UBB.classic™ 6.7.2
I grew up in Santa Fe, went to HS there, then moved to Albuquerque (the BIG city!)
I don't know much about SF now, but I can give you my 2 cents worth of opinion, and I'll give it for free.
Santa Fe is a real "clique-ish" town. Especially in the Art realm. They think they are the only thing going (god?), and being in Santa Fe, that makes them just the coolest artists on earth. The art gallery owners (and there are tons of galleries) are also real snobish.
Santa Fe has lots, lots of money. It is the "chic" place to go, to ski, to hang out. Lot of moneyed people buy second homes there.
Santa Fe has a lot of poor people too, that are being squeezed by the ever increasing property values.
It is a beautiful place, has the best mexican food in the whole world (I'm not kidding), great skiing, an outdoor opera, and a lot of history.
You may do fine, Preston. Like I said, 2 cents.
If you open a sign shop there, you don't need a big ladder or boom truck. Building regs: No building over 3 story. There is only one 5 story in town, that's the La Fonda Hotel, and it's only about 300 years old.
Best restaurants: near downtown
The Shed (enchiladas)
Tomasitas (shredded beef burritos)
Have fun!
Stephen
I moved here to Maui 7 years ago from Santa Fe, after 6 years there. I miss the snowboarding, the smell of the green chiles being roasted outdoors in the fall, the Faralitos (lanterns made from paper lunch bag with sand & a votive candle) lining the adobe walls around christmas, & the incredable smell of Pinion wood burning in fireplaces and spilling out onto the streets.
I think the only place with more Art galleries per capita is Lahaina, Maui. Good luck!