Why I Moved to Santa Fe (And Why It Was a Dream Come True)

I’ve loved New Mexico my entire life. I grew up in northeastern New Mexico surrounded by its wide-open skies, chile-scented kitchens, and the kind of community where everyone knows your name. But even as a kid, there was one place that captured my heart completely: Santa Fe.

I can remember the exact moment it happened. I was six years old, standing inside the Roundhouse, the newly built state capitol, on a family trip to Chama to visit my Aunt Mary Belle. The floors gleamed, the art was beautiful, and sunlight poured in through those round walls like a blessing. I felt something stir in me, something that said, “This is where you belong.”

That feeling never left me.

For years, I carried Santa Fe in my heart like a promise. Life took me in other directions - school, work, family, all the detours that make up a full life - but the dream stayed constant: One day, I’ll live there.

Taking the Leap

When the time finally came, it wasn’t because every piece of the puzzle had fallen perfectly into place. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I didn’t have all the answers. I didn’t have a partner to lean on or a detailed plan for how it would all work out. What I had was a pull I couldn’t ignore and a deep knowing that if I didn’t take the chance, I’d regret it forever.

So I packed my things, found a small place to rent in the Railyard, and decided to give Santa Fe a try. I told myself I’d stay for a while, see how it felt, and figure the rest out along the way.

And almost immediately, I knew: I was home.

(There was a slight detour from the dream when I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer only three months after arriving, but that's another story. And just another example of how something that seems like a bad dream can actually make your life better.)

There’s something about Santa Fe that wraps around you. It’s in the way the air smells after a rain, in the way the light turns the mountains gold at sunset, in the blend of cultures and stories that make this place so endlessly rich. I’d always known Santa Fe was beautiful—but living here, I discovered its deeper magic. It’s not just a city; it’s a feeling.

Finding My Purpose

Moving here wasn’t just a change of address. It was a change of life. I’d always been passionate about people, stories, and community, and in Santa Fe, I found the perfect way to bring all those passions together: real estate.

Helping others find their own piece of the City Different felt like destiny. I knew what it meant to dream of living here, to wonder if you could make it work, to finally step through the door of a home that feels like it’s been waiting for you all along. I’d done it myself.

And because I came here with a mix of faith, courage, and curiosity, I love helping my clients do the same, whether they’re lifelong New Mexicans ready for a new chapter or newcomers drawn by the same spark that called me as a child.

Why It Was Worth It

Was it easy? Not always. Starting over in a new city can be intimidating, especially when you’re doing it solo. There were moments of doubt, of wondering if I’d made the right choice, of balancing excitement with uncertainty.

But every challenge was matched by a moment of grace: a new friendship, a stunning sunset, an evening talking to the old guys who made up the regulars around the bar at Del Charro, a client who became a lifelong friend, a quiet morning walking to the Farmer's Market. I realized every day how lucky I was to wake up here.

Looking back now, I can say with absolute certainty that this was one of the best decisions I ever made. Santa Fe didn’t just give me a home; it gave me purpose, peace, and a life I love.

A Personal Decision for Everyone

People often ask me, “Should I move to Santa Fe?” And I always say: that’s a deeply personal decision.

Moving anywhere, especially to a place as unique as Santa Fe, isn’t just about geography. It’s about your heart. It’s about where you feel alive, inspired, and at ease.

For some, Santa Fe is a destination—a beautiful place to visit, to taste the food, see the art, and soak up the sun. For others, it’s a calling. You’ll feel it when you’re here, standing in the Plaza, walking Canyon Road, or watching the sun set over the Sangres. If you feel that quiet tug, that voice that whispers “This is home”—pay attention.

Because sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is listen.

Living the Dream

Today, I still have moments when I can’t believe I get to live here. I’ll be walking through the Railyard, hearing the train whistle and the chatter from the farmers’ market, and I’ll think, This is the life you dreamed of at six years old.

It’s not lost on me how special that is—to have a childhood dream that becomes a grown-up reality. Santa Fe is more than my home; it’s the place that shaped who I am. It’s the canvas where I’ve built a life filled with gratitude, connection, and beauty.

If Santa Fe has been calling to you, maybe this is your sign to listen. Maybe your story belongs here too.