A Postcard from Taos, New Mexico
Taos is such a stunning combination of Indian and Mexican flavor. Some of the best food I've eaten in my life has been at the restaurants scattered through out the Plaza. Our second home has brought us to this great place and we've never been happier.
About Taos
Taos is located in Taos County, New Mexico. It is a large town in north-central New Mexico located near Taos Pueblo, the Native American village and tribe from which it takes its name. It is the county seat of Taos County.
The word 'Taos' means 'red willow' in the Tewa language. Taos was established following the Spanish conquest of the Pueblo villages. In modern days Taos has turned into a center of art and historical preservation. Attractions in this famous art colony include the Martinez Adobe, the Millicent Rogers Museum, the Kit Carson Home and Museum and the Harwood Foundation. The Plaza is one of the state's most vibrant, a terrific place for people watching and gallery hopping. Many homes can be found throughout both the downtown and surrounding areas of Taos.
As an ancient Native American village, Taos is believed to have been occupied for at least 800 years. In the early 1990s some 2100 Tiwa-speaking Pueblo, noted for their ceremonial dances, inhabited it. Also of note in Taos are the Millicent A. Rogers Museum, featuring displays of Native American and Hispanic art and artifacts; the Kit Carson Home and Museum, containing possessions of the American frontiersman; the Harwood Foundation Museum, with exhibits of paintings by Taos artists; and the Governor Bent Museum, with collections relating to Charles Bent, the first governor of New Mexico Territory, and to the Southwest in general. For those who want to be in the heart of Taos, there are charming condos right in town that are close to galleries, shops, and the historic Taos Plaza. For the golf enthusiasts there is land available near the Taos Country Club. If you're a skier, or just like to live in an alpine environment, you can find your dream home or cabin in the tall spruce forests of Taos Ski Valley.
The climate in the Southern Rockies can vary between extremes. While it never gets too hot in the high country due to the altitude, the sun is very strong at 7-13,000 ft. above sea level. Taos averages nearly 300 sunny days a year. Temperatures may vary up to 40 degrees in a matter of minutes. It could be sunny and in the 70's one moment, and turn very chilly and wet the next, with the coming of summer thunderstorms. The monsoon season, in July and August, brings afternoon rains on almost a daily basis, with it usually clearing for vivid sunsets and clear, cool nights.
An Average Lifestyle in Taos
Taos features a small-town environment with friendly neighbors, low crime, and an excellent school system. Many of the residents of Taos take pleasure in keeping a close-knit community of small businesses. In addition to its art, Taos also has a distinctive architecture; with adobe buildings with pine log vigas supporting the floors and ceilings. All of these things help to make Taos a unique and enjoyable place to live or own a second home.
Housing
Median house value: $157,200
Taos offers a wide selection of different homes to the second homebuyer. There are authentic adobe homes and Southwest haciendas and new pueblo-style homes. Some other types of second homes available are ski chalets and country cabins located in the Taos Ski Valley. Architects, contractors, and homebuilders have taken pleasure in the diverse landscape Taos has to offer. With a new home by the Rio Grande Gorge or in the Taos foothills, you'd have a spectacular 360° view of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the scenic Taos Valley.
Things To Do
Skiing
Aircraft Chartering
Horse Rentals
Rodeos
Hot Air Balloon Rides
Hunting Trips
Hiking
Pack Trips
River Rafting
Craft Workshops
Cultural Activities
Taos is home to many museums and art collections including the Millicent Rogers Museum, the E.L. Blumenschein Museum, and the Fechin Institute.
Near-By Excursions
Santa Fe, NM (56.9 miles, pop. 62,203).
Albuquerque, NM (113.7 miles, pop. 448,607).
Getting to Taos
Questa Municipal Nr 2 Airport
Taos Municipal Airport
Weather
Taos' weather is as varied as its landscape. While New Mexico is considered a southern state in terms of latitude, bordering Texas and Arizona to the east and west, and Mexico to the south, Taos' high elevation provides for the four seasons. This combination allows for summers to be cool and winters to be filled with sunshine.
Population
Total population of 4,700
Median resident age: 41.1 years
Economics
The median income for a household in the Taos is $25,016
Higher Education
University of New Mexico - Taos Education Center