Las Cruces the Best Retirement Location in the Southwest.

After 36 years in Alaska, Mary and I decided it was time to emulate Sam McGee and warm up and dry out. However, we wanted to do it before we died not after. New Mexico has always appealed to us because of the low population density and the mild, dry climate.

We spent 3 years investigating all areas of New Mexico, but when we came to Las Cruces we knew we had found our Valhalla. So we took the leap, sold our home in Alaska, packed up and moved to Las Cruces. We have absolutely no regrets. Arriving in late June of 2008, the hottest day we have seen was 103 (the record high is 108) and there was a skiff of snow one night last December. It had all melted by 9AM and we played golf that day in the sun.

Some of the Reasons We Chose Las Cruces

• Nestled along the Rio Grande in the fertile Mesilla Valley it is a community of just over 90,000, but with a small town feel. The coldest month, January has an average high in the mid- 40’s and the hottest month, July has an average temperature of 80.

• Golf is a year round activity with four courses in Las Cruces and more than 20 courses within an hours drive.

• Rand McNalley rates Las Cruces as one of the top 10 communities for retirement. The growth rate for Las Cruces has been 2.9 per cent over the last 20 years, but the rate of increase of people over 63 has been nearly 10 per cent.

• A city of cultural diversity and the home of New Mexico State University as well as the hub for Dona Ana County agriculture. Some of the crops are pecans, pistachios, green and red chiles, and onions.

• Great medical facilities including 3 general hospitals, a rehabilitation hospital and an advanced care hospital. In addition El Paso, Texas which is only 45 miles to the South has 8 hospitals. 

• Historic Mesilla, borders Las Cruces to the South. First settled by the Pueblo People in 300 AD and subsequently by the Spaniards in 1535. The village of La Mesilla preserves the flavor of these early days with its thick adobe walls that protected residents against Apache attacks, and remind us of the days when Pat Garrett, Bill the Kid and Geronimo roamed this area.  Now visitors stroll the Old Mesilla Plaza visiting art galleries, gift shops, and museums and dining is some of the finest restaurants in the Southwest. It was in Mesilla in 1954 that the U.S. Flag was raised for the first time after the Gadsden Purchase.  

• Property taxes are very low as is the overall cost of living. There is a large selection of new and exiting homes priced between $150,000 and $200,000. 

• Skiing is available at Cloudcroft and Ruidoso as well as fishing, camping and hiking in the Gila Wilderness all within a 2 hour drive of Las Cruces.  

•  Located at the intersection of Interstate 25 and Interstate 10, Las Cruces is 45 minutes from El Paso, 3 hours from Albuquerque, and 4 hours from Tucson.

Mary and I think we have found the perfect place to live and we would enjoy sharing it with you. Las Cruces is truly the best kept secret in the Southwest.