Ours is a lovely adobe home (two bedroom/two bath plus library/study) north of Santa Fe, NM (20 minutes by car, 15 minutes to the Santa Fe Opera) in the traditional agricultural valley of Nambé. It's close to skiing, hiking, mountain biking trails and archeological sites. In the neighborhood (2-3 mile radius), there are several restaurants, Nambe and Pojoaque pueblos, a Pueblo museum, a grocery store, a hardware store, a wellness center complex with pool and library, and a liquor store with one of the best and most comprehensive international wine selections in the Southwest. There is also a farmer's market in summer/fall.
The house is a sunny passive solar home with radiant-heated floors and views of the pastures of a National Historic Trust ranch across the road. The courtyard has a barbecue grill and outdoor dining table under the trees. This is rural living - we have well water, a septic treatment system, and there is no garbage pick up.
We are a research scientist and writer who travel extensively for work. Our house is perfect for visiting scientists, writers, artists, and retirees interested in the Santa Fe area and Northern New Mexico.
We prefer a neat and mature active couple (retired or not), homeowners, and preferably travelers who are non-smokers. Please, no pets or children.
We will ask you to perform houseplant/garden watering and care that require a few hours a week. Most of the outdoor space is planted in native vegetation requiring little to no care, although some mowing is needed in the growing season. You will also be responsible for irrigation of fruit trees in summer. This is accomplished using the centuries-old acequia system, which requires coordination with a neighbor, opening the acequia gate to our portion of the ditch, some direction and monitoring of water flow, and closing the ditch at the end of the alloted period. The acequia Mayordomo dictates the schedule, possibly once a week for 2-3 hours, water permitting. In exchange, you are free to enjoy the rest of your time here with no worries about rent or pet care. DSL/wifi and other utilities are also included. A housekeeper will come in every two weeks.
You need your own transportation - it's approx 5 mi. RT walking to the grocery store. There is only limited public transportation with very limited service schedules: a local by-appt bus; 2.5 miles away there are regional commuter buses to Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Espanola and Taos etc; and in Santa Fe the Railrunner train with commuter service to Albuquerque.
We ask for some tangible evidence of your commitment in advance: e.g., local reference, copy of airfare receipt or personal check (to hold only - we don't want your money, just a gauge of serious intent).
This a barter arrangment - we get peace of mind + plant care and you get free lodging and the opportunity to really get to know northern new mexico. We think you'll love our house and beautiful valley so much, you won't want to leave. Several of our house sitters have returned multiple times for several month stints, including a U of GA retired professor and his wife and a Viennese teacher on sabbatical.
When inquiring please provide sufficient information about yourself including: 1) Names, ages, etc. where you live, and whether you now or have previously owned a home; 2) Your profession, currently and formerly, if retired; 3) Any institutional connections; 4) Any relevant internet links; 5) Any other information with which we can independently verify your identity and housesitting experience; 6) Availability of references - especially local references, if any. Photos are good too!
Thank you for your interest and we wish you good luck in your travels.