Arroyo Chamisa

"This is not a tourist neighborhood. The people here are professionals or active retirees from other places. If you can swing it, I highly recommend it for families, particularly families with young children. The elementary school Wood Gormley was, and as far as I know, still is excellent. Middle School is a problem. The AP program at Santa Fe High is first class and something of a pipeline to some pretty elite colleges. The neighborhood is safe. People walk around a lot, but there are few sidewalks, and little to walk to. The little hotel all by itself on 'Old Pecos Trail' has had a succession of failed restaurants there. It very briefly morphed into a thriving bar and grill (emphasis on the bar) to the consternation of the somewhat geriatric neighborhood. The newspaper ran a front page picture of a very pretty young woman in a very red dress dancing at the place, and the city council shut it down on a unanimous vote in favor of continued residential use. Then they shut down a plan to turn it into condos. Now its back to the failed-restaurant business plan. Although there's nothing in walking distance, its only a five minute ride to the museums, and maybe 10 minutes to downtown. Bicycle commuting for half the year is a definite possibility. Its close to the freeway, so you can be on the road to Albuquerque one two three. Access to outdoor recreation is a hidden strength of the neighborhood. The Pecos Wilderness is only a five minute drive away. Fly fishing is only a half hour away in Pecos, thanks to the easy highway access. You can drive to the ski area without stopping at a stoplight. "