Community Forums

GraciesMom · 11-04-2008, 12:45 PM

In all my travels, I've seen some beautiful places, but there is something about Santa Fe . . . I think I've found my "settling down" place when I come off of the road. Of course, I'm not done traveling yet so who knows what else I'll discover . . . but there's such a great energy in that place and it's an artist's HAVEN!! I could have wandered around there for MONTHS . . . and would have . . . but the cold weather is coming so I'm heading to Deming or parts thereabouts . . .

GraciesMom · 11-04-2008, 12:45 PM

In all my travels, I've seen some beautiful places, but there is something about Santa Fe . . . I think I've found my "settling down" place when I come off of the road. Of course, I'm not done traveling yet so who knows what else I'll discover . . . but there's such a great energy in that place and it's an artist's HAVEN!! I could have wandered around there for MONTHS . . . and would have . . . but the cold weather is coming so I'm heading to Deming or parts thereabouts . . .

IslandMomma · 11-04-2008, 04:06 PM

Don't be silly GM.....I see this sense of "Oh wow! this is the BEST place to settle" early on all the sites... I think it is nice to see that we have SO many options. Isn't that what it is all about early on? You would NOT be going if you did not have more than a 2 week wanderlust LOL!! I am enjoying your trip and thoughts BTW. Suspect that, even on this 'quiet' site, I am not alone.

There are likely limitless places that we shall just LOVE!! Continue to enjoy! YOu are one of my major pioneers, GM LOL...

IM

PS Tonight I shall spend the first night in my (finally) newly-Canadian vehicle after all the import hoopla! They say it night go below freezing soon so I am relieved.

It has taken me more than four months (with a few health digressions) since I drove the five days (2K miles) to bring her home from AZ in crazy hot temps (for me). I am all hooked up and established that the furnace works LOL!! Wish me luck!

Meandering Retiree · 11-04-2008, 04:34 PM

My wife and I love Santa Fe and like to head there in March. However, we have also discovered Sedona, AZ, and may return there this year as it is also an artist colony, is beautiful, much warmer than Santa Fe, and has vortexes.

Oh-one · 11-04-2008, 05:06 PM

You think that was a great place??? Just crank up the ol Winne and see another one down the road. We are just getting started and fuel cost is down!!

porscheracer · 11-04-2008, 08:51 PM

What's this "settling down" nonsense?? I have an RV because I DON'T want to settle. If I wanted to be settled, I'd spend more time at my lovely home in Arkansas.

Of course, we're not true full-timers, since we only spend about 75% of the time on the road.

GraciesMom · 11-05-2008, 11:56 AM

I do woodcarving and scuplture - things I can't do on the road in an RV. Seeing all the art and the BEAUTIFUL architecture, etc., got me longing to sit down at a potters wheel again. There's such a neat feeling about Santa Fe . . . I've always been a sucker for anythign southwest . . . .I'm gonna stay out here at least another year or so . . . but I am feeling the nesting instinct . . . and I really don't think I'm going to meet any prospective partners in my age group out here on the road . . .

Maybe I'll park the RV and rent a studio, get the art bug worked out. Who knows?

Life is too short not to share it . . .

GraciesMom · 11-05-2008, 11:58 AM

Porsch . . . that's just it - you have the option of returning home when you want to. I don't have that and I am kinda missing having that "home base" . . . and close friends around. No rash decisions - so much else I want to see yet . . .

And Meandering - yeah, I want to check out Sedona too . . . and Taos. But this is definitely "my neck of the woods". The only thing I've liked this much was Homer, AK and there's no way to live there year round. I'd go NUTS. Cabin Fever!!

Lindsay Richards · 11-05-2008, 01:27 PM

Santa Fe was one of the prettiest towns we saw on our recent trip. The buildings were just fantastic. We attended a great downtown show that had lots of art and even baked goods. There was a great book store there too. Good Luck and maybe you can sell your crafts there. I think people come from all over to buy this sort of thing.

porscheracer · 11-05-2008, 01:50 PM

Santa Fe, Sedona, Taos . . . all very nice. Real estate in Sedona is just nuts - the other two are just overpriced.

Glen41 · 11-05-2008, 03:12 PM

The trick is to find a place before the thundering herd "discovers" it. Taos before Georgia O'Keefe put it on the map, Telluride before Hollywood "found" it. Austin before it was named "the most attractive place to live". The list goes on. Each has been nearly ruined by greed. Ask a local in Az what they pay for auto regis.

porscheracer · 11-05-2008, 07:38 PM

Some potential alternatives:

Ouray, Silverton, Prescott Valley. All of those are artist-y, and still somewhat pre-development curve - but not for long.

rkerber · 11-06-2008, 07:31 AM

I get "Where to Retire" magazine which give ideas all over the country but going there and seeing it in person is the only way one will know when he/she has found their heaven.

GraciesMom · 11-07-2008, 07:54 AM

Actually, there are some gorgeous houses in Santa Fe in the $220's . . . and great guest houses, studio apartments as low as $550 if I wanted to rent before buying. I still have a lot more to see before parking the RV . . . but it's nice to know that I've found a definite possibility for when I'm ready.