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Retirement Living In Taos and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico


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Area Description

Taos
The Town of Taos, New Mexico is known for gorgeous lighting with epic sunsets of red, orange and purple blazing through the sky. Vast open spaces dotted with cedar trees, juniper, and sage brush in varying shades of green framed by mountains make you feel as though you’re in a painting. Adobe architecture against bright blue sky, and the smell of burning piñon set the mood to be swept away. It’s no wonder so many artists have chosen the state as a geographical muse.

Taos, a quirky remote northern town with a population of about 6000 people, sits at 7000 ft above sea level. Adventure is the route to Taos, it is accessed by Route 68, the scenic High Road, or by plane into a tiny airport stretched out on the mesa. The town is situated at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the Rio Grande River cuts through offering beautiful views and a fun ride for those who like to play outside. Sustainable homes known as Earthships, historical sites like the Taos Pueblo where people have lived for hundreds of years, a plaza for shopping, cute neighborhoods to explore, a wealth of outdoor activities, and food worth the drive north from Santa Fe are part of what Taos has to offer.

Taos Ski Valley
The Village of Taos Ski Valley is situated in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, 15 miles northeast of Taos via US Highway 150. Originally settled by a group of hearty and adventurous miners in the 1800’s, the community is now inhabited by hearty and adventurous skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Home of world famous Taos Ski Valley Resort, the Village of Taos Ski Valley contains four miles of roads and is bordered completely by Carson National Forest. The village was incorporated in 1996 and at an elevation of 9200 feet, however the Village limits reach elevations of 12,581 feet with the highest residential dwelling being at 10,350 feet, making Taos Ski valley the highest municipality in the US.

Situated at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Rio Grande cuts through Taos offering beautiful views and a fun ride for those who like to play in the water. Sustainable homes known as Earthships, ancient sites like the Taos Pueblo inhabited for hundreds of years by Tiwa-speaking Native Americans, the historic plaza, charming neighborhoods to explore, a wealth of outdoor activities, and food worth the drive north from Santa Fe are only part of what Taos has to offer.
Taos Ski Valley

The Village of Taos Ski Valley is perched at 9,200 feet high up in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, 15 miles northeast of Taos via US Highway 150. Originally settled by a group of hearty and adventurous miners in the 1800’s, the community is inhabited today by hearty and adventurous skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.

The ski area exists because of the imagination and hard work of a remarkable Swiss-German named Ernie Blake, his wife Rhoda and friends. A passionate skier, Blake dreamed for years of building a ski area, and launched Taos Ski Valley in 1955 on a shoestring budget. The European atmosphere and architecture of Taos Ski Valley is due to the ski area’s pioneers—a mix of German, French, Austrian and Swiss residents and employees—combined with the local Native American and Spanish cultures. The Village is surrounded by the Carson National Forest and offers activities, special events, accommodations and fine dining in summer, fall, winter and spring.

Revel in an alpine sunrise. Soak up big mountain views. Stargaze from your room balcony. Hike through flower-carpeted meadows. Learn to speak German. Take your skiing to the next level. Enjoy a pot of cheese fondue. Hoist a stein of Bavaria's best suds. Watch your grand kids grow into epic skiers and boarders. Make new friends, renew old acquaintances. Feel like family in this wonderful village of outdoor enthusiasts.

Includes Cities/Towns: El Prado, Taos, Taos Ski Valley.

Region Characteristics





Area Amenities

Things to Do, Recreation & Fitness
   Taos and Taos Ski Valley are world-renowned for our long list of outdoor activities. With 285 days of sunshine, it's the perfect place to be outside to discover the brilliant light of the southwest, excellent hiking and biking trails, ski resorts, hot springs, and the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument.

Cultural Activities
Taos has more artists per capita than any town in the world, even Paris. And if you add musicians, writers, filmmakers and theater to that list, everyone in Taos is an artist.

Art in Taos; let us tell you more. We have over 80 art galleries of galleries. There are six museums in Taos that preserve and display historic and contemporary art. There are two major art festivals in Taos – Fall Arts and Spring Arts -- several film festivals, a poets and storyteller festival, and four music festivals - classical, jazz, and rock.

Public transportation
Taos and Taos Ski Valley are served by the NCRTD. Transportation to Espanola and Santa Fe is offered at reduced rates. The NCRTD provides free shuttle service between Taos and Taos Ski Valley.

Medical Facilities


Holy Cross Hospital
Urgent Care
Local Doctors have their own clinics that can also be included here.


What Will The Climate And Weather Be Like If I Retire In Taos and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico?

For those of you that retire in Taos and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico, you will have hotter temperatures than other areas of the USA.

Winter temperatures are cold with averages in the upper 20's and highs in the low 40's. Nights are cold with lows in the mid 10's. You may have a few days below 0°. Expect a few days of rain. Assume a few days of snow with some days having snow remaining on the ground.

If the weather in the spring is too cold for the outdoors, enjoy some indoor activities in Taos and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico such as a movie, a visit to a museum, dining, nightlife or some shopping. Spring temperatures are cold with averages in the upper 40's and highs in the low 60's. Nights are cold with lows in the low 30's. Expect a few days of rain.

Summertime in Taos and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico is a great time to enjoy your retirement with a day at the lake, an outdoor concert, a local festival or other outdoor activity! Summer temperatures are mild with averages in the mid 60's and highs in the low 80's. Nights are cold with lows in the upper 40's. Expect a few days above 90°. Expect some rainy days in the summer.

If you retire in Taos and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico, you can look forward to fall weather activities such as biking on a bike path, hiking, enjoying a walking path and more! Fall temperatures are cold with averages in the upper 40's and highs in the mid 60's. Nights are cold with lows in the low 30's. Expect a few days of rain.

Monthly Temperature Ranges

 Month  Low  Avg  High
 Jan  12 F°  27 F°  42 F°
 Feb  17 F°  31 F°  46 F°
 Mar  24 F°  39 F°  54 F°
 Apr  30 F°  47 F°  63 F°
 May  38 F°  55 F°  72 F°
 Jun  46 F°  64 F°  82 F°
 Jul  52 F°  68 F°  85 F°
 Aug  51 F°  67 F°  83 F°
 Sep  43 F°  60 F°  77 F°
 Oct  32 F°  49 F°  66 F°
 Nov  22 F°  37 F°  52 F°
 Dec  13 F°  28 F°  42 F°

Monthly Average # of Hot and Cold Days

 Month  Days Greater Than 90 F°  Days Less Than 32 F°  Days Less Than 0 F°
 Jan  0  31  4
 Feb  0  27  1
 Mar  0  28  0
 Apr  0  18  0
 May  0  5  0
 Jun  3  0  0
 Jul  6  0  0
 Aug  2  0  0
 Sep  0  1  0
 Oct  0  15  0
 Nov  0  27  0
 Dec  0  31  3

Rain & Humidity

 Month  Rainfall  Rainy Days  Humidity
 Jan  1 "  4  11 %
 Feb  1 "  4  13 %
 Mar  1 "  5  17 %
 Apr  1 "  5  19 %
 May  1 "  5  26 %
 Jun  1 "  5  32 %
 Jul  2 "  9  42 %
 Aug  2 "  11  44 %
 Sep  2 "  7  36 %
 Oct  1 "  5  26 %
 Nov  1 "  4  16 %
 Dec  1 "  5  11 %

Snow

 Month  Snowfall  Snow On Ground Days  Snowy Days
 Jan  8 "  9  3
 Feb  7 "  6  3
 Mar  6 "  2  2
 Apr  2 "  1  1
 May  0 "  0  0
 Jun  0 "  0  0
 Jul  0 "  0  0
 Aug  0 "  0  0
 Sep  0 "  0  0
 Oct  1 "  1  1
 Nov  4 "  2  2
 Dec  10 "  8  4


Natural Disaster Areas

Cost of Living for Taos and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico

Taos and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico cost of living for Housing, Healthcare, Transportation, Taxes, Utilities, etc.:

 Cost of Living

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Senior Housing Options

Senior Assistance in Taos and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico

Taos and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico offers the following assistance for seniors:
http://www.taoslivingcenter.com/

What Job or Volunteer Opportunities Does Taos and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico Offer For Retirees?

Our volunteer and civic opportunities are built around a small town community and all that makes this place shine. From the Taos Pueblo, the Men's Shelter, the CAV, the local churches, our Stray Hearts Animal Shelter...the list goes on with ample opportunity to give back.

Additional Information

Visitor Information

Relocation Information


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