Santa fe : New mexico

What Santa Fe is like for active adults

Santa Fe, New Mexico, population 71,800, is one of the top cultural destinations in the world. Known for its art and music,Santa Fe was selected by Money Magazine as one of the “Best Places to Live”. The population growth of people aged 50+ has grown recently by 20%.

Located at 7000 feet in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Santa Fe offers a unique climate for active adults 55 plus – high enough to be near some good skiing, yet southern enough to have a year-round livable climate. It offers awe-inspiring vistas of mountains, canyons, and gorges. Plus it has a rich Indian and Spanish history – Santa Fe is the oldest European community west of the Mississippi. It was founded as the capital of New Mexico by Coronado in 1515. Santa Fe has great museums and restaurants, in addition to being one of the art capitals of America. The city bills itself as the “City Different”.

Santa Fe is a very desirable retirement community with a robust housing market. There are 55+ developments as well any number of affluent neighborhoods to live in. Average prices are quite high compared to the rest of the U.S., although they dipped to just below $350,000 in mid 2009. Zillow reports the average listing price was about $415,000 in 2009.

For more information on taxes see what it is like to retire in New Mexico.

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What is special about this retirement community

• Santa Fe Opera and its outside amphitheatre • Santa Fe Desert Chorale • Santa Fe Museum of Art and Museum of Art Laguna Gloria • Over 300 art galleries and over a dozen museums • Georgia O’Keefe Museum • Outdoor and wilderness activities of every description are very close. Santa Fe is one of Topretirements best retirement cities for arts (winning the Fine Arts category).

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What is not special about this retirement community

• Santa Fe is so desirable that is has become expensive • With an altitude of 7000 feet newcomers might experience altitude sickness

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What kinds of people like retiring here

People who like living in the mountains and who enjoy the outdoors and a vibrant art scene. Santa Fe has an international feeling to it.

Use this link for a page that explains the various types of retirement communities, and this one for what it is like to retire in nearby Utah

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Local economy is driven by

Tourism and real estate are the drivers in Santa Fe. For help on finding other of the 100 best places to retire

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Climate and Physical Environment

Santa Fe is in north central New Mexico 58 miles to the north of Albuquerque. At 7000 feet the town has considerable altitude in the Rocky Mountains. Winter temperatures are cold at night but warming up in the day. Summer highs tend to be in the 80's and 90's.

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Cultural environment

Santa Fe has a very rich cultural palette. The Santa Fe Opera venue is an amphitheatre in a gorgeous setting, it runs June through Augusts. There is an annual Chamber Music Festival along with other musical and performing arts organizations. Art is taken very seriously in Santa Fe as well – just think, Georgia O’Keeefe lived and worked here. Canyon Road, east of the Plaza, has the highest concentration of art galleries in the city, and is a major destination for international collectors, tourists and locals.

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Medical facilities

There are 2 hospitals in town, the PHS Indian Hospital and St. Vincent.

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Transportation

Albuquerque International Airport is 62 miles away. There is public bus service within town and local rail service within the region. There are a number of bike trails.

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Facts about SANTA FE

State: NM
Environment: Suburban,College Town,Mountains,Desert,
City Population: 50,001-100,000
Median age of Population: 25-44
Avg Jan Temperature: 21-40
Median HH Income: 41,001-60,000
Average Home Price (MLS): $300,001-$500,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: NA
Total Crime Index: 111-120 (high)
Cost of Living Index: 121+ (very high)
Culture Index: 121+ (very high)
State Sales Tax: Yes
State Income Tax: Yes
Name of the Guide: jfb

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