Why I Might Retire in Las Cruces, New Mexico 

Ditto! You took the words right out of my finger tips. My wife and I retired in California, quickly knowing we couldn't afford to live there without jobs. We were fortunate to have a lot of equity in our CA home. Like this video's author, I did a lot of homework/research and developed a list of criteria for possible retirement destinations. The list included: affordable housing, diverse population, college town, good selection of restaurants and retail stores, great weather, proximity to international airport, Blue state. Considering those criteria, Las Cruces jumped off the map. I feel like I'm rambling so I'll sign off...

John Nemesh: "...horrible American pronunciation)" Why "horrible?" You sound apologetic, but that's how American pronounce it! After all, this is (still) America, not Mexico. As for me, have lived in El Paso ~50 years...know PLENTY about the area (that may be glossed-over here in this video, as is done on CityData), Las Cruces and Mexico. Presently, however, I'm living in Colorado -- you should heard the "pronunciations" here. ;-) -- BR

Perhaps English words sound best in English, and Spanish words sound best in Spanish.

@@multicollinearityfi They sound "best" in Mexico. In America, we say them in English (American) and that's "best" here. -- BR

I know you don't mean anything bad by it, but Mexican folks ARE white...and the culture is very strong on family! Before Covid, a visit to a doctor's waiting room has 3 generations there a lot of the time!! Most Americans should be so lucky!

So glad to hear from a local.

we are from las cruces

I hear you! Mowing grass seems like such a waste. In humid climates, I'd be tempted to just plant a clover lawn (always stays short and lush green). But in NM, you can be lawn-free!

we are from las cruces

I'm thinking about doing a video about Truth or Consequences also. It seems to be a great town worth researching.

we are from las cruces and started a talk show. we might be funny.

So glad to hear LC residents have a big heart. It sounds like my kind of town!

i feel you on that one. we are from las cruces

Thank you for your kind comments. Are you thinking about retiring in New Mexico too?

Welcome to the US, I am glad you are enjoying it here! 🇺🇲 🇮🇳

Thanks for sharing your valuable perspective!

You don't with about the drought and riding temps? And fast dwindling water table?

Yeah, climate change is a real concern for those of us considering the Southwestern U.S.

Or more precisely, climate change is everyone's concern, but people expecting to live in the Southwestern U.S. in the coming years have reasons to be especially worried.

we are from las cruces

That's great to hear! I just recorded a video like this about Alamogordo, because Alamogordo intrigues me too.

Same sir! Ive lived all up and down the west coast! Las Cruces has been calling my name. Sunsets , sunrises, people , land of mañana ( tomorrow) so laid back. Thank you for your service!

@@losbones3500 Any town that has great artists, like the one who made our ROADRUNNER, has to be good!

we are from las cruces

@@thenicolencreasetalkshow1374 ...Yeah, I think I remember hearing that somewhere... 😗🎵

Great to hear. Have you also considered Alamogordo or Silver City? Or would those be too small for your tastes?

Thanks for this positive comment!

A great place to.. leave?

Pretty sure Miguel meant "great place to live".

Sarcasm folks I'm sure he meant that as well

@@denisesevera9490 It's been a year and he did not change it, so I guess he meant it.

..."This is a great place to LEAVE" >>>> ????????? You mean to LIVE???? lol

I really appreciate your comment. You are clearly well-informed, and I'm glad you're sharing your knowledge.

we are from las cruces

Thanks for the generous feedback!

Yes! I like that New Mexico is considered boring and has no night life!

Thanks! Yes, crime is definitely a concern. The summer heat is too--especially because the area will get hotter in the coming years. I hope Las Cruces can make progress on reducing crime, because it's a great city otherwise.

Great to hear from you. I've now made videos about Alamogordo and Las Cruces. I hope to complete another video about Silver City soon. I might also do a video about Truth or Consequences. New Mexico has so much to offer, don't you think?

Yes, where are you living now?

It's true. Medical care (especially the cost) in the USA is a mess. It is a mark of how difficult negotiation has become between American policy makers--we have a huge problem nationwide that policy makers have made very little progress on.

I really appreciate your positive feedback! Thank you.

Thanks for commenting! You touched on some of the biggest pros and cons for me of LC. I think I could tolerate the dry heat, but I'm going to have to visit in the summer to see. What I've noticed in past visits to the southwest is that it's a good idea to concentrate your outdoor activities between 6 am and 10 am in the summer.

Thanks for your perspective. Have you lived in or visited Las Cruces?

@@multicollinearityfi I have visit many times when I lived in Anthony NM. So much to look at. I am in Florida now.

Thanks for commenting! People really seem to love your hometown.

we are from las cruces and started a talk show. we might be funny.

Wow! You win the award for the most positive review of LC! What do you love about it?

Yes, I'm really impressed with the affordability of condos and small homes there.

I can relate! When did you see it?

You're right, real estate prices have climbed. But they seem to have done so in nearly every part of the U.S. I've checked. Are there more affordable parts of Las Cruces (or nearby towns) that retirees could focus on?

Oh. And the crime. So much of it. It has wreaked havoc with my daughter's anxieties.

Thanks for commenting. Crime in the U.S. is definitely something to watch out for when choosing a place to live. Crime is often a problem in areas with a delightfully low cost of living.

Buh bye!!!!

@@pamela9716 Crime? Mostly petty theft, nothing like NYC area!! Rarely is there a murder....

@@losbones3500 as soon as possible, believe me.

Well said! Thanks for the feedback.

That sounds great. High-strung people, after all, are not my favorite kind of people.

@@multicollinearityfi This is friendly place...there are a few more crazy drivers I think since some people have moved in from California, but overall, it's a very relaxed place to live. I have a view of the Organ Mtns. from my backyard on the arroyo. If you go to my channel you can get a taste of my garden and the arroyo and mountains!!! I grow food all year round...and winter is all about greens...I have too much!!

Thanks for your generous feedback!

Thanks for letting us know. I'm seeing a lot of nice comments about the people in Las Cruces. Would you agree the people are mostly laid back and friendly?

This is very true! I came with a doctor friend, actually. But now she is in EP. Which is also lacking compared to the coasts.

That's interesting. Do you mean that there aren't enough services available, or that the service provided is low-quality? I would think the medical school would help.

There may be some MDs here in certain specialties that you can trust for wise decisions. I don't use the system that much, but what I've heard from many who have, in order to get more reliable treatment, they go elsewhere.

@@rohanawolf2089 I guess it's fortunate, then, that a big city like El Paso is close by.

Solo lo pronuncio como lo pronuncia mi mamá, pero cada uno con lo suyo.

New Mexico is so full of beauty. Count yourself lucky!

So glad! Thanks for visiting.

Good to know. I've been keeping an eye on Zillow and Trulia listings. The high temps are definitely a concern. I probably wouldn't go out much past 10 am in the summer!

@@multicollinearityfi Since my reply, the summer was actually pretty mild. Those 100's lasted just a couple of weeks. I think that was a fluke though as most of the southwest seemed cooler compared to last year which was record breaking.

@@schadlarry Great to know. Thanks! I check the Las Cruces weather off and on throughout the year.

@@multicollinearityfi Utilities are pretty cheap here although private equity want's to change that. Hook up your house to solar. I'm shocked every house isn't solar in the southwest. My biggest concern would be sustainable water supply. The Rio only runs for several months a year with the rest going to all the agriculture in the area. Pecans, peppers, cotton, etc...

@@schadlarry Wow. Great tips. Thank you!

Glad you informed us. Thanks for watching and commenting!

I know, I too thought, no ABQ?! There's no source, so maybe this list isn't data-driven.

Danger is relative. I feel perfectly safe here, most crime is petty crime. Covid has stressed people a bit more, but actual violence like murder is rare. It is not like living in NYC, I can tell you that!!

I felt very safe in Belen. Not so much in Deming. I traveled alone both places.

​@@multicollinearityfi Albuquerque has high crime and also has trigger-happy and corrupt police. The murder rate is really high for Albuquerque now.

@@KristinaUSA-x5n Yeah, I'm not sure where this list came from, or what crime data it's based on.

Agree. I'm originally from El Paso but went to NMSU and lived in both Las Cruces and El Paso until it became apparent that there was no good career path for me in either city. Now live about 30 miles east of Albuquerque but a few times a year drive down to Las Cruces and El Paso. Love those two places and, now that I'm retired, have the option of returning. Maybe.... Thanks for your "report".

Ah. That's too bad. You're not the only person to say this. I wonder if having a few more retirees move to the area could help the job market for college graduates. Retirees need nursing care, financial planning, and the same services as everybody else (fueling a need for managers, etc.).

He doesn't know we drive 85 everywhere

I see! That will take some getting used to.

That's fantastic to hear. What parts of town do you recommend to retirees? Mesilla looks really nice, but expensive.

Cool! What do you enjoy about the area.

There are scientific answers to the question of whether radioactivity in New Mexico's southern cities is a concern.

Alamogordo is such a great choice that I made a video about it as well! What do you like about Alamogordo? I like its proximity to the cool mountain town of Cloudcroft, because the big downside of living in southern NM is the extreme summer heat.

@@multicollinearityfi Like you said, proximity to Cloudcroft. Like the small size, yet has many amenities like a zoo and several museums of interest. Cost of Living is a big selling point for us. But mostly, for us, it would be an opportunity to cool off in the summer, since we now live in Casa Grande, Arizona and a move for us would be the possibility of cooling down 10 to 15 degree's in the summer. 😅

@@DJIcenhower We think alike! It's so cool to me that Alamogordans can drive just 30 minutes and experience a15-degree drop in temperature, if they want.

Great tip. Thank you!

Agreed! What are your favorite things about it?

I hope you'll come back and share your impressions of LC here in the comments!

It's true, I don't spend much time at all on RU-vid comments. Thanks for commenting.

@@multicollinearityfi Well, you spend time to post...you should spend time for comments, too -- and respond to them. If not, why bother with having a channel? This was a historical question, no response necessary... -- BR

Wow! 20 minutes? Google and Bing both say ~40 - 45. I'm amazed. Is your stealth jet car for rent?

No chance, Lee! I'm actually a stick in the mud who makes RU-vid videos. Stay tuned for a video about Silver City.

I see. So you're saying it's not a good place for people who are job seeking or have young kids, but might be fine for retirees?

Thanks for commenting and good luck with your decision. So at this point, which retirement destinations are at the top of your list?

@@multicollinearityfi Hi there! I decided on Albuquerque NM so I can “retire in place”…Being affordable NOW was super important, not just post retirement. I found a great deal on a 2 br/1 ba condo with a garage. I closed on it in September…it needs some updates which I can do out of cash flow, but my costs are about 50% less than renting similar. I should be able to pay it off in 8 years paying what my Milwaukee rent was and with modifications completed by then. With maintenance of $212 and property taxes about $89 it’s a steal of a deal!!! I will easily afford it post retirement, and will be able to continue to max my 401k while working. Meanwhile it is centrally located to lots of fun destinations while working and in retirement. This month we have Balloons! Having lived in NYC and Milwaukee, the references to “high crime rate” doesn’t really alarm me as I located in the lovely Northeast Heights, and really do not plan on doing drug deals at 2am in the International district (or anywhere else!) Driving has been an education, but all in all I am happy here, and I hope my well guarded secret doesn’t get out too much!

we are from las cruces and started a talk show. we might be funny.

Again, genius, you finally mentioned about crime. To say that crime doesn't exist in El Paso, means you are not telling the truth. There has even been an uptick of crime in Las Cruces. You are crazy if you can't speak excellent Spanish to go down to Warez as a gringo.

You might want to look up the role of humidity in so-called “feels like” temperatures. Yesterday morning in Cruces saw higher humidity, and it felt warmer than thermometers actually showed it to be.

Glad you commented. Thanks!

Yup, the lack of humidity makes LC much better versus the hellish summers in NJ with humidity close to 100 %!!! My A/C bills are embarrasingly low compared to what I paid in Jersey. The A/C shuts down during the evening running only sporadically vs. non-stop in Jersey pulling out the moisture!

That's certainly a valid concern. Some areas are worse than others--a statement that can apply to any city or state (or country). So we have to do our research, especially in the U.S. What areas are you considering?

I'm in my 50's too and thinking about it. It might not be Mayberry, but it's better than a lot of places like Mobile where I live.

What???? There is not as much violent crime as you are being led to believe!!! In 20 years I an count on one hand the number of murders....petty crime, like theft, is mainly what you see....this is a strong family town....

@@secretariatgirl4249 Ah, the blissful ignorance of rosy blinders. A quick search reveals more than 70 murders in the last 15 years. My, what odd hands you must have.

I moved here 2 years ago from San Diego. I am 58. I have not had any problems here. You use common sense as you would anywhere. Crime is everywhere. San Diego had crime.

Where in Texas is best?

I can adapt to any state for a short while. But like everybody else, I like some states more than others.

Texas is the one negative. El Paso is OK but the rest of Texas is a bad scene. I fear we may be taken over by the creeping crud out of TX. The Eastern part of the state may as well be TX. Las Cruces is a good town and pretty progressive ....All woman council now in place!

Indeed! How do you like it in the winter?

@@multicollinearityfi don’t know but summer is iguana land

I rather live in a place like El Paso than have to shovel snow everyday during the summer. We have a pool, so it's nice.

Muchas gracias. Ningún lugar es perfecto, pero Nuevo México es maravilloso.

Las Cruces grew by 7.23% since the last census. New businesses, new subdivisions, new medical and professional offices are locating there just since my last visit. If someone is retiring, they don’t really care that a state is growing and expanding. If you personally hate it there, which it sounds like you do, why do you stay?

That bit about doing your homework is great advice. There are a lot of data available online for people to study.

I appreciate Alyssa's willingness to cite data.

@@aburgin4peace Las Cruces is close to the big Santa Theresa area and there is a working partnership between Dona Ana County and the Mexican side of the border. I don't want to see it grow too big!!!

You're wrong, NM has not had exponential growth like Texas, but it's definitely not shrinking.

Thanks for commenting. You make a good point about racial categories becoming increasingly ambiguous.

Glad you agree!

I hear you about bad drivers! I see them all over the USA, and I have occasionally been one.

The video was more of a self-reflection exercise that happened to get really popular because so many people on RU-vid are already interested in LC. I don't think I'm really that influential as a content creator, but I thank you for the implicit compliment!

Hi, Greg. Las Cruces is so far from the coast that your risk of storm damage might be higher on Long Island than it is in Southern New Mexico. Compared to Florida, Texas, etc. I'd consider New Mexico low-risk for the worst storms (but nowhere is risk-free, especially as the climate changes). Crime is definitely a concern in New Mexico. You can use web sites like City-Data.com to compare crime statistics for where you currently live to crime in Las Cruces. My hope is that New Mexico policy makers are tracking the data and investing in law enforcement. Does anyone reading this have a sense of how much gang activity there is in Las Cruces?

@@multicollinearityfi FL, TX and the southeast were off my list for all manner of reasons, plus NOAA expects the region to become the next Tornado Ally. You bet LI is hurricane prone! NYC, LI and the southernmost part of downstate NY suffered well over $25 billion in losses from Sandy in 2012. Two of my co-workers lost their homes. My sister and her family lost power for a week and had to stay with us. At least 10000 CO2 consuming trees were lost in NYC alone; countless tens of thousands more on LI and upstate. However, Las Cruces and probably the rest of Dona Ana county are clearly close enough to the Pacific and even the Gulf of Mexico to be part of a climatic system which has brought only 6 hurricanes to LC since 1930 but frequently creates numerous hurricane like winds causing millions in property damage and countless power outages. Such conditions will likely grow in number and intensity as global human numbers increase, thereby accelerating more climate change. www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/2017/08/24/storms-flood-parts-dona-ana-county-bring-state-out-drought/598145001/ www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/local/2017/09/06/hurricane-help-find-out-how-you-can-help-relief-efforts-las-cruces/638182001/ ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ko65kPAOvJI.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-BExyEPmU0FM.html Furthermore, population pressures and human driven climate change are increasingly threatening the stability, safely and volume of the county’s watershed. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-l8JhqXKngS8.html Of course, no place is perfectly safe but Dona Ana’s unregulated manner and rate of population growth ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-5qqJbWwsTLY.html , ongoing high volume crime ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-qkSDLYRYQJs.html -burglaries were up > 300% last year ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-xlDE-xEo9og.html and vulnerability to several natural and human induced hazards www.donaanacounty.org/sites/default/files/pages/NaturalHazardsbrochure.pdf make it too inhospitable for my retirement housing and investment plans. I deeply wish it wasn’t so.

@@greg1030 This is really helpful information to have, thank you. I agree that moving to the Southwestern US in the wake of climate change is risky. I'm not sure what the plans are for addressing crime in NM, but I hope policy makers are on top of it. It is clearly hurting the whole state. Thanks again for the helpful information!

You sound like my cousin back in Jersey....totally uninformed! Trust me, the crime is NOT rampant. And we DO NOT GET HURRICANES!! Or tornadoes. We have a windy season around April, but our weather is very stable. Monsoon season is wonderful with rains and then fast dry up....I have no idea what you are talking about re: 25 M damage. You'd be surprised how many people I know who were from Jersey who moved to FL then ran here after a hurricane in FL....

@@multicollinearityfi The myth that storms are increasing in recent times has been repeatedly debunked. We had more severe storms historically so climate is not relevant to that issue.

Great weather and views for sure! A little too small for some of us, however.

@@multicollinearityfi And you have to go down the mountain to Alamagordo, which is a backwater compared to LC, esp. since the Germans left Holloman...

I see. Have you been to Las Cruces?

How did you like La Jara?

Check out: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fVJGGtsJXCg.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-eslrCWIlTUw.html

Ciudad Juarez

Thanks for the feedback. I don't fault others for using the pronunciation that feels right or possible to them, but due my childhood experiences and learning, I feel like a phony when I pronounce Spanish words in a non-Spanish way. I cringe when I'm abroad and Americans don't even come close to pronouncing words as the locals pronounce them.

@@multicollinearityfi sounds beautiful to me !

That's a fine point. Do you care for Texas?