Living in Santa Fe, NM offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Known as 'The City Different,' Santa Fe is renowned for its rich artistic heritage, adobe architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. The city’s historic Plaza is a focal point of activity, surrounded by galleries, museums, and shops that showcase the best of Southwestern art and culture.
Santa Fe’s dining scene is equally diverse, with a range of options from traditional New Mexican cuisine to contemporary culinary creations. The annual Santa Fe Indian Market and the Santa Fe Opera are cultural highlights that draw visitors from around the world, celebrating the city’s deep connections to Native American culture and the arts. Canyon Road, with its concentration of art galleries, is a must-visit for art lovers.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Santa Fe is a paradise. The nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains offer opportunities for hiking, skiing, and mountain biking, while the city’s parks, including the Santa Fe Railyard Park and Hyde Memorial State Park, provide scenic spots for relaxation and recreation. The Santa Fe River Park is another local gem, offering trails for walking and biking along the river.
Santa Fe is also known for its strong sense of community and welcoming atmosphere. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including the Santa Fe Fiesta and the International Folk Art Market, which bring residents and visitors together to celebrate the city’s cultural diversity and community spirit. The local schools and educational institutions, including the Santa Fe University of Art and Design, make Santa Fe an attractive place for families and students alike.
For those considering a move to New Mexico, Santa Fe offers a unique blend of cultural richness, natural beauty, and artistic inspiration. Whether you're drawn by its historic charm, outdoor activities, or vibrant arts scene, living in Santa Fe, NM provides a fulfilling and enriching lifestyle.
Amenities
Conveniently located, the area boasts a variety of amenities, including grocery stores, shopping, coffee shops and entertainment options all within walking distance.
Commute
The high commute score in this area could imply easy access to public transportation, as well as shorter-than-average commute times to your workplace.
Housing
Impressive scores in the housing category characterize this area, potentially attributed to the availability of affordable housing, strong appreciation rates and high home values.
Health & Safety
Accessible health facilities like hospitals, doctors offices, clinics and nursing homes as well as good air quality are all factors that have led to a high score in this category.
Crime
Reporting high crime rates per 100,000 people, this area may be perceived as an unsafe place to reside. These statistics encompass both violent and property crime rates.
Schools
The low schools score might be a result of factors like lower than average education levels, lackluster reading and math scores and the inaccessibility of local elementary and high schools.
Santa Fe, New Mexico is a mid-sized city with a population of 84,418 people. The majority of Santa Fe residents report their race to be White; this is followed by American Indian and Alaskan and Black. Additionally, more than a quarter of the population of Santa Fe are of Hispanic or Latino origin, and 33% of the population also speak Spanish. In Santa Fe, only 46% of people over the age of fifteen are married. This city could be a good option for singles ready to mingle. Not a fan of sitting in traffic during your commute to work? Santa Fe offers shorter work commutes, with an average one-way commute time taking only 20 minutes, far lower than the national average of 26 minutes.
Without the right tools, moving to any new town can be very stressful and challenging. Living in Santa Fe, New Mexico could be a great experience for anyone who puts in the time to do the research required. When searching for a new neighborhood, several key items should be considered. Safety is paramount, ensuring a secure environment for you and your family. Proximity to workplaces or schools reduces commuting time and enhances convenience. Access to amenities like parks, grocery stores and healthcare facilities contributes to a comfortable lifestyle. Reliable public transportation options promote easy mobility. A strong sense of community fosters social connections and a welcoming atmosphere. With useful information like crime, cost of living, health & safety and other key data points, finding the best places to live in Santa Fe and in the areas around Santa Fe is a much easier task.
With a livability score of 78 out of 100, Santa Fe is ranked #1,981 in the United States and #4 in New Mexico. Clearly, Santa Fe is doing something right, as this score ranks well above the average of most cities. This city is also ranked in the top 10 percentile of all cities across the USA. On a less positive note, Santa Fe does not have favorable grades for the following: education (D). If we take a look at the data, we can find out why.
If you're living in Santa Fe, you can expect to enjoy a multitude of local amenities, mostly thanks to the strategic placement of essential services such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, parks and various shops. If you're contemplating a move to this locale with the intent of establishing it as your permanent residence, you'll be pleased to find an extensive array of amenities and recreational opportunities within easy reach, either on foot or via a brief commute. This wealth of accessible amenities not only enhances the livability of the area but also ensures that you can enjoy a rich and fulfilling lifestyle, making Santa Fe an attractive destination for those seeking a vibrant and well-served community to call home. Some of the more notable entertainment options include: Loretto Chapel, The Plaza, and The Plaza.
Assuming that Santa Fe meets all of your requirements like low crime rates, good schools and great local amenities, the next most important item to examine is the affordability of real estate in Santa Fe. Everything else becomes a lot less important if it turns out that home prices in Santa Fe are simply unattainable. The median home price for Santa Fe homes is $290,800, which is 80% higher than the New Mexico average. If we take a closer look at the affordability of homes in Santa Fe, we’ll see that the home price to income ratio is 5.1, which is 45.7% higher than the New Mexico average.
| Statistic | Santa Fe | New Mexico | National |
| Average one way commute | 20min | 22min | 26min |
| Workers who drive to work | 77.2% | 79.8% | 76.4% |
| Workers who carpool | 9.2% | 10.1% | 9.3% |
| Workers who take public transit | 1.1% | 1.2% | 5.1% |
| Workers who bicycle | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.6% |
| Workers who walk | 2.2% | 2.2% | 2.8% |
| Working from home | 8.8% | 4.7% | 4.6% |
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