Looking Back and Forward in 2024

My friend, Jill, owner of TOKO Santa Fe, a creative clothing and design store, shared this wonderful list from The Washington Post, with great things from 2023.

• Egg prices fell to around $2 from $4.

• The gender gap in pay fell to an all-time low.

• The hole in the ozone layer is shrinking.

• The US Government did not close down.

• The pandemic officially ended May 5th.

• CRISPR gene editing is approved by the FDA (initially used on sickle cell disease)

• The US Supreme Court rejected "independent state" (unchecked state power)

• The Met and other museums returned thousands of looted antiquities to their countries of origin.

• Ukraine remains independent if warring to maintain itself.

• The US evaded a predicated recession.

• “Barbenheimer" brought folks back to movie theatres.

Regarding real estate, the last quarter of 2023 saw a serious slowdown in sales. However, economists are expecting the new year’s real estate market to improve considerably. First, the Feds have said they will be cutting interest rates in the spring, which are expected to go down into the 5-6% range, which should bring buyers back. The lower rates are due to the easing of inflation and sustained low unemployment.

Santa Fe is doing better than the national market, as we do not expect housing prices to go down, which is good news for sellers. Inventory levels are still lower than demand in all categories but the highest price categories. This means that a well-cared for and staged home will should sell in less than 90 days.

Right now, we are loving the snow! It’s great skiing, our beautiful green mountains and water supply. There are many NEW spots in Santa Fe to enjoy. Here are a few that I’m still checking out. Click on the links to their websites for addresses and menus.

• Jambo opened a second restaurant that I love, Jambo BITE on Old Las Vegas Hwy. Try it!

• Ahymo Wine Garden new at 652 Canyon Road, wine bar and outdoor garden

• Alkeme at Open Table, 227 Gaspar Ave., Asian heritage cuisines, in a modern context

Albuquerque restaurants coming soon to Santa Fe

• J’s Var-B-Q, locally owned Oklahoma style BBQ

• Cali Burrito, locally owned California style burritos, tacos and fries

• Kokio Chicken, Korean fried chicken

• Horizon Bagels, bagel sandwiches, matzo ball soup, and more

• Furniture 42

“Kindness, kindness, kindness. I want to make a New Year’s prayer, not a resolution. I’m praying for courage.”

—SUSAN SONTAG