My dad is considering moving to Las Cruces, but he would like some info about it. Mainly jobs, weather, and crime. Anyone have an info that could clear the picture up a bit for him?

What he would like is an area that has a "small town" feeling to it, has relatively warm sunny weather year round, or at least most of the time, and isn't humid. He doesn't want to be in an economically depressed area but also not really expensive, and obviously not a lot of crime. If anyone knows of a town like that, that would be helpful too. Thanks!

The site administrator, el_tino, lives in Las Cruces.


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Job growth is huge here. The unemployment is around 4% and some employers have a hard time finding qualified people, so finding a job shouldn't be difficult.

During the summer months the weather can get into the 100's, though it is quite a bit cooler than phoenix or tucson. THere can be strong winds in the spring and fall. It rarely snows in the winter. The summer (july/august) is also prone to afternoon rain. The humidity is generally low so things cool off at night. The coldest time of year is at night during the winter, the winters are warmer than most the country. There's over 300 days of sun per year.

I haven't personally had any problems with crime, though like any city there are certain areas where it could be a problem. Just don't move into those areas and I wouldn't feel unsafe. The "better" areas (and also the more expensive) are probably high range, sonoma ranch, rinconada ranches and mesilla.

The city does have a small town feel to it, though it's growing fast so I don't know how long that will last.

The cost of living here is reasonable compared to most of the country, though in general the wages are also lower. There are a number of development efforts taking place in an effort to improve the economy (which is already growing rapidly). A few examples are the spaceport, a rail facility at the mexican border, a large research park at new mexico state university, downtown revitalization plan to name a few.

The city has ranked in the top 10 by several magazines for the best places to do business and the best places to retire. Health care is well served, with 2 large hospitals.

Also, mexico is just 45 minutes away with their cheap prescription drugs and dentists.

The average price of a new home is a little over $200k, less if you get an existing home. There's also some new nice condo projects in high range and mesilla. If he needs a realtor, Carl Topley is good. link [www.carltopley.com]

Air travel through el paso is convenient at just 45 minutes away.

Any other questions?

Oh, it was also recently rated as the #1 safest medium-sized city in the country by Farmers' Insurance.

...now i wanna live there

lol you should all be healthy....all that vitamin d



If only for today, I am unafraid

Sounds good except for the high temperatures


"Every time I held you I knew that it would hurt
Only through the pain I could find a way to learn
Black rose your thorns are cutting into me for the last time"

Agreed... I live about 30 minutes away from Phoenix. Not the best place to be, in marching band practice at 6:30 it still gets well into the 90's before we head in for school at 7:45


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