While the tremendous growth toward the southwest is changing the face of Santa Fe daily, nowhere is it more evident than the areas outside our city limits on the south and west sides. The single largest residential community in the state currently selling finished homes is Rancho Viejo and its location off Richards Ave. South allows it to grow forever into the eventual size of some 30,000 houses. The developers have donated land for the Santa Fe Community College, the Indian Arts school (IAIA) and numerous churches, all helping the community grow rapidly. In addition, many other areas are in the planning stages for future development along NM Highway 14 south (the Turquoise Trail) and in surrounding areas of Santa Fe County. Further south on NM 14, a commuter could choose a rural tract and buy or build a passive solar home on a well and septic, or live a little further south in the traditional villages of Cerrillos, San Marcos or Madrid. Many homes in this direction have been purposely built off the “grid” providing freedom from the utility costs in heating and lighting a home. Interstate 25 runs through this part of the metro area providing access to cross country routes, train connections and the airport in Albuquerque, 60 miles away. As the original entryway into Santa Fe from the south, La Cienega village was a full days travel from Santa Fe as it developed 300 years ago. Now it is just 11 miles south.
