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Hello all, I am new to this forum. I have lived in SW Florida for the last 21 years and planning to move in the next three or four years to New Mexico. We're taking a trip at the beginning of March to look for land to buy and wondering what we might expect as far as weather goes. We will be looking at the Las Cruces area and Santa Fe areas.
Early March will be cold, odds are. This is particularly true based on FL standards.
On the other hand, March is about as representative a month for the whole year as any; people don't buy "summer rights" to land, so, expect cold, and realize that's what you're getting 5 months out of the year.
Average temps for Las Cruces for March range from upper 30s at night to low-to-mid 70s during the day. Very comfortable, but, definitely might be cooler than what you are used to.
Could be in the 60s in SF or the high 30s. Weather, especially that time of year, is unpredictable here. All you can predict is it is unpredictable! Could be nice and sunny or snowing in SF.
Don't even think of moving to Santa Fe. Santa Fe is too cold, especially if you're from Florida. Las Cruces is way different. I was in Las Cruces on the coldest day of the year and the high was around 40. This is in no way typical of Las Cruces. Average winter days are in the mid 50s. Just to give you an idea of the coldest weather you would have to deal with in Las Cruces. March, when you visit, has an average high of 69 and low of 36. I won't stop you from moving to Santa Fe but their typical winter day is like the coldest day in Las Cruces.
LC/Mesilla is apt to be windy but comfortable temp-wise when you visit. SF will still be pretty chilly.
You'll have plenty of sun in both places, probably more in LC/Mesilla
First thing that came to mind is wind. Little early in the season but winds arrive come spring, at least in northern New Mexico and definitely in Taos, NM. Otherwise chances are temps in Las Cruces, NM will be mild and those of Santa Fe, NM somewhat cool. Lots of sun. You may experience snow in Santa Fe, will certainly see it on the surrounding peaks, if not in town.
Beyond that you've picked two dissimilar towns and regions. I don't have much experience with Las Cruces, but aside from being much smaller Santa Fe best represents the typical New Mexico you may be thinking of. Their climates also distinctly different. Aside from weather, in comparing just these two towns you are apt to see positives in either but a much stronger preference for one.
What are you looking for in New Mexico? The areas of the state are very different, so that would play a big part in where to go. LC and SF are like night and day. LC is a college town, in a more temperate climate at a lower elevation, close to Texas. I have never spend much time in LC, so I don't know what kind of activity there is there as far as music, culture, etc.
SF is at a higher elevation at the foothill of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range with the Ortiz and Jemez mountains also around. There are a number of indian pueblos nearby. There are some great venues for live music, there is world class opera and symphony, live theater, gambling at about 8 casinos within an hour drive. ABQ is also less than an hour away. The weather is four distinct seasons. The winters are cold compared to where you're from, but not bad. The summers are nice with a few days near 100 but most of the time between 85-90. Ski Santa Fe is a 15 minute drive from downtown.
Again, it depends what you're looking for. I don't know if you could have picked two more different cities.
Thanks everyone for such great comments! We are looking to be, at first, summerbirds. The humidity of SW Florida is brutal in the summer and the older I get the less tolerance I have to it. I love hot weather, just not humidity. I have been to Las Cruces years ago, but never Santa Fe. I do love the desert and mountains. I thought I'd been missing snow especially when Christmas rolls around and maybe I would like to live in it again. I think, after reading your answers, whoever said do not move to Santa Fe with it's cold weather was what I needed to hear. I can travel to a ski resort if I want to experience snow/cold without having to live in it again (I'm originally from Chicago). We would eventually love to live there year round and open a business or two. I am Real Estate agent but also a baker of gourmet breads, pastries, cookies, etc, so perhaps a bakery/gourmet candy shoppe might be a possiblity. Thank you all for the great replies, I am so looking forward to becoming a resident!
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Not the same
Wow! Great food for thought
