I want to hear from those who retired in Las Cruces. (Sunland Park: theatre, university)

[rwjoyak]

Originally Posted by magswheel

So it seems the cooler temps in the winter and the winds of spring are the downside weather issues in ABQ. Is it safe to say the winds blow every day, or every other day in the spring? 30mph or so? No perfect place is there? (Maybe So. Cal., but then it's more than about the weather there.)

Pretty accurate all around. Can get winds as high as 60+ mph in the spring in ABQ although those don't happen very often. 15-30 mph winds are common most days. See the following NWS ABQ weather data for spring 2013. The data are run together but, for example, the first row shows that the average wind speed for March 1 (for the entire day) was 10.6 mph, the max wind speed for a sustained 2 minutes was 22 mph, and the peak wind speed (gusts) was 28 mph as recorded at the ABQ airport.

MARCH 2013
12Z AVG MX 2MIN
DY MAX MIN AVG DEP HDD CDD WTR SNW DPTH SPD SPD DIR MIN PSBL S-S WX SPD DR
================================================== ==============================
1 60 34 47 2 18 0 0.00 0.0 0 10.6 22 290 M M 0 28 330
2 64 36 50 5 15 0 0.00 0.0 0 3.6 10 240 M M 3 15 290
3 68 35 52 7 13 0 0.00 0.0 0 8.6 28 270 M M 7 39 260
4 64 47 56 10 9 0 0.00 0.0 0 13.2 32 290 M M 6 40 290
5 60 32 46 0 19 0 0.00 0.0 0 4.9 13 190 M M 4 16 200
6 66 43 55 9 10 0 0.00 0.0 0 6.6 17 160 M M 6 21 180
7 69 38 54 8 11 0 0.00 0.0 0 6.8 18 190 M M 2 23 190
8 62 38 50 4 15 0 0.16 0.0 0 10.8 30 170 M M 6 3 39 240
9 46 33 40 -7 25 0 T 0.0 0 10.9 26 270 M M 7 35 280
10 52 30 41 -6 24 0 T T 0 6.9 21 320 M M 6 29 320
11 63 32 48 1 17 0 0.00 0.0 0 8.1 22 360 M M 2 32 10
12 66 35 51 4 14 0 0.00 0.0 0 5.0 16 350 M M 1 21 330
13 70 35 53 5 12 0 0.00 0.0 0 5.6 16 310 M M 1 22 330
14 74 39 57 9 8 0 0.00 0.0 0 5.1 13 10 M M 1 15 350
15 77 41 59 11 6 0 0.00 0.0 0 4.1 12 190 M M 5 14 180
16 73 46 60 12 5 0 0.00 0.0 0 10.7 32 310 M M 6 38 310
17 70 42 56 8 9 0 0.01 0.0 0 11.4 32 280 M M 4 40 270
18 68 37 53 5 12 0 0.00 0.0 0 6.7 24 320 M M 2 32 320
19 64 42 53 4 12 0 0.00 0.0 0 6.1 23 290 M M 7 31 280
20 62 36 49 0 16 0 0.00 0.0 0 6.7 26 270 M M 6 32 250
21 72 49 61 12 4 0 0.00 0.0 0 13.5 36 290 M M 6 46 300
22 66 36 51 2 14 0 0.00 0.0 0 8.9 29 250 M M 5 36 260
23 51 33 42 -8 23 0 0.00 0.0 0 16.5 40 320 M M 2 78 51 310
24 54 23 39 -11 26 0 0.00 0.0 0 7.9 25 330 M M 3 31 340
25 55 26 41 -9 24 0 0.00 0.0 0 6.6 24 80 M M 2 30 80
26 66 32 49 -1 16 0 0.00 0.0 0 11.6 25 180 M M 5 40 170
27 70 44 57 7 8 0 0.00 0.0 0 7.0 17 240 M M 7 22 230
28 72 45 59 8 6 0 0.00 0.0 0 6.4 30 240 M M 7 37 250
29 73 46 60 9 5 0 0.00 0.0 0 6.0 21 290 M M 5 26 280
30 72 43 58 7 7 0 0.00 0.0 0 4.6 21 330 M M 6 29 260
31 71 50 61 10 4 0 0.00 0.0 0 7.3 24 100 M M 4 30 90

APRIL 2013
================================================== ==============================
1 74 48 61 9 4 0 0.00 0.0 0 6.9 18 250 M M 6 22 260
2 67 44 56 4 9 0 T 0.0 0 9.5 31 280 M M 6 37 310
3 67 39 53 1 12 0 0.00 0.0 0 7.4 20 320 M M 4 23 290
4 72 43 58 6 7 0 0.00 0.0 0 4.6 12 240 M M 3 15 310
5 76 50 63 10 2 0 0.00 0.0 0 11.5 28 280 M M 7 32 280
6 76 48 62 9 3 0 0.00 0.0 0 8.1 22 230 M M 6 28 230
7 76 48 62 9 3 0 0.00 0.0 0 8.8 25 280 M M 7 30 280
8 78 47 63 9 2 0 0.00 0.0 0 16.6 39 190 M M 4 7 51 190
9 54 41 48 -6 17 0 0.07 T 0 12.2 28 210 M M 8 36 220
10 48 34 41 -13 24 0 0.01 T 0 8.2 22 320 M M 7 1 26 310
11 65 31 48 -6 17 0 0.00 0.0 0 9.2 26 320 M M 4 33 320
12 69 42 56 1 9 0 T 0.0 0 4.5 28 270 M M 5 43 260
13 75 45 60 5 5 0 0.00 0.0 0 9.3 28 260 M M 5 32 260
14 77 56 67 12 0 2 0.00 0.0 0 17.7 32 280 M M 3 38 280
15 81 46 64 8 1 0 0.00 0.0 0 12.1 30 290 M M 1 43 240
16 80 48 64 8 1 0 0.00 0.0 0 17.1 39 190 M M 1 46 190
17 63 40 52 -4 13 0 0.00 0.0 0 14.2 35 280 M M 5 40 290
18 50 32 41 -16 24 0 0.00 0.0 0 14.0 31 290 M M 2 39 290
19 61 27 44 -13 21 0 0.00 0.0 0 4.9 16 270 M M 2 20 280
20 70 42 56 -1 9 0 0.00 0.0 0 10.0 30 300 M M 5 47 280
21 75 36 56 -2 9 0 0.00 0.0 0 6.2 17 290 M M 1 29 260
22 82 45 64 6 1 0 0.00 0.0 0 11.9 29 270 M M 1 37 270
23 69 40 55 -3 10 0 0.00 0.0 0 13.1 36 300 M M 3 44 290
24 69 31 50 -9 15 0 0.00 0.0 0 5.1 18 80 M M 3 23 70
25 78 52 65 6 0 0 0.00 0.0 0 15.0 39 170 M M 7 46 180
26 75 45 60 1 5 0 0.00 0.0 0 8.1 23 290 M M 3 28 90
27 76 49 63 3 2 0 0.00 0.0 0 6.8 21 80 M M 2 25 80
28 80 48 64 4 1 0 0.00 0.0 0 4.3 16 280 M M 0 20 280
29 85 49 67 7 0 2 0.00 0.0 0 6.0 25 300 M M 2 39 300
30 86 52 69 8 0 4 0.00 0.0 0 9.7 28 270 M M 4 39 240

MAY 2013
================================================== ==============================
1 83 47 65 4 0 0 0.00 0.0 0 13.4 32 90 M M 3 40 90
2 61 37 49 -12 16 0 0.00 0.0 0 13.5 31 90 M M 1 39 80
3 66 37 52 -10 13 0 0.00 0.0 0 7.2 22 90 M M 0 25 90
4 76 47 62 0 3 0 0.00 0.0 0 12.2 32 100 M M 6 41 110
5 72 50 61 -1 4 0 T 0.0 0 18.9 39 90 M M 7 47 80
6 71 55 63 1 2 0 T 0.0 0 11.9 25 90 M M 8 31 90
7 76 48 62 -1 3 0 T 0.0 0 7.3 30 140 M M 4 38 200
8 72 47 60 -3 5 0 0.00 0.0 0 7.5 24 280 M M 5 31 300
9 71 47 59 -5 6 0 T 0.0 0 6.2 20 80 M M 5 28 90
10 70 51 61 -3 4 0 T 0.0 0 10.8 29 110 M M 6 3 37 80
11 71 48 60 -4 5 0 T 0.0 0 8.3 32 70 M M 5 39 120
12 80 49 65 1 0 0 T 0.0 0 4.8 22 160 M M 3 40 210
13 82 54 68 3 0 3 0.00 0.0 0 5.4 16 180 M M 2 21 180
14 85 56 71 6 0 6 0.08 0.0 0 5.6 35 20 M M 4 3 39 20
15 88 60 74 9 0 9 T 0.0 0 7.0 26 360 M M 7 40 330
16 86 54 70 4 0 5 0.00 0.0 0 8.4 23 240 M M 1 37 220
17 87 57 72 6 0 7 0.00 0.0 0 7.7 39 280 M M 5 78 59 220
18 78 54 66 0 0 1 0.00 0.0 0 9.4 32 180 M M 7 41 190
19 75 57 66 -1 0 1 0.00 0.0 0 13.2 31 270 M M 7 44 270
20 77 50 64 -3 1 0 0.00 0.0 0 11.1 30 310 M M 5 38 320
21 81 47 64 -3 1 0 0.00 0.0 0 5.7 20 250 M M 3 25 250
22 86 51 69 1 0 4 0.00 0.0 0 6.7 20 220 M M 3 29 260
23 92 57 75 7 0 10 0.00 0.0 0 9.5 38 190 M M 3 8 44 190
24 88 60 74 6 0 9 0.00 0.0 0 9.7 23 180 M M 2 31 210
25 92 57 75 7 0 10 0.00 0.0 0 7.7 22 220 M M 3 32 200
26 88 58 73 4 0 8 0.00 0.0 0 5.9 20 220 M M 6 33 200
27 85 59 72 3 0 7 0.00 0.0 0 7.8 28 290 M M 7 32 300
28 85 52 69 0 0 4 0.00 0.0 0 7.2 23 270 M M 4 30 280
29 82 62 72 2 0 7 0.00 0.0 0 12.7 32 270 M M 4 40 280
30 88 55 72 2 0 7 0.00 0.0 0 10.4 32 290 M M 2 49 260
31 88 64 76 6 0 11 0.00 0.0 0 15.1 29 320 M M 1 62 330

[Poncho_NM]

Originally Posted by magswheel

So it seems the cooler temps in the winter and the winds of spring are the downside weather issues in ABQ. Is it safe to say the winds blow every day, or every other day in the spring? 30mph or so? No perfect place is there? (Maybe So. Cal., but then it's more than about the weather there.)

No it is not safe to say that. They don't blow every day. Some days are worse than others. Some days the wind blows but not much. Some days it cools things off and it's nice.

My wife is a pilot and she never liked the wind. I rode a motorcycle and the wind was a pain. Here is my video which ruined the day we were going to the Rio Rancho Pork & Brew...


Sandstorm - YouTube

The day before was nice. The day after was nice. There is no perfect place. But for us, Rio Rancho has been nice enough for us since 1997. We are now both retired. For now, we are staying here...

[Rogarven]

Rich, that was funny at the end. You showed a good example of pulling off to the side of the road and stopping in a sandstorm. So many people just freeze and stop in the lane of traffic. Then, they end up getting rear ended and killed. There are several signs on I-10 between Las Cruces and Deming reminding people to pull over to the side of the highway before stopping in a sandstorm. My wife's aunt and uncle were killed on I-8 just west of Casa Grande by running into the back of a truck and then getting hit from behind. Very tragic.

[Poncho_NM]

Rogarven, sorry to hear about your wife's aunt and uncle. Years ago (70's) I drove a wrecker in Florida with a Highway Patrol contract. There were a lot of frightening moments.

[cosmicrowbar]

Originally Posted by magswheel

I feel like you Mellow Man. I like the climate, the Organ Mountains and White Sands. I want to like it here, but I feel like I would be bored in town, however. I was hoping someone could convince me otherwise. I too have retired young and I am looking for a place to resettle. Have you decided where to retire? Is Phoenix the only other option?

Phoenix??!??
I will say that, unlike Phoenix, the Las Cruces area is lacking smog/ozone alerts and endless traffic jams, not to mention 115 degree days...
I've learned to live without I guess.
If you need a major metropolitan area like Phoenix, LC is not for you, though you might try Albuqueque.
LC has just reached 100k population, has a great symphony, a fast growing arts & performance community, tons of recreational opportunities, the resources of NMSU, and many diverse cultural offerings and organizations. It works for this very active and engaged 60 year old
Best of luck wherever you land.

[magswheel]

Thanks cosmicrowbar. I do like the amenities of a bigger city, but I love the southwest housing styles in LC. I was hoping that LC had more retired active adult offerings like a Del Webb, but maybe you have found a way to get around that. I would be interested in your specifics on how you engage in LC activities.

Also if you find the shopping and health care adequate. Thanks again.

[cosmicrowbar]

Originally Posted by magswheel

Thanks cosmicrowbar. I do like the amenities of a bigger city, but I love the southwest housing styles in LC. I was hoping that LC had more retired active adult offerings like a Del Webb, but maybe you have found a way to get around that. I would be interested in your specifics on how you engage in LC activities.

Also if you find the shopping and health care adequate. Thanks again.

I can't imagine, in my wildest dreams (or nightmares) living in a planned suburban style community like a Del Webb or other developments. Just not a cul-de-sac kind of guy.
I have no criticism for those who do, everybody has their equally respected preferences, but I looked for and found a small community, non-planned, that serves my needs and my comfort expectations very well. I live on the outskirts of Las Cruces and use it for grocery (plenty to choose from) and other shopping needs, as well as the cultural offerings that the larger community provides.
There are lots of organized local (largely by participants) biking, musical, theater, arts, crafts, natural history, human history, writing, reading, political, cinema and many other groups who meet and enjoy the company of like minded folks. I join, I volunteer, I attend events that interest me...plenty to do.
There may be organized Webb community-like events in places on the other side of town, Sonoma Ranch developments as an example. That's all well and good, just not necessarily part of my orbit.
Shopping and health care are certainly adequate...if I need more than LC provides I can use El Paso for that.

[magswheel]

Hmmm. Maybe I will rethink Las Cruces. I was concerned that it would not have a lot to offer activity-wise for a semi-active retiree outside of an adult community.

What is the job market like? Is the town prosperous, growing? Not that I a looking for a job, but is it more of a blue collar town or professional type? Farmers or office people. Is Walmart the top employer or high tech?

Are there a lot of retired people there?

[ctr88]

As a college sports fan I would love access to NMSU men's basketball and football games and would drive to see some UTEP men's basketball games. Nice to live in a smaller city like that but have access to two Div I athletics programs. Seems like there would be some solid hiking options in Cloudcroft area and up towards Silver City. Possibly cross county skiing or snowshoeing too? I would think the LC area could be a off the radar sleeper for a retiree who wants a lot of house for their money and pretty nice winter weather (compared to most of the rest of the U.S. being chilly).

[thenewtexan]

If I were you, I would look into El Paso, and surrounding area. It's only about 45 minutes to Las Cruces for the outdoor activities, and summers are much more tolerable than Phoenix. You probably wouldn't get bored in a city that size. The only drawback would be your property tax bill.