Area Information
 MCS Living in Santa Fe

Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, was founded by Spaniards in 1609, but Native Americans have maintained a continuing residency measured in millennia. Trappers, hunters, traders, adventurers, business people, artists, writers, and many religions have contributed to the city's cultural mix. Its current form began in the 1960's with the counterculture that gave way to a markedly more acquisitive style resulting in rapid growth and increased rents.

Long-term residents have been squeezed out by more affluent newcomers. Wild fire inflation has drive land prices out of the range of most residents. In spite of this condition, Santa Fe has retained much if it's earlier charm.

Housing

Environmentally safe Housing is extremely scarce. During the tourist season, May to October, even some healthy people can't find a place to live in town. The more money you can spend the better your chance for success. Many chemically sensitive people who have come to Santa Fe have left because they couldn't find a home. Ifyou do decide to try your luck, we recommend that you keep your current option open in case nothing is available here.

The classic Santa Fe home with adobe walls and tile or brick floors can be quite tolerable but is more rare than common. However, many older adobes are moldy because the tradition flat roofs leak. The newer homes are "phony adobe" with stucco exterior, particle board exterior walls, foam insulation, raw pine ceilings and flat tarred roofs. The raw pine ceilings are problematic for many with MCS. The flat tarred roofs are a big problem. They often leak, causing mold problems and when new are toxic for many months for those with MCS. The exquisitely mold sensitive have a very difficult time finding tolerable housing.


Passive solar homes with electric and wood stove backup heat can be found outside of town, most prevalent in El Dorado, a subdivision where many with MCS live, which is located about twenty minutes outside of Santa Fe. Many persons with MCS prefer Ei Dorado as the air quality is better than in town and the lot sizes are a minimum of one acre. However, ~ust is a serious problem there for the severely dust sensitive. Most roads in El Dorado are unpaved. Natural gas, propane and wood heat are the rule in Santa Fe. Heating with electricity, especially with space heaters (ifthe wiring is adequate) is expensive.

Around a dozen persons with MCS live in the Los Arroyos Compound, a 25 year old development of about 150 condo/apartments with baseboard hot water heat. The Condo. Association doesn't spray pesticides. The same problems that exist living in close proximity to non-EIs exist here, unfortunately. The condos. are typically two bedroom, 1 bath and rent for $750. The air quality is pretty good around the condos as the development is on the edge of town. Los Arroyos is located directly across from St. Vincent's Hospital off St. Michael's Drive. In Santa Fe, we have several architects and builders that have worked with chemically sensitive clients.

Cost of Living

The cost of living is higher than most places. Santa Fe is trendy, and trending is expensive. According to the American Chambers of Commerce Researchers Association, Santa Fe's relative housing cost index runs a budget breaking 49.3% above the norm for American cities. A medium priced home is around $165,00-$190,000. A condo or town house is about $20,000 to $65,000 less. Los Arroyos condos sell for around $81,000. Renting a one bedroom apartment or guest house can be $750 a month or more. House rents average $1,000-$1,300 a month and can be twice that. Unfortunately, salaries are lower than the national average.

Air Quality

Compared to many other cities, our air is still fairly clean. The downtown air is congested, especially in summer. There is agriculture about '/2 hour drive to the north and highways are regularly sprayed. In the last year the city has greatly reduced its use of pesticides and herbicides and is working on an IPM plan that we hope will be adopted. The Santa Fe National Forest hasn't used any pesticides or herbicides except BT in about 13 years. We have had forest fires in the National Forest in the past, and controlled burning is done to reduce fuel loading. Wood smoke can be a problem in winter and those flat roofs are tarred year round. Mold counts are usually low, but in January to April many residents are extremely bothered byjuniper tree pollen. They pollinate with amazing tenacity and are everywhere.

Climate

Contrary to popular belief, Santa Fe is NOT warm desert. We are set into the Southern Rockies at an altitude of 7)000 feet. (this means 30% less oxygen than at sea level, and a few people have been unable to adapt.) Average temperatures range from 18 degrees F to 82 degrees F. Winter temperatures rarely fall below O degrees F, and few summer days are over 90 degrees F. The sun is extremely intense and bright. Some with severe photo sensitivity have not been able to adapt. Average annual precipitation totals approximately 14 inches of rainfal I, mostly during the months of July and August, and 35 inches of snowfall between October and April. Relative humidity is 45%, and we have sun most days. One can usually camp comfortably from May to October.

Food

We have several natural food markets, Wild Oats, Alfalfa's and the Marketplace, providing organic meat, produce and prepared food items. From June until November one can find a wide variety of organic produce and meat at the outdoor Farmers Market.

Health Care

New Mexico has three doctors practicing environmental medicine. Erica Elliott, MD and William Schrader, MD are located in Santa Fe, and Jacqueline Krohn, MD is located in Los Alamos 45 minutes away. There are several dentists with mercury-free practices. Santa Fe offers a wide variety and a great number of practitioners of alternative medicine and several natural healing schools. Many have experience with chemically sensitive people.

Quality of Life

Northern New Mexico is especially picturesque. Our sky is really as blue as in the photos. Numerous trails lead through high desert, forest, arroyos, on top of mesas, and to alpine lakes. Skiing lasts from Thanksgiving to mid April. The varied cultures and traditions form a rich societal blend. During the summer months there are outdoor concerts, the Santa Fe Opera, craft fairs, plays, a big flea market and other activities that are accessible to many with MCS.

Support

New Vistas Independent Living Center (505-471-1001) sponsors an MCS support group with information and group support. A peer counseling program is available. The MCS Task Force ofNew Mexico (505) 983-9208) and, of course, the Healthy Housing Coalition (505-281-6405) have been active for several years. For more information, please call Santa Fe Visitor and Convention Center at 505-984-6760.

(Revised 7-01)

The Healthy Housing Coalition
P.O. Box 1213
Cedar Crest, NM. 87008
(505)-281-6405
hhcoalition@earthtones.com