Santa Fe: City Different

The City Different is in many ways the perfect mixing of Hispanic, Native American and Anglo cultures, resulting in world-renowned food, art and an experience like no other. Downtown Santa Fe has been the center of tourism and local interest for more than a century. Many stores have been in the downtown area for generations, and they all have a unique story to tell.

“But a serious problem plagues the city: Santa Fe’s population is increasingly, and worryingly, old,” says The Guardian.

In 2014, Santa Fe had a population of 70,297. According to the U.S. Census, 19 percent of the population is over 65 years of age, and 21 percent is under 18. What does this data mean?

Basically, it means Santa Fe attracts older generations, who then have children who are forced to stay in Santa Fe until they are 18. But Santa Fe has a difficult time attracting and retaining people who are over 18 — and under 65 — which is a pretty large number of people.

This can be partly attributed to Santa Fe’s high cost of living. For example, in 2014, the median value of a home in Santa Fe was $276,500. But the fact that Santa Fe just simply doesn’t have nightlife and other attractions common to other small cities may be to blame.

But with the help of local “angels” like George R.R. Martin, clubs and other nightlife attractions such as Meow Wolf will hopefully bring a new crowd to Santa Fe.

Downtown Santa Fe still attracts people of all ages to see the centuries old architecture and to just hang out and have a good time.

“There’s always something happening,” says Dallin Sobers, a graduate of Albuquerque Academy who frequently visits the Plaza. “No matter where it is you turn, there will be someone performing or creating art. It’s the fact that there’s so many lives being lived in one place at one time that draws me to the Plaza.”

“I love Santa Fe,” says Destiny Trujillo, senior at Santa Fe High School. “There’s always been a huge complaint from young people that there is never anything to do, but my heart has grown to love the beautiful town and unique people. Santa Fe is home, not because of all the things I do, but simply because I’m exposed to raw beauty and talent like the nature, culture, art and the people who’ve made it home. That’s a rare thing to find.”

From local landmarks like Canyon Road, The Five and Dime, and Santa Cafe, downtown Santa Fe always seems to maintain a high-class and unique aesthetic.

One of the local landmarks, Kaune’s Neighborhood Market, turns 120 years old this year. Kaune’s has offered the local and tourist community a new look at worldwide food options, which has earned the grocery store many local and national awards. Kaune’s was first known in Santa Fe as being the first store to sell Coca-Cola, and nowadays it’s known for its interesting innovations in food and wine.

“Kaune’s is a Santa Fe tradition,” says Cheryl Pick Sommer, who has owned the store for 13 years.

Other, more unusual Santa Fe traditions can garner national attention. In 2013, national food critic Anthony Bourdain reviewed the “world famous” Five and Dime Frito pie, saying it was “disgusting, indigenous to Texas and hazardous to one’s health,” according to the Santa Fe New Mexican. Of course, as Santa Feans always do, residents fought back defending the store’s renowned Frito pies, which are sold in the tens of thousands annually.

“I was drawn to visit Santa Fe because I come from a small town in Texas that lacks a solid culture and community, which I feel when I visit Santa Fe,” says Brian K., a tourist who frequently visits Santa Fe in the springtime.

Santa Fe might not be big on nightlife, but at least we’re trying. The new year was welcomed this year by a celebration on the plaza not quite as large-scale as New York City’s, but it was a start. Complete with a speech by Mayor Gonzales, a not-so-epic Zia symbol light up on a wall, and hot chocolate and food trucks, tourists and locals had something to do on New Year’s Eve.

While this may not be particularly newsworthy, it represents large strides by Mayor Javier Gonzales and the Santa Fe Tourism Department in promoting larger scale events that take place after 8 p.m., which is when the town generally shuts down for the day.

Aside from the usual festivities that happen in downtown Santa Fe, such as Fiestas, Zozobra, and the Spanish and Indian Markets, Santa Fe seems to be expanding its horizons in looking to draw a younger crowd from around the world and to retain the youth who already live here.

“I think downtown Santa Fe is special because it celebrates the city’s history,” says SFHS senior Mia Dorsey. “I am drawn to its sense of culture that goes unseen in other cities.”