Considering Relocation to Las Cruces (Albuquerque, Alamogordo: real estate, military, motel)

[neoaznm]

A couple of months ago at the Telshor 12, multiple vehicles were broken into, with items such as stereos, MP3 players, etc. lifted. These thefts "en masse" have taken place ever since I was a student at NMSU and lived near campus. While meth has something to do with it, our proximity to Juarez makes it easy for people to take goods down there for sale (I've been to a few of the flea markets there, and, wow, they sure have a big selection of "radios chuecos"). Been like this before meth was as big as it is now.

Just don't leave anything valuable in your car, and, if you have a detatchable face stereo, don't be lazy and leave it under your seat. An alarm is always a deterrent, but it's never a guarantee that you won't be another stat.

I also agree with ibarrio that Cruces doesn't really have a "ghetto" like most people may expect. No te preocupes, solo es cuestion de cuidarse.

[tito]

Originally Posted by neoaznm

A couple of months ago at the Telshor 12, multiple vehicles were broken into, with items such as stereos, MP3 players, etc. lifted. These thefts "en masse" have taken place ever since I was a student at NMSU and lived near campus. While meth has something to do with it, our proximity to Juarez makes it easy for people to take goods down there for sale (I've been to a few of the flea markets there, and, wow, they sure have a big selection of "radios chuecos"). Been like this before meth was as big as it is now.

Just don't leave anything valuable in your car, and, if you have a detatchable face stereo, don't be lazy and leave it under your seat. An alarm is always a deterrent, but it's never a guarantee that you won't be another stat.

I also agree with ibarrio that Cruces doesn't really have a "ghetto" like most people may expect. No te preocupes, solo es cuestion de cuidarse.

(Gracias "Neoaznm" tomare las precauciones debidas) thank you "Neoaznm" I'll take the necessary precautions, fortunately I have a garage where I live and will only park my car in public places for short periods of time.

[TKO]

Thirty years living in Cruces and I've never had my car broken into here. Once at the long term parking lot at the El Paso Airport (Doh!) and once in Albuquerque. The smart guys up there sliced the soft top on my jeep to get in...when the doors were already unlocked.

[kamelia]

We have a 2100 sq ft manufactured home for sale on 15 acres for $224,000.
View of the Robledo Mountains in the backyard.
We are north of Las Cruces--about halfway between LC and the Spaceport site.

Contact lisatillery@comcast.net

[military spouse]

We used to live in El Paso and would go to Las Cruces frequently. We both LOVED that town. It is so beautiful! Our favorite restaurant was Andale's and we could sit on their enclosed patio for hours. Great green chile enchiladas! We also love to go shopping in Old Mesilla. I don't remember ever feeling like we were in an impoverished area. We thought about relocating there and visited many of the neighborhoods in our price range and they were all beautiful. The winds never bothered us. One time a stretch of I-10 closed because of the high winds, but I don't remember them affecting anything else. Great community!

[pinusconus]

I love Old Mesilla too. I spent a week in Las Cruces in the spring and visited Mesilla every day. It has a charming little plaza and the Farmers Markets there on Thursday and Sundays are fun. There are great buys on hand made jewelry, crafts, produce, plants, various foods, etc. The Farmers Markets in Las Cruces are held on Wednesday and Saturday in the downtown area. The Saturday market attracts more vendors.

I think Las Cruces is one of the easiest cities to drive in and around. The Organ Mountains always helped me get my bearings when I got turned around in the wrong direction.

As a traveler, my only disappointment with the city is the absence of good hotels and lack of B&B's and Inns in the city. I stayed at the Hotel Encanto which is lovely, but is really the only high quality hotel in the city. There are, however, plenty of chain motels to be found.

[Wisteria]

I'm living in California (Santa Cruz area), also lived in Colorado (Boulder), Seattle, Phoenix, and was raised in Western New york. I've been following this thread for awhile now, and I'm still not sure about it being a feasible place.

I want to retire in one to three years, and won't have a load of equity, but enough to get a starter house (maybe $175,000 in equity). I don't need much -- a one bedroom, one bath is fine, but with a yard.

I like the high altitude -- I felt best living in Colorado wth the high altitude. But now that I'm approaching my sixties, I do enjoy the heat, although not too, too much (like Phoenix).

I also like the idea of a college nearby, but I wonder if Las Cruces is somewhat suburban in culture? I hope to take a trip out there in the next year, but I'm curious if it is a place that more creative, independent types can happily survive?

I noticed that Tito has given a lot of good information. I am single, and my daughter will be in college if I relocate there, so I'm wondering if this is a place for uncoupled retired people or mostly married, settled people? I also teach a very popular art class here in Santa Cruz, and would like to offer it to people there.

I'm curious if this is more a town with retired married couples, or if it is emerging into a more independent type town with singles and more creative older types.

Thanks so much for any feedback!

Wisteria

[betta]

Originally Posted by neoaznm

People are judgmental creatures, and most of the time, when someone casts judgment on an area and calls it scary, they make their assertion based on a combination of factors including an area's cleanliness and the "apparent" wealth (or lack thereof) of its people, among other things. My comment was based on my background in cultural geography, and nothing more.

Have you driven on Buckeye in South Phoenix? How about North Scottsdale? On the same note, what do many tourists think when they visit downtown Juarez for the first time? Conversely, have they ever been to the west edge of Chihuahua, Chih? South Phoenix/North Scottsdale and downtown Juarez/western Chihuahua are both examples of areas that people either rave about or are afraid of. My contention is that appearances aren't always accurate. That clear enough for you?

Get out, explore, meet diverse groups of people, integrate...

Was this reply for me? If so, I was only curious about what you meant. If so I haven't been outside of the Northwest. But I do know people and people in general are all alike. Have the same needs, wants and desires. I've been po' and not so poor. I agree with you that you can't judge by appearances. Did you just judge me by my question?

[westchester2005]

hi!am pretty new to this country like 2yrs.am a nurse by profession,i came here thru an agency,and they place us in a good hospital in white plains,new york. i love it here but it's just so expensive...we are considering to move to a new place but havent decided which is which..i have three kids..am thinking of going to alamogordo or las cruces...or to north carolina..can you please give me an insight? thanks a lot

[long island pat]

I visited there two years ago- nice upand coming area, still has many living opportunities- mountains are awesome. The area is alot like Levittown( First American suburb) NY when it first started out. Weather is moderate all year round- no snow like the Northeastern part of US. Good luck- it seems a good place to start careers- a variety of industry, etc. I am planning to move there, just have to get my daughter graduated from SUNY Albany before I can leave NY. Take the leap- wish I had 20 years ago!