Real Estate Information Archive

The population of Santa Fe more than doubles for a week.

Check out the SWAIA Indian Market.

Saturday, August 20: 7:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Sunday, August 21: 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Free Admission. The Santa Fe Indian Market is the preeminent Native arts market in the world; it simultaneously embraces the past, present and future of Indian Arts. There is simply no other time and place in the Native arts world where the impact and influence of Native culture and identity is reinforced, reestablished and reinvented. The Indian Market features visual arts, literature, film, music, culinary arts, symposiums and much more. The Santa Fe Indian Market hosts over 1100 artists from 100 tribes and is the largest cultural event in New Mexico, attracting 100,000 visitors per year.

Get to the Plaza and enjoy!

Just ten miles NE of Santa Fe and three miles from Tesuque, lies the Village of Chupadero.  This small, fairly unknown community is a jewel located in the Chupadero River Valley along County Road 78, which is only a little more than a mile long.  This area boasts amazing views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains to the east  and the Jemez mountains to the west.  Amazing rainbows, sunrises and sunsets as well as a year round running creek.   You will find miles of trails nearby to hike or bike in the Santa Fe National Forest.  What you will not find in the Chupadero Valley is pollution… no air pollution, light pollution or noise pollution. 

After enjoying the peace and tranquility of home,  a short 10 or 15 minute drive takes you to;

-Gabriel’s Mexican Restaurant

-Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino

-The Santa Fe Opera 

-The Tesuque Flea Market 

-Shidoni Foundry

-Tesuque Village Market 

The new Encantado Resort is just 3 miles down the road with its award winning Terra at Encantado Restaurant and the Santa Fe Plaza, with its many shops and restaurants is 20 minutes away.

If you take a 30 minute drive you can spend a day at the spa, the Ojo Caliente hot springs, or visit the city of Los Alamos, or the Bandelier National Monument  and see the many ruins and cliff dwellings.  Or jump off for a day trip to Chimayo or Truchas and take the beautiful “High Road to Taos.”

Chupadero Gatherings

Do you enjoy poetry?  Join the local poetry group for monthly potluck dinners and poetry readings, including open mic segments.

In autumn-one of the most beautiful seasons in the valley-take your baskets, jars and appetite to a local apple-pressing event.  Pick you own apples, fill your jars with freshly pressed apple juice and feast at the free barbecue.

On Christmas Eve, the roads are lined with luminarias created by the youth in the area.  Enjoy their glow as you tromp through the snow to a neighbor’s home for a potluck dinner; and visit other neighbor’s homes on your way to the house where Santa always arrives and has gifts for the children.  Continue to visit with friends and neighbors as you gather to watch the huge fireworks display, followed by more munching and sipping if you saved some room.  And don’t forget the hayride that follows.  Back home and to bed with your own dreams of sugarplums.

Chupadero is a wonderful, inviting community. Residents include local artists, astronomers, attorney’s, EMT’s and fire fighters, Los Alamos scientists and computer specialists as well as Santa Fe business owners- a wide variety of occupations and talents.  If you’d like to consider a home in the Chupadero Valley, check out this great property at 7 Vista Chupadero, or see all of the available properties in Chupadero and the Tesuque Village area here.

A great part about Santa Fe culture is the wide variety of dining options available to visitors and residents alike. An excellent way to experience a taste of what different Santa Fe dining establishments have to offer is to go out during Santa Fe Restaurant Week. Santa Fe restaurant-goers have the opportunity for one week, once per year to dine at participating restaurants for unbeatably low prices. Virtually any type of restaurant you can imagine has some sort of deal going on during Santa Fe Restaurant Week: French, American, New Mexican, Fusion/Eclectic, Italian, and Japanese are just a few of the different flavors you can experience at a great price this week in Santa Fe. Prices range from $20 to $40 per person at fine dining restaurants, and can be as low as $25 per couple at more casual dining establishments.

Getting a great deal on dinner isn’t the only exciting part about Santa Fe Restaurant Week. Each day there are various demonstrations and events held at participating restaurants to further immerse yourself in the Santa Fe dining experience. There are still four days left to go out on the town and learn more about the food and beverages these restaurants serve.

This afternoon, Epazote is hosting an event that shows how to make Mexican mole from New Mexican ingredients. Head over to Osteria d'Assisi this evening to taste your way around Italy with different regional wines paired with fondue. Wind down from your week on Friday evening at San Francisco Street Bar & Grill with a tequila, wine, and beer tasting while enjoying live music. Round out your Santa Fe Restaurant Week experience Saturday evening with a flashback to the 1970s at La Casa Sena where you’ll enjoy a performance of songs from the decade while you dine.

The options are unlimited the rest of this week when you dine out in Santa Fe. Try a new restaurant or stick with an old favorite. You’re sure to get a great deal however you plan to tackle Santa Fe Restaurant Week. Whether you’re a longtime Santa Fe resident or a prospective home buyer who is lucky enough to be visiting Santa Fe this week, don’t pass up this opportunity to get immersed in local culture. You’ll be impressed by everything Santa Fe has to offer.

If I can be of any assistance to you the rest of your time in Santa Fe, please let me know! I have extensive experience in the Santa Fe real estate market, and would be happy to help you sell your Santa Fe home, or help you find your dream home!

Susan Orth & Isabella Luconi
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-216-6535
Email: [email protected]

SantaFeHomeStore.com
Santa Fe Homes
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

If you’re a Santa Fe resident, you know how seriously the locals take chile. We even spell it with an ‘e’ instead of an ‘i’, reflective of the New Mexico-grown chile peppers used to make it. As perhaps the most definitive food of New Mexico, there are many places to eat authentic, delicious chile in Santa Fe. Diners have a choice of green or red chile, and they are added to many different types of food from pizza, to burgers, to burritos. I’ve selected the top three places in Santa Fe for the best chile based upon customer reviews from Yelp.com. Those relocating to Santa Fe will want to sample at least one of these Santa Fe restaurants to get a taste of the local flavor.

The Pantry
1820 Cerrillos Rd
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 986-0022

The Pantry is a family-owned restaurant and has been serving comfort food to Santa Fe residents and visitors for over 60 years. Customers rave about The Pantry’s breakfast, with many of the items on the breakfast menu either containing or “smothered” in red or green chile sauce. Don’t overlook the lunch menu: sandwiches, burgers, soups, salads, and tacos ensure that there will be something delicious for everyone in your party. Of course, chile can be added to each item to spice up your meal. Reviewers recommend the Huevos Consuelo, the breakfast burritos, and the ever-flowing coffee.

Bobcat Bite
420 Old Las Vegas Hwy
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 983-5319

Bobcat Bite is another Santa Fe restaurant which is family owned and operated. Famous for their Green Chile Cheeseburger, this is a place those relocating to Santa Fe must visit to experience New Mexican history and flavor. Bobcat Bite has been featured on the Food Network and in various newspapers and magazines for their comfort food and long-time history in Santa Fe. Voted as the best burger in town, you might have to plan your Santa Fe visit around trying one for yourself! Needless to say, reviewers raved about the Green Chile Cheeseburger, and remind future diners to bring cash.

La Choza Restaurant
905 Alarid St
Santa Fe, NM 87505
(505) 982-0909

La Choza is frequented by Santa Fe locals rather than visitors, so you’ll have a shorter wait time for a table at this Mexican restaurant. Authentic Mexican dishes such as enchiladas, tamales and burritos are served with, of course, your choice of red or green chile. La Choza also offers less traditional Mexican dishes with Santa Fe flair, like the Green Chile Clam Chowder. The menu allows diners to select from sangria, bottled beers and a selection of beers on tap, agave wine margaritas, several different types of wine, and a delicious dessert menu. Reviewers recommend the Green Chile Stew, Enchiladas with Green Chile, and Chiles Rellenos.

With so many ways to experience Santa Fe culture, eating a meal spiced up with your choice of New Mexico-grown chile peppers is one of the best. Santa Fe residents are passionate about chile, not only for the taste, but also because chiles are such a definitive aspect of New Mexican culture. If you’re considering a move to Santa Fe, I hope you find that these recommendations for experiencing Santa Fe culture will win you over. If you need any assistance in getting acquainted with Santa Fe, please contact me. As a Santa Fe real estate expert, I’d be happy to help you get settled in!

Susan Orth & Isabella Luconi
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-216-6535
Email: [email protected]

SantaFeHomeStore.com
Santa Fe Homes
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

When you’re looking to purchase a home in the Santa Fe real estate market, your options can be overwhelming. While Santa Fe isn’t the largest city in New Mexico, it is highly populated and diverse. The city is divided into several neighborhoods, each with its own characteristics. Which one is right for you and your family? I’ve chosen five distinct sections of Santa Fe to pick apart so you can decide which area matches your preferences and lifestyle.

The Historic East Side

In the Historic East Side of Santa Fe, you’ll find adobe homes surrounded by beautiful, flowering gardens. With the neighborhood’s proximity to the Canyon Road art district, many of the owners of these upscale residences have a passion for the arts, or at least an appreciation for them. Those who live in this neighborhood will love to walk to downtown Santa Fe where you’ll find art galleries, a wide variety of dining options, shopping, and culture. For the most part, retired couples, empty nesters, and artists populate this community.

South Capitol

If a larger yard is important to you, you may want to consider buying a home in the South Capitol neighborhood of Santa Fe. As one may guess, South Capitol is located just south of the Santa Fe Capitol building. Your neighbors are mostly families, and some professionals who work in downtown Santa Fe and in government buildings. You won’t find just one type of home in this neighborhood. Several influences come together to create an architectural melting pot, like Victorian, Pueblo-Revival, and bungalow. You’ll find a great sense of community and good schools in this neighborhood.

Eldorado

If living close to downtown Santa Fe isn’t important to you or doesn’t fit with your lifestyle, Eldorado may be a good option for you and your family. It’s situated about 15 miles southeast of downtown, so everything the area has to offer is still easily accessible. In this neighborhood, you’ll find residences on large pieces of land housing families with children. The schools are excellent and the area has a low crime rate. Eldorado wouldn’t be a community in Santa Fe without art and culture. Each year, artists from the Eldorado Arts and Crafts Association show and sell their works of art.

Las Campanas

Large homes and wide open spaces welcome you in the Las Campanas area of Santa Fe. Located in the hills about 10 miles west of downtown, this neighborhood offers stunning views. Those home buyers looking for more space than what more urban areas of Santa Fe have to offer will find their home here. This area caters to a variety of different people from golfers, to families, to retirees, to artists. Like South Capitol, Las Campanas offers several different styles of homes, like Pueblo, ranch, and log cabin. With such a variety of homeowners and home styles, you’re sure to find a Santa Fe home that suits your lifestyle in Las Campanas.  

Tesuque

This small community north of downtown Santa Fe provides home buyers with the sense of rural isolation while remaining within driving distance of Santa Fe city life. Those who like gardening will find plenty of space on large lots to grow their favorite vegetables and fruits. Mansions and modest homes alike house a mix of writers, artists, and some families. You’ll be able to visit the Tesuque Village Market and the Tesuque Pueblo to take part in the art and culture the community exudes. Tesuque is a peaceful community to retreat to for appreciating nature and history in Santa Fe.

There are dozens of neighborhoods in Santa Fe to choose from in which to make your new home. With so many different choices in architectural style, community style, proximity to downtown, and landscape, you’re sure to find a Santa Fe home that suits your preferences and lifestyle. As a real estate expert in Santa Fe, I’d love to help you navigate the city and help you find a home. Please contact me so we can get started!

Susan Orth & Isabella Luconi
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-216-6535
Email: [email protected]

SantaFeHomeStore.com
Santa Fe Homes
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

Santa Fe truly is a city of romance. Fine dining. Beautiful scenery. Shopping. Put those things together, and you get the perfect Valentine's Day. Whether you think it's a "Hallmark Holiday" or not, it's difficult to be in Santa Fe and not want to par-take in the romance of the City Different...

Let's begin with one of the best ways into any girl's heart - Chocolate!
Take the Chocolate Lover's Walking Tour and make your way through the streets of Santa Fe to experience the tantalizing tastes of artisanal chocolates. Hand-made by the very best chocolate makers, these chocolates are made from organic ingredients native to New Mexico such as chile, pinion nuts, and lavender.

The best way to a man's heart is through his stomach...
Santa Fe can offer you more than a "nice" dinner. Our restaurants are world-renowned. A combination of atmosphere, passionate chefs, and mouthwatering food makes for quite the romantic atmosphere. It is difficult, if not impossible, to choose one singe Santa Fe restaurant that is the most romantic. So we decided to get a little help from our favorite restaurant review sites to see what Santa Fe residents think. The votes are in, and here's what made the top of the list.

Urbanspoon
They chose The Compound Restaurant as their top romantic choice. Its quiet location off Canyon Road in a traditional Santa Fe compound, along with its seating setup made for privacy makes for a "just the two of us" atmosphere.

Yahoo
Geronimo Restaurant - Yahoo's claim for one of the most romantic dining options in Santa Fe. The 1700 renovated Adobe home on Canyon Road has a "Global Eclectic" style on the inside and makes for an unbelievably romantic setting. This is the kind of place where wedding proposals occur.

Yelp
Anasazi was the reigning champion on Yelp when it comes to romance. Cave-like dining rooms bedecked with stacked stone accents and walls stenciled with petroglyphs which were the rock paintings of the Anasazi people. The restaurant is actually part of The Inn of the Anasazi which is equally romantic with its hand-carved wooden doors, sandstone walls, and beamed wood ceiling for authentic pueblo style living.

Gem's are a girl's best friend
Leave it to Santa Fe to fulfill all of your Valentine's Day shopping needs. Jewelry in particular is a very popular shopping experience alongside the many galleries Santa Fe is known for. Shiprock Santa Fe is holding the "Red Gems Sale Event" from Friday, February 12th to Saturday, February 13th. You can receive 20% off almost all their jewelry and make some girl very happy.

Valentine's Day aside, Santa Fe is romantic more than just one day a year. Its romance is beyond that of a nice date; it is the kind of romance that is best described as a mystery, a fascination, an adventure, or strangely beautiful. Buying a home in Santa Fe is more than just putting a roof over your head. People are enthralled with Santa Fe real estate because its an entirely new way of life. One surrounded by mountains, culture, art, passionate people, and an indescribable "romance." As Santa Fe real estate agents, we have the privelege to bring that to you. If you're ready for our help, contact us anytime.

Susan Orth & Isabella Luconi
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-216-6535
Email: [email protected]

SantaFeHomeStore.com
Santa Fe Homes
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

We don't mean to brag, but we really have it really good living in Santa Fe. For example, need a little fresh air? No problem, we just step out of our City Different Realty office, walk a few blocks, and we are smack dab in the middle of the one-and-only historic Canyon Road.

If you are looking at Santa Fe real estate, then we highly suggest you take a trip down to Canyon Road too. However, if you can't quite get there yet, we have provided a few pictures of our walk to visually guide you through the history of Canyon Road...

Canyon Road was at one time a rural neighborhood stretched along an old Indian Trail. The oldest Santa Fe home on Canyon Road dates back to at least the 1750s.

As farming in the desert was not an easy feat, the Spanish built an irrigation canal above the River, parallel to Canyon Road and called it "Acequia Madre" ("mother ditch"). The water from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains sustained the crops, the livestock, and the people of the Canyon Road neighborhoods, and continues to today. A walk down Acequia Madre Street, just one block south of Canyon Road, is one of the best ways to witness the ancient stone-lined canal and the beautiful Adobe homes.



A century later, when the US Army arrived in Santa Fe, soldiers built a sawmill in the Canyon to allow for the building of Ft. Marcy, located just Northeast of the Santa Fe Plaza. This marked a big change in the area for it was the United State's acquisition of New Mexico in the Mexican-American War.

Even with the changes to the area, including the influx of Anglo-American people, Canyon Road somehow kept its quiet, peaceful demeanor. And it stayed that way, until the early Twentieth Century when the art community found its way to Canyon Road.

Not to say that it is no longer a peaceful area, but today Canyon Road is known for its more than 100 art galleries and studios, variety of  restaurants, and of course, the historic adobe architecture.

If you've decided that you want historical beauty, artistic personality and archictecture with character all within two blocks of your work or your home, then there's no place better than Santa Fe. If you want to take a walk with us next time, just give us a call. We'd be happy to have you join us!

Susan Orth & Isabella Luconi
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-216-6535
Email: [email protected]

SantaFeHomeStore.com
Santa Fe Homes
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

A home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner, although wonderful, is not everybody's tradition. Dining out has become quite a popular Thanksgiving tradition for both Santa Fe Visitors and Santa Fe homeowners, alike.  After all, when you live in a place like Santa Fe New Mexico, surrounded by some of the best restaurants in the country, why wouldn't you take every chance you get to try a new one?

Maybe this year you would like to leave the stress of cooking the big turkey behind. Or maybe you only recently moved to your Santa Fe home and you don't have the family here to hold the traditional Thanksgiving meal. Rest assured, many of the restaurants of Santa Fe are as warm and comforting as your closest friend's welcoming abode. Then there are others that offer a dining experience that is difficult to find in any household.

Whatever your desire - a homey atmosphere, a five star experience, or fantastic surroundings - Santa Fe New Mexico has the restaurants to make 2010 a Thanksgiving to remember. As soon as you find one that makes your mouth water, give them a call and put your bid in for your Thanksgiving Day reservation…

Desire: Just Like Home
Santa Fe Restaurant: Dinner for Two
It doesn't hit much closer to home than Dinner for Two. This family owned and operated restaurant has an unassuming exterior, and a warm and romantic interior, along with an attentive waitstaff and live classical music every weekend from 7-9 pm. You will most definitely be surrounded by family, even if not your own. Mom, Pam Schwarz runs the front of the house; son Andy Barnes is the chef and husband/dad, Gregory Barnes, bakes the bread. Ideal for indecisive eaters who want to try a little bit of everything, the menu is set up so that you are able to experiment new treats and share tastes with your dinner guests. A wine pairing is a must with anything you choose, as Dinner for Two has won the Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence for the past 6 years.
For reservations, call (505) 820-2075.

Desire: Fine Turkey Dining
Santa Fe Restaurant: La Casa Sena
Ready and waiting for all of the bright-eyed and anxious Thanksgiving diners, La Casa Sena has already planned a four course dinner for the special dining day. First course, a spiced quince, Bay Scallop Tartlette. Next, choose between a Mesquite-grilled pumpkin soup or the LCS Waldorf Salad. The third course, the entree, brings a maple chimayo chile glazed free range turkey with complimenting side dishes or a Achiote roasted pork loin. Last but not least - dessert. Sunken chocolate cake with cranberry ice cream or caramelized pear upside-down gingerbread. The best part is - If you still cannot bare to skip an at-home Thanksgiving dinner, they have a Take Out option with all the trimmings!
For reservations, call (505) 988-9232.

Desire: Location, Location, Location
Santa Fe Restaurant: Terra
If you are looking for truly spectacular Santa Fe surroundings on your Thanksgiving day, then, without a doubt, Terra is where you have to be. This four-Diamond restaurant, located inside the five Diamond Encantado Resort is about 20 minutes north of Santa Fe, past the village of Tesuque New Mexico. It offers walls of windows and the most breathtaking Santa Fe views you could hope for. Oh yeah, the food isn't bad either. Butternut squash soup with caramelized apples, roasted chestnuts and sage, West Coast oysters with jalapeno mignonette, or a Foie Gras-roasted Turkey Breast and confit of the leg served with truffle-mashed potatoes are just a few of the options for your Thanksgiving feast.
For reservations, call (505) 946 5800.

Santa Fe Real Estate is unlike any other location. Where else can you find the dining options mentioned above, paired with the mountainous surroundings of the Santa Fe setting? Since Thanksgiving is a time of thanks, I cannot help but be appreciative of my Santa Fe home, and the opportunity I get every day to help others realize their dream of living in Santa Fe New Mexico.

Susan Orth & Isabella Luconi
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-216-6535
Email: [email protected]

SantaFeHomeStore.com
Santa Fe Homes
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

The most difficult part about living in Santa Fe New Mexico Real Estate, is making a decision when you go out for a night on the town. This is especially true when it comes to Santa Fe restaurants. There are so many options it can cause one's head to spin and one's mouth to water, all at the same time.

I may have stumbled upon the cure for the new Santa Fe homeowner who is desperate to try all of the renowned food that Santa Fe is famous for. Make a visit to the Santa Fe School of Cooking.  They have something called the "Restaurant Walking Tour." For $115, you can choose four different restaurants in which to dine, all in one night. For each restaurant, the chef serves a tapas-sized menu along with an alcoholic beverage, followed by his or her philosophy on cooking.
 
Restaurants in the line up include Restaurant Martin, The Inn at Loretto, The Plaza Cafe, II Piatto, Amavi, La Casa Sena, Rio Chama, Santacafe, Galisteo Bistro, 315 Restaurant and Wine Bar, Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi, and La Boca.

If you are looking to try your hand at some Southwestern cooking at home, the School's market sells rare spices and seasonings, as well as one-of-a-kind kitchen gadgets.

Living in Santa Fe is the ultimate indulgence. Every sight, every taste, and every scent heightens the senses. While it is easy to be overwhelmed by the abundance of art venues and restaurants, once you become a Santa Fe homeowner, there is a sense of bliss that comes over you. You are surrounded by beauty and art and energy all of the time. It doesn't get any better than that. If this sounds like the kind of life you want to live, give me a call. I can help you find the perfect Santa Fe home.

Susan Orth
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-310-4133
Email: [email protected]

SantaFeHomeStore.com
Santa Fe Homes
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast

Santa Fe made it to yet another US News and Money Report Ranking! This time, it's been featured as one of the 10 Best Places to Reinvent Your Life in Retirement.

The article cites all of the reasons you probably already know about from reading the Santa Fe Home Store Blog...

• Many Santa Fe Homes and buildings boast Unique Spanish-Pueblo architecture style codified into law

• Santa Fe is the third largest art market in the country

• With 300 galleries and dealers and over a dozen major art museums including the Georgia O'Keefe Museum and the New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe serves as an art lover's paradise.

The retirement years are a time to reinvent yourself. You are ending one point in your life and turning over a new leaf. Santa Fe does serve as a great place to find new hobbies and passions or maybe revisit old ones.  There are so many volunteer opportunities within the art community - from the art museums to the art markets. Activities like golfing, nature walking, and Native American culture are all ideal for the retirement age.

Dance in the streets at the Plaza...

Enjoy a Jazz concerts at St. John's College...

Enroll in a Southwestern cooking class

These are the kinds of activities that make one feel like a kid again, no matter how old you are.

If you are closing into your retirement years and are looking for a new place to call home, then maybe Santa Fe Real Estate is for you.  Give me a call and I can show you some beautiful Santa Fe Homes - whether you want to be in the Historic Downtown Santa Fe right in the heart of all the action, or in Los Alamos Santa Fe where you can find a home miles from civilization - Santa Fe is the perfect place to begin new life adventures.

Susan Orth
Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)
City Different Realty

Phone: 505-310-4133
Email: [email protected]

SantaFeHomeStore.com
Santa Fe Homes
Santa Fe Real Estate Podcast