Possible Relo to Las Cruces for police job. Looking for info! (crime, credit)

[Daniel_T]

Hi, I recently applied to the Las Cruces Police Department and am coming to test the end of September. I want to gain some knowledge on the LC area so I can make a better decision as to if this is the place I would like to live. I have a couple questions.

1. What is the city like?

2. What is the crime situation like there?

3. Is it an overall nice place to live?

4. What recreational opportunities are there? hiking,swimming,etc..

5. Is LC clean? (older rundown, mixed, or pretty nice)

6. Is the cost of living affordable? Could someone live decent with 2000 a month?

Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks,

Daniel

[mike0421]

On 2000 a month gross, by yourself, you could live pretty decently. However, with a family, it would become much tighter.

The center of the city is run down, as an understatement, blighted with poverty, however, there has been a recent urban renewal project to the 3 blocks that comprise the core of the city. I really, really hope it becomes successful, however, there has to be something to do. The existing farmer's market there on Saturdays is a start, but there is nothing to sustain it for 7 days, unlike a place like Boulder Colorado.

The outskirts of the city, in contrast, are not run down. West Picacho, west of downtown, and Sonoma Ranch, east of downtown, are desirable neighborhoods, at least in my opinion.

Crime: even living in Las Alamedas, east of downtown, we had a rash of car burglaries, a little less than 2 years ago, and an attempted B&E. These all occurred in the span of a month. I was pretty down there for a while. This has stopped. However, if you go onto the LC crime viewer map, you'll see that you are not completely immune from property crime, no matter where you are located.

We have two public pools, and a third, an aquatic center, is due open this fall. It will be a year round indoor facility for swimming. Hiking is fantastic: you can either keep it local or make short drives to experience a variety of challenging and scenic hikes.

Overall, if it weren't for the crime, the poverty, and the lack of good schools (or shall I say, a cultural premium put on education), this would be a great, great place to live. As it stands, we are being forced to move, due to a job transfer, and I am going to miss it.

[ig39]

Good luck Daniel! I am also waiting for my background exam with LCPD (civil clerical), I just passed one background with the interpreting company I work for part time, however I don't know how my credit (letting go of my 40k worth house and my 155k loan) will affect me with the police department's decision.

And talking about areas, my mom has a friend that lives in a nice mobile home community, she said she's near the Highway 70, how's that area? Her zip code is 88012, when I pulled it out, it gives me a large section and a 40 minute drive to the Police Department on Piacacio Street. Any ideas?