Considering Retirement In Santa Fe (Albuquerque: for rent, houses, school)

[aug79]

Joqua, thank you so much for that link for the apartments. I will note the addresses and check into the surrounding neighborhoods when we visit in October.
If you, or anyone knows of any other really important things we should be sure to do when we come for our visit please let me know. We will certainly take in the scenic and cultural stops but I am asking about doing other things that can really inform us on how it will be to live in Santa Fe - such as actually going into the apartments that are for rent; grocery stores and other services. Places where day to day life is really lived.
Thanks again!

[joqua]

Originally Posted by aug79

...but I am asking about doing other things that can really inform us on how it will be to live in Santa Fe...

I have never lived in Santa Fe - but have spent many pleasant days there over a long period of years. It has grown too large for my tastes, even thought it's still a relatively small compact city. One thing a visitor for the first time will surely notice is the difficulty in getting around. The city is not laid out on a grid pattern, as are many large metro areas. Having a GPS in your vehicle certainly makes it easier today.

[aug79]

Thank you for that tip! I will use the GPS for sure and I will try to get a map before we go so that I can become familiar with the city - large street names, etc.

[Dancingearth]

Originally Posted by joqua

I have never lived in Santa Fe - but have spent many pleasant days there over a long period of years. It has grown too large for my tastes, even thought it's still a relatively small compact city. One thing a visitor for the first time will surely notice is the difficulty in getting around. The city is not laid out on a grid pattern, as are many large metro areas. Having a GPS in your vehicle certainly makes it easier today.

It's definitely a little squirrelly but fortunately not that big that you'll get lost for long. I remember getting lost in Philly and NYC. Really scary. The mountains to the east are an excellent landmark.

[GreatSantaFe]

Rentals: Most Realtors (and I am among them) do not practice property management themselves. However many Realtors (and I am among them) have contacts who know of rental opportunities. Also, our Multiple Listing Service has a listing of available rentals - and while that list is somewhat limited, it does offer another source of potential rentals. There are also several property management companies in town who deal in vacation, short-term and long-term rentals and I can provide you with that information or you can do your own searches. Other sources are the Santa Fe New Mexican classifieds and (if you're very careful) Craigslist. There are also some homeowners who put their homes on VRBO (VacationRentalsByOwner.com) (I've included the link to the Santa Fe page), and although they can be pricey, you may find an owner who would prefer a longer term rental and offer a better price for that - especially in the Fall.
Moving: There have been great suggestions made by others so I won't bother repeating. Suffice it to say that all moving companies have storage capabilities (they charge for the time your household goods are in storage). If they know the goods are going to be stored, they pack your stuff in containers that are sealed (insist on that so there's no chance of items going missing) on the front-end of your move, stored in those containers, and then delivered to you when you tell them to.
Health Care: Santa Fe has great out-patient care and greatly improving in-patient care. There are specialists of all kinds, and Albuquerque is only an hour away if needed. My former career was as a hospital administrator and I am very conscious of health care quality. For primary care and most specialties there would be no need, in my opinion, to go elsewhere. For highly specialized complex care I'd probably go to the University of NM hospital in Albuquerque but, again, I continue to hear very good reports about our local hospital.

[bongo]

Originally Posted by aug79

.

We enjoy a healthy lifestyle..

You might enjoy visiting a bunch of the natural foods grocers when you visit.

[aug79]

@ Bongo: We would enjoy the visit to the natural food grocers and farmers markets very much. I was wondering if the outdoor markets would be open during an October visit and started researching that today. Thank you!

@ Great Santa Fe: Thank you so much for your input. I would like to know more about rentals, neighborhoods, etc. and look
forward to hearing more from you. We have many questions!
Did you relocate to the Santa Fe area from elsewhere (and were you a hospital administrator in another part of the country?)

[bongo]

The farmer's market is wonderful & is year-round. It would be a great way to get a feel for the local community (plus great baked goods, veggies, etc):

Santa Fe, NM Farmers Market - Official Home Page

It's down in the railroad yard, easy walk from downtown.

I have stayed at the Chapelle Street Casitas when I have come down to town & love the location for walking around downtown.

[aug79]

@Bongo: the casitas are a great location and the market looks great! Can't wait

[GreatSantaFe]

@ Great Santa Fe: Thank you so much for your input. I would like to know more about rentals, neighborhoods, etc. and look
forward to hearing more from you. We have many questions!
Did you relocate to the Santa Fe area from elsewhere (and were you a hospital administrator in another part of the country?)[/quote]

There are many good threads on this forum and our little community of posters have great information to share. Glad you're finding our information useful!
As for me, very briefly, I was a hospital administrator down in Albuquerque and several other places around the country. Of all the wonderful places I've lived, New Mexico is the most magical (and Santa Fe the most resonant with my soul) - and that's why I/we choose to live here.