Simpaticos, friends:  Be sure to ask about the long-range vision that jump-started this shared property. The initial question was:  When we need to slow down physically, where do we want to be and will we have a choice who is nearby? Can there be diversity -- of age, culture, physical capacity and of financial means?  Not an easy assignment in this world!  Would a neighborhood built around these values give us more choices without making us give up control?

 

Contact Jean Thompson:

jt@taosnet.com

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The West Wing of a Beautiful Duplex in a Condominium Association

This guesthouse is one of four buildings on 7 acres and is snuggled up against 150 acres of high desert conservation easement that acts as a neighborhood dog walking park.

Introvert Heave is a two unit guesthouse adjoining 150 acres of conservation easement in the high Taos desert.  It is part of a loosely-organized neighborhood set up as a condominium association.  So far, all 4 building owners are women between 50-60 years old. 

The guesthouse has the best location on the property and is perched on the edge of a small hill that gives it fantastic privacy and views. It is a perfect writer's retreat or vacation getaway.  The west wing has approximately 650 feet of interior space.  If you are looking at the floor plan, it is the unit on the right.  The east wing has 1200 feet of interior space and is on the left.  Someday it will be my retirement house.

The guesthouses were built in 2000 with a passive solar design, big windows and soundproof pumice crete walls that breathe.  It shares well and septic with other units in the association.  There is radiant heat in the floors and a craftwork kitchen.  No glue used in the cabinets. For all its simplicity, it wows all who see it.  Could it be because it is women-designed, built and landscaped?  It is located 7 miles northwest of the Town of Taos, 15 miles west of Taos Ski Valley. 

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Views, comfort and quiet

 

Both wings have long views, private entrances, private yards, a well equipped kitchen. WiFi, Satellite HDTV, DVD, CD player, washer, dryer, bring your cell phone. Your choice of organic coffee or tea is supplied. The kitchen is stocked with spices and staples. I supply shampoo, conditioner and lotion for the airplane travelers.

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What’s to Like?    You can't see any neighbors out the span of south solar windows that face the desert and 180 degree mountain view. You are between Taos and the Ski Valley, 6 miles northeast of town and 16 miles west of Taos Ski Valley. There are hiking and biking trails in every direction. Not to mention winter skiing and summer rafting. The walls breathe, the heat is in the floor. No chemicals are used cleaning. The jetsetter hot tub is a treasure, nestled in the hillside overlooking the birds in the mornings. Then there's sunset watch and star watch. Don't turn into a prune. The yards are fenced in with a patio and grill -- ready for you and your well behaved dog. On site massages are available. Available By Arrangement: 2 mountain bikes, pre-arrival grocery shopping, travel tips, on-site massage.

What's not to like?   You won't like it if you want to walk to restaurants or shop from here. You will like it if you want to walk your dog right out the door. There's no fireplace. I went for practical rather than romantic when building it. The East Wing has a glass front Morso wood stove. Once out of the yard, we're surrounded by dirt. Some of it gets inside. Critters like to be intimate. We never permanently win the battle to keep prairie dogs out of the yard in spring and summer (actually I lost control completely this summer, but they are cute) or hold back every mouse that wants to come in, especially when it gets cold. Not many bugs here though, that's a high desert blessing. The temperature swings at least 30 degrees every day. I'm not a professional innkeeper. I have this one guesthouse and a day job, which of course has pros and cons. I treat guests like neighbors.