Some General Tips For Living Well In Santa Fe
If you have made up your mind to relocate to Santa Fe, you should get the services of competent long-distance movers to help get moving immediately and without trouble. But before you start packing for the relocation , here are some general tips for your stay in Santa Fe:
- Hire competent long-distance movers to handle your sensitive stuff.
- Pack ahead of time to avoid overburdening yourself at the last moment.
- Schedule everything beforehand.
- The city is at a high elevation, so if you find yourself out of breath, dont sweat, it happens.
- Santa Fe also has all four seasons and a spectrum of weather, so be prepared!
- Be careful when driving and dont speed, there have been some complaints about the way people drive here, your safety is in your own hands!
- If youre planning to rent a place, youre more likely to get a desired spot in the fall or winter.
- Lastly, the city has a lot of unique features and places for you to experience, dont miss out on them.
Happy moving!
What Is Special About Santa Fe
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 OKeefe Museum Outdoor and wilderness activities of every description are very close. Santa Fe is one of Topretirements best retirement cities for arts .
The 10 Best Places To Retire In New Mexico For 2022
Why did Las Vegas take the top spot? And where are Albuquerque and Farmington?
It wasn’t easy to narrow down the best spots to retire in New Mexico. But by looking for the places with low cost of living and crime rates, combined with the best weather, activities, and access to the airport, we determined where folks can find the most fulfillment in their retirement.
What’s the best place to retire in New Mexico for 2022? According to the latest data, Las Vegas is the absolute best place in the state for retirees.
If you’re a little worried that New Mexico is too far from the family, be sure to look for overlap between this list and our list of best cities to raise a family. It could just be a win-win for every generation.
Didn’t see the city you were looking for in the top ten? Check out the list below to see how each city ranked for retirement.
For more New Mexico state reading:
We then ranked each of these places for each criteria from one to 10, with the lowest number being the best.
Finally, we took the average rank across these criteria. The place, in this case Las Vegas, with the lowest average rank was crowned the best of the best, a place for you to start your second careers. .
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If We Could Live Here Why Would We Go Anywhere Else
Santa Fe, New Mexico.
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Robert Basler and his wife Barbara decided to relocate to their dream city after retirement. Here, Robert shares the story of how they made a nearly spontaneous cross-country move, tips for starting over in a new place, and why Santa Fe dinner parties are the best dinner parties.
Name: Robert Basler
Occupation : Journalist. Several newspapers, then three decades with Reuters.
How long have you lived in Santa Fe?
Five years.
Where did you live before moving to Santa Fe?
Lots of places, but the last three cities were Washington, D.C., Hong Kong and New York.
Do you remember your first trip to Santa Fe? Did you instantly know this was a place you wanted to live?
It was 1996. We had recently moved back to the States after eight years in Hong Kong, and wanted to show our young son places that were very different from what he was used to in Asia. Santa Fe certainly qualified. But it would be some 15 years before we would decide this was the perfect place for us to live.
Had you always known you wanted to retire somewhere else? What factors did you take into account when choosing where that would be?
Once you decided to move, how did you go about making the dream a reality? Did the process go smoothly?
How did you go about getting settled in, meeting new people, and carving out your new routine? Was there anything about Santa Fe in particular that made this process easier or more difficult?
What do you like most about Santa Fe?
Why Should You Not Relocate To Santa Fe
We have learned some positive facts about the city, but it is not enough to answer the question Is Santa Fe a Good Place to live? Whenever it comes to choosing a new place of residence, you should carefully scrutinize all the factors good and bad sides as well. Lets take a survey on the disadvantages of moving to Santa Fe.
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New Mexico Has Beautiful Landscapes
Known as the Land of Enchantment, New Mexico has a lot to offer its residents in terms of beautiful outdoor scenery and adventure. If you are an outdoorsy type of person, New Mexico is rich in beautiful lakes, mountains, and greenery that will likely pique your interest.
If you are interested in skiing, fishing, or even camping, New Mexico has plenty of popular locations open to residents who are interested in these kinds of activities. From state parks to beautiful trails and bodies of water and even iconic ghost towns, there is something for everyone, no matter what you are interested in.
For retirees looking to remain active and immerse themselves in the beautiful, great outdoors, New Mexico may be a great place for you.
Outdoor Recreation Beyond Compare
Because of its moderate climate and diverse countryside, Santa Fe offers year-round outdoor activities. Within minutes of downtown Santa Fe, one can be up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains hiking myriad trails or skiing on the peak in the winter. Other snow skiing/boarding mountains include Angel Fire in Taos, Pajarito Mountain and Sipapu. Santa Fe offers world-class golfing, tennis, mountain biking, river rafting, fishing and camping.
New Mexico possesses three of the 21 coveted World Heritage Sites recognized by the United Nations: Chaco Culture National Historic Park, Taos Pueblo and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. And just thirty minutes away, near Los Alamos, is the ancient Bandelier National Monument and campground. Los Alamos is home to the famous Los Alamos National Laboratory that was created during WWII to house the Manhattan Project and it nowconducts multidisciplinary research in fields such as national security, space exploration, renewable energy, medicine, nanotechnology, supercomputing.
For the curious and adventurous, there are about 104 Ancestral Puebloan dwellings to explore and 23 Native American Indian Reservations in New Mexico.
Art and Culture
Outdoor Art Festivals
Also notable are the Wine & Chile Fiesta, the Santa Fe Harvest Festival and the famous Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.
Performing Arts
The Opera also broadcasts in high definition at the beautiful Lensic Performing Arts Center.
Health Care & Therapies
Fine Dining
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Santa Fe New Mexico Retirement
Description: Located at 7,000 feet in the southern Rocky Mountains, Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico and is one of the great destination cities of the world. The rich multi-cultural history, vibrant art market and active outdoor scene make for an unparalleled quality of life, and the healthy, diverse economy with low unemployment attracts entrepreneurs from all parts of the globe. There are numerous Art Galleries and Museums in Santa Fe, and culinary enthusiasts can find great Restaurants in every price range. The city lies on the edge of the Santa Fe National Forest and 320,000 acres of wilderness, which offers skiing, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, river rafting, horseback riding, hunting, camping and outdoor adventures. The mild climate and clean air make the area a year round destination for golfers, tennis players and history buffs. Reasons to retire here: Arts and Culture , Outdoor recreation , Nightlife, Historic sites, Casinos Weather: mid 40s in Jan/Feb to mid 80s Jun/Jul/Aug Population: 68,000 State Income Tax: range from 1.7% to 4.9% Sales Tax: 5.125% Property Taxes: approximately .67% There may be a tax rebate if 65 or over
Spend A Night At The Santa Fe Opera
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Witness one performance at the Santa Fe Opera, and youll see why this New Mexico city is regarded as one of the best opera destinations in the world! Kick things off with an opera-themed buffet dinner at the open-air cantina, or bring your own meal and tailgate in the parking lot. Then, grab a dessert or drink and head under the majestic awning for a fantastic show. The Santa Fe Opera has hosted both world premieres and classic performances, such as The Barber of Seville and The Magic Flute, since 1957. And all performances are enhanced by the operas stunning backdrop of the Santa Fe sky and mountains!
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Best Santa Fe Retirement Communities
Voted one of the best small towns in the United States by different publications, Santa Fe, NM, is a fantastic place to live and retire. Combining great weather with a small-town atmosphere, excellent food and culture, and beautiful architecture, Santa Fe looks like a fairytale location. It is also a favorite place for many Americans.
Whats it like to retire in Santa Fe, and what are the best communities to retire in? Here are our top picks:
Everyone Wants To Visit Santa Fe
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Run through just about any national list of best places to travel in the U.S., and youll notice Santa Fe makes an appearance. Its a top travel destination for couples, spring breakers, and the LBGTQ communityeven dogs love visiting Santa Fe! The pleasant Santa Fe climate, plentiful outdoor activities, and fun cultural events draw in about 2 million visitors per year, and that number is ever-growing. In fact, the influx of visitors is helping to drive the Santa Fe economy as well, with tourism, hospitality, food service, and retail sectors continuing to grow and bring more business to the area.
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Sophisticated Understated And Artsy Beautiful Santa Fe New Mexico Boasts A Rich Heritage Top Notch Restaurants A Renowned Opera Unique Architecture And A Hint Of Mysticism
Cost of Living: Above the National Average
Founded in 1610, Santa Fe is a favorite with artists, historians, musicians, writers, opera lovers and the occasional celebrity, as well as retirees. It is the oldest capital city in the United States and the oldest European community west of the Mississippi. A somewhat remote place, the city sits at 7,000 feet above sea level in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains’ Sangre de Cristo range in north central New Mexico. This is a high desert, and outside of the city limits, there really is not much but prairie, mountains, scrub brush, cacti and coyotes . Inside this unique city, though, a wonderful world of art, music, architecture, cuisine and culture awaits.
Sophisticated but understated and a little rustic, Santa Fe exudes an ambiance not found in many other U.S. towns. Anglo, Mexican and Indian cultures, mixed together with Catholicism and pagan traditions, create a slightly mystical ambiance. Bunches of brilliant red chili peppers are for sale at roadside stands. Brightly painted wooden doors bedeck century-old dwellings. Elegant art galleries beckon from nearly every street. Fun boutiques sell everything from turquoise and silver to hand crafted pet supplies. Colorful flower pots adorn window wells. Five-star, open-air restaurants with well-worn floors and tiled porticos serve everything from northern Italian cuisine to eye-watering spicy chili rellenos.
Common Questions About Retiring In New Mexico
Is New Mexico tax-friendly for retirees?
New Mexico is moderately tax-friendly for retirees. Social Security retirement benefits are taxable in New Mexico, but they are also partially deductible. The exemption is $2,500 for taxpayers under the age of 65. For seniors 65 or older, there is an $8,000 deduction on retirement income if the household adjusted gross income is less than $28,500 for single filers, or $51,000 for married people filing jointly.
How much do you need to retire in New Mexico?
New Mexico is renowned for its low cost of living, about 3.1% lower than the national average.
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Top Tips To Tap Into Your Realtors Local Know
Your real estate agent can be a wealth of information when choosing the perfect retirement property, but also a great resource for local amenities, social outlets, and ways to integrate into your new community. Relationships are so important, says Ginger Clarke, an associate broker with Barker Realty in Santa Fe. Meeting new people isnt necessarily a path to a new best friend, but it is a chance to explore the community and to decide how you fit.
Get the three threes. Ask for a list of three electricians, plumbers, and handypersons. When a mishap happens, its nice to know who to call. You might also ask for a good hair stylist, childcare resource, or veterinarian if you have a pet.
Follow your bliss. Whether youre an avid quilter, an enthusiastic golfer, or a passionate pastry chef, we all have activities that we love. Get suggestions on clubs, stores, and local experts who can help you find others with similar interests.
Meet the neighbors. Ask your real estate agent to host a small welcome event at your new home with the next-door neighbors and folks across the street. Its a great way to help newcomers feel a sense that they are not alone, Clarke notes.
Retirement Income Is Taxed
Its important to note that New Mexico does tax retirement income, including Social Security. However, many lower-income seniors can qualify for a deduction that reduces this overall tax burden. The income tax break can reduce taxable income by up to $8,000. Additionally, the Land of Enchantment offers exemptions and credits for qualifying medical expenses, the value of which depends on the total amount paid and whether the costs were unreimbursed or uncompensated.
One interesting tidbit about New Mexico is that anyone aged 100 or older who isnt classified as someones dependent is actually exempt from all New Mexico personal income taxes. That exemption applies regardless of the persons income level.
New Mexico does have a sales tax as well. The base state sales tax is set at 5.125 percent. However, cities and counties can levy additional taxes, pushing some local rates above 9 percent.
New Mexico offers some property tax breaks and programs that can also help seniors. For example, the property valuation freeze can make homeownership more affordable for low-income retirees who are at least 65 years old.
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Bad Traffic And Roads
It has been estimated that 30% of New Mexicos rural roads are in poor condition, with 6% of their bridges also falling into that category, being labeled as structurally deficient.
This creates issues for many different people, from workers who use these roads to transport products every day to travelers and even everyday residents. Another problem with roads that remain in poor conditions is that they increase the risk of crashes, which not only endanger those who drive on these roads but also increases delays and congestion.
Based on these conditions, it is clear to see how New Mexico ranks as third in having the worst rural roads in the nation. This location is also home to the most dangerous road in the United States, known as the Devils Highway.
It is crucial to be aware of these factors before you consider retiring in an area such as New Mexico. The poor and even dangerous conditions of some of the bridges and roads you may travel on can definitely be a deal-breaker for some.
Tourism Drives The Economy Here
Santa Fe gets about 2 million visitors a year. And because we have so many visitors, much of the economy is geared to tourists and part-time residents. The great part about this is we have tons of great restaurants and shops. The bad can be that prices are a little high depending on where you eat, drink, and shop.
Those drawbacks, however, are mitigated by the fact that you will meet tons of interesting people with tons of interesting stories. It also means that Santa Fe has a laid-back personality that inevitably turns many visitors in those who are moving to Santa Fe. In addition, you can enjoy those same places tourists flock to see, like the iconic Santa Fe Opera and immersive experience at Meow Wolf!
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Santa Fe Cares About The Environment
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Santa Fe is so committed to preserving the environment that it has been recognized as one of the greenest cities in America! The local government adopted a 25-year plan for carbon neutrality and creating a sustainable future, and the city has embraced the Night Sky Protection Act to conserve energy and preserve the skies. But thats not all Santa Fe does to help the environment! The city promotes recycling through Americas largest and oldest recycled art market, the Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival. Its also home to waste management groups like Upcycle Santa Fe and a number of upcycling stores, such as Native Son and Hyperclash. These efforts have resulted in a city with almost no industrial pollution!
