Las Cruces, NM

You might remember this blog, in which I talked about Hollywood coming to New Mexico and what it means for our state. Today, it was very clear that Hollywood had come to Las Cruces; in fact, it closed down a major highway about a mile from my house.

I remember reading about it in the Las Cruces Sun News a few days ago, but it must have slipped my mind, because this morning the side streets off of Highway 70 were filled with cars. Roadrunner Parkway and Sonoma Ranch Boulevard were both heavily impacted, and those are two major in-city commuting streets without the highway shutdown. The traffic didn’t bother me very much, as our real estate offices are just down the road but I want to make sure Las Crucens are aware of the road closures due to filming.

This information comes from the NM Department of Transportation:

Oct. 9 to Oct. 15

-A single westbound lane will be closed from Sonoma Ranch Boulevard to Rinconada Boulevard.

Oct. 11 to Oct. 14

-Westbound lanes will close from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m on the 11th; October 12th through the 14th, westbound lanes will be closed 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate the work week. Traffic will be diverted onto Sonoma Ranch Boulevard, south to Northrise Drive, west to Roadrunner Parkway and north back onto U.S. 70.

-Eastbound lanes will close from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Traffic will be diverted onto Roadrunner Parkway, south to Northrise Drive, east to Sonoma Ranch Boulevard and north back onto U.S. 70.

Oct. 17 to Oct. 25

-Westbound lanes will close from 6:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Traffic will be diverted onto Sonoma Ranch Boulevard, south to Northrise Drive, west to Del Rey Boulevard and north back onto U.S. 70. During the work week, Westbound lanes will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

-Eastbound lanes will close from 7 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. Traffic will be diverted from the point of U.S. Interstate 25 onto Del Rey Boulevard, south to Northrise Drive, east to Sonoma Ranch Boulevard and north back onto U.S. 70.

-Two eastbound lanes will close on North Main Street at the intersection of Elk Drive and Triviz Drive. Access won’t be blocked to Interstate 25.

This also includes underpasses and the frontage roads along Highway 70. The Las Cruces Public Schools have also assured parents that although the buses may deliver the kids to school late, no one will be counted tardy as a result of the road closure and children who miss the free school breakfast will be given food upon their arrival to school. The production company is also paying for the cost of the extra police needed to direct traffic.

The movie, entitled ‘Due Date,’ stars Robert Downey Jr. and Zach Galifianakis and follows the story of a father-to-be that has to hitch a ride with a college slacker in order to make it in time for the delivery of his baby. The production company brought approximately 75 staff members to run the set, organize stunts, and assist the directors, producers, and actors; 75 new faces to support our local economy. EG Casting is in charge of hiring 100 paid actors for small bit roles.

Despite Las Crucen’s daily commutes being interrupted for a month or so, I think this activity here is great for our city. From everyone’s interest being sparked to the inevitable boost our local economy will get, I welcome the movie business in our city and hope to see more of it!

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Evelyn Bruder: CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO, Las Cruces Cyberstar

The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

For more information about what we do and how we can provide all of your real estate needs, CLICK HERE

We welcome comments and questions - CLICK HERE

Steinborn GMAC Real Estate (575)522-3698

: October 4th, 2009 : Evelyn Bruder : Comment (0)

Everyday I get asked “How is the Real Estate Market doing? I finally have an authoritative answer. Anarticle in the September issue of Business Week Magazine focuses on a Top 10 list of strong, consistent building markets. The article names Las Cruces the number 8 place in the country. Las Cruces had a year-over-year (2009 v 2008) increase in all building of 11.6% including a 1,841% increase this year in multifamily building permits. The full article can be found at Business Week - Top US Markets For New Construction

This comes as no surprise to me, as Las Cruces appeared to suffer the least from the economic downturn out of all of the small-metro and metro areas in our part of the country. That’s not to say our cost of living didn’t go up slightly and the general population was fairly worried, but new, privately owned housing units are going up everywhere in the Las Cruces suburbs. The best part is that these housing units are actually selling.

There are two major bank franchises here in Las Cruces: Wells Fargo and Bank of America. along with with smaller, local banks and credit unions. Our financial institutions for the most part didn’t take part in subprime lending; as a result, these local institutions were able to assure their customers that they had nothing to worry about when the economic picture looked so bleak. I think this certainly helps contractors and builders feel safer when they start another project. That, coupled with ‘SOLD’ signs going up on these new homes, encourages our building market even further.

Retirees, families, and recent college graduates consistently move to Las Cruces because of the job opportunities, the quality of life, the mild climate, and the size; there’s enough to do here, but there isn’t the overwhelming atmosphere of a city. Even though people from the Northeast and Midwest are relocating to our city for all of these reasons and our population is growing, I haven’t seen Las Cruces lose its Southwestern, localized feeling; like I’ve said before, no one is too busy to say hello or hold a door open.

The Business Week article continues on to tell readers and consumers that are potentially looking to relocate outside the big cities that wonderful small metro areas, like Las Cruces are safe economically stable and have steady controlled growth.

Las Cruces has been getting great reviews from magazines and newspapers for years, but I know that when you actually visit Las Cruces is when you’ll fall in love.

For more information on relocation to Las Cruces, CLICK HERE.

To request a free relocation package from our team of real estate experts, CLICK HERE.

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Evelyn Bruder: CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO, Las Cruces Cyberstar

The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

For more information about what we do and how we can provide all of your real estate needs, CLICK HERE

We welcome comments and questions - CLICK HERE

Steinborn GMAC Real Estate (575)522-3698

This past weekend we headed out into the blazing sunshine to enjoy the Whole Enchilada Festival. As always, Las Crucens came out by the hundreds for the parade, the carnival, the shopping, and most importantly, the food. Tent after tent after tent emitted delicious scents, serving up everything from enchiladas to smoked turkey legs to alligator meat (no joke!). The choices for shopping and activities were endless… all in all it was a great weekend!

We got to the Hadley Complex in time to watch the parades and walk around before we took a spot in the shade to enjoy some live music. We strolled, we ate, we took pictures… Exhausted after being out in the sun for six hours, we headed home just before sunset, right when the lights of the carnival rides turned on.

We had a great time at the Festival, and we put together this video to showcase what just one of Las Cruces’s many festivals has to offer. If you have a couple of spare minutes, take a look!

To view our video, CLICK HERE.

This is just one of Las Cruces’s unique events. To see the whole calender of exciting events, fiestas, and festivals happening in Las Cruces, CLICK HERE.

To see more about all of the Arts & Cultural activities available for you in Las Cruces, CLICK HERE.

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Evelyn Bruder: CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO, Las Cruces Cyberstar
The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

For more information about what we do and how we can provide all of your real estate needs, CLICK HERE
We welcome comments and questions - CLICK HERE
Steinborn GMAC Real Estate (575)522-3698

Around this time every year, Las Cruces hosts a unique and tasty event: the Whole Enchilada Festival! This event is a celebration of the culture, history, and food of New Mexico, offering a range of entertainment and festivities for the whole family to enjoy.

This year, the event takes place in September on Friday the 25th, Saturday the 26th, and Sunday the 27th, held at Meercheidt Recreation Center near the corner of Hadley and Solano here in Las Cruces. Come out Friday evening for the kick off with live music and a carnival; head out early on Saturday for a parade of local businesses and talents and stay all day for tournaments, games, and more; make sure to come by on Sunday morning to see the big finale: the preparation and cooking of the world’s biggest enchilada.

We’ll be there like always, so we hope to see you out and about at this year’s celebration of food, family, and local pride.

I’ll make sure to put up pictures of the weekend early next week!

For more information on the Whole Enchilada, visit their website by clicking here.

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Evelyn Bruder: CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO, Las Cruces Cyberstar
The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

For more information about what we do and how we can provide all of your real estate needs, CLICK HERE
We welcome comments and questions - CLICK HERE
Steinborn GMAC Real Estate (575)522-3698

I’m sure you have seen the countless “best places to live in America” articles on sites like MSN, Money.com, and so on. Occasionally I’ll click and read, but so often those big top ten lists overlook the fantastic, smaller cities and towns that could be the ideal location for any person or family.

If you’re looking for a calm climate, a great small metro area for businesses, access to higher education and quality health care, then maybe Las Cruces is the place for you. Earlier this year, Las Cruces was deemed one of the best places in America to “thrive” by Best Boomer Towns. Based on our employment growth trends in the past 10 years, projected future growth, and activity in critical technologies, Las Cruces has been named one of the best places in the country to do business and nurture a career by the Forbes-Milken Institute, Inc.com, and a variety of magazines. Money Magazine and AARP have also named Las Cruces one of the best places to retire, but why has Las Cruces won all of these awards?

First of all, Las Cruces’s population of about 85,000 residents provides enough of a ‘big city’ feeling to qualify Las Cruces as a metro area. One of the things New Mexico, and Las Cruces, prides itself on is the sense of community and laid-back atmosphere of its residents; no one is too busy or hassled to say ‘hello’ or hold a door open. Being situated against the Organ Mountains in the heart of the Mesilla Valley gives all of us residents a beautiful quality of life.

The art and theater scene in Las Cruces has flourished over the last few years as well. New Mexico State University hosts an enormous Arts and Sciences college, and as a result, there are many ways for the community to get involved in music, theater, and art. Countless art galleries, museums, performing arts theaters, and city events ensure that you and your family will never be bored.

The communities of Old Mesilla and Mesilla Park offer unique shopping and entertainment opportunities while you immerse yourself in the history of the southwest. Over 35 retail stores and the new 10-screen movieplex, the Cineport Ten, make the Mesilla Valley mall the premiere destination for shopping and entertainment in southwestern New Mexico.

Outstanding schools, quality health care, the culture, the physical beauty, the outdoor recreation… The list truly goes on when it comes to unveiling the great attributes of Las Cruces. Please allow me to show you why my team, clients, friends, and more enjoy our great city by clicking here.

To see Las Cruces’s award list, click here.

For information about relocating to Las Cruces and moving, click here. To request a relocation package about Las Cruces, click here.

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Evelyn Bruder: CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO, Las Cruces Cyberstar
The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

For more information about what we do and how we can provide all of your real estate needs, CLICK HERE
We welcome comments and questions - CLICK HERE
Steinborn GMAC Real Estate (575)522-3698