Leaving Las Cruces (Albuquerque: theater, best schools, university)

[TKO]

I left for Jersey when I was 21 and it was for personal, not have my life go down the toilet type, reasons. From there it was LA and then Albuquerque/Placitas. We weren't 'bad' kids just a little wild and it was time to separate myself from that for a while. It was very comforting to know I'd be coming back home and Cruces is very much that.

[FireSnake]

Originally Posted by fnord

Have you or do you live in Las Cruces and did you/are you leaving - why? I'm more interested in hearing about why you left for personal choices rather than "got a job transfer" or "got married" or something. Was it local economy? The people? The local government? Comments, please.

I moved here over a year ago. I absolutely love New Mexico and the desert regions. I've lived most of my life in Western/Southwestern states. Hey, I started the "Why I Love Las Cruces" thread. But yes, there are other factors involved, and I'm beginning to contemplate leaving. I'm totally unsure at this point, so would appreciate any feedback. Please - no racist or degrading comments, as I (for the most part) enjoy the Hispanic culture and what it brings to the area.

When I moved here I had dreams of helping to bring the Downtown Mall back to life - it's not going to happen. I look at pictures of the downtown LC in the 50s and earlier, and it's so sad. What a loss. If you plopped that Downtown Mall in Portland, OR or San Francisco it would be HOPPING - bars, cafes, bookstores (hang on, Coas!), and various independent shops. In some places, pedestrian malls are a big hit - here everyone seems to flock to Walmart in their car and that's it. What kind of life is that?

Sometimes I get discouraged with the attitudes here toward nature, conservation, and sustainability. There's a lot of trash here (both literally and figuratively) and it gets me down. I try, in my own way, to make it nicer here, but I often feel overrun. That's probably the biggest roadblock for me. I moved here for the open spaces and temperate climate. If I could move away from the city or to a smaller town, I would. Maybe I'll find a way.

I guess I'm looking for some hope or encouragement. I feel I could bring a tiny element of positivity to Las Cruces - but if nobody cares, why bother?

Well, to tell you MY truth...I'm so done with NM as a state. i was born here, raised here, educated here...in more ways than may be immediately realized.

I'm done having the history of the state told and retold. My half-blood Indian father denied his blood, either white, Indian, or Spaniard. Weary am I of the Hispanic culture, collectivistic and Catholic. Hispanic CULTURE which is taught (at NMSU) as being time oriented towards the PAST...not looking forward to the future. "The land of Entrapment, The Land of Manana"...as it is said. Collectivism...more about your clique and family-WHO you know, not WHAT you know...AKA nepotism, mediocrity. I'm sickened at the abuse of the state's funds by the Catholic culture/mandate of not using prophylactics for birth control...which leads only to low-income families living in housing which leads to gang activity. Once again, collectivism. Culture. Religion.

We're living in a homogeneous state; town. Maintain the status-quo, will you?!?! Save the Crosses, and put your last name in reflective tint on the rear window of your vehicle. Demand that everyone speak Espanol, screw the Eengleesh, not to mention any other language.

Too bad NM is not Africa...hahaha, we might be raped, but at least we would have industry (and thus economy)!!!

But i digress. Cruces is is allright. We gots our bads and goods. i have been here 30 years, we are moving at a snail's pace.

I am looking at Oregon. Time to flee...but where? Where is not inundated with human population, and nature pervades? Where is an influx of ideas and culture, a melting pot, that which is not the effing East Coast? God, it's gonna be cold.

Yeah. Time to get out.

And one more reason to leave...NM is a hotbed of scientific research, because of our spartan environment (ecology) and our lack of human population. If i was a nefarious individual, NM would be high on my list. It saddens me, though, as NM is also on my "most safe" list of states that don't have natural disasters...discounting human intervention.

Lastly: those of you who would bid me, "Good riddance/Get the heck out of NM" etc...my meager hat is held out so that i may collect your offers. Thank you...would you like to come with?

[funkymonkey]

Originally Posted by FireSnake

"The land of Entrapment, The Land of Manana"...as it is said.

My theory about the "land of entrapment" name is that so many people come back to New Mexico after moving elsewhere and finding out it's not a crappy here as they thought growing up.

[lawmom]

I think almost everyone wants to leave the state where they spent their whole life at some point -- this is not unique to this poster or to NM certainly. I grew up in Maine and could not wait to leave. I went back after some years, when I realized what it had to offer that other places didn't. Perspective is key, and to gain that, you really have to experience other places.

[tecpatl]

Originally Posted by FireSnake

Well, to tell you MY truth...I'm so done with NM as a state. i was born here, raised here, educated here...in more ways than may be immediately realized.


Too bad NM is not Africa...hahaha, we might be raped, but at least we would have industry (and thus economy)!!!


I am looking at Oregon. Time to flee...but where? Where is not inundated with human population, and nature pervades? Where is an influx of ideas and culture, a melting pot, that which is not the effing East Coast? God, it's gonna be cold.

Yeah. Time to get out.


Lastly: those of you who would bid me, "Good riddance/Get the heck out of NM" etc...my meager hat is held out so that i may collect your offers. Thank you...would you like to come with?

You're right...time to get out.
Everybody needs a variety of experiences and environments, both to prompt growth and change (something, it seems, you sorely need) and as a reminder of what you had where you were. It's all good.. buen viaje

Get some distance and some perspective, then turn and look at where you came from....I think it'll look a bit different, but that's up to you.

But if you think you're going to avoid collectivism and all that that implies by moving to the Peoples Republic of Oregon, I think you better go visit first before renting that UHaul.
Good luck!

[ddweller]

Firesnake - be sure to check out the various tax issues in Oregon.
Have read that it might be one of the top states for total tax rates soon,
if not already.

OR is truly a beautiful state, but there are pluses & minuses there just as
with most places.

Best wishes for happiness wherever you go...and we'll leave the lights on for 'ya waiting for your return to NM.

[georgste]

The grass always looks greener on the other side. Go to Oregon and watch out for earthquakes. See you back in a couple or ten years...

[DulceJ]

I left Las Cruces, New Mexico about 5 years ago when my husband passed away and moved to Florida, I wish I was back in Las Cruces again.

[tijlover]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

If they do not think that conservation and sustainability and having a charming little walking mall downtown is important; and if you are not happy with that kind of environment then perhaps you need to move to Portland or San Fran. where there are people who share your ideals.

It's the dreamers that help to create livable cities, those unhappy with their current environment.

What would Porland and San Francisco be without their dreamers? 50 years ago, if someone unhappy with those cities tried to make those cities more vibrant and livable, would you have told those dreamers to return to where they came from or accept things they way they were?

I come from Minneapolis, the 2nd story city as they call it, with their skyway system that links buildings downtown to shelter people from the cold in winter. Other cities have copied that wonderful idea.

God bless the dreamers!

[somersaunt]

We're planning on leaving as soon as my husband finds a job outside of the state. I just pulled my daughter out of the middle school because she has come home crying saying that she doesn't feel safe at school. There have been a few incidents that make me question whether the schools can really keep the students safe. I feel like the violence is growing here and I'm sick of the gang-banger mentality. We've known of 2 families personally whose daughters have been killed by their boyfriends. We live in a great area (Sonoma Ranch) and we love our neighborhood but we're starting to hate the area more and more. We've live here around 20 years and used to love it. I can't wait to leave at this point.