Such rumors have inspired many travelers and residents, from 16^th century Conquistadores seeking the Seven Cities of Gold to a 21^st century Eastern European artist who moved here to fulfill a lifelong dream of “living near the Rio Grande,” made legendary by John Wayne movies from his youth.

Word travels about good and unusual places to visit and live, and Santa Fe is consistently ranked among the top places. In 2006, Santa Fe was voted the #2 Destination in the U.S. by Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice Awards, surpassed only by San Francisco. While it is not unusual for a major metropolitan area to boast a vibrant arts, cultural and culinary scene, it is unique for a city of less than 70,000 inhabitants, located at 7,000-feet elevation, with the closest major airport 60 miles away, to enjoy a similar notoriety. In every way, Santa Fe lives up to its moniker: City Different.

It is a complex city that nurtures both the old and the new in an effort to retain its rich multi-cultural history and heritage while addressing modern-day concerns. Santa Fe is renowned its friendly people, religious tolerance, progressive politics and social consciousness. Lately, it has become a center for alternatives in health care, energy and solutions to social issues. With a mild four-season climate that averages 300 days of sunshine a year, easy access to outdoor recreation and more arts and cultural

Chilies, one of New Mexico’s largest agricultural crops and a pervasive ingredient in local cuisine, hang as decorative and practical “ristras” in front of many homes.

Ferolitos, also called luminarias, are traditionally brown bags filled with sand and a votive candle. During winter, and particularly on Christmas Eve when Canyon Road celebrates the season, adobe walls, rooftops and streets are lined with these distinctively New Mexican holiday lights.

Often, one visit will lead to another or many others and, sometimes, the clear desire to move here. A common saying is that “Santa Fe either embraces you or spits you out,” which is to say you will either love it, or not. While many residents can trace their roots back some 400 years to original Land Grants from King Ferdinand of Spain, each more-recently relocated resident has a story of how Santa Fe enchanted and embraced them. As a real estate broker specializing in helping out-of-state buyers and investors, here are a few stories cited by our clients:

“I didn’t intend to move here,” says Martha, who bought a house with a rental property in 2003. “I had been living in Los Angeles for 20 years, renting, and not thinking there was any place else to be. I didn’t consider buying there because it was so expensive. I came to Santa Fe for a weekend to visit friends and was so amazed at how friendly people were and how easy it was to get

around, and, of course, the clean air was a revelation. When I saw the price on some properties, I realized I could buy something here and, being self-employed, I could work from home anywhere and bring my clients with me. They didn’t care where I lived. After finding my house with an income-producing casita in an old part of town, I just went for it and was totally moved within 2 months. It all happened so quickly. Now I’m involved in many community organizations, like restoring the Santa Fe River and the annual film festival. I love my neighbors, all of whom are large families who’ve lived here forever. Although I’m a newcomer, it seems like I’ve lived here all my life. I can’t believe it was so easy to create a new life.”

Gina, who relocated from the Bay Area in 2006, recalls, “I’d been to Santa Fe several times over the past 10 years to take an art class. I loved it and just wanted to be here, even though I didn’t know a soul and I had no

With art abounding in galleries, museum and on the streets, the author’s family enjoys the sculpture gardens at Shidoni, a foundry and gallery in Tesuque, five miles north of Santa Fe Plaza.

idea how it would work out. It took a while from the time I decided to go-for-it, but now I have a house I love (on the south side of town with a large landscaped yard and sunset views), I’ve met some great people and now I’m sharing a studio and painting full-time. This is exactly what I wanted. It’s beyond wonderful!”
 

Unlike many who are sure of their connection to The City Different, Donna and Richard spent a year traveling around the west, considering possible places to live as soon as he retired from a professorship at a New York City college.  The short-list included Sedona, AZ and Pagosa Springs, CO, but Santa Fe won out. “We

The Pet Parade, part of the Fiesta celebrations in early September, draws thousands to watch and participate in this whimsical community street party as it winds through the downtown with dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, goats, horses, marching bands and acrobats. Fiesta kicks off with the burning of Zozobra, old man gloom, and culminates with the Fiesta Parade celebrating local Spanish heritage.
Photo by Ginger Casey

For this writer and her partner, David, an architectural designer-builder, the defining moment for choosing Santa Fe occurred on an airplane in its final approach to our then-home in Colorado Springs. Returning from David’s first trip to Europe and seven days in Paris, he asked aloud, “Can’t we move someplace architecturally interesting?” When you think about it, there are only a handful of places in the U.S. that would be immediately recognizable from their architecture if one were set down there. Most are major metropolitan areas, and we are not urbanites. We are also western people who like our proximity to great skiing and hiking. We are accustomed to sunshine, dry weather and large vistas.

We wondered if living in Santa Fe would be as good and engaging as it was to visit for a weekend, but after six years of life here, our appreciation of the beauty and subtle details of the vernacular architecture only increases, as the light, at varying times of day and year, causes us to notice what we had not before. The charm of this city with buildings dating to 1610, the lively arts scene and beloved traditions, the laid-back pace of life and the ease with which friendships are forged continue to reinforce our decision that in lieu of Paris (where we don’t speak the language), Santa Fe is our best choice, and an extraordinary place to call home.