What Is There To Do In Las Cruces? (Silver City, Ruidoso: insurance, violent crime)

[One2move]

Hi, I started reading about retirement life, this is when the city of Las Cruces came about. All my life I have lived in the Florida Keys, there is the blue sky ocean, garage sales, monday night Bingo at the ELKS, and plenty of work in the tourist industry. There is one small hospital, and a movie theater. The Keys are relaxed, and when folks want some entertaiment, they travel to Miami, which is about one hour from Key Largo. Whats wrong with the picture? Sounds like a nice place to retire, right? Wrong. We have a high property tax, and lately, yearly hurricanes, these are responsible for astronomical insurance costs. Well, now that you guys read about the Keys..... Can you bring some light into life in Las Cruces?

What are the people there like? Is it high in crime? Any areas that I shuldn't be looking into for retirement? What about traffic? Hospitals? 55 + communities? Library? Theater? Walking trails? and most important... What can a 56 years old single woman do for clean fun in a Friday-Saturday night at Las Cruces?

Any information you can offer would be of help.

[Hungry For Cheese]

I was in Las Cruces for 3 weeks back in Aug 06.
Keep in mind I am 24, but hopefully I can give a little insight.

Crime? Well my uncle works for the government in anti-terrorism and he says there are lots of police or FBI types in his area. There are some areas less desireable, but I couldnt tell you exact areas( I want to say the westside, but not sure). My uncles lived on the edge towards the desert and the mountains they have that are famous(towards White Sands). VERY peaceful. I saw cops all over and they were on top of any troublemakers. I was told the graffitti is taken down soon as it is up and there is an ordinance about bums. I didnt see one bum, I guess they round em up and ship em out.
Traffic was real light, compared my Los Angeles. I love that place. I stayed an extra week because I didnt want to return to L.A.
I would move there but I need colleges, higher wage and cheaper rent.
Mesilla is close and very nice. It is like old town mexican style. A nice area with shops, restaurants with a very authentic feel. Not like Los Angeles/Tijuana style at all.

[neoaznm]

Just a quick clarification, New Mexico State University is located in Las Cruces, and is considered a mid-sized university with a student body population approaching 17,000. Program quality varies by department, but a few of the "big ones" are engineering and ag. Physical Science Labs, located on campus, provide defense-related employment opportunities for students and recent grads (depending on whether you're lucky enough to get an internship).

Also, depending on your career, you may very well find that NASA's Johnson Test Facility or White Sands Missile Range could be the answer. Not all positions are associated with defense, as many support staff work in environmental compliance, information systems, etc. Major contractors include Raytheon and Lockheed-Martin.

So, as far as Las Cruces is concerned, you just have to be a little on the competitive side and stand out to prospective employers. You can definitely secure a good-paying job here, though housing costs may still be a bit high. That has more to do with the Phoenix phenomenon of retirees and investors inflating prices beyond the reach of the average worker.

Although this is my hometown, I have also lived in Phoenix, Tucson, Flagstaff and Silver City for a number of years. In the time I was away, I longed to come back. It's a great place to be...but don't ruin it by telling too many people that... ;o)

[chilegal]

Do a search for Las Cruces and you will find many answers to your question.
Jane

[ibarrio]

Hi, I started reading about retirement life, this is when the city of Las Cruces came about. All my life I have lived in the Florida Keys, there is the blue sky ocean, garage sales, monday night Bingo at the ELKS, and plenty of work in the tourist industry. There is one small hospital, and a movie theater. The Keys are relaxed, and when folks want some entertaiment, they travel to Miami, which is about one hour from Key Largo. Whats wrong with the picture? Sounds like a nice place to retire, right? Wrong. We have a high property tax, and lately, yearly hurricanes, these are responsible for astronomical insurance costs. Well, now that you guys read about the Keys..... Can you bring some light into life in Las Cruces?

There is an Elks, Moose, American legion, and VFW's. There is a bingo hall and several movies theaters. El Paso and Juarez are very close and they offer things to do as well. Mesilla is a nice town to lounge around for the day. Two hospitals in Las Cruces. Property tax is lower then what you pay in Florida.

What are the people there like? Is it high in crime? Any areas that I shuldn't be looking into for retirement? What about traffic? Hospitals? 55 + communities? Library? Theater? Walking trails? and most important... What can a 56 years old single woman do for clean fun in a Friday-Saturday night at Las Cruces?

It is the land of manana, meaning the land of tomorrow. Very laid back and slower paced of lifestyle. Violent crime is not a major issue. Traffic? Not in Las Cruces. There are walking trails, mountains, white sands, Ruidoso, elephant butte, and casinos. There is a public library near downtown and there is also one of the NMSU campus. The area is poor but there is no real Ghetto or bad part of town. People here are not concerned about keeping up with the Jones.
The area is majority Hispanic but not illegals from Mexico.

[pinusconus]

There is also the symphony and theaters of the performing arts

[EnjoyEP]

Spend time outside! The sun, dry air, lack of rain, and warm temperatures make Las Cruces one of the more enviable climates in the U.S. The sunshine (including sunrises and sunsets), mountains and desert vistas, etc., make the outdoors in Las Cruces a true gem to be outdoors in, regardless of season!