Nomad Watch

Essentials

City
Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States
Population
89,000
Internet Speed
Average 150-300 Mbps; Xfinity and CenturyLink Fiber available
Currency & Banking
US Dollar (USD). Major banks: Wells Fargo, Nusenda Credit Union
Tap Water
Drinkable and high quality, though high mineral content
Power
120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B sockets
SIM Card
Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T; eSIMs via Airalo recommended for short stays
Banking for Expats
Revolut, Wise, or local Nusenda Credit Union for residency holders
Accommodation
Airbnb, Furnished Finder, and Zillow Rentals
Cashless Friendly
Yes, cards and mobile pay accepted almost everywhere
Short Term Rentals
Airbnb (Avg. $2,500/mo) and Adobe Star Properties
Budget Accommodation
Santa Fe Sage Inn (approx. $110/night)
Best Area to Stay for Tourists
The Plaza/Historic Downtown for walkability and galleries
Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
South Capitol or Railyard District for a mix of residential quiet and cafes

Working and Networking

Best Coworking Space
FatPipe ABQ @ Santa Fe ($200/mo) located at 1600 Lena St
Best Cafe for Work
Iconik Coffee Roasters (Lupe St location) - spacious with Great WiFi
Networking Events
Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce mixers and 'mixers' at Miller Stratton
Social Events for Expats
Meetup.com groups like 'Santa Fe 20s & 30s' and Friday art openings on Canyon Rd

Transportation

Best Taxi/Ride App
Uber and Lyft (widely available)
Bike/Scooter Rental
Mellow Velo (132 E Marcy St) - approx. $50/day
Best Beach Nearby
Cochiti Lake (approx. 45 mins drive) - freshwater beach
Top Regional Airline
American Eagle (flying to KSAF Santa Fe Regional)
Top International Airline
United or Delta via Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ)
Highway Access
I-25 connects to Albuquerque; US-84/285 connects to Taos
Main Train/Transit Hub
Santa Fe Depot (Rail Runner Express to Albuquerque)
Public Transport Passes
Santa Fe Trails Bus - $20 for a monthly pass
Regional Travel
New Mexico Rail Runner Express ($9-10 day pass to ABQ)

Health and Wellness

Best Hospital
Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center (455 St Michaels Dr)
Yoga & Wellness Centers
Santa Fe Community Yoga and Ten Thousand Waves Spa
Gyms & Fitness Centers
Santa Fe Fitness and Health ($60/mo) or Chavez Community Center
Laundry Services
Santa Fe Laundromat (1012 Marquez Pl)

Food and Drink

Best Food Delivery App
DoorDash and Grubhub
Best Local Dish to Try
Green Chile Cheeseburger or Enchiladas Christmas Style (Red & Green chile)
Vegan/Vegetarian Options
Annapurna’s World Vegetarian Cafe (528 Old Santa Fe Trail)
Best Dessert Spots
Kakawa Chocolate House (1050 Paseo De Peralta)
Affordable Shopping Spots
Trader Joe's and Santa Fe Farmers Market (Railyard)
E-commerce/Online Store
Amazon, Target.com
Grocery Delivery
Instacart (Whole Foods, Smith’s)
Bar/Nightlife Area
The Railyard District and Second Street Brewery area
Local Brewery
Santa Fe Brewing Co. (Brakeman's Tortilla Flats)
Wine Bars
Gruet Winery Tasting Room (near the Plaza)
Street Food Stalls
El Chile Toreado (Food truck on Early St)
Popular International Cuisine
Paper Dosa (South Indian) at 551 W Cordova Rd

Culture and Attractions

Must-See Landmarks
Loretto Chapel (Miraculous Staircase) and The Plaza
Museums & Art Venues
Meow Wolf (House of Eternal Return) - immersive art
Historical Sites
Palace of the Governors (oldest public building in US)
Religious Sites
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
Annual Events
Santa Fe Indian Market (August) and Zozobra (September)
Cultural Districts
Canyon Road (over 100 art galleries)
Theater Venues
The Lensic Performing Arts Center
Local Markets
Santa Fe Railyard Farmers Market (Saturdays)
Music Scene
Santa Fe Opera (Open-air venue 15 mins north)
Street Art
Various murals around the Midtown District/Lena St
Cooking Classes
Santa Fe School of Cooking (Chile workshops)
Art Galleries
SITE Santa Fe (Contemporary art)
Historic Buildings
San Miguel Chapel (Oldest church in the US)
Local Heritage
Pueblo revival architecture and Tewa/Spanish heritage

Nature and Outdoor Activities

Nearby Nature Escapes
Santa Fe National Forest (Atalaya Mountain trail)
National Parks Nearby
Bandelier National Monument (45 mins drive)
Cycling/Walking Paths
Santa Fe Rail Trail (17 miles of gravel/paved path)
Scenic Viewpoints
Cross of the Martyrs (Sunset views over the city)
Birdwatching Locations
Randall Davey Audubon Center & Sanctuary
Bonfire-Friendly Spots
Designated campfire rings in Hyde Memorial State Park

Other Services and Amenities

Parcel Delivery Service
FedEx Office, UPS Store on St. Michaels Dr
Tech Repair Services
Capitol Computer & Network Solutions
Table Tennis Spots
Fort Marcy Recreation Complex
Language Classes
Santa Fe Community College (Spanish/Tewa classes)
Libraries & Study Spots
Santa Fe Public Library (Main Branch downtown)
Community Centers
Genoveva Chavez Community Center
Gaming Lounges
Victory Love + Cookies (casual board games)
Casino & Gaming Halls
Tesuque Casino (10 mins North of Santa Fe)

Business

Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. $6,500 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $292,500)
Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. $4,200 per m² (e.g., 45 m² = $189,000)
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. $6,000 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $390,000)
1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. $3,800 per m² (e.g., 65 m² = $247,000)
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
Approx. $5,500 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $495,000)
2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
Approx. $3,500 per m² (e.g., 90 m² = $315,000)
Corporate Tax
21% (Federal) + 4.8% (New Mexico State)
Dividend Withholding Tax
0% to 30% depending on tax treaties
Tax System
Worldwide income for US citizens/residents; State tax based on New Mexico residency
Highest Income Tax Bracket
37% (Federal) + 5.9% (New Mexico State)
VAT
No VAT; New Mexico Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) is approx. 8.4375% in city
Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
Yes, strict federal GILTI and Subpart F rules apply
Property Tax
Yes, approx. 0.8% of assessed market value annually
Property Transaction Tax
No state transfer tax, but recording fees apply
Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
No specific nomad visa; standard US tax laws apply

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