I've spent quite a bit of time in pretty much exactly that area, in Taos proper, and out on the mesa. It really strikes my fancy, but I need to be thoughtful about the next move.
So much in this thread has really spoken to me. I've lived in Texas since I was three, grew up in Tyler, did undergrad in DFW, came to Austin for grad school 30+ years ago, got a couple of sweet gigs, and never left. Texas has treated me well (white, middle-aged male--I'll be able to pass as a commander in Gilead for a short period of time before I wind up on the wall), but I can't stand the climate (weather or political). I'm a political scientist by training, Democrats aren't winning statewide offices in the near future. I don't want to spend my remaining time in a place that is so ugly in so many ways.
I've got some family here and so does Mrs. Eljefeweizen, but we could fly or drive and see them on short notice.