Southside & Midtown

The Southside and Midtown neighborhoods of Santa Fe are located just south of the historic downtown, bounded by Cerrillos Road to the west and St. Francis Drive to the east, offering easy access to key city routes and amenities. This area is approximately 1 to 2 miles from the Santa Fe Plaza, making it a short drive or bike ride to the city’s central cultural, dining, and shopping districts.

 

The Southside is situated between the Santa Fe Railyard District to the north, with its art galleries, restaurants, and the bustling Farmers Market, as well as the more residential areas of the city's southern edge, offering a mixture of both urban and suburban living. It also lies near major roads like U.S. Highway 84/285, which connect the neighborhood to the broader region, including nearby attractions like the Santa Fe Opera and the scenic Cerrillos Hills State Park. The area’s location provides both convenience and easy access to the cultural and outdoor offerings of Santa Fe, while also maintaining a quieter, more laid-back feel compared to the busy downtown core

 

The lifestyle in the Southside and Midtown neighborhoods of Santa Fe is a blend of urban convenience and residential charm, offering a more relaxed pace compared to the downtown core. Residents enjoy a mix of established, historic homes, contemporary builds, and apartment-style living, all within proximity to Santa Fe’s vibrant cultural scene. The area has become a hub for young professionals, families, and creatives who appreciate the balance of city access and suburban calm. It is not uncommon to see local artisans and small-business owners mingling with their neighbors at the bustling Santa Fe Farmers Market or at local coffee shops and eateries. While the Southside is close to the heart of Santa Fe, it offers a quieter environment where parks, trails, and tree-lined streets provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, including walking, jogging, and biking. The nearby Arroyo Chamiso trail system offers a natural escape, while the growing local arts scene contributes to the neighborhood’s character, with gallery spaces, craft shops, and performance venues scattered throughout. The Southside lifestyle is characterized by a strong sense of community and a connection to both nature and urban life, with easy access to the city’s rich arts, history, and dining culture, making it an ideal location for those who appreciate the best of both worlds.

 

The Southside and Midtown neighborhoods of Santa Fe are well-served by a mix of public and private schools, offering a range of educational opportunities for families. Public schools in the area are part of the Santa Fe Public Schools district, with notable institutions like Capital High School and Desert Sage Academy, both offering a broad curriculum and a variety of extracurricular programs. Capital High is known for its strong academic offerings, including Advanced Placement courses, and its diverse student body, while Desert Sage Academy focuses on alternative education and personalized learning for middle and high school students. For younger children, the nearby Atalaya Elementary and Salazar Elementary provide a solid foundation in a nurturing, community-focused environment. In addition to public schools, the Southside and Midtown areas are home to private institutions such as the Santa Fe Waldorf School, which offers a hands-on, arts-based curriculum, and the Montessori-based school, The International Academy of Santa Fe, known for its global approach to learning. This variety of educational options, along with the proximity to Santa Fe’s cultural and artistic resources, gives families in the Southside and Midtown neighborhoods ample choice to find the right fit for their children's academic and personal growth.

 

The Southside and Midtown neighborhoods of Santa Fe offer a blend of urban and outdoor recreational opportunities, making them ideal for residents who enjoy a variety of activities. The area is home to several parks, including the popular South Capitol Park, which provides a peaceful green space for picnicking, walking, and relaxing, and the nearby Sierra Vista Trailhead, which connects to scenic hiking and biking trails that wind through the foothills and offer stunning views of the city and surrounding landscape. The Santa Fe River, which flows through the Southside, offers opportunities for leisurely walks along its banks, as well as birdwatching and quiet moments in nature.

 

Additionally, the vibrant Midtown area features access to community centers like the Midtown Sports & Wellness, where residents can participate in fitness classes, swimming, or enjoy recreational sports leagues. For those interested in arts and culture, the Southside’s proximity to the Railyard District means easy access to galleries, theaters, and the bustling Santa Fe Farmers Market, which adds to the area's vibrant community life. Whether it's enjoying outdoor activities in the surrounding natural beauty, taking part in fitness and sports programs, or immersing oneself in Santa Fe’s artistic scene, the Southside and Midtown neighborhoods offer residents a rich variety of recreational options.

 

The homes in the Southside and Midtown neighborhoods of Santa Fe showcase a diverse mix of architectural styles, reflecting the area’s rich history and modern development. Many homes on the Southside feature traditional adobe construction, with thick adobe walls, arched doorways, and wooden vigas, evoking the classic Southwestern aesthetic. These adobe homes often incorporate earthy materials such as stone, clay tiles, and wood, blending seamlessly with the natural desert landscape. In contrast, Midtown offers a variety of more contemporary designs, with sleek, modern homes that incorporate clean lines, expansive windows, and open floor plans, often featuring sustainable building practices like passive solar heating and energy-efficient technologies.

 

Some homes combine these modern elements with traditional Santa Fe touches, including stucco exteriors, pitched roofs, and tiled accents. While the Southside is known for its quieter, residential charm, Midtown features more urban properties, including townhomes and condos, with easy access to the area's cultural and commercial hubs. The architectural variety in both neighborhoods offers a mix of historic charm and modern convenience, catering to a wide range of tastes and lifestyles.