Info from 17 years of experience on Cruces (Las Cruces, Hope: mover, safe area)

[skprdh]

I am relocating from Indiana in August and I cannot wait. Our weather here has not been good. Only a few days of sunshine and 2 days ago I was wearing a jacket. The older I get, the longer the winter's seem. Very depressing.

[brendiej]

T Race 320 has a lot right. I grew up in El Paso and I couldn't wait to leave it when I went to school. After 20 plus years living in different US cities and abroad, I am back in the area, Las Cruces to be specific. I think the mountains are great and I love the sun, but there are draw backs to living here, too. No place is perfect and I wish there was more to do in LC. I think it is a great place to visit and even to live if you are a quiet person with hobbies that keep you busy. Until we get established and meet people, joining groups or find our new hobbies, it is really quiet and dare I say a bit boring? Sorry, it is Just an Opinion. BUT I don't see a lively city that is thriving or much in the way of job growth. This is an opinion, of course, and it is only my personal viewpoint. My husband and I wish we were moved (job relo) to another city, like ABQ or even San Antonio so there would be more diversity and more to do. Still, there are good things and I really like visiting El Paso for the day and it is sooo much hotter there than here.

[tecpatl]

Originally Posted by brendiej

T Race 320 has a lot right. I grew up in El Paso and I couldn't wait to leave it when I went to school. After 20 plus years living in different US cities and abroad, I am back in the area, Las Cruces to be specific. I think the mountains are great and I love the sun, but there are draw backs to living here, too. No place is perfect and I wish there was more to do in LC. I think it is a great place to visit and even to live if you are a quiet person with hobbies that keep you busy. Until we get established and meet people, joining groups or find our new hobbies, it is really quiet and dare I say a bit boring? Sorry, it is Just an Opinion. BUT I don't see a lively city that is thriving or much in the way of job growth. This is an opinion, of course, and it is only my personal viewpoint. My husband and I wish we were moved (job relo) to another city, like ABQ or even San Antonio so there would be more diversity and more to do. Still, there are good things and I really like visiting El Paso for the day and it is sooo much hotter there than here.

Interesting to hear your well thought out and expressed perspective, brendiej.
I think joining organizations that interest you or volunteering is a great way to meet people. The bride and I are not church folks, so we try to get together with other people we think might have similar interests and we've met some very nice and interesting people doing so.
LC is pretty small compared to El Paso or Albuquerque, and the relatively low average income in LC probably has something to do with limiting options for fun and excitement. As far as diversity goes, it's a mixed bag to me.
This prompts a question for you, and also for the OP: If there is not much to do, in your opinion, then what would something to do, be? I don't mean this to dispute or challenge your assertions in any way, I'm just curious about what you think is missing here or what specifically would make it a better place to live, in your view.
I have my own list, but as a relatively quiet person of 56 (though I DO have my moments ) with hobbies and work, I might have different ideas than you do.
LC is certainly not entertainment central, but there is music, art, theater, history and other cultural events on a regular basis. I wish there was more, of course, but the city is changing and growing and I think those are areas that are improving noticeably.
Now, if a truely good Chinese and Thai restaurant would open....
Awaiting your reply....

[T-Race320]

Originally Posted by tecpatl

Interesting to hear your well thought out and expressed perspective, brendiej.
I think joining organizations that interest you or volunteering is a great way to meet people. The bride and I are not church folks, so we try to get together with other people we think might have similar interests and we've met some very nice and interesting people doing so.
LC is pretty small compared to El Paso or Albuquerque, and the relatively low average income in LC probably has something to do with limiting options for fun and excitement. As far as diversity goes, it's a mixed bag to me.
This prompts a question for you, and also for the OP: If there is not much to do, in your opinion, then what would something to do, be? I don't mean this to dispute or challenge your assertions in any way, I'm just curious about what you think is missing here or what specifically would make it a better place to live, in your view.
I have my own list, but as a relatively quiet person of 56 (though I DO have my moments ) with hobbies and work, I might have different ideas than you do.
LC is certainly not entertainment central, but there is music, art, theater, history and other cultural events on a regular basis. I wish there was more, of course, but the city is changing and growing and I think those are areas that are improving noticeably.
Now, if a truely good Chinese and Thai restaurant would open....
Awaiting your reply....

As far as stuff I do to keep busy, it's mostly hobbies/sports. I'm active in my shooting sports club, hunt, go camping in nearby areas, go 4wheeling, when I get especially bored I make short films with friends, and trips to ski apache to snowboard, and swim competitivly.

As for things that I think would improve Cruces... I'm not sure that it's any one activity in particular, more of the vibe of cruces and the amount of things you can just up and do without planning. The additude here, even in the most 'hopping' areas is not all that fun or welcoming. Not that i dont really appreciate the stillness sometimes... But Look at our 'downtown': if you went there Saturday night, you don't see activity beyond eleven or ten. If you get the urge to do something, well you can go to the movies. Maybe bowl.

But that's just me and my opinion.

[ibarrio]

Originally Posted by T-Race320

As far as stuff I do to keep busy, it's mostly hobbies/sports. I'm active in my shooting sports club, hunt, go camping in nearby areas, go 4wheeling, when I get especially bored I make short films with friends, and trips to ski apache to snowboard, and swim competitivly.

As for things that I think would improve Cruces... I'm not sure that it's any one activity in particular, more of the vibe of cruces and the amount of things you can just up and do without planning. The additude here, even in the most 'hopping' areas is not all that fun or welcoming. Not that i dont really appreciate the stillness sometimes... But Look at our 'downtown': if you went there Saturday night, you don't see activity beyond eleven or ten. If you get the urge to do something, well you can go to the movies. Maybe bowl.

But that's just me and my opinion.

You missed out...

Back in my day (Onate 91) we could go shooting or rabbit hunting right behind A mountain, ride our ATV's and motorcycles without hassles from the police, party at the river in various spots, cruise El Paseo on Friday nights, go to Juarez without worry (I have stories of us Highschool football players brawling with GI's from Fort Bliss).

We had arcades and the mall was cool. We laid our in the back yard and tell stories of La llorona and the Cult in Mesilla.

In college (NMSU class of 95) we had/could party every weekend, had night clubs that are now long gone (Great American, Rock Island, Cowboys), and had to actually use the library for research and papers. If you were a college student you spent a majority of the day on campus. Walking around and meeting people (no texting, myspace, or face book back then).

The Aggies Basketball team was good, the Pan Am rocked on game nights. We would do road trips to UTEP and UNM. We had a crooked coach (Neil McCarthy) who gave us great teams. We got to see a great but relatively short rivalry with the Historically Great Teams of UNLV (Google Tark the Shark)

We had great concerts in the area. Pink Floyd, Rolling Stones, U2 in El Paso. Metallica, Guns N Roses, and The Eagles in Las Cruces.

Road trip...no problem. Saw the Grateful Dead in Phoenix and Las Vegas. Slept in the truck....who cared.

Like i said, you missed out.

[caydriver]

tecpatl, their is a wonderful Thai place in Organ right on highway 70. We stop their frequently when in Las Cruces.

[tecpatl]

Originally Posted by caydriver

tecpatl, their is a wonderful Thai place in Organ right on highway 70. We stop their frequently when in Las Cruces.

I've had iffy experiences there with the food. I'm not giving up on it though. Their Nam Sod was pretty darn good..the flavors were right but the portion was skimpy.

[caydriver]

Tell the owner exactly what you want. We always enjoy visiting with him. Have been to Bangkok foe extended visits and fine the food excellent.

[tecpatl]

Originally Posted by caydriver

Tell the owner exactly what you want. We always enjoy visiting with him. Have been to Bangkok foe extended visits and fine the food excellent.

Thanks, caydriver.
Do them a favor and write a post about the place for the Favorite Las Cruces Restaurants thread. Hopefully it'll get them some more business. I'd like to see them do well up in Organ. Not a lot of other reasons to drive up there.
Do you have any experience with Lemongrass? I've had some very disappointing "Thai" food there, and haven't been very interested in going back. And Thai is some of my favorite food.

[caydriver]

Not famaliar with Lemongrass. Grandson likes the strip mall just down from the university that has an Indian, Japanese, Greek and sushi place.