go. I believe it's a friendly place generally so it's not hard. If night life is important, forget about it. For the most part, it's not happening.
Property crime is what people experience most often. You learn to never, ever leave valuables visible in your car. You can count on them being gone if you do. Efforts by local law enforcement have brought down the rate somewhat. Other than that it is not a good idea to be driving late at night into early morning. That is when the really nasty stuff happens...when people are drunk. The issues around crime are just part of the ecosystem. You get used to it and take precautions. It's not something you need to worry about all the time despite news media screaming about it. They don't much have much else to report.
The largest problem I see for young people moving here is economics. It is somewhat expensive but that is something you can determine the tolerance for if and when you visit. Unless you have a job waiting for you, or capital to get yourself established, you may find yourself working multiple low wage jobs. I have seen many people leave over the years because they never really get a chance to enjoy the place, and others have stayed because they just can't give it up. Good luck.
I love these topics. I don't know where people get their information. Compared to any major city, NY, Chicago, LA, San Fran, etc., Santa Fe is CHEAP! As far as crime goes, there are good areas and bad. I have been here about 10 years, and have NEVER had anything happen, NEVER! Now, I don't leave a Mercedes with cash strewn about it down Airport Rd. either, so who knows.
The social scene is nothing like it is in Austin. Lived there for a bit, and this is more of a town for people 40 and up I would say. If you love the social scene in Austin, you will be greatly disappointed, as there is nothing like Austin for that. However, if you want more relaxed, cultured, quiet life, then Santa Fe may be worth looking at.
With the understanding that visiting a place is not living there, I would suggest that you visit 2 or 3 times, if possible, at different times of the year. Get as far away from the plaza as you can, not because it's bad, it just does not represent what living here is like. Go see the various types of housing, their locations, and determine if they will be an improvement for you. My experience is that most people need a year or so to get established in the community. The more you show up, the faster it will go. I believe it's a friendly place generally so it's not hard. If night life is important, forget about it. For the most part, it's not happening.
Property crime is what people experience most often. You learn to never, ever leave valuables visible in your car. You can count on them being gone if you do. Efforts by local law enforcement have brought down the rate somewhat. Other than that it is not a good idea to be driving late at night into early morning. That is when the really nasty stuff happens...when people are drunk. The issues around crime are just part of the ecosystem. You get used to it and take precautions. It's not something you need to worry about all the time despite news media screaming about it. They don't much have much else to report.
The largest problem I see for young people moving here is economics. It is somewhat expensive but that is something you can determine the tolerance for if and when you visit. Unless you have a job waiting for you, or capital to get yourself established, you may find yourself working multiple low wage jobs. I have seen many people leave over the years because they never really get a chance to enjoy the place, and others have stayed because they just can't give it up. Good luck.
I would add to the first paragraph, is to shop in the stores where most locals go...the walmarts, targets, the mall, and any grocery store. You will get a more accurate perspective. Wished I would have done this before moving.
I lived in SF for 3 years, and I can tell you that I had a hard time connecting with people there. I did not know my neighbors, I didn't connect with anyone at church, I just found it hard. Not saying that SF is not friendly, actually I found it friendly, but just "off" if you know what I mean by that. I feel the same way about Alb. too.
Thanks for all the information! I have a job where I can work remote so the job part is covered! Ive had my party days and so coming to Santa Fe for the more laid back lifestyle sounds good right now. I am a social person and need to have people, friends, things to do so that is the only thing that concerns me...but thats what social meet ups, getting out there and not being shy is for!
This from the perspective of an older person who has lived in various places so take it with that in mind. Since I am no longer young I may be off the mark here. To meet people you have to be willing to get out there, rarely do people seek out newcomers. Join a group that would have people with similar interests, volunteer, take a class of some type. I would say 6 months to a year to find a new social group is not uncommon in many places. Most of all be positive, friendly and smile it goes along way. Good luck Santa Fe is a beautiful place hope it works for you.
Santa Fe is beautiful, but not all that friendly, and the social/cultural scene is not vibrant. A lot of people think the city has a certain spiritual vibe about it, and maybe it did years ago, but I think that has faded into a kind of psuedo-hippie commercialism. The older, wealthier people who kind of run things there seem sort of youth-averse and change-averse, so younger locals tend to flee as soon as they can.
Though rents are not as high in NYC, LA or Chicago, they are high for what you get. Probably comparable to those in Austin, and maybe higher. If you want to be in a somewhat walkable location, a small, probably slightly shabby casita is going to cost around $800/mo. If you live in one of the sterile strip mall apts on the outskirts of town, you're probably looking at $650 or so, and it will be lonely. Other things, like food and entertainment, are more expensive than in many big cities. For example, a show I could see in Seattle or San Francisco for $30 will cost me $50 - $75 at the Lensic. Fish and chips at the popular NM chain Flying Star are $14.50. Far better fish & chips at the famous A Salt & Battery in NYC are $10. A single green chile cheeseburger at Santa Fe institution Bobcat Bite (now named Santa Fe Bite) is $11.25. The double cheeseburger at the trendy Shake Shack in NYC or LA is $7.20. And that's casual dining. Fine dining here is even more inflated and less interesting. Unless you're obsessed with concho belts, clothing stores are boring and the prices are ridiculous. Shoes and non-Southwestern ethnic food -- forget about it. So, ultimately, the cost of living is surprisingly high, and options are surprisingly low.
I would suggest looking at Boulder or Portland. Comparable rents and natural beauty, but better, cheaper food, music and art, and far more activity and diversity. The only thing Santa Fe has that those don't are non-stop sunshine, but if that's what you need, Albuquerque, though not nearly as picturesque (or Taos, though even less social) are probably a better bet. Santa Fe is a great place to visit, but I don't know that you'd want to live there.
I love these topics. I don't know where people get their information. Compared to any major city, NY, Chicago, LA, San Fran, etc., Santa Fe is CHEAP! As far as crime goes, there are good areas and bad. I have been here about 10 years, and have NEVER had anything happen, NEVER! Now, I don't leave a Mercedes with cash strewn about it down Airport Rd. either, so who knows.
The social scene is nothing like it is in Austin. Lived there for a bit, and this is more of a town for people 40 and up I would say. If you love the social scene in Austin, you will be greatly disappointed, as there is nothing like Austin for that. However, if you want more relaxed, cultured, quiet life, then Santa Fe may be worth looking at.
Santa Fe is a nice place. However, if you look at profiles on CD, median home price in Santa Fe is $295K. Median for Austin is $217K. Rents look the same, it would seem. For someone coming from NYC or LA or SF, Santa Fe may not be expensive but for someone coming from Austin, it is
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