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Right now in Las Cruces we are selling at about $90 a square foot on average, new construction is about $130 a square foot north of US 70 near Metro Verde. Santa Fe will be about 40 percent higher, unless you are south near the Turquoise Trail where I hear it is somewhat more affordable.
Im a retired single female. I’m trying to find my forever town. It’s between LC and Santa Fe. I’d love to hear from anyone who has moved from Santa Fe to LC or the reverse. Why did you move? What do you like better? Any and all info you can give me will be greatly appreciated. I’ve been to Santa Fe many times but never to LC. I will be making my first trip there at the end of the month.
Hi, Suaz! I'm in a similar situation (I'm 53, semi-retired, single, and looking for my forever home) and had been considering Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and Rio Rancho for quite awhile. I eventually decided that Albuquerque is too big and has a little too much crime for my tastes, Santa Fe is too touristy and expensive, and Rio Rancho just doesn't call to me for whatever reason, so I've decided on Las Cruces. It seems like the perfect fit for me! I'm actually arriving on the 22nd to look for a new house, and I'm really excited! I wish you luck on finding the right place for you!
Thanks everyone for responding. I did like Las Cruces a lot but I’ve been going to SF for years and love all the arts, galleries, shows, and Meetup groups. I am now under contract for a townhome to be built in Santa Fe. It was a hard decision. I saw a beautiful area in Las Cruces that I loved but I decided SF was a better fit and I know it a lot better. After living in Phoenix for a long time, I will welcome the cooler temperatures. Joy444, please let me know how it’s going after you’ve been in LC a while. I would love to hear from you!
Thanks everyone for responding. I did like Las Cruces a lot but I’ve been going to SF for years and love all the arts, galleries, shows, and Meetup groups. I am now under contract for a townhome to be built in Santa Fe. It was a hard decision. I saw a beautiful area in Las Cruces that I loved but I decided SF was a better fit and I know it a lot better. After living in Phoenix for a long time, I will welcome the cooler temperatures. Joy444, please let me know how it’s going after you’ve been in LC a while. I would love to hear from you!
That sounds exciting, suaz! I'm happy for you! It sounds like you've made the perfect choice for yourself! When I first started thinking about moving back to NM, I really thought I was going to move to Santa Fe. I lived up in Los Alamos many years ago, so I was already pretty familiar with Santa Fe, but over time, I realized that Santa Fe probably wouldn't be the best choice for me. I've tried to keep an open mind throughout this process, but there's just something about Las Cruces that's calling to me and won't leave me alone. It's almost like I don't have a choice anymore! LOL
That sounds exciting, suaz! I'm happy for you! It sounds like you've made the perfect choice for yourself! When I first started thinking about moving back to NM, I really thought I was going to move to Santa Fe. I lived up in Los Alamos many years ago, so I was already pretty familiar with Santa Fe, but over time, I realized that Santa Fe probably wouldn't be the best choice for me. I've tried to keep an open mind throughout this process, but there's just something about Las Cruces that's calling to me and won't leave me alone. It's almost like I don't have a choice anymore! LOL
Looking forward to your updates. My wife & I are thinking strongly about retiring to Las Cruces & we like reading posts from folks in a similar situation to us. We live in Southern Orange County, California & the horrendous traffic, cost of living, most peoples horrible attitudes, etc, has made us realize that we don't want to retire here. I'm taking a trip (my first) to LC in September to check out the area, but we've mostly heard good things about LC & I'm looking forward to seeing the city first hand
Looking forward to your updates. My wife & I are thinking strongly about retiring to Las Cruces & we like reading posts from folks in a similar situation to us. We live in Southern Orange County, California & the horrendous traffic, cost of living, most peoples horrible attitudes, etc, has made us realize that we don't want to retire here. I'm taking a trip (my first) to LC in September to check out the area, but we've mostly heard good things about LC & I'm looking forward to seeing the city first hand
I'm sure I'll update once I get settled there. I currently have a house under contract, and I'll be moving there in 3 weeks. When I went down to Las Cruces last month to look for a house, I wasn't at all disappointed. I have absolutely no reservations about moving there. As far as traffic is concerned, I currently live in a city that has less than half the population of Las Cruces, and the traffic here is so much worse than in Las Cruces. I'm sure it'll be a HUGE change for you, coming from CA. Cost of living will also be a lot cheaper. There are so many beautiful homes in every price range in Las Cruces! All of the people I came into contact with while I was there were very friendly and welcoming, too. It's also nice that whatever Las Cruces doesn't have can probably be found in El Paso which is only 45 minutes away. I know Las Cruces wouldn't be for everyone, but it seems perfect for me. Good luck in your search for your perfect place for retirement, whether it's in Las Cruces or elsewhere!
I think Santa Fe would be considerably more expensive to purchase a house and live in than Las Cruces. However, it probably does have more culture overall.
I can't speak for Santa Fe, but living here *(in Las Cruces) for the last few years I have to say the nicest folks ever live out here in Las Cruces. That is what made me decide to buy a house here. ;-)
I think Santa Fe would be considerably more expensive to purchase a house and live in than Las Cruces. However, it probably does have more culture overall.
I can't speak for Santa Fe, but living here *(in Las Cruces) for the last few years I have to say the nicest folks ever live out here in Las Cruces. That is what made me decide to buy a house here. ;-)
I'm sure I'll update once I get settled there. I currently have a house under contract, and I'll be moving there in 3 weeks. When I went down to Las Cruces last month to look for a house, I wasn't at all disappointed. I have absolutely no reservations about moving there. As far as traffic is concerned, I currently live in a city that has less than half the population of Las Cruces, and the traffic here is so much worse than in Las Cruces. I'm sure it'll be a HUGE change for you, coming from CA. Cost of living will also be a lot cheaper. There are so many beautiful homes in every price range in Las Cruces! All of the people I came into contact with while I was there were very friendly and welcoming, too. It's also nice that whatever Las Cruces doesn't have can probably be found in El Paso which is only 45 minutes away. I know Las Cruces wouldn't be for everyone, but it seems perfect for me. Good luck in your search for your perfect place for retirement, whether it's in Las Cruces or elsewhere!
The traffic here in South Orange County is just horrendous so I'm sure any "traffic" in Las Cruces will be nothing compared to this
Good luck with your move, keep us posted
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I'm in a similar situation (I'm 53, semi-retired, single, and looking for my forever home) and had been considering Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Albuquerque, and Rio Rancho for quite awhile. I eventually decided that Albuquerque is too big and has a little too much crime for my tastes, Santa Fe is too touristy and expensive, and Rio Rancho just doesn't call to me for whatever reason, so I've decided on Las Cruces. It seems like the perfect fit for me! I'm actually arriving on the 22nd to look for a new house, and I'm really excited! I wish you luck on finding the right place for you! 
