10. Learn some Spanish
Knowing how to pronounce Spanish words goes a long way in Santa Fe. For example, a double L (LL) is pronounced with a Y sound — Cerrillos Road, for example, is pronounced Sa-Ree-Yos. Bonus points if you can roll your double Rs. You don’t need to speak Spanish fluently (or at all) to get by in town, but being able to speak some can definitely help communicate in certain situations. After all, Spanish was spoken here long before English ever was.
11. Yes, we really do put green chile on everything 
As we mentioned above, the town smells like roasting chiles in the fall. It’s on our license plates. And we love it on and in everything from enchiladas to pizza. Yes, you read that right: we love it on pizza. And on cheeseburgers…and tons of other stuff.
And when you get fully acclimated to green chile, you’ll start to explore with red. They are actually from the same plant. The red chiles just mature on the plant longer than green and have a very different flavor that is more earthy and almost smoky. It’s amazing on pork, eggs, and a host of other rich foods.
You’ll end up loving it. The flavor is amazing, and it turns out you may actually have a physical reaction to the chile that can become a mild addiction.
12. Famous people like to hide out in Santa Fe
There are a host of Hollywood types in Santa Fe. Stars like Robert Redford, George R. R. Martin, Gene Hackman, Val Kilmer, Wes Studi, Julia Roberts, Shirley MacLaine, and Ally MacGraw have called or do call Santa Fe home. It’s not uncommon to see famous people around town doing things ordinary people do. Most of the locals don’t really care and treat them like every other person, which is why celebrities like it here.
13. It’s an Art Lover’s Paradise
Santa Fe is the third-largest art market in and Artisian Capital of the country. UNESCO designated Santa Fe its first creative city in 2005. But the story really started about 100 years ago when artists began flocking to the area. Painters and photographers from the East Coast especially began coming for the dramatic light, epic landscapes and new subject matter.
With their big-money patrons in the big cities, they were able to make a living here in New Mexico while popularizing the area. More artists came. Many settled into the adobe homes that line Canyon Road. Others, like Georgia O’Keeffe (If you’re a fan, be sure to visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and Ghost Ranch!), ventured further afield to places like Abiquiu and Taos.
For a while, Santa Fe was known for its western art, but these days it produces a wide variety of styles and media that appeal to anyone who appreciates art.
Check out our Santa Fe Art Gallery Guide.
14. You need a guy (or gal)
Santa Feans love to feel like they have the inside scoop on the best auto mechanic, tree guy, electrician, or whatever. The reason is because it can be hard to find the right person to take care of your home, auto, etc., and even harder to find someone to show up on time.
When you find the right person, it’s awesome, but the process for getting there can be hectic. If you need some help, check out the Santa Fe business directory to find reputable local businesses that can take care of all your needs.
15. markets, events, and shopping
This is a lot crammed into one category! Santa Fe is famous for our annual markets: the Indian Market, Spanish Market, and the International Folk Art Market, where artists from across the country and even around the world gather to offer their creations. We also have big events that draw locals and tourists alike, such as the annual Burning of Zozobra and the Wine & Chile Festival.
Find Santa Fe’s Major Events Calendar here. And shopping! While we’ve got big box stores, the real shopping is done at locally owned stores where you can truly support local businesses. Head to the acclaimed Santa Fe Farmers Market to buy directly from growers and producers. Local baked goods, jam, or honey, anyone? Find locally owned businesses here.
Think we’re missing something? Let us know on SantaFe.com’s Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to adjust to Santa Fe’s altitude?
Most people start feeling better after a few days, but don’t be surprised if it takes two to four weeks before those stairs stop feeling like a personal attack. At roughly 7,000 feet above sea level, Santa Fe has a way of humbling even people who exercise regularly. The best advice? Drink more water than you think you need, take it easy during your first few days, and save that ambitious mountain hike for next month. If you know what’s coming, the adjustment is a whole lot easier, and tips for adjusting to Santa Fe’s altitude can help you settle in comfortably.
Is Santa Fe really as expensive as people say?
It depends on what you’re comparing it to. Santa Fe is one of New Mexico’s pricier housing markets, largely because it’s a destination city with limited inventory and plenty of second-home buyers. But plenty of locals happily make it work by choosing neighborhoods that fit their lifestyle instead of chasing the postcard view. Every part of the city has its own personality, so it’s worth spending a little time browsing Santa Fe neighborhoods before deciding where home might be.
Do I actually need a four-wheel-drive vehicle?
For most people, no. A front-wheel-drive car with good tires will handle everyday life just fine, especially if you’re staying around town. That said, if your dream weekends involve powder days at Ski Santa Fe or living on one of the hillier roads outside the city, you’ll probably appreciate all-wheel drive when winter rolls around. Snow usually doesn’t stick around long in town thanks to all that famous New Mexico sunshine, but the mountains play by their own rules.
What’s something nobody tells you before moving to Santa Fe?
That you’ll become strangely invested in the weather. You’ll leave the house in a jacket because it’s 42 degrees, eat lunch on a sunny patio in short sleeves, then pull the jacket back out after sunset. You’ll also start judging grocery store parking lots by who has the best green chile roaster each fall. Somewhere along the way, you’ll find yourself planning weekends around local festivals, gallery openings, or whatever catches your eye on the Santa Fe events calendar. That’s usually when you realize you’re starting to feel like a local.
What neighborhood should I look at first?
That depends entirely on the life you want to live. If walking to restaurants, galleries, and coffee shops sounds like your ideal Saturday, Downtown or South Capitol might be your speed. Want a little more room to spread out? There are plenty of neighborhoods that offer a quieter pace without feeling disconnected from the city. Santa Fe has far more variety than many first-time visitors realize, and each neighborhood has its own rhythm once you get to know it.
Is Santa Fe a good place to work remotely?
It really is, as long as you’re OK with your lunch break occasionally turning into a hike. Most neighborhoods have reliable internet, there are plenty of cozy coffee shops to work from, and the city has a growing remote-work community. The biggest challenge isn’t finding Wi-Fi. It’s convincing yourself to finish that spreadsheet instead of wandering through Canyon Road or finally checking out Meow Wolf because “it’s only for an hour.”
How do people make friends after moving here?
Santa Fe is one of those places where showing up consistently goes a long way. Stop by the same coffee shop, hike the same trail, become a regular at your favorite brewery, volunteer at a local event, or strike up a conversation while waiting for breakfast. Before long, you’ll start recognizing familiar faces everywhere. It’s a small city with a big creative community, and it doesn’t take long before you start running into the same people in all the best ways.
What’s the biggest mistake people make after moving to Santa Fe?
Trying to cram everything into their first month. Santa Fe isn’t going anywhere. The museums, hiking trails, Canyon Road galleries, breweries, and mountain views will all still be here after you’ve unpacked the last box. Give yourself permission to settle in first. Wander a different neighborhood every weekend, try a new restaurant every Friday, and let the city reveal itself one experience at a time. That’s how most locals fell in love with it in the first place.
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