Considering Relocation to Las Cruces (Albuquerque, Las Vegas: real estate, condominium, high crime)

[Tortuga]

My husband and I are considering relocating to Las Cruces for his graduate school. We've been reading city statistics online, but we haven't been able to get a good grasp on what it would be like to live in Las Cruces.

We're a couple of midwesterners, currently located in Lansing, MI. My husband would be attending NMSU and I would be looking for a job in an environmental biology related field.

How is the job situation for someone who has a BS in a science-related field and is just starting out?

How is living in Las Cruces? We keep seeing high crime statistics, but then people talk about how nice it is to live there.

Are there certain areas that should be avoided?

I'm not worried about a Spanish speaking population - my husband and I both speak broken Spanish (though we are not of Hispanic/Spanish descent.) I actually think it would be neat to be able to work on my spanish.

As for pets, we have a cat and a bunny, but both are indoor animals. They are only allowed to venture outside under supervision.

Any information you can give is appreciated - we've never even visited and may not get the chance to visit before relocating.

[tito]

There is no better way to find out about a place you want to move to, than paying a visit to that place. Opinions by people vary a lot, just like when somebody recommends a movie and when you see it, you didn't think it was worth the effort. Go and visit the University, you may consider looking for a job there. To me Las Cruces is a medium size city in a picturesque location with many interesting towns at a short distance drive. For the size of the city it is considered relatively safe depending on the area. Go, check it with your own eyes and talk to people who live and work there.

[tito]

I will be moving t Las Cruces in November of this year, I already have a condominium to move to. The reason why I chose Las Cruces was because of the climate, its location (close to everything I like) and some decent cultural life. Of course it does not compare with Chicago (where I lived most of my life). I will certainly miss a lot, like the architecture, the ethnic and the gourmet restaurants, the professional sports and the great, truly great cultural life. If I were younger I wouldn't leave Chicago, the main reason for my moving is the warmer climate that helps my arthritis.

[pinusconus]

Crime is everywhere - small towns, big cities. I am 61, a Massachusetts resident, and love Las Cruces. I felt safe there on a recent trip, safer than in ABQ.

[STBLOGGER]

Quote Tortuga;572167 "My husband and I are considering relocating to Las Cruces for his graduate school. We've been reading city statistics online, but we haven't been able to get a good grasp on what it would be like to live in Las Cruces....
.....Any information you can give is appreciated - we've never even visited and may not get the chance to visit before relocating."

Las Cruces has become very expensive since it appeared on Money/CNN lists of best places to live in 2005. Lots of retirees have moved here who need services so there are service jobs available albeit at low wages. Home prices have out paced salaries making homes unaffordable for most working people as there is not much in the way of industry as a job source. The median family income is $40,506 and the median home price is $156,275 in 2006. Using the calculator of "how much house can you afford" someone making $40k per year cannot afford a median price home. Conservatively that person could afford a house valued at about $115k which is rare in the real estate listings. Oh and who in Las Cruces make $40,506 annually one might ask? Maximum teacher's salary is $42k but I'm sure you have looked at those stats.

As to crime.... anyplace where there is joblessness and despair there is crime.

The city has grown very fast in a short period of time therefore infrastructure and services are trailing very slowly behind the growth. This is still manana land. Living here requires a lot of patience and presistence.

It's a desert with a city in it. In the spring the wind blows from February until May and dust storms are frequent. The temperatures in summer can top 100 on many consecutive days. Utility bills will be 2 to 3 hundred dollars a month in summer. Winter temperatures are very pleasant. The air is very dry almost always which causes skin to itch and lips to crack. The skies are very blue and the stars at night will take your breath away.

The living is very casual so you won't spend much on clothing and don't expect to wear your "Sex in the City" shoes as walking on rocks and rugged ground requires shoes to match the task.

Just some things that come to mind.

[SanMar]

I moved here to Las Cruces in 2002 and I love it. I am not going back home, I am here to stay. I am sure you too will love it if you decide to move here. Check out this web site:

http://www.city-data.com/city/Las-Cr...ew-Mexico.html

Don't believe everything you read, yes there is good and bad just like any other place. It depends on the neighborhood you move to and the area. If you have an education, there should be no problem finding a job. Your pets are welcome and yes as long as they are in your yard you should have no problem with them running around freely. My advice to you is "Go for it" "You will love it." Good luck! SanMar

Originally Posted by Tortuga

My husband and I are considering relocating to Las Cruces for his graduate school. We've been reading city statistics online, but we haven't been able to get a good grasp on what it would be like to live in Las Cruces.

We're a couple of midwesterners, currently located in Lansing, MI. My husband would be attending NMSU and I would be looking for a job in an environmental biology related field.

How is the job situation for someone who has a BS in a science-related field and is just starting out?

How is living in Las Cruces? We keep seeing high crime statistics, but then people talk about how nice it is to live there.

Are there certain areas that should be avoided?

I'm not worried about a Spanish speaking population - my husband and I both speak broken Spanish (though we are not of Hispanic/Spanish descent.) I actually think it would be neat to be able to work on my spanish.

As for pets, we have a cat and a bunny, but both are indoor animals. They are only allowed to venture outside under supervision.

Any information you can give is appreciated - we've never even visited and may not get the chance to visit before relocating.

[GregW]

I am considering investing in some Las Cruces real estate because of the economic development I think (guess) will accompany the "Spaceport America" program.

[designer]

I don't live in Las Cruces but I do live close by and I spend quite a lot of
time there. It has always impressed me as a nice town that is really growing
fast with a lot of new buildings going up. It might well be more progressive than most towns in New Mexico with the exception of Albuquerque but I would prefer Las Cruces because of lower crime and warmer winters. Homes have really shot up in price and many of the folks still working for a living cannot afford to buy a house because of low NM wages. From what I have observed, most of the expensive homes (at least expensive for NM) are being purchased by retired people moving here from calif. or larger cities where they were able to sell their current home for a fairly large sum of money.

[NMCowgirl]

My sister and her large family live in Las Cruces. She has seven kids and they all attend the public schools. She grew up in Las Vegas (NM) and really loves Las Cruces now. It is a pretty city. It is growing so fast! I can't believe how much traffic it has compared to just a few years ago. BUt it's not bad traffic like California, just bad for New Mexico, LOL.

The mountains are really pretty outside of Las Cruces and there are a lot of things to do there. If you visit, make sure you see Old Mesilla. It is very charming.

Good luck with your moving plans!

[neoaznm]

Originally Posted by GregW

I am considering investing in some Las Cruces real estate because of the economic development I think (guess) will accompany the "Spaceport America" program.

I resent people like you. I am a Las Cruces native, with over 410 years of history here. I recently moved back home from metro Phoenix, where thousands of investors like you drove up housing costs artificially. If you want to make money, don't do it on our dime.