Healthy and peaceful in Las Cruces (or...?) (Santa Fe, Deming: environment, real estate)

[serene]

Hi

I am presently in southern Colo. and, because of some temporary health issues, I am hoping to find a warmer & drier place to rent for the next 6 mos. or so. I would like to know about Las Cruces in particular, but am certainly open to any and all other ideas and info. (Silver City?)

I don't push myself on others, but personally, I am "environmentally conscious" - what is pollution in LC like? Are there health food stores carrying organic produce? Is it possible/realistic to commute around the town on bicycle or even foot? Any ideas about stores selling organic clothing and bedding? Does LC have a "fast-paced" or more slow and laid-back feeling in general? Am I likely to find more people with similar healthy, peaceful mindsets? Any "alternative" health opportunities (acupuncture, yoga, etc.). Any hiking/biking trails in nearby mtns. or bike paths in the city?Are there certain parts of town where I should be looking for housing? Finally, I am young and single, but not really a partier - I've heard from friends that LC is a "party-town". What do you think?

Again, I would be grateful for any info or suggestions that anyone out there might have (doesn't have to be in NM). Thanks in advance!

[tomcat]

Hi, if I may suggest Deming. a quint farming town.shurly possibpe to buy organic products.nt a party city nice friendly people,shopping great walking and hiking, biking trails/parks.I loved it. bought 5 acre plot to build. google Deming new mexico for more info, you will be glad you did, I cerntly was.

[jonesy]

I agree with tomcat about Deming. I also like Deming because of its close proximity to Las Palomas. Palomas is a neat little border town with good food and medical/dental services. This is especially handy if you don't have health insurance. However, it sounds as though you choose alternative services. Las Cruces would still be a fairly close drive 40-45 miles if you didn't find what you wanted in Deming. Also, Deming has thousands of acres roadway, both dirt and paved, for cycling. With your interests, I would also suggest that you try Silver City. It is a small college town that fits all of your requirements. It is a little colder in the winter, but nothing like CO. As far as Las Cruces goes, I wouldn't want to live there. Sometimes there is pollution from nearby El Paso and Juarez (no EPA in Mexico). I don't know the levels, but it seemed hazy some of the time. Las Cruces is also more spread out. There are small cultural communities, but these are very expensive. If you want a larger community, try Tucson. If you do try Deming, be forewarned, there are land schemes on the internet right now. Some companies are selling off 1/2-1 acre lots south of town. While these are beautiful, most don't have electricity and Luna county requires 2 acres to drill for water and to run septic. Before you buy check with the county for their requirements.

[Cali-girl]

Originally Posted by serene

I don't push myself on others, but personally, I am "environmentally conscious" - what is pollution in LC like? Are there health food stores carrying organic produce? Is it possible/realistic to commute around the town on bicycle or even foot? Any ideas about stores selling organic clothing and bedding? Does LC have a "fast-paced" or more slow and laid-back feeling in general? Am I likely to find more people with similar healthy, peaceful mindsets? Any "alternative" health opportunities (acupuncture, yoga, etc.).

Hi! You may want to read my views of LC on another thread, "Californian? Moving to NM? Think again."

Anyway, Mountain View Market has a small organic produce section (compared to CA markets) and some organic cotton clothing suitable for exercise wear. Also, some cotton hats, socks. About the same or maybe less quantity-wise than Wild Oats Mkt in Tucson. Two days a week, a person comes in to do chair-massage at Mountain View. Although I do not shop at Walmart for ethical reasons, my spouse does and he states that their organic produce is fresher than Mountain View's produce. Albertson's on Lohman has an organic section. It is a good supplement to MV Market, however, it is depressing to shop at Albertsons because of all the really, really fat people. It is sad for me to be around self-destructive people, sorry in advance to any who take offense.

Imo, it would not be wise to bicycle around LC. Most of the residents here do not seem attentive to detail and may have a propensity to not notice cyclists. There is a small group of roadies who ride around where I live. Probably riding in a group may be safer.

Unless, you live near the University, LC is not really set up for walking, unlike other places, like Brentwood or Laguna Beach, CA. Another good town for walking is Palo Alto and Los Altos, CA. So, that is what I am comparing LC to.

As far as "slow" or not, I would definitely say this place is slow-paced. The speed limits around town are a testament to that.

As far as hiking, there are 2 parks - one on each side of the Organ Mountains where you can hike. One trail in particular leads to a waterfall during the wet season. Think its called Dripping Springs Park. The other park is on the other side of the Organ Mtns off Aguilera (sp?) which is off of Hwy 70. Then there are the Cliff Dwellings near Silver City. A woman whose husband is a birder told me that the best time to go there (longish hike up switchbacks to the dwellings) is in the spring or early October.

Pollution: non-existent except when the wind changes and smog blows in from Juarez, Mexico. There is natural pollution from blowing sand & dust, which is happening right outside now as I type this.

HTH!

~Cali-girl

[TKO]

Silver is defintely more progressive than Cruces in many respects. It's very "artsy" in a semi-Santa Fe kind of way. It has a wonderful original (1800's) downtown with gallerys and such and a river park. I'm not sure about the organic food market. I'm sure there's some but it's going to be pretty limited.

Cruces' downtown was done away with by the urban renewal programs of 60/70's. Main street was turned into an open walking mall and it promptly died. They are in the process of making it "old" again now. Nothing like a little failed social engineering. Agriculture (farming and ranching) is still the main focus of the areas economy in Cruces although that's changing to service as the population grows. It's a fairly conservative place with most newcomers being retirees and we're getting A LOT of them.

[serene]

Hey tomcat, jonesy, Cali-girl, and TKO,

Thanks very much for the information and opinions - I am grateful. I will start researching Deming tonight. tomcat, do you mind my asking where you are from - just curious about your background if you love Deming.
thank you.

Hey jonesy, why wouldn't you want to live in Las Cruces, if you don't mind my asking? Thank you.

Are there others in the forum who would prefer Tucson to Las Cruces? If so, why?

TKO & jonesy, any idea what the winter weather is like in Silver City usually -- I'm kinda interested in avoiding wet even more than cold. snow or rain levels? Do you know where I might find info on properties for rent to begin with? About how many students do you think attend the university there? Thank you.

Cali - Thanks for all of the specifics about LC - just what I wanted to know. Glad to know that health food options exist and there are places to ride/hike. How spread out is LC - when you are out doing things, does it take a while to get from place to place (not sure if this makes sense?)? I guess its all relative - if you are from Calif. it may seem small, but to me it may seem big - any opinions welcome.

It sounds like I should pursue info on Deming & Silver City as well as LC. Thank you all very much once again - any and all further information would be appreciated. Best wishes!

[TKO]

http://www.wnmu.edu/history/hp.htm

"Enrollment at WNMU reflects the national profile characterized by a high percentage of nontraditional students. The student body numbers approximately 2500. WNMU celebrated its 100th Anniversary in 1993. Exemplary teaching, quality programs, and enhanced regional service characterize The University Mission, as WNMU moves into its second one hundred years."

Winters get pretty cold but there is not a lot of moisture during any time of the year. Silver is a little high to be termed desert but it get a similar amount of precipitation to the surrounding deserts. (sorry this chart didn't come across better but you can see the amount of precip is pretty small)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Annual
Average Max. Temperature (F) 50.7 54.6 59.0 68.3 77.0 86.7 87.3 85.3 81.3 71.6 59.4 52.2 69.5
Average Min. Temperature (F) 24.0 25.8 30.3 37.3 44.8 54.5 59.6 57.7 51.9 41.8 29.9 25.4 40.3
Average Total Precipitation (in.) 1.08 1.13 0.95 0.58 0.39 0.68 3.02 3.06 1.97 1.26 0.71 1.24 16.08
Average Total SnowFall (in.) 3.3 2.8 1.5 0.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.9 2.5 11.8
Average Snow Depth (in.) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Here's some data on the real estate market. When the copper prices are up and the mines reopen, these numbers are likely to get higher. If you get in before that happens (and I understand prices have been climbing) and sign a lease you'll be ok.

http://www.homegain.com/local_real_e...lver_city.html

[tomcat]

Hi Serene, Tomcat here you asked where I was from? born and raised in Staten Island N.Y.

[Towanda]

Tomcat ~ Where are you in upstate NY? I was born in Rochester NY and grew up in a small town near there.

{ Sorry for the thread drift ... }

[serene]

Hey tomcat:

Thanks for the info on your background. I guess that if you, being from Staten Island, don't feel like Deming is too small, than I'm sure that I wouldn't feel too out of place there either. My background is nothing like the size of NYC area! Good for my frame of reference ... Thanks again~!