A conversation with Frank O’Mahony, qualifying broker at Evolve Santa Fe Real Estate, in Santa Fe New Mexico.

Santa Fe is the oldest continually occupied capital in the US.  We just celebrated our 400th anniversary last year, although New Mexico didn’t become a state until 1912.  This historic town of 90,000 is a unique blend of Native Americans whose pueblos surround the town, Hispanics who came up from Mexico along the Camino Real, Anglos who came to trade along the Santa Fe Trail, and the odd Irishman!

A Town of Seasons
As a cultural center, Santa Fe punches way above its weight, with an internationally renowned opera and an artistic community that befits its role as the third-largest art market in the United States.  Venturing outdoors, we are surrounded by mountains which provide year-round hiking and biking, with the addition of great skiing and snowshoeing in winter – all within 20 minutes of downtown. Double black diamond skiers and snowboarders head to the legendary Taos Ski Valley, about 90 minutes north of Santa Fe. One of the great surprises for me was finding the incredible fly-fishing and rafting in the nearby rivers of Pecos and Rio Grande.

Winter Magic
Wintertime, in my opinion, is the best time to be in Santa Fe. In fact, this is the time when many visitors decide to purchase a home here, either as a second home or a place to retire to. Why? It’s magical!  

Crisp mornings, starry clear nights, and the Christmas lights in the Plaza are all reasons to love this town.  Ski racks start to appear on cars. The traditions of a Santa Fe Christmas unfold slowly.  Las Posadas on the weekend before Christmas, with the red-clad devil denying Joseph and Mary access to any inns around the Plaza, followed by cider and cookies in the courtyard in the Palace of the Governors (video here: Youtube). The farolito walk around Canyon Road on Christmas Eve.  Bill Hearne plays his heart out in the bar at La Fonda.  The mystical, other-worldly Matachines, or Deer, dance on Christmas Day at the Taos Pueblo (picture above).

Relocation to a Unique Spot
My real estate business is focused on people like me, who moved to Santa Fe from somewhere else because we wanted to find a US location unique in its “Europeanness.”  My clients are looking for a sophisticated, connected place filled with interesting people, a vibrant cultural life and quick access to outdoor activity–whether it’s a relaxed afternoon stroll or weeklong back-country hiking adventure.  And of course, lots of Wi-Fi, nearby airports and great coffee, but that goes without saying!

(Above photos are all courtesy of Santa Fe CVB)

Contact Frank
Frank O’Mahony
email: frank@omahony.com
phone: 505.699.3985
web: www.EvolveSantaFe.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/365SantaFe

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This guest post is part of our Realtor Thursday Series. We invite realtors and real estate professionals from towns and cities all over the country, big or small, to participate. Our goal is to “travel” to as many towns as we can in every state. Every town is unique and wonderful to our readers. If you would like to showcase your town, your neighbors and your talents as a realtor, please contact us at liz@dalesiegel.com.