What It's Like to Live in a Southwestern City

Hear stories from locals of the sunny, laid-back site of the HGTV Dream Home 2010

By Shannon Petrie, FrontDoor.com | Published: 12/15/2009

The Southwest has a distinctive look and feel not commonly found in the United States. Photo by Doug Merriam

Santa Fe, N.M., the oldest capital city in the U.S., asserts its individuality with its nickname: "The City Different." Steve Lewis has lived in St. Louis, Chicago, Denver and Cincinnati, but since moving to Santa Fe 20 years ago, says he's come to embrace the city as he sees almost everyone embrace it.

"There's just something about it -- it's so old that you want to protect it. It's so different that you want to celebrate it," Lewis says. "I know this is true for almost everybody who lives here that I talk to: You feel lucky to be here."

After graduating from college in East Texas, Judy Love accepted a job in Albuquerque, N.M., knowing very little about the city. Forty-two years later, she still calls Albuquerque home.

"It's a place where you really feel good," Love says. "There's a positive feeling, and I think a lot of that is because we have a great deal of sunshine, clear skies and beautiful sunsets."

San Pedro Overlook, a scenic, gated community located between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, was chosen as the site of the HGTV Dream Home 2010. The custom-designed 3,900-square-foot home combines Southwestern architecture with modern design and features a state-of-the-art kitchen, a stunning outdoor entertaining space, and a tranquil sunrise room, designed for meditation, reading or exercise. Love says Albuquerqueans are excited that HGTV's first Southwestern Dream Home is so close by.

"I think Albuquerque feels that it's a real compliment to be chosen," she says.

So what's it really like to live in a Southwestern city? Read on to learn how locals have adapted to this unique region.

Getting Around >>
Owning a Home >>
Finding Fun >>
Tallying the Cost of Living >>

Tour the HGTV Dream Home 2010 >>

Comments