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An Underrated City In New Mexico Makes Retirement Feel Like A Sun-Soaked Dip Into Route 66 Nostalgia By Leslie Veliz Source: Islands.com Choosing where to spend your golden years is one of life's most important decisions. From Florida to Portugal, the possibilities are endless. Retiring in New Mexico, known as the "Land of Enchantment," is also a wonderful choice. The state is home to beautiful retirement-friendly cities including Santa Rosa, an underrated sun-soaked destination where you can savor this chapter of your life. In fact, Santa Rosa has been rated one of the top places to retire in the American Southwest. Located about two hours from Albuquerque — one of the best film cities in America — Santa Rosa is home to a section of the iconic Route 66 and is steeped in nostalgia. However, it's the city's affordability that truly makes it stand out. Real estate and rental prices in Santa Rosa are lower than the national average. With a population of less than 3,000, Santa Rosa is a small and laid-back community. Residents enjoy convenient access to nearby amenities such as grocery stores and the Guadalupe County Hospital. Thanks to Route 66 bringing travelers through town, Santa Rosa flourished in the 1930s. While those days are long gone, retirees will discover that traces of the Mother Road's glory days remain. This stretch is laden with vintage inns, motels, and eateries, including the retro diner Joseph's Bar & Grill. There's also the Route 66 Auto Museum, packed with many classic vehicles that undoubtedly once traversed this legendary highway. The city is ideal for those who prefer to venture off the beaten path and spend time in the great outdoors. Santa Rosa offers a variety of outdoor adventures for retirees Having an active lifestyle after retirement is key to physical longevity and mental wellbeing. That said, there are plenty of ways to stay happy and healthy in Santa Rosa, nicknamed the "City of Natural Lakes." Aside from its Route 66 claim to fame, this destination is renowned for its aquatic destinations, including the Blue Hole. This serene body of water has been named one of the best swimming holes in the country. The water is a cool 62 degrees Fahrenheit, an inviting temperature for a dip. The Blue Hole is 80 feet deep, so you can even get your certification to go scuba diving. Retirement grants you the opportunity to discover new interests and hobbies, so why not embrace it? There's so much more to discover in Santa Rosa. A few minutes outside of town is Santa Rosa Lake State Park, another breathtaking site that puts New Mexico's natural beauty on full display. Aside from hiking, visitors can swim, fish, and go boating, all for a nominal entrance fee. Those with grandkids will be happy to learn that Santa Rosa's Park Lake transforms into a bustling inflatable water park during the summer. Beyond this, Santa Rosa is a great location for retirees who are eager to explore the Southwest. New Mexico's own Las Vegas is just an hour's drive away. Santa Fe, a world-renowned artsy and cultural paradise, is about two hours away. And if all of this is not enough incentive to retire in Santa Rosa, seniors earning under $100,000 a year don't have to pay taxes on their Social Security benefits in New Mexico. Read full story at: https://www.islands.com/1858114/retirement-hidden-gem-santa-rosa-new-mexico-sun-soaked-route-sixty-six-nostalgia/  This year, 50 historic small restaurants across the country will each receive a $50,000 grant. Now in its fifth year, American Express and the National Trust for Historic Preservation are once again supporting 50 small or independently owned restaurants across the country through the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program. Each restaurant—all places that contribute to their neighborhood's unique history and identity—will receive $50,000 in funding to help them improve their businesses and positively impact their communities. Grant applications and public nominations will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 30, 2025. Since it began, the Backing Historic Small Restaurants grant program has granted nearly $5.7 million to 130 historic restaurants (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) to help restaurants address critical needs amid ongoing economic challenges. This critical financial support helps small restaurant owners better navigate economic challenges, disasters, or other hardships so that their establishments' legacies can continue. Restaurant Enthusiasts: Historic small restaurants—tangible connections to our communities’ histories—face ongoing economic challenges. Submit your favorite spot today to help save it for years to come. Nominate Restaurant Owners: Owners can apply today for a $50K grant to address their restaurant’s critical needs. Apply May 12: Application Launch May 30: Applications Due Late June: Applicants Notified July: Recipients Announced More Information   The US Route 66 Centennial website has launched.
The Route 66 Centennial will celebrate and commemorate the historic milestone of the 100 anniversary of Route 66 and honor the Mother Road by helping the millions who live, work, and travel along it. The dedicated Centennial website highlights the magnitude of the occasion with information about the vast array of activities, programs, events, and projects during the year-long festivities across the Mother Road. The website highlights Official Route 66 Centennial events and projects, including the recently announced National Centennial Kickoff Event in Springfield, Missouri, a cavalcade of three Centennial caravans, AAA Route 66 Road Fest, and the Untold Story of Women on the Mother Road. It also focuses on Route 66 preservation success stories and spotlights future needs. Individuals and businesses interested in participating in the Route 66 Centennial are invited to register on the new website, subscribe to the monthly Route 66 Centennial Newsletter, become members of the Route 66 Centennial Club, and stay informed about official Route 66 Centennial activities. Bill Thomas, Commissioner for the US Route 66 Centennial Commission and Chair of the Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership, said, "Look no further if you're seeking the one-stop source for official Route 66 Centennial activities, programs, events, and projects. The Route 66 Centennial Website also provides opportunities for the public to directly participate in all the fun and excitement the 100th Anniversary of the Mother Road will offer, including becoming a member of the ‘Route 66 Centennial Club’, securing Route 66 Centennial Certified status for your local Centennial activities and projects, and purchasing Centennial merchandise." The Route 66 Road Ahead Partnership is a national nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing and sustaining Route 66 as a national icon and international destination. It is responsible for the Route 66 Centennial website, a key component of the Route 66 Centennial Communications Plan recommended by the Route 66 Centennial Commission. Discover more at route66centennial.org. |
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