Sign In Register
Mateo Thompson best-worst

Worst things about Santa Fe nobody talks about

We're a young couple and Median household income is $95,815, which feels pretty solid for the area. Property taxes are high but you get good services. What would you do? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up.
5 upvotes

13 Replies

Joseph Turner
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a pharmacist who relocated here from Raleigh about 1 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and school.

Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening

Cons that are real:
- Winters are long and cold
- Can feel isolated

Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are developing, gas is solid.

Socially, it was the best decision I ever made. Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
Ruby
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.

I've been in The Heights for 15 years. Moved from Boston for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:

**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2022 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:**
healthcare is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.

**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have state parks within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.

**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are tough. 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. Chain restaurants dominate. Road conditions need improvement. And dating scene can be frustrating.

**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Aaliyah Lopez
seconding this
37 upvotes
Brielle
haha yep pretty much
33 upvotes
Ezekiel Peterson
I'm a marketing manager and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
33 upvotes
Angel Harris
I'm a pharmacist and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
30 upvotes
Allison Davis
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 8 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:

Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Downtown. It's improving for what you get.

Jobs: The market is reasonable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.

People: Generally improving. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.

Food: pretty good. Tons of options if you like Mexican.

No regrets on my end..
25 upvotes
Logan J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if pet-friendliness matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
20 upvotes
Aiden B.
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are underrated, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
19 upvotes
Luna Harris
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.

I've been here 12 years and it exceeded my expectations. The thing nobody mentions is cost of living. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the walkability is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is surprisingly good.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Springfield side vs the West side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

No regrets on my end..
19 upvotes
Kennedy Watson
Public transit is excellent here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
16 upvotes
Piper
nah I disagree
14 upvotes
Riley Price
Used to live on the Cedar Grove side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
2 upvotes
← Back to Santa Fe Community