Most people don’t accidentally end up living in Santa Fe. It’s usually the result of a long love affair with the City Different. Or maybe a close friend or family member lures them here. Sometimes it’s a well-timed nudge from the universe. It was all three in the case of newly transplanted Texan tech writer Robert Landry.
After decades in San Francisco and later Dallas, Robert (a Louisiana native) found inspiration when his professional situation changed. His employer was bought out and (eventually) his job eliminated, but with a somewhat generous buyout. He suddenly found himself in the enviable position of being able to sell his suburban home, and combined with his buyout, gave him a cushion that enabled him to relocate to Santa Fe and start looking without heavy financial pressure.
A New Home with Familiar Faces
Robert’s connection to Santa Fe runs deep, thanks to his younger sister, an archaeologist who moved here 16 years ago to work at the Valles Caldera, and then later at Bandelier National Monument. “Over the past 15 or 16 years, I’ve visited once or twice a year,” he said. “I got to love Santa Fe for its beauty, arts, culture, and overall sensibility.” As it turned out, those trips were equal parts vacations and reconnaissance missions. He spent time with his niece and nephew and got a feel for the city’s neighborhoods. By the time he decided to move, he had both family and familiarity.
Still, the move wasn’t without its hurdles. Robert arrived in October, and just a week later, he got something a native Louisianan-turned-Texan doesn’t see too often – a foot of snow. Undeterred, he settled into a rental while searching for his new dream home—and a job. His initial job hunt was frustrating. “I had 32 years in the tech industry and applied for jobs with the city, State, and at the Los Alamos Lab,” he told me. “It was a tough market.”
But in March, the right opportunity arrived—a remote technical writing and management role with GitLab, an all-remote DevSecOps company with a global presence in 60 countries. Suddenly, Robert had the best of both worlds—a Santa Fe address and a global career.
Delighted to be Downsized but Downtown
This is where I entered the picture. When Robert moved to town, he did some web research on the local LGBTQ community, found GaySantaFe.com, and subscribed to my blog. With the job secured, he was ready to start looking. Lucky for him, he already had a clear idea of what he wanted.
“One key thing I wanted was for my place to feel like I live in Santa Fe,” he says. “So, it really meant avoiding new construction.” He wanted character, history, and walkability. “I decided to sacrifice size for location, and I really wanted to be in a great location since I work from home,” Robert says. “I wanted to have neighbors I could know and talk to. I looked at a variety of things. “After years in the sprawling Dallas metroplex, he was ready to downsize and live where the action was.
He found that in a charming two-story condo in the historic St. Catherine’s neighborhood, just a short walk from the Plaza. Built in 1984 but with classic Santa Fe style—kiva fireplaces, vigas, high ceilings—it had the warmth and authenticity he was looking for. Plus, three bathrooms for just two bedrooms!
Welcome (new) Home!
Oh, and although Robert is technically single, he did show up in Santa Fe with a “plus one” – a 13-pound chihuahua mix named “Banjo.” These days, you can find Robert playing pickleball and taking Banjo to the dog park, where he mixes/mingles with his “Posse of old ladies.” Robert is also excited about warmer weather. “I moved to Santa Fe in October, and a week later, it snowed a foot. So, I’m looking forward to my first summer here—the opera, the chamber music festival, and then Zozobra.”
