Taos (pop. 6,442) is nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of north central New Mexico. It encompasses approximately 5.4 square miles and at an altitude of 6,969 feet. Just north of Taos is the world-famous Taos Ski Valley; Wheeler Peak, at 13,161 feet, is the highest point in New Mexico. Angel Fire, Red River, and Sipapu ski areas are less than an hour away by car.

Taos is blessed by many things; in particular, its temperate climate. Rainfall is low, and sunshine abundant. Cold nights bring winter snow, which often disappears in the morning sunshine. Every season brings a new color palette to Taos: fall is golden, winter is blue, spring is green, and summer is yellow and purple with wildflowers. Remarkably, air conditioning is practically non-existent, even in the most luxurious homes, as it is rarely, if ever, needed.

Taos is culturally rich, having been inhabited for over a millennium. Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is considered to be the oldest continuously inhabited residential community in the United States. Taos is also home to more than twenty sites on the National Register of Historic Places.

As you might expect, Taos is a cultural mecca, with 7 museums a thriving music scene, and many art galleries. An art colony for over 100 years, it is currently home to artists in all media, several of whom now live and work at Valverde Commons. Taos also has several local venues for the performing arts – Taos Center for the Arts (TCA) draws nationally renowned performers, and sponsors the well attended PechaKuchas, an event where folks get the opportunity to share their projects and ideas with the community; Taos School of Music hosts chamber music performances and provides young musicians an opportunity to prepare for the world stage; writers and film aficionados enjoy our popular SOMOS writing groups and conventions; and music lovers of all genres will find ample opportunities to enjoy concerts at many locales around town. In September of 2019, the Nomadic Bard filmed our lovely town. Enjoy the show.

When it comes to recreation, the Taos Canyon, Rio Grande river, and Taos Ski Valley provide many opportunities for outdoor activities including skiing (both downhill and cross country), rafting, fly fishing, horseback riding, hot air ballooning, llama trekking, mountain biking, and hiking. For those more inclined to intellectual pursuits, we have the wonderful Taos branch of the University of New Mexico where seniors may attend a healthy roster of courses in many disciplines, including many studio art courses.

We like to think of Taos as a small town with everything you need and nothing more. We have a hospital, and many excellent physicians in all specialties, large and small grocery and hardware stores, retails outlets, art galleries and restaurants. But for the more adventurous shopping, Sante Fe is only an hour and fifteen minutes away - an easy day trip.

What we have in Taos is a chance to live the good life, to live in nature, to contemplate and meditate, and study, and just be. We have lots of stimulating things to do and interesting people with which to do them. It's amazing what you can get accomplished when you don't have the distractions of modern life, like traffic jams and crowds. You can breathe and think and maybe take up some new pursuits!