Real Estate Information Archive

As this Thursday is Turkey Day in Santa Fe, I thought I would like to remind you all of one of one of the best benefits to living in Santa Fe Real Estate - The City Different is known to be one of the country's most famous walking cities. That means that after that big meal of turkey, potatoes, and chile stuffing, there is no better way to burn it off than to go for a walk.

Small enough to navigate on foot, it's easy to get lost in its miles and miles of winding streets peppered with shops, characteristically Southwestern Santa Fe homes, historic buildings, art galleries, and restaurants. Whether you attempt to explore your new Santa Fe Neighborhood on your own, or you choose to take advantage of one of Santa Fe's famous walking tours - your body and mind will thank you for it.

Literary Landmarks Tour
Santa Fe's majestic landscape, cultural diversity and rugged setting, not surprisingly, can really inspire a curious author to write great literature. As a result, many bestselling books, articles, essays and poems have been written about the City Different. From famous novelists to playwrights, essayists to poets - these are the people who wandered the same streets you may walk every day, but didn't know it. The tour includes the VIllagra, a famous gathering spot for visiting writers to  sip martinis and gossip - the inspiration for the classic novel Death Comes for the Archbishop. The Plaza is also a stop, which was the setting for the popular mystery, Ride the Pink Horse. To do your own search of works by Santa Fe authors, stop at the Southwest Reading Room of the Santa Fe Public Library on 145 Washington Ave.

Sculpture Garden Tour
Nothing will work off that Thanksgiving dinner faster than walking 10 acres of trails, across juniper covered hills between the villages of Cerrillos and Galisteo. Allan Hauzous and his son Philip had a vision to create a family compound, constructing a series of studios and residences, then sculpture gardens, dance grounds and amphitheaters. The sculpture gardens present the family collection - 85 outdoor works total. Because the Allan Houser Compound is a private facility, tours are arranged by appointment only. This breathtaking facility is well worth the call; you may see Santa Fe in a whole new light.

Chocolate Lover's Odyssey
Okay. So I know the whole point of this walking was to burn off your turkey, but sometimes a big meal still leaves your sweet tooth wanting more. If this is the case, then Santa Fe's Chocolate Lover's Odyssey should be your next stop. Start off downtown Santa Fe in the Santa Fe Plaza at Todos Santos for chocolate milagros, dark chocolate truffles and whimsical "After Dinner Saints." Get a taste of true Santa Fe flavor at the Chocolate Smith at 851A Cerrillos Road. Green Chile Pistachio Bark and White Chocolate Lemon Lavender Bark are just a few flavors worth exploring. Without a doubt, you'll have to make a stop at the Kakawa Chocolate House at 1050 East Paseo de Peralta. If you've never tried hand-crafted European and Meso-American Aztec drinking chocolate - this is your chance.

If you are new to Santa Fe Real Estate, and you are still trying to get your bearings, check out my website for an explanation on the Santa Fe MLS Areas. I also added a Santa Fe MLS Area Map to give Santa Fe Homebuyers and Santa Fe Home Sellers a better idea of what they are working with. The city of Santa Fe may not be large, but somehow, a lot of culture, landscape and character come together to form one perfectly-sized City Different. As a Santa Fe Real Estate agent, I know this city well. I would love to take you for a walk, give you a tour, and show you why I love this city so much.

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

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

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A city as enchanting as Santa Fe is the perfect place for the upcoming holidays and Thanksgiving is officially upon us. More than just a holiday of big meals and indulgences, it is also a time to spend with family, respect old traditions, and possibly make some new ones. Never one to disappoint, the city of Santa Fe has the events and activities that are sure to make your Thanksgiving one to remember.

The Holiday Train/Family Gathering Hotshot
Date: November 24th
Time: 1:00 - 3:30 pm
Place: The Santa Fe Railway, 410 S. Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
Click Here for the Train Schedule and Ticket Prices
There are two options for a great new holiday tradition here - Take family and friends on a fun afternoon train ride to the Galisteo Basin the day before Thanksgiving OR take the train to Lamy and enjoy beautiful scenery, and maybe even a picnic the day after Thanksgiving. This may very well depend on how highly you value your Black Friday shopping day.


Circus Luminous at the Lensic
Date: November 26th - 28th
Time: Friday - 7 pm, Saturday - 2 pm & 7 pm, Sunday - 4 pm
Place: The Lensic Performing Arts Center, 211 West San Francisco Street   Santa Fe, NM 87501
You may have thought you've been to the circus before, but then you experience Circus Luminous. This is the circus in fitting Santa Fe style - local aerialists and acrobats that perform breath-defying circus acts created and performed by an all dance and musical cast. The entire circus is predominantly local which is no surprise considering the unparalleled artistic ability of the Santa Fe community.


The 2010 SWAIA Winter Indian Market with Robert Mirabal in Concert
Date: November 27th & 28th (Robert Mirabal Concert)
Time: Saturday - 9am - 5pm & Sunday, 10am - 4pm.
Place: Santa Fe Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy St.
This Winter Indian Market is a tradition in Santa Fe - always held during the Thanksgiving weekend. This year the market includes 130 Native artists, 8 artist demonstrators, a silent auction, the "Fashion Row" fashion show, and a special holiday concert by Robert Mirabal.  At only $5 for admission or $15 for the concert and entrance fee, this annual event is definitely not to be missed!

If you are new to Santa Fe New Mexico, you may still be suffering from a little shell shock of moving to a new town, especially during the holidays. I can assure you, Santa Fe New Mexico is a friendly and welcoming place. This city is rich with traditions and annual events. The best thing to do is jump right in and become a part of it all! I am here to help if you are looking for a friendly face and a knowledgable source. I know everything there is to know about Santa Fe Real Estate and the Santa Fe Community.

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