Hi all, I'm a college student here and It's a a smaller city city with about 88,224 people. Poverty rate is 10.6%, which is around average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Is this normal for Santa Fe? Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
8 upvotes
19 Replies
Ella Cook
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from Austin about 3 years ago. The main reasons were family and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Lots of new development happening
- Good airport with direct flights
Cons that are real:
- Limited high-paying job options
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are growing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Benjamin C.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by public transit. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Strong job market in several industries
- Active local events and festivals
- The job market scene is hit or miss
The downsides:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for retirees. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
36 upvotes
Philip R.
this is the way
36 upvotes
Ellie Thomas
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in East for 15 years. Moved from Miami for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
education is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. East schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And housing market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 7/10. Feel free to reach out with questions.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
34 upvotes
Kennedy White
as a local I can confirm
34 upvotes
Rachel M.
Moved here from LA about 7 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to public transit but Good luck with whatever you decide..
32 upvotes
Cooper Scott
nah I disagree
31 upvotes
Hailey Evans
+1
25 upvotes
Lillian B.
not my experience at all
23 upvotes
Bennett Reyes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 41, moved here 15 years ago from San Diego. I've lived in Uptown and Westside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Lots of family-friendly activities
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Limited shopping options
3. The housing market situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Uptown: Great for remote workers. tough vibes, walkable.
- Westside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from San Diego, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are developing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $80K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
20 upvotes
Leah Evans
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it exceeded my expectations. The housing market is solid compared to other places I've lived. Overall Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
true_elizabeth74
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. food scene used to be much wild but now it's tough.
17 upvotes
Elizabeth R.
bump
12 upvotes
Dominic Hill
Came here for work and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The pet-friendliness is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
10 upvotes
Donald A.
seconding this
8 upvotes
Easton Wilson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
7 upvotes
Abigail D.
same here
5 upvotes
Ruth P.
literally same
5 upvotes
Anna A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.
I've been here 7 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's developing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the housing market is legit. And if you're into biking, this place is pretty good.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Springfield side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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