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I am ending a week vacation here tomorrow, sadly. But I've fallen in love with the place. I am an architect, artist, retired and think I will fit right in here in Santa Fe.
I live in Austin, TX, which has a lot going for it. But I think Santa Fe has so much more. I will probably be moving to SF soon.
The only thing I will have to give up is my sailboat.
But you know what they say about the two happiest days in a boat owners life.
I live in Austin, TX, which has a lot going for it. But I think Santa Fe has so much more.
AND...Santa Fe has so much less! Traffic, congestion, road rage, hot muggy weather, etc. While S.F. is not totally without its traffic problems, it certainly can't match Austins. And the less demanding A/C requirements are nothing to sneeze at.
I retired to NM after having spent 12 years in Austin and I too miss the access to the water sports. Spent many a long afternoon windsurfing at Lake Travis "Windy Point." But have never once looked back in regret.
CptnRn: Did you get a chance to see Cochiti Lake? It's located about 20 minutes south of Santa Fe. Popular for wind-surfing, sailing and fishing. Also, about an hour and a quarter north of Santa Fe is Storrie Lake, an 1100 acre Lake which also has boating/sailing, fishing, etc.
So you might want to keep your sailboat!!!
Yep, this is a special place alright; glad you "got it".
I am ending a week vacation here tomorrow, sadly. But I've fallen in love with the place. I am an architect, artist, retired and think I will fit right in here in Santa Fe.
I live in Austin, TX, which has a lot going for it. But I think Santa Fe has so much more. I will probably be moving to SF soon.
The only thing I will have to give up is my sailboat.
But you know what they say about the two happiest days in a boat owners life.
Be seeing you again soon, Santa Fe!
People in Santa Fe do have sailboats! They tow them to the larger lakes around northern NM. I had a neighbor with one, parked in his driveway, except when he was sailing it. Cochiti Lake is too small for anything big enough to have a cabin, though.
To the OP...we may have some things in common. In Austin as well, retired, looking to leave the chaos behind and move to Santa Fe as soon as I can. Was there in early November and totally fell in love with the city and surroundings.
I loved everything about Santa Fe...except for the lack of greenery.
Some parts of town are greener than others, but yeah. If you like the adobe-style architecture, the art galleries and general vibe, Taos is a smaller and greener version, about an hour north. There are several creeks running through town, and the scenery is more dramatic, with Taos Mountain being so close by, and the Rio Grande River gorge.
We have been visiting Santa Fe every two or three years for the almost 16 years we have been married. Mostly around Indian Market, but at various times including just before this last Christmas.
In fact, we will be there in two days on a house-hunting trip. We made the decision to pull up stakes and move our circus there while visiting (and touring some houses) last August. We now have a solid offer on our house here in Asheville, NC, so the process continues, now with a full head of steam.
I loved everything about Santa Fe...except for the lack of greenery.
Too bad you didn't get up in to our surrounding forests. Not more than 10-15 minutes from the center of town will put you in the Ponderosa forests, trails, campsites, etc. of the Santa Fe National Forest, which covers over 1.5 million acres. About 1/2 hour will put you in the Pecos Wilderness where you can try some trout fly fishing.
But it's true, we don't waste water trying to keep lawns.....
I loved everything about Santa Fe...except for the lack of greenery.
I believe it's a matter of acculturation. I was born and grew to adulthood in the SW. So when I found myself living in places where lush greenery was the norm, I felt suffocated. It was a case of "not being able to see the forest for the trees" sort of thing. But in my case it was more about not being able to see distant horizons with the variety of topography that is typical of the southwest.
I can say the same for living on a seashore and tiring of the flatness of the horizon. But I do love hearing the constant surge of breakers against the beach. And living in big cities/metroplexes I won't begin to discuss...
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