New Mexico Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Population: 91,865

Located in Dona Ana County

Located 45 miles north of El Paso, Texas and bordered by the rugged Organ Mountains on the east and the legendary Rio Grande River on the west, Las Cruces lies in the heart of the fertile Mesilla Valley. A southern New Mexico city on the rise, Las Cruces has retained the charm and flavor of the "Old West" community it once was. Fields of cotton and chiles, groves of pecan trees and acres of vineyards stand on what was once the "Wild West".

White Sands National Monument, the world's largest field of pure white gypsum sand dunes rising 50-60 feet high and covering nearly 230 square miles is located 60 miles northeast of Las Cruces on Hwy 70 East. New Mexico State University, established in 1888, covers 900 acres and offers 75 bachelor's degree programs, 51 master's degree programs, 20 doctoral programs, and enrolls about 15,000 students.

Bordering Las Cruces, Old Mesilla was brought into the U.S. by the Gadsen Purchase in 1854 and became a thriving town, and its rough and ready atmosphere once tried Billy the Kid and sentenced him to hang, but true to his reputation, he escaped first. Today, restaurants, shops, museums and art galleries occupy the historic buildings.

Las Cruces is referred to as "this little-known jewel of the Southwest" and ranks as one of the top five places to retire in the nation, based upon amenities, cost of living, culture, recreation and climate. Las Cruces features over 150 restaurants, boating and fishing less than 2 hours away, year-round golfing, and much of the finer things in life that 350 days of sunshine per year will bring.