I’m thinking of moving to Taos, NM and if anyone knows or lives in the area I would appreciate any advice and/or impressions of Taos. I’m particularly interested in housing costs, job availability, activities, etc…
Do you like hummers?
I’ve been to Taos many times and have never heard the hum.
My cousin’s (second cousin? cousin once removed?) family is from that area. Most of the work they do is seasonal and based on the tourism industry (but that’s just them, they also used to have a small farm). There used to be some mine a bit north of there that employed a lot of people, but it hasn’t been in operation for awhile. I don’t know what other job prospects are there, but I could probably ask my cousin to ask her relatives who live up there (that’s extended family, I don’t really know them well). I think my cousin has a cousin in her early 40s, so she’d probably know what the job scene is like.
There are lots of activities if you like outdoorsy stuff (which is how I ended up visiting the area). In winter they have a huge ski season. I think there is white water rafting in the summer, along with hiking, horseback riding etc. The fine arts scene is plentiful and the town is close to Santa Fe if you want more of a city-oriented arts scene. The Taos Pueblo also has a small casino if that’s more your style.
I don’t know anything about the night life, I’ve only been there for outdoorsy stuff. I can call my cousin though. She’s planning a visit soon and will be talking to the extended relatives out that way.
Second all the outdoorsy stuff. Especially the skiing. There are, IIRC, two renowned areas, both Taos and Angel Fire. Also second Santa Fe having a city-orientated arts scene (although I’m not really into that), and it’s within about an hour drive. I saw some rafts on the way to work today (I pass within half an hour or so of Taos), headed to the Rio Grande. There’s a really good brewery called Eske’s, on the main road through town. Make sure and join their “Liquid Bread” club, if you’re into that sort of thing. They also make a green chile beer, which I find odd, but others seem to like.
The nightlife is basically nonexistent. There are a couple bars on the plaza, but the town is just too small to have anything worth writing about. Which isn’t to say you won’t have a good time there, the outdoors stuff more than makes up for it. The drives into and out of town in both directions are beautiful, and the sunsets in northern New Mexico are some of the best around. The Rio Grande Gorge, about 10 minutes outside of town, is pretty spectacular. It’s so high up, somebody threw an orange barrel down to the bottom, and it looks like it’s a five gallon bucket.
ETA: No clue about housing prices, but I’m sure it’s cheaper than Santa Fe!! No idea about the current job market, either, but I’d suggest looking (and possibly securing) before you came.
There’s one hell of an impressive hole in the ground not far away.
I love Taos, but more as a vacation destination than to live there. We considered spending a few months there this winter but went with Santa Fe instead since we wanted more of a “city” feel. However, if we lived most of the year in a larger place (or if we were looking for somewhere to move long term) we may have chosen Taos instead.
It’s a fun place to visit. One of the quintessential experiences in my life is drinking margaritas at the Old Taos Inn - there’s just such a good feel to the place, and if there’s music in the lobby it’s just spectacular.
It’s a great town to just wander around. Get up early in the morning, grab some coffee and stroll through the neighborhoods. Or rent a bike and do the same.
I can’t wait to get back to that part of the country. Such a great place!
Dangit, you beat me to it.
It was my first choice for a retirement destination, but then I read that it’s very expensive. I think most of the jobs are service-oriented, but they have a pretty hefty local minimum wage, as I remember. If I could get just outside the city on a nice hunk of affordable land with a little house, I think I’d be pretty happy.
But I’d have to be able to afford to come back to Chicago a few times each year. I need a REAL city in my life.
This was just posted in the student newsletter at work today:It’s Not a Secret Anymore
It’s about Santa Fe and Los Alamos, specifically, but Taos has all the same qualities they talk about. Just thought I’d post it since it reminded me of this thread.
Thanks for all the replies.
Whoops. I forgot to call my cousin last night. I’ll try to remember to call as soon as I get home. Sorry.
the master hums
I used to live in Albuquerque. Taos is a great place to spend an afternoon, and the pueblo is a nice visit. But I like Santa Fe better. As someone else mentioned, the city feel is good. Combine that with the sense of history, and it’s one of ny favorite cities, Santa Fe is.
Okay, my cousin got back to me after asking some relatives that live in and around Taos:
Right now, housing is expensive, even rentals. Taos is sort of becoming the 'burbs of Santa Fe and it’s inflating real estate value. Apparently, other than tourism (and if you’re not an artist) there really isn’t a well-defined “industry” in the area. Most non-tourism jobs end up being government jobs, something at the county clerk’s office, fish and gaming office etc. as well as energy industry stuff (like surveyors).
My cousin said (relaying information from an uncle) that it’s kind of a resort town, in the sense that it’s great place to retire and rich people have second houses there, but it can tough for a younger person who wants to start out there.
So, YMMV. It all depends on what your line of work is now.