subject: Taos, New Mexico Home Styles Reflect The Diversity Of The Cultures In The Area [print this page] A thousand-year history is written in the diverse architecture and real estate in Taos, New Mexico. From the sun-bathed adobe pueblos of the Taos Pueblo Native Americans, to the Spanish colonial courtyards and Mexican and American ranch houses of the 19th century, a vivid history can be found along the city's streets. However, the region is not just defined by these bygone eras. Contemporary Taos - with its eco-friendly earth ships, ski condos, ultra-modern dwellings, art galleries and acclaimed Southwestern cuisine - is growing quickly, and forging ahead with a new identity all its own.
Real estate in Taos has many qualities unique to New Mexico property. Nestled in the beautiful Sangre De Cristo Mountains in northern New Mexico, not far from the headwaters of the Rio Grande River, the city attracts outdoor adventurers, winter sports enthusiasts, hippies, artists and tourists to its cobbled streets and surrounding communities.
Perhaps it is the "Taos Hum," the low-frequency spiritual resonation that many report emanating from nearby Tres Arejas that makes this area such a special place. Whether it is the new-age energy or the ancient landscape, the property values of Taos condos and cabins have remained relatively stable during the recent economic downturn. In fact, demand for the area's wilderness log cabin retreats and ski lodging is recovering as the economy gains momentum - and more people become aware of local real estate and the diverse culture the region provides.
The local culture, like the real estate, reflects the unique voices of the community as well as the fusion of the various parts into something unique. Eco-conscious retirees and new-age free spirits are just the latest in a long line of people attracted to the region. Notable residents of the past include the famed western scout Kit Carson, British writer D.H. Lawrence, and artist Georgia O'Keefe.
In fact, the region is an epicenter of Southwestern art. The main streets have numerous galleries filled with work by local artists, and small adobe ranch-style creative retreats can be found at the end of rambling sage-lined roads. To those interested in more physical pursuits, condos and cabins in the nearby Taos Ski Valley Resort provide some of the best access to the slopes in all of New Mexico. For the rugged eco-minded adventurers, off-the-grid earth ships (like those found on the Carson Rim Road near the Rio Grande Gorge) represent examples of avant-garde architecture in the sustainability movement. Taos truly has something for everyone, and the real estate is as diverse as the history and inhabitants that make it such a special place.
