El Paso or Las Cruces

[laplander]

Norm, I'm going through the same dilemma, Im retired, waiting for my wife to retire from
her part-time job. I like Las Cruces alot, i think it offers more for a retired person, especialy in outdoor activities, on the other hand my wife likes El Paso, thats were my
mother in-law lives. Homes in the Horizon City area of El Paso, seem to be very nice, for the price. We will be going to El Paso to talk to realters, this summer, and look at the different areas of Las Cruces and El Paso, I think thats the only way to find out what the housing prices are, and to find out which area you would like to live in. I believe they are building a casino, between Deming and Las Cruces, if your interested in that sort of thing. I think each area is nice, and unique in its own way, it's been eight yrs since i have been there. You can't beat the sunshine, and overall nice weather, no
mosquitoes or at least very few. I'm excited, to get back to that area. Good luck Norm, i hope you find a nice area in the S.W. to live, i think you will like it there. laplander

[EnjoyEP]

Hey Norm -

Good responses in my opinion thus far...either way, you really can't lose. Extremely similar climates (Las Cruces generally a degree or two cooler)...really, I think a big component of this would boil down to if you prefer a bigger city or a smaller town.

El Paso has over 600,000 residents (with a metro of approximately 712,000) and while obviously no where the size of NYC metro, is still a relatively "big city"; by "look" El Paso can appear to non-natives even bigger due to being across the river from 2.5+ million person Juarez, Mexico. Transversely, Las Cruces has still slightly less than 100,000 people and is more of a smaller town...obviously it is also a college town with NMSU. (So is El Paso with UTEP but in bigger cities obviously things aren't dominated quite as much by the local college).

Las Cruces as pointed out has become a hot spot for retirees.

-Las Cruces also as pointed out as much lower property taxes.
-Texas (El Paso) has cheaper housing costs (sometimes fairly dramatically for similar-housing between El Paso and Las Cruces) and has no personal income tax (although of course that won't be applicable if everyone is retired).

Really, since you are a half hour to 45 minute drive from either to the other, if you pick one getting to the other is always fairly easy.

One good thought presented was by laplander - if you like living more near/in El Paso (the bigger city) but would prefer still to be a little more quiet / separated, check out Horizon City. A really nice, growing suburb of El Paso about a 10 minute drive east of east El Paso. About 8500 residents but growing. Also a degree or two cooler than El Paso due to slightly higher altitude. (Or, as pointed out, some of the small suburbs of El Paso just over the New Mexico - Texas border).

[norm]

After doing a lot of research on both places my wife leans toward Las Cruces but we will be there in May to make our decision. I really prefer not living in a suburban subdivision (we are in one now) and would like a small piece of land with no neighbor's houses too close to mine.

We will also visit Reno & Albuquerque on the trip but LC has gone to the head of the list because houses are less expensive there, living expenses are lower and the weather is milder.

Thanks for all of the input.

[Miner72]

El Paso will become the destination for retirees in the forseable future. Las Cruces has a crime problem and is basically small town....All those articles were written between 2000-2005 when LC was riding high.. Crime, gang problems and little money coming from the state, overpriced housing, and a state income tax should derail their rankings and their business climate is null and void.

El Paso remains the second safest city its size in the USA and is poised for some incredible growth. UTEP is fast approaching Tier 1 Status and the new Butterfield Golf Course will attract not only a resort but a retirement community plus there is one planned in the northeast. There is also the SunBowl event and all that come with that.

El Paso has the Symphony, Chamber Music, ProMusica, its own International Airport ranked 7th best in the world for its size, shopping at some fine centers and an Outlet Mall. Many day trips are available north, south, east, west. Museums, cultural events, and art galleries abound.

El Paso also ranks as one of the best entreprenuerial cities by Entreprenuer magazine. Many opportunities plus the people are super and friendly. There is a new Central Library and a new History Museum. And the food cuisine is superb especially Mexican!

Hope you get to visit soon. wwelcome.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by norm

After doing a lot of research on both places my wife leans toward Las Cruces but we will be there in May to make our decision. I really prefer not living in a suburban subdivision (we are in one now) and would like a small piece of land with no neighbor's houses too close to mine.

We will also visit Reno & Albuquerque on the trip but LC has gone to the head of the list because houses are less expensive there, living expenses are lower and the weather is milder.

Thanks for all of the input.

I believe Deming is popular with retirees also.