Condominiums? (Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Mesilla: smog, gated, upkeep)

[refugee]

We am looking to retire in the Las Cruces area within the next five years. We are planning on doing a lot of traveling, so would like something low maintenance like a townhouse or condominium. I am just not into keeping up a yard or exterior of a house. Never haved been, and especially not in retirement. Listings for condos in Las Cruces are very limited. I know you are more likely to find condos in bigger cities, but I don't really want to live in Albuquerque or El Paso. Are there plans for more developments of this type? Any help would be appreciated.

[domino]

Las Cruces does not have many condos. You have probably seen a couple of new developments on the net - one on the East Mesa, and one towards Mesilla. There are also some gated areas with "garden homes" that are low maintenance and secure when you are away. If your only concern is yardwork, many homes are xeroscaped (spelling?) and require minimal upkeep.
Hope this helps.

[designergrey]

There is a new development opening Jan 11th 2007 Casas de Soledad, there are the Casitas at Morningstar, there are higher end condos Villa Esperanza, and scattered throughout the older sections of town there are smaller complexes. As Sonoma Ranch expands there will most likely be even more.

Here are some links that might be helpful:

http://www.villaesperanzacondos.com/lascruces.php
http://www.thecasitas.net/

[tito]

I'm considering moving to Las Cruces at the end of the year, I want to live in a secure place but I don't want a place that looks like an apartment. What other options are there?

[tito]

I'm planing to visit Las Cruces in the middle of April, what kind of weather should I expect?

[TKO]

tito, most of the condos here look like apartments. There are a number of townhome developments (I live in one) that better IMO. At least you get a little yard and a garage. The weather in April should be pretty good, the wind may ruin things for you though. Spring is my least favorite time of the year. Nice temps, but the wind...

The last three years have seen an usual number of condos be developed. We never had many of them prior. There are some in Mesilla Park that used to be a nunnery. Those would be the least apartment like. It also a real neat area.

[tito]

Originally Posted by TKO

tito, most of the condos here look like apartments. There are a number of townhome developments (I live in one) that better IMO. At least you get a little yard and a garage. The weather in April should be pretty good, the wind may ruin things for you though. Spring is my least favorite time of the year. Nice temps, but the wind...

The last three years have seen an usual number of condos be developed. We never had many of them prior. There are some in Mesilla Park that used to be a nunnery. Those would be the least apartment like. It also a real neat area.

Thank you TKO: I will certaily take a look at the ones in Mesilla at the former convent, otherwise I will look at townhouses or may be just chose a single family house. But my concern is that when I move there, I plan to travel for weeks at the time and don't want to find my house burglarized on my return. What would you suggest?
I couldn't change the date for my trip to Las Cruces, because my girl friend is flying all the way from Paris on those dates to go there with me. What type of clothes should I tell her to bring for the visit to Las Cruces? Obviously, no large hats because they might just go flying like kites in the wind.

[TKO]

Originally Posted by tito

Thank you TKO: I will certaily take a look at the ones in Mesilla at the former convent, otherwise I will look at townhouses or may be just chose a single family house. But my concern is that when I move there, I plan to travel for weeks at the time and don't want to find my house burglarized on my return. What would you suggest?
I couldn't change the date for my trip to Las Cruces, because my girl friend is flying all the way from Paris on those dates to go there with me. What type of clothes should I tell her to bring for the visit to Las Cruces? Obviously, no large hats because they might just go flying like kites in the wind.

I always make friends with my neighbors right away. I've lived 25 years on and off here and never been robbed. It happens sure, but it's not an everyday ocurrance even now. Most of the robbery I've known has ocurred with people living on the outskirts of town. My aunt living out a ways has been robbed 3 or 4 times over the years. Now that development has extended out to her place...no problems.

The weather should be in the 70's but make sure you have a jacket, the temp drops a bunch after dark. And uh, no hats.

[tito]

Originally Posted by TKO

I always make friends with my neighbors right away. I've lived 25 years on and off here and never been robbed. It happens sure, but it's not an everyday ocurrance even now. Most of the robbery I've known has ocurred with people living on the outskirts of town. My aunt living out a ways has been robbed 3 or 4 times over the years. Now that development has extended out to her place...no problems.

The weather should be in the 70's but make sure you have a jacket, the temp drops a bunch after dark. And uh, no hats.

I became impatient and did not wait for my girl friend to arrive before going to Las Cruces. As a matter of fact, I bought myself a condo there just last week. I was really impressed by the city, the surroundings and the type of housing available. Prices are not cheaper than Chicago but at least the weather, the traffic congestion, the noise level, the smog and the crime index are a lot better. Since you cannot win it all, the wind is worse.

[pinusconus]

Do the townhouses in LC have yards? What about privacy and quiet? I am wondering about hearing the sounds from nearby units. Sorry to sound so dumb but I live in Massachusetts............