living in santa fe new mexico

Written By: Santa Fe Daily

Last modified: 9/5/2024

So you are thinking about what it would be like relocating to Santa Fe, NM this year?

Well, before you pack your U haul up and or sell everything associated to your name, here’s my pros and cons for anyone considering living in Santa Fe.

For the the overwhelming majority, Santa Fe is great place to live, but review this list to get the full scoop on what it’s like to call yourself a local here.

Note: Written by someone who actually lives in Santa Fe!

Local Living Review of Santa Fe, NM

living in santa fe new mexico

Abundance of Outdoor Opportunities

ski santa fe new mexico

For many others including myself, one of the main things that drew me to Santa Fe was the plethora of outdoor adventures.

If you enjoy being outside at all, moving to Santa Fe is a damn good reason to do it!

Some of my favorite outdoor activities around Santa Fe:

There are countless other recreational activities, but these will get you started!

Oh, and how could i forget?! There is an abundance of amazing Gyms in Santa Fe to choose from!

Art, Art, and More Art

Prescott Sculptures Canyon Road Santa Fe NM

The city different is an artists paradise.

Santa Fe is one of the most acclaimed art cities in the world and has a seemingly endless supply of studios/galleries. Seriously, art is everywhere.

Starters can explore more than 80 galleries around Canyon Road District to get a quick taste of the talent that makes up the area!

Highest State Capital in USA

Elevation acclimation is real in our charming Southwest home.

For those who don’t know, the elevation in Santa Fe, NM sits at about 7,200 ft!

And if you were curious, that means that Santa Fe is the highest state capital in the United States!

Be wary of your physical activity and drinking before your body adapts to the change.

Four seasons of amazing weather

The weather in Santa Fe really is about as good as you could imagine across the United States.

Over 300 days of sunshine and very comfortable weather because of it’s elevation, Santa Fe doesn’t disappoint.

Although the weather is outstanding, here are some things you should probably know:

  • 4 seasons of weather. Yes, Santa Fe gets snow!
  • Winds – Strong winds are very common and for myself (annoying)
  • Dry – We are in the desert. Your skin will definitely need daily moisturizing, sunscreen, and water

High Cost of Living in Santa Fe

santa fe nm real estate drone shot

Santa Fe is a small city with a high demand.

This really causes a hike in living pricing and anything else associated with it.

Don’t be shocked by prices if you are comparing living here vs Albuquerque.

Rental Rates for a 2 bedroom apartment will typically run around the

  • $2,000+ mark closer to the city center
  • $1500-$1800 in South Santa Fe

Home Pricing will vary widely but anything close to the plaza can easily demand close to $1,000,000 and more.

Another thing to note is that much of the buying supply are for smaller condos/townhomes.

Santa Fe Neighborhoods Overview

One of the most important parts before settling in Santa Fe is what part of the city will you choose to live.

Here’s a brief overview of some general neighborhoods/areas of Santa Fe:

Downtown/Railyard – Better suited for couples or singles as living spaces are smaller but you are more immersed in the local scene. Living options tend to lean towards apartments/studios, and lots of condos and townhouses in these ares. Yes there are homes, but be forewarned of some sticker shock when prices crop up.

Midtown – Mixture of downtown action and more housing choices.

South Santa Fe – Farther from the action and more prone to running into traffic (although minimal). Much more options in terms of housing and lower prices. If you are looking for some room to spread your wings a bit and a bit of land, this is a good starting place for you.

Artist Road (north east) – Prices can skyrocket north up artist road onto Hyde Park rd as homes built into the mountainside tend to have incredible views of the Sangre De Cristo Mountains and are somewhat close to town. These homes are often closer to outdoor activities and command high prices.

Santa Fe Walkability, Local Transit & Airport

Getting to Santa Fe isn’t really that hard but you just need a solid plan of action if it’s your first time.

So you’re probably wondering, “do I need car in Santa Fe?”

Unfortunately, you will most likely need a car if you’re living in Santa Fe, especially if you’re living in South Santa Fe.

If you live near downtown, walking and biking is convenient but if you need to go south towards shopping options or want to explore the amazing outdoor adventures, a car is almost always required.

Other transit options in Santa Fe to be aware of:

The Santa Fe Airport is an amazing option if you can find a good fare or are flexible because it’s only about 15 minutes from the heart of town.

Otherwise, you will be flying in and out of Albuquerque, which is about 1 hour away.

Santa Fe Retiree Demographic

Before relocating to Santa Fe, there’s a very important thing to note about the community you will be interacting with daily.

The retiree club will find Santa Fe as an excellent place to retire in 2024 and beyond! Picture this:

  • Pickleball
  • Excellent Gyms with Community Events
  • Walkable (downtown area)

Living in Santa Fe as a young person

For the younger demographic (like myself) living in Santa Fe as a young person comes with it’s ranges of variables.

Although there has been a growing number of younger professionals moving to Santa Fe (including myself) the largest population that makes up the community is still older retirees.

Albeit the age thing, there are tons of amazing things to do in Santa Fe that cater perfectly for the younger crowds.

So if you’re thinking to yourself, ” how does a young person moving to Santa Fe make friends?”, don’t get too concerned.

Join the frequent and welcoming, local bike club rides, visit Santa Fe’s Top Coffee Shops for monthly events, or just stumble into dumb luck.

Nightlife in Santa Fe

Continuing on from the previous point, since the fabric of the Santa Fe community is older, the nightlife in Santa Fe is lacking.

Yes, it’s easy to have an amazing night out here, especially if you have a good social cirlce, but as far as a plethora of options of late night bars or a place to dance all night, it’s not happening here.

From my latest research, I think the only late bar option is a dive bar called The Matador.

Other social recreation activities like consuming Cannabis is big business in our Northern New Mexico city.

If you are in need of your cannabis fix, explore the countless Santa Fe Weed Shops this year.

Santa Fe history is on daily display

santa fe historic plaza

Anytime you are exploring this city it feels like you’re transported back in time or as if you are apart of a history book.

Like it or not, Santa Fe is a history book.

What comes with the culture of this city? Festivals and events!

Foodies Paradise

tesuque village market santa fe key lime pie
Tesuque Village Market Key Lime Pie

If it’s excellent food you are after, Santa Fe is an incredible spot to satisfy serious cravings.

Yes, a higher majority of the food options cater towards Mexican/New Mexican but the quality of these establishments are unmatched.

You will also find many high-quality white cloth/upscale restaurants around the city.

Yes there are a variety of other foods but we definitely aren’t as diverse on the food spectrum as other major cities.

Also, familiarize yourself with Santa Fe’s Breakfast Burritos because it’s yet another amazing thing about living in Santa Fe!

Safety and Homelessness in the City Different

Santa Fe is a relatively safe city but there is definitely a growing homeless problem.

Although the cities homelessness is not as rampant as Albuquerque, it might feel bad at times since the city is small.

Finding a Job Santa Fe Before Moving

It’s highly recommended to have a job before relocating to Santa Fe unless you’re moving here for your job.

Santa Fe is an amazing place to live especially if you have a flexible remote position as most of the jobs here are tailored towards tourism, service industries, and film!

For those who are in the remote work life position, be sure to check out the various Santa Fe co-working spaces in town!

Other Things To Know About Living in Santa Fe

  • Parking is very difficult in downtown Santa Fe on the weekends with events.
  • Reservations are recommended at restaurants (if they take them), especially on weekends.
  • Plan your dinner accordingly if no reservations, your must eat at restaurant might have a 2+ hour wait.
  • Santa Fe is the capital of New Mexico!
  • Santa Fe does have an airport in town about 20 minutes away! You can find good deals but most of the time Albuquerque will be the best option.

Other important questions you might have before moving to Santa Fe

Is Santa Fe, Nm a good place to live?

Santa Fe is an excellent place to live for all age brackets. Although it does tend to lean towards retirees, Santa Fe is certainly a great spot for any age.

What is the population of Santa Fe?

The population of Santa Fe is roughly 90,000 people. To put that in context, the population of Albuquerque sits near 900,000.

Is Santa Fe an expensive place to live?

Santa Fe is above the national average in terms of cost of living and is considered an expensive city. The major expense of living in Santa Fe is finding affordable housing.

What are some of Santa Fe’s biggest problems/challenges?

  • Lack of affordable housing
  • Homelessness
  • Downtown parking

What time zone is Santa Fe in?

Santa Fe, New Mexico is in Mountain Time Zone (MT).

What celebrities call Santa Fe home?

Santa Fe is home to many famous people and many in the likes of Hollywood. Largely for the city having amazing weather and being awesome, but it’s also tied to the prominence of the New Mexico Film industry.

More of the Best in Santa Fe

So if you are set on moving to Santa Fe, or just want to dive into some more information about the area, check out some more of our local guides below! If you need any help with your move, please contact us!