Information on LasCruces, NM (Las Cruces, Deming: appointed, real estate, apartments)

[Michelle]

I've read that this area is a great place to retire but am concerned about reports I hear on TV about illegal immigration & the minute men. One post was talking about illegals running through your backyard. Is this true and how tense or not is the diversity issue in this area?

What can you tell me about this area as far as city government, housing, employment, medical care, weather, etc. What are the major employers? Thoughts in general on Las Cruces?

[Crackerjack]

Michelle, I don't live in Las Cruces so hopefully some locals there will answer you on specifics like corporations there, medical care, etc. I have family in the area and go through there a lot and it is a nice modern city. It is growing and becoming a good size city. My family said most of the illegals head out to farms and such to work and usually wont hang around to get caught. I am sure they are coming through but the agents down there are real thick since Deming, nearby, is a major headquarters for the border agents, so I just don't think the illegals would be staying around to be caught. Any locals can add more to this.

[domino]

There are, no doubt, undocumented Mexican immigrants in Las Cruces, but they don't seem to be a problem. They come looking for work, not to commit crimes (although, I guess if they're illegal, that is a crime). They work on the farms and in construction, and tend to keep a low profile. Again, I don't see them as a problem, because I don't want to pick chiles or work construction.
The major employers are the LC Public Schools, the University, and WSMR. There are not many big companies that employ lots of people, more smaller businesses. Walmart is probably the largest private sector employer. From the looks of things, there are probably jobs to be had in real estate, construction, landscaping, and catering to retirees.
The weather is glorious. MIld winters and hot dry summers. Although it can get really hot in the middle of the day, once the sun goes down it is quite nice. The summer sun can be very intense at mid-day. There will be a couple of really windy weeks in the spring with lots of sand and dust kicked up which is unpleasant. Autumn is possibly the best season of all, warm days and cool nights.

[GraphicQueen]

One would not know an illegal if one were to see one in Las Cruces. We live here and it is a great city with wonderful people and food. The people are very family oriented and it is a great town for raising children. The talk you are hearing is nothing more than that...talk. We have lived here for the past 10 years and have never once had any sort of problem.

GQ

[bqtchef]

Let me add my 2 cents
1) Graphicqueen is pretty much right on
2) The Grocery stores here are a big disappointment. there are only 2 Albertsons and 1 of those stores are um let me put it this way Ghetto. 2 wally worlds supermarket (i get headaches just being in there) a few other small chainsbut you'll want to stay away from them.
3) The locals DO NOT know how to drive.
4) Housing market is on the high end, but everything else is cheap (except Grocerys)
5) illegal immigration is all over the place in Cali, AZ, NM, TX just pay attention
6) We been here since June, and we had our utility trailer ripped off, it's the hot ticket for this area.
7) This is the land of "manana" so don't expect anything right away
8) employment, don't expect any jobs right away. this town is small, and in order to get a good paying job you have to know people in town. Unless you have one setup before moving like i did.
9) Weather is outstanding
10) medical/ Mountainview & Memorial are the only 2 in town
11) you'll get tired of the food here quick. I'm a Chef by trade

[GraphicQueen]

There are 3 Albertsons by the way, one on Lohman, one on North Main and one on El Paseo. If you need some sort of Mexican ingredients then the Fiesta (used to be IGA) is the place to go. I go to Palomas for much of what I want concerning Mexican ingredients. We don't eat out that much but it because of our preference not because of anything else. We think of eating out as a special deal and so only do it when it is special for us.

I am sorry about your trailer being stolen. As long as we have been here the only thing that has ever been taken from us was a cow's skull I was bleaching in the sun for painting. I guess we have been lucky.

GQ

[arizonapeach]

My mom and I have just returned from our second trip to Las Cruces. We liked the panorama, the mountains all around you, are spectacular. We checked for housing and where pretty disappointed in the upkeep of most rental apartments. A 2 Bedroom will cost you anywhere from $500-$800 depending on what section of town you want to go. We found this is a town that caters mostly to students, since the University is right in town.
The locals are friendly, but drive agressive, so watch out!
Not sure about the jobmarket, but since I'm an author, and do all of my work online, it won't matter much to us at the moment.
All in all we are excited about moving from Arizona to NM. I'm already used to the heat, so Las Cruces looks like a jewel in the rough.
P.S I noticed alot of new housing developments, so the future for this City is looking up.
Good luck everyone on your moves.