| Summary
Most people find Santa Fe a very special
place with a fascinating landscape of mountains and high desert. The seasons are
true to their definition and time providing a most enjoyable climate in
which to live. Winters with cold nights, snow and mostly sunny days in
the 50’s and cool (low humidity, dry), pleasant summers make Santa Fe a delightful climate
in which to live. Santa Fe has a cultural level equal to many major
cities, and then some. Santa Fe continues its century old reputation as
an art colony having grown to the second largest art center in the US
(tied with San Francisco, NY being first).
Population
 Santa Fe has approximately 66,000
people and another 14,000 on the periphery. If Santa Fe was a city and
not a town the area would be named Metropolitan Santa Fe. Area
population is projected to grow between 42% and 55% by 2020. Santa Fe
is 48% Hispanic. Santa Fe enjoys being an international city accepting
people from all over the world. Native Americans live on the pueblos
(reservations) and are seen in town daily shopping or selling their
creations. Santa Fe’s growth is fueled almost solely by people desiring
to live here to enjoy its unique beauty, laidback lifestyle and culture.
Commerce
Tourism is the driving economic force
with over 1 million visitors annually and growing. The primary tourist
season is from May through September peaking in July and August with the
Spanish and Indian Markets. The largest employer is the state government
with the tourism industry of hotels, restaurants, etc. being the second
highest. The unemployment rate hovers around 4%.
Climate
Santa Fe's temperate climate provides
four distinct seasons. Temperatures usually range from 24° to 55° in the
winter (January) and from 63° to 88° in the summer (July). The weather
can change dramatically with snow as early as October and as late as
May. Winter afternoons quickly warm and the snow melts with over 300
sunny days per year. Summers are temperate with dry gentle mountain
breezes, afternoon showers and the temperature quickly cooling in the
evening. Few homes have air conditioning. The average annual rainfall is
only 14 inches with snowfall of 32 inches in the city. The Santa Fe ski
basin experienced snowfall well over its annual average of 225 inches in
2004-3-4 with a snowpack of 165% but with little snow in 2005-6. Being
high desert country Santa Fe experiences usual fits of drought requiring
residents to be water conscious.
Education
Santa Fe also has nine elementary and
four junior-senior high-level private schools in addition to public
schools. Santa Fe boasts four public colleges and three private
colleges. St. John’s College complements the Annapolis, MD campus (one
of the four oldest colleges in the US. The Santa Fe campus was
established in 1964) providing a liberal education. The College of Santa
Fe provides art education. The SF Community College offers a complete
spectrum of courses for the local public plus being a junior college.
Attractions
 Santa Fe has long been recognized as a
cultural center of the Southwest with its enriched heritage and history.
Cultural events include the internationally recognized Santa Fe Opera
(July & August), the Santa Fe Chorale, a symphony and the Chamber Music
Festival, the Santa Fe Jazz and International Music Festival, year round
productions at the Lensic theater including national performers and many
local entertainment groups. Santa Fe has a continuing year round
schedule of events and fiestas. Santa Fe’s new downtown Convention and
Civic Center will broaden special fiestas and events throughout the
year. Attractions include nine art and cultural museums; the historic
downtown area and plaza: the arty Canyon Road area; Spanish cathedrals;
art galleries; unique shops and over 200 restaurants - many world class.
The Spanish Market (last weekend in July) and the Indian Market (third
week in August) are two internationally recognized trade events held
each year on the Plaza among others almost every weekend during the
summer. There are also many traditional shopping centers and two large
malls. The popular summer farmers' market on Tuesdays and Saturdays is
greatly enjoyed for greeting neighbors and purchasing fresh locally
grown vegetables, plants and fruits, and some local art. A new farmer’s
market building is presently under construction at the Railyard and will
be completed in 2007. The Railyard project will include over 500,000
square feet of new buildings including art galleries, loft combined
business and living, studios plus entertainment facilities.
The nationally known Santa Fe Flea
Market, located just north of the opera on 84-285, is an event in the
spring and summer everyone should experience. It is one of the largest
in the US.
Many more attractions are nearby
including nine Native American (Indian) Pueblos, the Bandelier National
Monument, Taos and Los Alamos. In addition to the traditional historical
pueblos and sights, the Indian Pueblos have built many large casinos and
golf courses in the Santa Fe area broadening the many opportunities for
tourists enjoyment. Santa Feans and visitors alike have the opportunity
to experience a wide variety of interests, attractions and events if
they wish.
Outdoor Activities
 Opportunities abound for outdoor
recreation as National and state forests immediately border the city
providing hiking, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, mountain bike
trails and many campgrounds. The Pecos Wilderness and Pecos River canyon
are just forty-five minutes away. Some of the best mountain trout
fishing and beautiful forest scenery is found here. Hunting includes
elk, deer, dove and quail. Several lakes are nearby for boating and
fishing enthusiasts.
The new Marty Sanchez municipal golf
course features 18 holes and is recognized among the best municipal
courses in the US. There are also two private resorts -- Quail Run and
Las Campanas. Quail Run is located in the southeast part of the city and
consists of a nine-hole course, tennis, country club and spa. Las
Campanas features two new Jack Nicklaus’ golf courses, a spa, equestrian
center and resort with over 2,000 home sites with membership initiation
privileges (current initiation: $90,000). Las Campanas is a first class
resort developed by premiere resort developer Lyle Anderson.
Several spas are available including La
Posada, the Eldorado and a longtime favorite, Ten Thousand Waves.
There are many public and private
health, swimming and tennis clubs in the city. Santa Fe prides itself in
providing some of the best community health facilities comparable to
private clubs at reasonable rates. The Chavez recreation center is a $25
million dollar facility on the south side featuring an Olympic size
swimming pool and ice skating rink among all of the usual activities.
Prices of Santa Fe municipal facilities are quite reasonable but they
are not spas, so bring towels, etc. is recommended.
History
"The Royal City of the Holy Faith of
St. Francis of Assisi," founded by the Spanish in 1607, is the oldest
U.S. capital city as well as the highest at 7,000 feet. As the final
destination of the Camino Real from Mexico City and the Santa Fe Trail
from the East, Santa Fe historically has been a major crossroads of
commerce. The city rests on a rolling mesa and foothills at 7,000 feet bounded by
12,000-foot mountain ranges on the East and the West – part of the Rocky
Mountains. The Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) range is on the East
and the Jemez range is 15 miles west across the Rio Grande valley and
river. The Ortiz Mountains and the Sandia Peak (east of Albuquerque 55
miles) are to the South. The mountains, front range hills, mesas and
prairies provide Santa Fe with unique topography providing beautiful
desert landscapes with crystal clear skies, beautiful sunrises and
magnificent sunsets.
Architecture
Santa Fe's architecture displays many
different styles, i.e., Pueblo, Spanish Colonial, Territorial and
Victorian. The Pueblo style derives from the adobe communal dwellings
with sculpted and plastered walls built by the Pueblo people. The
Spanish introduced the Spanish Colonial with woodcarving and corbels
while the Territorial style brought simple, angular lines with portals
and brick coping. The Victorian style buildings are massive with
abundant ornamentation.
Health Services
St. Vincent's Hospital has a fine
reputation and is the major hospital for Santa Fe. Medical facilities
are expanding with the addition of the New Mexico Heart Institute. In
addition, Presbyterian Hospital in Albuquerque is recognized as a major
primary care unit. There are many fine doctors in Santa Fe representing
all the major specialties.
Lifestyle
Santa Fe is very informal. The
distinction between tourists and the locals is that tourists dress up
and locals dress down. Suits are rarely seen except on bankers and
attorneys while khakis and jeans with sport shirts are common. Santa
Fe's diverse population is due to its being an international city. As in
most cities, new citizens generally find that it takes a year or so to
work into the community and its many activities. Santa Fe's motto is
"The City Different" and prides itself in the diversity of its beliefs.
Cost of Living
Santa Fe is considered to be an
expensive place to live. Housing costs, restaurant prices, retail food
prices and utility costs are comparable with most large cities. Property
taxes are low, the gross receipts tax (like a sales tax) is 7.675% and
the state income tax is 5 - 8%. Dress is casual providing savings on
clothes but all other living expenses are generally competitive with
major cities.
Transportation
Albuquerque International - Sunport is Santa Fe's
primary airport served by the major carriers and just an hour south on
I25. Limousine and van service is continuous daily between the
Albuquerque airport and Santa Fe. Santa Fe Municipal Airports primarily
serves private aircraft but periodically has feeder service by a major
carrier.
New Mexico and Albuquerque
The state of New Mexico is the fifth
largest state in size geographically and sparsely populated. Albuquerque
is New Mexico's center of commerce, distribution and business with
600,000 of the state's 1.9 million people. Albuquerque is an easy hour
drive south (55 miles) on Interstate 25. The University of New Mexico is
located at Albuquerque as well as many interesting historical sights and
cultural events. Over 50% of the state's land is owned or controlled by
the US as national forest, military or Bureau of Land Management for the
Native American Pueblos.
Real Estate
Santa Fe is a totally computerized
Multiple Listing Service market. Realtors work cooperatively in all
areas of the residential market -- new home construction, residential
lots, new developments in addition to the traditional areas of
residential home re-sale plus commercial, investment and ranches and
farms, vacant land, etc. Realtors are transaction brokers and buyer’s
brokerage is the preferred representation with the seller’s paying the
buyer’s sales commissions. |
