Move - Moving to Santa Fe? (Albuquerque, Chaparral: apartment, health insurance, condo) - New Mexico (NM) -Santa Fe County - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

kaforeman · 09-08-2006, 03:22 PM

If you're used to driving in Houston you probably wouldn't mind commuting from Albuquerque to Santa Fe, especially since there will be the RailRunner connecting the two places. You can probably find a fairly decent home in ABQ for the price range you quoted. Of course, I'm prejudiced because my husband and I love Albuquerque, but it really is within commuting distance and reasonably priced.

pgkramm · 09-08-2006, 06:46 PM

I would be surprised if you can find a decent place to live for under $200K in Santa Fe. Ditto for Los Alamos but for different reasons.

New Mexico public schools, in general, have a very bad reputation. Obviously, an individual school may be significantly better than the norm. However, the Los Alamos schools (no doubt because of how highly educated the parents are of the kids going there) are supposed to be the best in the state.

roslein · 09-11-2006, 12:05 PM

Hi

We're in the same boat (job offer - don't know where to live if we take it). We're in Florida right now and are a little apprehensive about moving so far away. (Neither my husband nor I have ever been west of the Mississippi!)

How is the Rio Rancho area? It seems like houses are a bit more affordable, and I keep reading online about how great the schools are there. Are the schools decent in Rio Rancho? Are there things to do, especially for kids? How are the taxes and homeowners insurance in NM? (We are struggling with the insurance here in Florida, especially after the hurricanes!)

Also - what grocery stores are in NM? We have Publix, Albertson's Wal-Mart (of course). Where do you all shop?

Thanks so much!! (And sorry if I have seemed to hijack your thread - thought this stuff would help all of us "relocators")

Chaparral · 09-11-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roslein

How is the Rio Rancho area? It seems like houses are a bit more affordable, and I keep reading online about how great the schools are there. Are the schools decent in Rio Rancho? Are there things to do, especially for kids? How are the taxes and homeowners insurance in NM? (We are struggling with the insurance here in Florida, especially after the hurricanes!)

Also - what grocery stores are in NM? We have Publix, Albertson's Wal-Mart (of course). Where do you all shop?

Generally speaking, most folks would consider the Rio Rancho schools superior to those in ABQ. Very nice school system. I don't know the full range of kids activities in RR, but I do know they have a decent indoor soccer and ice skating facility out there. I can't speak to Rio Rancho specifically, but I would think that insurance in central NM would be lower than Florida, but that is pure conjecture. Best to contact a local insurance agent.

As far as standard grocery shopping goes, ABQ/RR is served by Raley's, Smith's, Albertsons & Wal-Mart Supercenters. We also have Whole Foods, Wild Oats & Trader Joe's for organic/health foods. Additionally, we have 3 major shopping malls (the largest, Cottonwood, is right down the hill from RR), Target, Costco, Sam's Club and 2 new Kohl's stores opening later this year.

Sorry to assist in the hijacking of this thread!

Chap

nmguy · 09-11-2006, 07:49 PM

Excellent post, Chaparral.

One store that I might add, for those so inclined, is Trader Joe's in Albuquerque.

Although I've only been there once, it does make for interesting conversation.

proshop2001 · 10-31-2006, 02:03 PM

Considering moving to Santa Fe NM. We have been looking to buy a home in Eldorado/Valejo area on the southside of Santa Fe. Would like comments on this area and state, county taxs. Does the state of NM tax military retirements and social securtiy. How are medical facilities in Santa Fe?

Towanda · 10-31-2006, 04:56 PM

We are moving to Eldorado next year, and we love the area. However, most of the properties there have been already sold, and you may have a hard time finding an available building lot.

However if you are buying an existing home, there are many available. The prices are high ~ in the $350,000 - $500,000 range.

Eldorado is a neat place, with several fire stations and an elementary school, a horse stable and greenbelt areas, and more amenities are moving in all the time...there is a good supermarket, bank, some small restaurants and coffee shop, pharmacy, etc. When we were there a month ago, we saw that there is a movie theater coming, as well as some doctor's offices and a fitness center.

And it is really a short drive into Santa Fe.

I am not sure about the tax situation .... that is my husband's area of knowledge.

Good luck with your decision!

P.S. You can search Eldorado here at City-date Forum; they have a good page with a lot of information.

greatdanes · 11-08-2006, 07:29 AM

Expect a $300k house to be taxed about $1500 per year and a $400K house about $2000 per year. This is approx because the taxes are based on some difficult formulas about comparative value to homes recently sold and 1/3 valuations minus head-of-household and military service credits.
One thing that may be good is there is a 3% yearly cap on increases once you are the home owner of record. Every time the home is sold it becomes subject to the comparative sales analysis figures.

633red · 11-24-2006, 12:58 PM

We are new to this system and hope we replied to the correct thread relating to moving to Santa Fe. We also are seriously considering a move to an area close to but outside of the city limits of Santa Fe. Eldodrado, Nambe and Pojaque have been suggested. From what we have seen on multiple listings on line, Eldorado seems to be a very good choice for us. We will be making a trip to Santa Fe early this winter to work with a realtor to get a first hand look at these areas. We are retired and one of our primary considerations is medical care. One of us is on Medicare and the other is 63. We are not so much concerned about the Medicare coverage, but we are very concerned about individual coverage. We were with Kaiser Permanente here in Santa Rosa, CA and were very happy with that HMO. Any suggestions in any of these areas would be greatly appreciated. We will be happy to share any info that we gather with the group. Thanks much

greatdanes · 11-24-2006, 01:21 PM

To 633red:

I don't see why Kaiser Permanente wouldn't cover you in NM, but if they won't the 2 big HMO in NM are Presbyterian Health and Blue Cross/Blu e Shield of NM. They will both cover you for a price and probably both will require a medical exam for rate determination and eligability.