Real Estate Information Archive

Whether you realize it or not, New Mexico is well respected for its wine and has a deep-rooted history in wine making. While many people associate California as wine country, it is actually New Mexico that is the oldest wine-producing state in the nation. 140 years before California's first vineyards were even planted, Spanish monks smuggled vine cuttings into New Mexico.

By 1804, wine was one of New Mexico's top three exports. Vineyards stretched from Bernalillo to Socorro. Unfortunately, the turn of the century brought repeated flooding to the Rio Grande, destroying vineyards. Prohibition only further drove the fall of New Mexico's wine industry.

1978 was another turning point, but this time in the right direction. Today, New Mexico is home to 42 wineries and tasting rooms and produces 700,000 gallons of wine a year.

Maybe you are just considering Santa Fe Real Estate, or maybe you have lived in New Mexico all your life. Either way, experiencing its wine is like re-visiting its history. The following are a few of Santa Fe's best wine vendors:

Vino Del Corazon Wine Room
235 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
At the center of Santa Fe's Historic shopping and Arts District, the Vino Del Corazon tasting room offers a charming and comfortable atmosphere. Try their spicy "Santa Fe Siesta Red" or their soft and fruity "Beso Blush."

La Boca
72 W. Marcy Street, Santa Fe, NM 87503
It may be a tapas bar, but it has an extensive wine selection. From Spanish, to Argentinia, Italy, to France - they have wines from all different regions that perfectly pair with their amazing tapas.

Estrella Del Norte Vineyard
106 N Shining Sun, Santa Fe, NM 87506
Located about 20 minutes north of Santa Fe, this small vineyard offers a wide variety of wine that they grow, make and sell. The wine tasting room is set in a European style garden and orchard, completing the tasting experience.

For more information on all of the amazing amenities, events, and discoveries of Santa Fe, don't hesitate to contact me. It's impossible to run out of things to do and places to go in this fantastic city I call home. If you contact me, I can help you call Santa Fe home too.

Susan Orth
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-310-4133
Email: [email protected]
SantaFeHomeStore.com
My Featured Properties
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

Santa Fe, New Mexico proudly ranked in the top ten most popular and affordable places in America to retire!  Climate, recreation and hobbies, cost of living, and convenience strongly influence the decisions of most later-life moves.  So what are the most popular locations?

     1. Bend, Ore.
     2. Napa, Calif.
     3. Fort Meyers, Fla.
     4. Fayetteville, Ark.
     5. Las Vegas
     6. Sante Fe, N.M.**
     7. Punta Gorda, Fla.
     8. Phoenix
     9. Santa Cruz, Calif.
     10.Burlington, Vt.

The best place for you to retire, however, and the order of priorities will completely unique.  While this list provides an idea of where the greater retirement population is settling, you’ll want to evaluate your own personal preferences and rank each item’s importance level. Coming in at number 6 on the list with 20% growth in the 50+ population is our own Sante Fe!

So why are retirees choosing the Land of Enchantment?  Artistic foundations, world-class dining, shopping, high air quality, gorgeous views, and warm temperatures are strong enough arguments to entice anyone!  Santa Fe is very popular among active members of the retirement community, with vibrant culture, friendly people, and outdoor activities year-round. In addition to the quality of life, the average list price range is an affordable $350,000- $415,000.  

Safely in the middle, Sante Fe may not be the most affordable, but gladly it has so much more to offer!  Justified by sunshine, recreation, art, fine Santa Fe real estate, and an overall fine quality of life, more and more retirees are finding Sante Fe worth the move!  If you’re thinking of relocating to Santa Fe, contact me today for more information on the ‘City Different’ and Santa Fe real estate!

Susan Orth
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-310-4133
Email: [email protected]
SantaFeHomeStore.com
My Featured Properties
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

The beauty of living in a city like Santa Fe, New Mexico, is the availability of arts, theater, and culture right at your fingertips. While most people would die for a trip to a world-class opera house, Santa Fe has one right in their backyard.

The Santa Fe Opera is recognized as one of the world's leading cultural festivals. Imagine a state-of-the-art adobe theater set against a backdrop of the high desert landscape - a beautiful fusion of nature and art - and you have the Santa Fe Opera House. Located just five minutes north of downtown Santa Fe, the Opera is housed on a 99 acre property with sweeping views of the Sangre de Cristo and Jemez Mountains.

More than 1,600 performances of nearly 140 different operas, 9 world premiers and 40 American premieres - all held at this one-of-a-kind theater. Conductor John Crosby's vision was to provide American singers with an opportunity to perform in a setting that allowed ample time to prepare each and every production. With its laid back personality, tranquil setting and passion for the arts, Santa Fe was the perfect city for such a novel concept.

Open for the months of July and August, it is one of the best places to spend your time in Santa Fe. Here are a few more things to add to your list of things to do this summer in Santa Fe…

The Santa Fe Opera Backstage Tours
Available: May 31-August 28
When: 9 a.m., Monday - Saturday
A docent-led, hour long sneak peak of what goes on behind the scenes of one or Santa Fe's world-class productions. Its open air stage requires hundreds of behind-the-scenes visionaries and stage hands to create the magic of the opera. Along with that, there are no curtains on the stage, so all scenery and cast changes must be built in to the production. Find out all the little secrets of the Santa Fe Opera, which is sure to lead you to an even greater appreciation for this theater.

The Tales of Hoffman
An Offenback masterpiece and never before seen in Santa Fe, this production is a must see. A poet duels with the deceitful Councilor Lindorf over the opera star Stella. Starring Tenor Paul Groves, conducted by Stephen Lord, and directed by Chirtopher Alden.

Madame Butterfly
Even the most unseasoned Opera-goer has heard of the highly regarded Madame Butterfly. There is no better time to catch this classic than at the Santa Fe Opera. Kelly Kaduce stars as Puccini's heroine Cio-Cio-San, while Antony Walker and Lee Blakely debut as conductor and stage director.

The Magic Flute
The romantic story of how the powers of music and love trump evil, this is Mozart's ultimate opera. Enough said. Sold out in 2006, you will want to get your tickets for this one now. Joshua Hopkins and Andrea Silvestrelli star as Papgeno and Sarastro, while Lawrence Renes serves as the valiant conductor.

An avid Opera-goer myself, I look forward to the opera season in Santa Fe.  Did I mention tailgating?  You need to get there early for a spot in the upper parking lot.  Fine food, wine, champagne and watch as the sun sets in the gorgeous skies.   With Madame Butterfly checked off my list, my next stop is the Magic Flute.   I can't help but appreciate living in Santa Fe when I attend productions at this fantastic opera house. You too can live in such a place. Just give me a call if you'd like to look at some Santa Fe real estate. Always happy to answer any questions, even if it's just  my review of the Opera.

Susan Orth
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-310-4133
Email: [email protected]
SantaFeHomeStore.com
My Featured Properties
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

Aldea, New Mexico is a special community that deserves to be called to attention. For those of you thinking about Santa Fe Real Estate, a home in Aldea may be just what you are looking for…

Aldea translates to "small village" and, in the truest sense of the word, it is. A village is defined as a small group of dwellings in a rural area, and is often thought of as an older, historical town. When people think "village" they think community, pedestrian, natural environment. In all actuality, it is a modern residential community that took strategic planning to create the rustic exterior that it emits, but the result was something incredible.

The community layout was based on traditional Colonial towns. Designed by world renowned architect, Andres Duany, Aldea was inspired by a movement called New Urbanism. The intention of New Urbanism is to create communities that are designed to encourage human interaction in an inviting public realm, all while incorporating the traditions and habits of communities throughout history that have proven successful in the past.

Living in Aldea means not being dependent on automobiles, and instead depending on your bicycle or your feet to get you from home to store to work - which are never too far apart. It is located within close enough reach of the amenities and city life of Santa Fe, but far enough so that when you are there, its as though you are miles from civilization. The landscape is rugged, the air is fresh, and the signs of nature are all around.

Living in Aldea means not keeping your neighbors at a distance, but easily within reach, to encourage a closer knit community. Community meetings, neighborhood gatherings, exercise classes and conferences are all held at the Community Building.

Living in Aldea means not calling attention to trophy houses, but instead to the breathtaking streetscapes, open spaces, numerous pocket parks, and rolling foothills. Homes surround a central commercial and civic plaza, and the town itself was built on a series of dramatic ridges. This gives way for breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Living in Aldea may not be for everybody. But I can guarantee you that if you desire to live a stress-free lifestyle, where mountain views and rugged landscape are not just something that you see on a postcard, but a scene regularly available from your backyard, then Aldea is for you. If I have piqued your interest in Aldea New Mexico Real Estate, then give me a call. Even if it's just to see for yourself this seemingly imaginary village that is fast becoming one of Santa Fe's hidden gems.

Susan Orth
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-310-4133
Email: [email protected]
SantaFeHomeStore.com
My Featured Properties
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast