When buying a home, all potential homebuyers have a lot to consider, but as a Los Alamos National Lab (LANL) employee, your considerations require specific answers. You’ll need to think about whether you want to live close to work or commute, how important nearby schools and medical facilities are to you, and whether you prefer a bustling city life or a slower pace.
If you’re considering finding a new home, contact the professionals at Red or Green Properties, LLC.
Do you want to live in Los Alamos or a nearby city?
About 35 percent of LANL employees live in Los Alamos, and the rest commute from Santa Fe, Española, Taos, or Albuquerque. Only 18 miles away, Española is the nearest town and thereby has the shortest commute. This might be a good place to consider buying a home if you enjoy a small community.
Around 33 miles away, is the capital of New Mexico — Santa Fe. If you enjoy cities with a large variety of entertainment, dining out, and shopping opportunities, consider buying a home in Santa Fe, a larger city with plenty of options, including a world-class opera.
Many neighborhoods offer easy access to the 599 Bypass making for an easy commute.
While the thought of commuting might conjure up images of stalled traffic and frustration, the remote geography of Northern New Mexico can make commuting a pleasant experience as you zoom along well-maintained highways with a view of the Sangre de Cristo mountains heading out of Santa Fe and the foothills of the Jemez mountains as you near Los Alamos.
Buying a home in a Santa Fe Neighborhood
Pulte Colibri is a great location for LANL commuters, as it’s near both I-25 and Highways 599, making it easy to get to and from work and, once you are home, you’ll find nearby shopping and dining opportunities, plus local parks.
Another great neighborhood with easy access to Highway 599 and a quick drive to downtown Santa Fe is Vista Primera.
Casa Solana, a coveted neighborhood in Santa Fe, is popular due to its proximity to Highway 285 and to a park-and-ride location. This neighborhood features easy access to bike trails and parks, and it’s only a short distance from downtown Santa Fe.
There are other neighborhoods that feature newer construction and also have easy access to both Highways 599 and 285.
Visit Red or Green Properties, LLC, to find a realtor who can help you find homes in these and other areas of Santa Fe.
Schools and Healthcare
While an easy commute is a major factor to consider when you’re buying a home, proximity to good schools and healthcare are also important considerations. Whether or not you have school-age children, school districts play a large part in home resale values.
Both Santa Fe and Los Alamos have highly ranked schools and Santa Fe has both private and charter options available. The Santa Fe neighborhoods listed above are all near excellent public schools.
The hospital in Los Alamos is considered a small community hospital with a 47-bed capacity, but it offers emergency care, surgical care, and both inpatient and outpatient services.
Santa Fe has a large 206-bed hospital and a smaller 36-bed hospital, both offering emergency, surgical, and other services. Santa Fe’s proximity to Albuquerque, with larger, more specialized medical facilities, is another factor to consider when choosing where to purchase a home.
Outdoor activities
This region of Northern New Mexico has four distinct seasons, so you can add snow skiing to the long list of things to do outdoors. Enjoy hiking, biking, river rafting, fishing, or golfing — all a short distance from work or home.
The nearby Sangre de Cristo Mountains have countless trails, ranging from simple to challenging. Even if you choose a suburban-style home near amenities like schools, shopping, and restaurants, getting outdoors will be a breeze.
Let Red or Green Properties find the perfect home for you, near to the things you enjoy and a pleasant commute to work.
Story by Julia Osgood
Story sponsored by Red or Green Properties, LLC
