The valley surrounding Taos, New Mexico is comprised of a collection of Spanish villages settled 500 years ago, such as Ranchos de Taos, Arroyo Seco, and Des Montes, and the Taos Pueblo, a National Historic Landmark continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years. Taos is the Tiwa word meaning “Red Willow People”, used for centuries by local Indians to describe members of their tribe. In the late 19th century a major art colony began to develop in Taos, later drawing such notables as D.H. Lawrence, Ansel Adams and Georgia O’Keefe.

Today the Taos area attracts an international population of about 15,000 seeking its renown light, 350 sunshine days each year, and rich cultural traditions. Residents enjoy a myriad of outdoor activities including a world class ski resort in Taos Ski Valley, whitewater rafting on the Rio Grande River, hiking the Sangre de Christo mountains, biking, golf, fishing and hunting. Visitors and locals revel in the art galleries, museums, performing arts, and restaurants surrounding historic Taos Plaza. Taos Chamber of Commerce serves the active business community. Amenities include quality health care in Holy Cross regional hospital, nationally recognized Taos News, world famous KTAO community solar radio station, University of New Mexico Taos, and SMU Fort Burgwin. Taos Youth and Family Center hosts a variety of children’s activities year round. Santa Fe is an hour away; Albuquerque and its international airport is a two hour drive; Denver is four hours north.

For investors looking to relocate to a market predicted to continue in its unprecedented growth, with the lowest property tax rate in New Mexico, Taos offers a variety of architectural styles from traditional adobe pueblo or territorial to sophisticated contemporary or self-sustaining off-grid green construction. Taos County housing options include single family, multi-family, and condominiums in a wide range of price points with a median price for single family residence of $304,000, about 40% less than its neighbor Santa Fe. Located at 6900 ft. elevation, home sites are available on the high desert mesa with sagebrush land cover, in the foothills with piñon and juniper, or in the mountains amidst Ponderosa pine and aspen. Check it out with a Taos County MLS search!