Alamogordo/Las Cruces residents: Pls. compare the two for me... (Albuquerque: crime, new house)

[gabygirl]

Making my final decision by summer, I can't deal w/another summer here in hell (Phoenix). Been to LC several times, only once in Alamog. Plan on returning, of course, but wanted a perspective from the local population. Education, expansion/stores, economy, healthcare, etc. -the important stuff.
Thanks!

[ontheroad]

I can't answer many of your question or any really, but just wanted to share my observations of the two cities from a physical perspective. If I had only two cities to chose from it would be Las Cruces.

LC seemed larger, more active, with more choices in all lifestyle arenas.

I found Alamagoro very unattractive. It seemed at first sight small, limited and run-down.

This is just my aesthetic of course

Good luck with making your decision!

[6 FOOT 3]

Gabygirl........There's a Huge difference between the two cities so here's my info...

Las Cruces is the second largest city in NM 90,000 pop and a metro of 150,000 pop. It has a large university NMSU at 18,000 students and White Sands missle range about 20 miles away. There's a major mall (mesilla valley) and shopping galore and 3 major hospitals and night clubs and fitness centers and more employment opportunities and booming with new houses in the East Mesa area and about an hour away from Elephant Butte Reservoir (largest lake in NM).I would recommend Las Cruces to the Young and Action crowd so to speak.(college,just starting a family,employment etc..)

Alamogordo is 35,000 pop and about 45,000 surrounding area.It has a two year college NMSU and it does have a large Air Force base ''Holloman AFB'' which contributes to the economy. It has a mall (white sands) and a new hospital.It is growing like Las Cruces with new housing on its peripherial areas. Its right on the edge of the Sacramento mountains and all the recreation you can handle for a mountain setting. Its definitly more laid back than Cruces and i'd tend to think of it a Baby Boomer/Military type town..

So if you want action, jobs, universities, clubbing etc..then Las Cruces is your best bet...

But if you want a more laid back and like the mountains (camping,sking fishing etc.) then Alamogordo would be the choice...

But both cities are growing very fast with new housing, shopping and businesses....

[lamesa]

Las Cruces, in my opinion, is a more attractive town than Alamogordo and probably has a little more life to it. If I had to choose between the two, I'd choose Las Cruces. I work in Las Cruces and live just outside of town. It's definitely growing here and fast. Medical care is good, great restaurants, decent shopping and the schools are pretty good in comparison to some other areas of NM. Beautiful sunsets and gorgeous mountains, etc.

[1hottamale]

Hi!
I also live in LC & we don't like it anymore. The city is pretty & you will still find folks around here that are kind & generous. But, evidentally it's getting too busy, too noisy & dangerous for its size. The worst part is the traffic & crime, which are both elavating to staggering numbers. I can't believe the way folks drive around here. Every where I go I see drivers passing red lights (& speeding, etc). Unfortunately, this city has a lot of 'uneducated' drivers that will eventually end up causing a crash. I fear for the LC 15 year olds behind the wheel. They're way too young to be driving & having to contend with speeders, red lighters, and, finally, the roads creme of the crop, 'NM drunkards at the wheel'. As for other crimes, we live in an affluent area and we're not immune to it either - it is everywhere. Well, it's adios LC for us. We're selling our home & moving from here. Unfortunately, this city will eventually lose the beauty that has kept & drawn so many here, and not because it is growing, but because its growth is not being nurtured wisely. As for Alamogordo, its a charming small town that offers a slower pace of life and a lot, a lot less crime activity, which is great. I love the town & its beautiful surroundings. The folks there are just as beautiful. I wouldn't mind moving there, but we may be moving back down South. We'll miss the foods from here & a lot of the folks, its sunsets & forests, but I think its time to go back home.
Jenna

[domino]

Las Cruces is a beautiful small city with all the ammenties (and problems) associated with that. I grew up there in the 60's and 70's when it was still a small town (like Alamogordo). Yes it has grown. There is lots of good about the growth - you no longer have to drive to El Paso for major shopping, nicer restaurants, more choices, lots of new homes, etc. The bad is that you don't know all your neighbors, you need to lock your car and your home, and chain fast food restaurants are on every corner. Although I no longer live there, I visit regularly and have family there. There are lots of new neighborhoods, stores, etc., but it still seems like the LC I grew up knowing, with more ammenities and opportunities. The alternative would be stagnation and decline. In my opinion LC has changed for the better.

[cathhsmom]

I grew up in El Paso, and went to college in Las Cruces. When you say education do you mean college or for kids. NMSU was a fine school, nothing great, nothing overly bad. I dont know much about the school system in terms of elem but my sister in law was a teacher there who now lives in Albuquerque and she thinks Las Cruces kids were much more gangster like.
I looked at other posts and have to question their idea of shopping. There is a mall there, though i dont think i would call it major! they have relatively typical stores (old navy--not actually in the mall, the gap, etc) but i doubt they have similar stores to phoenix. restaurant wise there are some mainstream sit down restauraunts (chilis, applebees, red lobster, etc) but again, not a ton of things. would have to recommend the cattle baron. gardunos (based out of albuquerque) is a mexican restaurant there that is over priced and i think the smaller local restaurants are better. Lorenzo's has some really good pizza and (i hear) they now have a dion's (also based from albuq) which has GREAT subs and pizza--you MUST have it with their ranch dressing.
anyway--i personally wouldnt recommend las cruces. it is hot (which you are use to from phoenix) but there is virtually NO green there. also dont think i would recommend living on the east mesa as someone else did--lots of trailers and LOTS of dirt (though i think they have done a lot of development since the last time i was there about 2 yrs ago).
i would however recommend LC over alamogordo. have been there a few times and every local i have ever spoken too has commented that they cannot wait to leave.

[gabygirl]

Wow, thanks to all for the good info. Will be out there at least 3 more times to look at both LC & Alamog. -gr

[ROQO]

what is the closest airport to Las Cruces?

[TKO]

Originally Posted by ROQO

what is the closest airport to Las Cruces?

El Paso about 50 minutes to get there.