Real Estate Information Archive

How often do you take the time to relax and appreciate the beauty Santa Fe has to offer? In today’s busy world, we’re constantly rushing around and rarely go out of our way to de-stress. Consider taking a mini-vacation this weekend. We’re lucky to live in Santa Fe where we can take advantage of mild weather and different natural wonders just by taking a short drive. I’ve researched a few ways to relax in Santa Fe whether you need just an hour or a few days of peace.

La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa
This Adobe-style resort and spa is located in the heart of Santa Fe. Relax in the tranquility of beautiful gardens by day and curl up by one of the cozy outdoor fireplaces by night. Even if you don’t spend a weekend there, RockResorts Spa offers day packages with treatments inspired by nature. Yelp.com reviewers recommend the facials, where you have a choice from their signature treatments like the “Desert Enchantment Facial” or skincare therapy like the “ManSpace Facial” for men. This Santa Fe spa also has dozens of other services such as body wraps, manicures and pedicures, and massages. Whatever your body craves, you’re sure to be completely relaxed and rejuvenated when you leave La Posada.

Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa
You may have soaked in a hot tub before, but have you ever experienced the relaxation that natural hot springs in Santa Fe provide? Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs Resort & Spa offers a unique type of relaxation in their natural waters and mud pool. The Spa has ten different pools, each with a different combination of four different types of mineral water ranging from 80 to 109 degrees. All of the pools are what the Spa calls a “whisper zone” so you are ensured peace and quiet while you soak. Ojo Caliente’s mud pool is great for detoxifying the skin, and is open seasonally from May to October.

Golfing
If spending the day at a spa isn’t your way of relaxing, spend a day golfing on one of Santa Fe’s golf courses. No matter where you go, you’ll enjoy stunning mountain views and pristine courses. Resorts like Buffalo Thunder offer overnight golf packages for those visiting Santa Fe. Take in Santa Fe’s beautiful landscape, fresh air and sunshine while golfing a round with good friends and you’ll instantly feel relaxed.

Once again, Santa Fe proves to be a wonderful place to enjoy life whether you’re a Santa Fe resident or visitor. The abundance of options available to those looking for a life well-rounded in culture, nature and beauty need not look any further than Santa Fe. Whether you’re looking to sell your Santa Fe home or relocate to Santa Fe, I can help make your transaction go smoothly. As a Santa Fe resident and real estate agent, I’d be happy to help in any way I can. Contact me today!

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

Santa Fe New Mexico is definitely a one-of-a-kind place. Although part of the States, it boasts a culture all its own, especially at the holidays. After all, it is called "The City Different."  Now that you are thinking about moving to Santa Fe (or maybe you already live here and you are just following this Santa Fe Realtor for the fun of learning what's going on around town), you are going to have to become acclimated to the Holiday traditions in the Land of Enchantment…

Candles in Bags: Also known as "Farolitos."  Fill small bags with sand and light them with votive candles and voila! You have a Farolito. This is New Mexico's version of the traditional Christmas decoration. You will find them sprinkled throughout Santa Fe, around buildings, in trees, on walls, and along sidewalks.

Winter Spanish Market: The Spanish Colonial Arts Society's annual winter market held in early December is an extravagant display of traditional Spanish Colonial artwork such as tin work, furniture, straw applique and Santos carving. Doing your holiday shopping here is sure to get you a one-of-a-kind, only-in-santa-fe, gift from the heart.

Christmas Eve, Noche Buena service: The midnight mass of the Rooster commemorates the folk story of the animals in the manger which were upset that no humans had come to see the Christ child. The story goes that an old rooster flew to a high point and announced the coming of the Messiah.

Christmas Eve at the Santa Fe Plaza: Adorned with thousands of farolitos (see above) that light up the city center, the Plaza is definitely the place to be on Christmas Eve. Apple cider is served while carolers fill the air with holiday music and the Santa Fe community strolls through to the nearby Cross of the Martyrs - also outlined in farolitos.

The Weather: Temperatures in December are normally in the low 40's during the day and the low 20's during the evening. However, don't shutter too much. With the sun still shining an average of 300 days a year, it never feels as bad as it sounds. In fact, it doesn't stop golfers from golfing and residents from hiking.

Skiing: The Sangre de Cristos Mountains, where Santa Fe sits at the base of, are covered in snow. Sixteen miles from the Plaza is the Santa Fe ski area (also known as Ski Santa Fe). This is the popular place to be around this time of the year. With 3,000 feet of height, 225 inches of snow, and a festive atmosphere, you can see why.

Native American Dances: See my previous blog to learn all about the Winter Dances of the Indian Pueblos.

Feast: Take a wild guess at the most popular ingredient in our Holiday dishes? That's right - Chile!  The traditional Christmas Eve meal is posole - dried corn fixed in a thick soup or stew with chiles. Other popular dishes include tamales, blue corn tortillas, and bizcochitos (tiny anise Christmas cookies that are the official state cookie of New Mexico).

Take all of this together and you get a city filled with sunny days, warm glowing lighting at night, culture and tradition, amazing food, fun things to do, and an overall festive atmosphere. What do you think? Do you think you could spend your holidays - and the rest of the year - in Santa Fe New Mexico Real Estate? If the answer is yes, then give us a call. We would be happy to find you the Santa Fe home of your dreams and make you an official Santa Fe resident. Before you know it, you could be enjoying all of these Christmas traditions in Santa Fe by next year!

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