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There are approximately 142,407 people in the county of Santa Fe and 62,876 in the city. It is 2,0019 square miles with an estimated 2,800 new residents every year. Santa Fe is currently gearing up for its 400 year anniversary in 2010. It is America's oldest capital city. The unique publeo architecture, priceless heritage and culture just touch on why Santa Fe is called "the city different". The city has an elevation of 7000 feet and is in the high desert with mountains and mesas, incredible sunsets, cool summer evenings, winter skiing and an abundance of museums, art galleries, performing arts and wonderful cuisine.
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Santa Fe History
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Native Americans were drawn to the area around the Santa Fe River where game and fish were plentiful and established villages. Many tribes consolidated, abandoned their villages and moved to publeos, which surround Santa Fe today. In 1610 Don Pedro de Peralta along with Spanish settlers in northern New Mexico moved to the banks of the Santa Fe River and officially established the city of Santa Fe.
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Santa Fe Housing
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Homes in Santa Fe are unique to the country. They are frame and stucco or adobe pueblo or territorial style with flat roofs, portals (covered porches) and many have courtyards. According to the Santa Fe Board of Realtors report for the first quarter of 2008 the median home price in the city is $360,000 and in the county $330,000. Santa Fe has the lowest property tax of the ten largest cities in New Mexico with the average property tax for a 2,000 square foot home to be approximately $1,200/yr.
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Santa Fe Lifestyle
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Wonderfully eclectic, people dress in western wear, stylish casual or formal wear for the opera and performing arts. You won't find many suits or ties, instead bollos and boots. Shop on the Plaza, buy jewelry from the Native Americans under the portal of the Governor's Palace or browse the Guadalupe St. and historic district for one-of-a-kind items. Art and ambiance combined with great cuisine can make every meal memorable.
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Santa Fe Nature
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The scenic beauty of New Mexico has inspired painters and poets for centuries. Take pleasure in the many walking and bike trails, take a scenic train ride to Lamy and back or search out the Randall Davey Audubon Center for their nature trails and education center. When it's time to rejunvinate try out one of Santa Fe's world-class spas.
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Santa Fe Recreation
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Individuals, couples, families should visit El Rancho de las Golondrinas: a working Spanish Colonial farm, Bandelier National Monument with spectacular Native American ruins near Los Alamos, The Planetarium at Santa Fe Community College with a special program for kids or storytelling at the Wheelwright Museum during the summer months.
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Santa Fe Transportation
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There is an airport shuttle available, approximately $28.00 one way, you must make reservations ahead of time. Call Sandia Express Shuttle, 888-775-5696. Ride the bus anywhere in Santa Fe (Santa Fe Trails 955-2001). Taxi service is available through Capital City Cab 438-0000.
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