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Moving to Santa Fe with kids?

Santa Fe Kids at Wood Gormley elementary school

Yes, Santa Fe has marvellous blue skies, is a cultural gem and has great places to eat.  But what about the kids?

Realtors are a varied crew of course, but few Santa Fe realtors have our real-time experience of the school system here, and if you’re considering a move here with school-age children, you need to talk to me!  Frank has a child who is going through the school system, starting from kindergarden here.

We know the zones, the best schools for particular subjects, the best homes in the districts you choose, the whole interzoning lottery, the private school options for K-12….

You’re never just buying a home, but especially with kids you’re buying a neighborhood, a school, buddies that your child will have at a crucial time in their development and of course peace of mind.

As parents, we are very aware of all these issues, and try to incorporate them in home selection, so that by the time you arrive in Santa Fe to look at properties, we completely understand each other.  Let us help find you and your family a great place to grow up.

ps Things to do while Mom & Dad are house hunting, or afterwards…

Santa Fe Children’s Museum
(505) 989-8359
www.santafechildrensmuseum.org
1050 Old Pecos Trail

If you are traveling with children, and they become bored with the historic sites in and around Santa Fe, this is a great way to lift their spirits. The museum is packed with hands-on exhibits like a climbing wall, obstacle course, bubbles, music, and a working greenhouse featuring daily scavenger hunts. For the fearless, there are even snakes on exhibit. The gift shop has an array of educational toys, puzzles and games.
Admission
New Mexico Residents with ID $4 per person
All other visitors $8 per person
(Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult
Parents of unaccompanied youth over 12 must register at front desk)
* Dollar Sundays: Admission on most Sundays is $1 for New Mexico residents
Hours of Operation: 10am-5pm Wed-Sat; 12pm-5pm Sun


Warehouse 21
www.warehouse21.org
(505) 989-4423
1614 Paseo de Peralta

In the Santa Fe Railyard area, this is a magnetic place for teenagers, with
everything from anime festivals, to turntable classes to concerts.

Genoveva Chavez Community Center
3221 Rodeo Road
505 955 4001

You could hang out here all day!  There’s a 50 meter pool with awesome diving boards, as well as a leisure pool.  Other facilities include an ice arena – rent some skates and go! – as well as  gyms, exercise equipment and a coffee shop.

Fort Marcy Complex Pool, Gym and Mager’s Field Park
(505) 955-2500
490 Bishops Lodge Rd
Local gym and pool a short walk from downtown. Also has tennis courts.
Admission: $4

The Bishops Lodge Resort and Spa
(505) 983-6377
bishopslodge.com
1297 Bishops Lodge Rd
Located about a 10 minute drive from downtown, Bishop’s Lodge has horseback rides (by reservation), Tennis (also by reservation),  and hiking trails.

Mellow Vello
(505) 995-VELO
638 Old Santa Fe Trail
Mello Vello is great for bicycle rentals, and guides.

New Wave Rafting Company
(505) 984-1444
newwaverafting.com
1101 Cerrillos Rd
Rafting season is such fun in New Mexico! New Wave Rafting has excellent guides to ensure a fun and memorable experience. (Special rules may apply for teens and young children)
Trips start at around $50.00

Parks:
Railyard Park + Plaza
Corner of Paseo de Peralta & Guadalupe
Re-opened in 2008, this is a superb place to hang out, with its picnic tables, flowing stream, children’s activity area and grassy knolls.  Get your sandwiches across the road in Whole Foods Market and then relax!
There are often musical events in the Park, and it incorporates Warehouse 21 for the teenagers and SITE Santa Fe for the sophisticates.  The Park includes the wonderful Santa Fe Farmers Market, which is open year round Saturdays and Tuesdays, and several coffee shops and casual restaurants.

Local malls:
Devargas Center
(505) 982-2655
www.devargascenter.com
564 N Guadalupe St
Hours of Operation: M-F 10am-7pm, Sa 10am-6pm, Su Noon-5pm
Located about a 5 minute drive from downtown. This is Santa Fe’s oldest indoor shopping mall. It has the UA DeVargas Mall 6 cinema here where you can catch a movie. Stores in the mall include Ross Dress for Less, Western Warehouse, Stag Tobacconist, Hastings (video/games/books).

Sanbusco Center
(505) 989 9390
Montezuma St., just off Guadalupe Street

Borders, Just for Feet, Reel Life fishing gear, Santa Fe Pens, Cost Plus – great stores for browsing and buying! This historic building has over 20 stores in a wonderful downtown location, just off Guadalupe, which is a unique shopping and dining experience itself.

Santa Fe Place
(505) 473-4253
www.villalindamall.com
4250 Cerrillos Rd
Hours of Operation: M-Sa 10am-9pm; Su Noon-6pm
Located about a 25 minute drive from downtown (much closer if you’re staying in a Cerrillos Rd. motel). This is the largest indoor mall in Santa Fe, as well as the most modern. It is a popular place to hang out, catch a movie, dine and, of course, shop. The four main stores are Sears, Mervyn’s, Dillard’s and JC Penney’s, and there are close to 80 other shops. There are a number of specialty stores offering candy, shoes, books, home accessories and electronic games. The center food court offers Chinese food, fast food and more. The movie theater shows all the latest releases, and has new very low prices.

Here’s a great article from Travel + Leisure magazine
about keeping the kids active while you’re in Santa Fe.

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