Just one hour away from El Paso in southern New Mexico is the diverse and growing city of Las Cruces. Las Cruces was ranked the 11th best city in the United States to raise a family. It is the second largest city in New Mexico with Albuquerque being the largest.
General Neighborhood Info
In west Las Cruces, you will find the historic community of Mesilla with large plots of land enveloped by beautiful pecan groves. Rasaff Hills offers a rural atmosphere. Neighboring Picacho Hill boasts large, high-priced homes. Barcelona Ridge, Butterfield Ridge, Coronado Ridge, and the newest community, Picacho Mountain, offer sizeable lots and custom designs. These communities are part of the Las Cruces Public School District. Elementary, middle schools, and Mayfield High School are nearby.
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East LC is home to Sonoma Ranch, High Range, The Pueblos, Soledad Canyon, Organ Mesa Ranch, University Park, Las Alturas, and La Tierra Escondido communities. This area will have a mixture of apartments, condos, and single-family homes. East LC is the most affordable neighborhood. The median housing value in the east is $199 K. Both elementary and middle schools are in the area, and depending on the setting, the east side has Las Cruces, Oñate High Schools, and Centennial High School. Doña Ana Community College also has a campus nearby.
Northeast of the city center, neighborhoods are a mixture of custom and manufactured homes. New developments in the Metro Verde area near Red Hawk Golf Course provide other housing options. A combination of residential neighborhoods and farmlands runs north of the city through Doña Ana County.
On the south side is the campus of New Mexico State University, running east and west along University Avenue. NMSU is known for its affordability and produces 3% more engineer graduates than the national average. Off-campus housing can be found directly across the street. The majority of students live on campus and in campus housing.
Smaller rural communities are further south. Most homes and communities are well established and run north to south along the Rio Grande River.
» » » » » RECOMMENDED RESOURCE: Moving Guide: Santa Teresa and Sunland Park « « « « «
Parks, Recreation, and Family Fun
Las Cruces has a few Championship golf courses for golfing enthusiasts. Its vast landscape appeals to adventure seekers. Rich in culture, Las Cruces has stunning architecture, museums, and art galleries. Spend time at the interactive New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum with its gardens and livestock. Bosque State Park has trails and birdlife for hikers and bird watchers. There is the Railroad Museum with model trains. Kids can enjoy more hands-on activities at the Museum of Nature and Science.
Las Cruces has plenty to offer its residents.
In cooler months, there are cultural and traditional celebrations. Visit Old Mesilla for “Day of the Dead” or “Dia de los Muertos” in November or the Chile Drop downtown in December. This tradition started in 2015 and replicates the New Year’s Eve Ball Drop in Times Square.
Amenities
Major grocery stores are nearby, and the Mesilla Valley Mall is 10-15 minutes away. Unlike other major cities, the traffic in Las Cruces is not hectic at the end of the day. Commuting to and from work is usually stress-free. Driving around town takes 15-20 minutes to get to most places.
The Farmers and Crafts Market of Las Cruces is one of the best in town. With the rich farming heritage of LC, the abundance of fresh produce at the market is no surprise. I always get a loaf of fresh bread and other bakery treats. The live music and local art make a great outing with the family on a Saturday morning. As a foodie, Las Cruces is the place to enjoy authentic Mexican food. From family-owned chains in town or just down the street to Old Mesilla, options are endless.
Potential Drawbacks
Living in Las Cruces offers many things, however, some people might consider a high tax rate, lack of entertainment options, and a higher crime rate to be cons to this area.
Why I Love It
As I mentioned above, the Scholaroo study ranked 152 cities according to seven categories–safety, health, finance, education, recreation or leisure, quality of life, and home atmosphere. And Las Cruces was ranked 11th!
Whether military or affiliate, civilian or student, Las Cruces offers diverse housing opportunities. I love Las Cruces for its picturesque views, cultural festivals, fun traditions, and reasonable cost of living.
For information about other parts of town, check out our Guide to Moving to El Paso.
The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of El Paso Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.
