Seton Village, Arroyo Hondo & Sunlit Hills

Just south of Santa Fe, Seton Village is a small historic community with a story unlike almost any other neighborhood in the area. Founded as an intentional community in the 1930s, it combines adobe architecture, gardens, winding pedestrian paths and a strong sense of place.

Seton Village was founded in 1938 by Ernest Thompson Seton, a naturalist, author and early advocate for conservation and outdoor education. Seton and his wife, Julia, envisioned a community where people could live simply and in harmony with nature. The village was designed around Seton's philosophy of craftsmanship, self-sufficiency and connection to the natural world.

Many of the original homes were constructed using adobe and traditional New Mexico building techniques, giving Seton Village its distinctive architectural character. The small homes, gardens, courtyards and narrow lanes create an intimate atmosphere that feels worlds away from conventional suburban development. 

Seton Village attracted artists, writers, craftspeople and people interested in alternative approaches to living, helping establish the creative spirit that remains associated with the neighborhood today. Its history is also connected to the broader development of Santa Fe's arts and cultural community during the 20th century.

Today, Seton Village remains a small, quiet and character-rich community just south of Santa Fe. Its historic homes, mature landscaping and village-scale streets make it particularly appealing to buyers seeking something more intimate and distinctive than a conventional neighborhood.

Sunlit Hills was developed beginning in the 1950s and 1960s, during a period when Santa Fe's residential growth began moving beyond the traditional city neighborhoods. The community was designed around the natural terrain, with homes tucked among piñon and juniper rather than arranged in a conventional suburban grid.

Homes in Sunlit Hills reflect the evolution of Santa Fe residential architecture, from traditional adobe and Territorial-style homes to mid-century and contemporary designs. Many properties emphasize indoor-outdoor living, with portals, courtyards, gardens and expansive views.Large lots and mature landscaping contribute to the neighborhood's feeling of privacy and space.

Today, Sunlit Hills appeals to buyers looking for peaceful surroundings, generous properties and a more rural lifestyle without giving up proximity to Santa Fe. Its location provides convenient access to shopping, restaurants, schools and the historic center while maintaining a feeling of being removed from the city.

The name Arroyo Hondo means “deep arroyo,” reflecting the area's distinctive geography. The historic acequia system allowed residents to irrigate fields and gardens, supporting generations of agriculture. Cottonwoods, willows and other vegetation along the waterways create a striking contrast with the surrounding high-desert landscape.

Arroyo Hondo is known for its traditional adobe homes, historic compounds and rural properties, along with newer residences designed in the regional architectural tradition. Large parcels, mature vegetation, agricultural remnants and views toward the mountains contribute to the area's distinctive sense of privacy and place.

Today, Arroyo Hondo offers a rare combination of rural tranquility and proximity to Santa Fe. Residents enjoy open space, mountain views and a slower pace of life while remaining close to the city's restaurants, galleries and cultural attractions. The community's historic character and limited development make it particularly appealing to buyers looking for land, privacy and authentic Northern New Mexico character.