There are several smaller communities south of Las Cruces:
Homes, Life, Living in Mesquite
Mesquite is a small community just south of Las Cruces nestled among the communities of San Miguel, La Mesa, Santo Tomas and Vado. It's unincorporated and home to about 1200 residents but still part of the Las Cruces Metropolitan statistical area. It's part of the Dona Anna County and stretches from Interstate 10 to the Rio Grande River easily accessible via Highway 192 or 228 and Highway 478. It's about 15 miles or 25 minutes from downtown Las Cruces. 
Some basic information about Mesquite that the average commute time is 18 minutes, unemployment rate is 6.8% and nearly 50% of the population is married with a household size of about 3.5. The median age is 28 years old. Compared to the rest of the country, Mesquite's cost of living is nearly 20% lower than the US average. It's gotten a few awards over the years and it is currently #17 the most secure places to live and was one of the best cities for low crime. Mesquite is part of the Gadsden Independent School district and local residents typically utilize the Vado or the Mesquite Elementary school, the Gadsden middle school and the Chaparral high school. The elementary school is close by at less than a mile away but the middle school and high school are about 9 miles.
Most of town is located on the intersection of Highway 192 and 478. As a post office, Mercantile, Dollar General, a bakery few basic needs. Any given time there are about 10 to 15 properties for sale in Mesquite reaching from about $80,000-$250,000 based on size, condition, location and lot size.
San Miguel
San Miguel is a small since designated place with a population of about 1200. It has its own ZIP Code and is located at the junction of State Route 28 and 192. It's nestled just west of Mesquite on the other side of the river. There are about 7 to 10 properties for sale ranging from $90,000-$400,000 for larger lots are acreage. The average home price is about $125,000. This community is also part of the Gadsden Independent School District and the small community has churches, the North Valley Elementary school, a couple of restaurants and markets.
La Mesa
La Mesa is located just south of San Miguel along Highway 28 and home to about 800 residents. It also has its own post office and is an unincorporated community in Donna Anna County. Home prices are between $120,000 and $340,000 was about 10 to 15 properties for sale at any given time. Although there are outlying homes and properties, the majority of houses are right in town.
Vado
Vado is located between Interstate 10 at the intersection of 478 and Highway 189. This unincorporated community is home to about 3200 residents and is one of the largest communities south of Las Cruces. Throughout this community there are about 20 properties for sale from smaller lots of less than $30,000 to beautiful homes over $300,000.
Tortugas
Tortugas is unique part of La just south of the main towns Cruces is considered a small village surrounded by the main city of Las Cruces. Is located between I-10 and Main Street and although Tortugas is not an Indian Pueblo, a number of its residents are descendents of the Mission Indians of the El Paso Valley. It is primarily made up of two historically distinct villages: the Village of the San Juan and the Village of Guadalupe a. The older Village, the Village of San Juan, dates back to about 1854 and the Village of Guadalupe Bay, adjacent to and south of the Village of San Juan, was obtained in 1888. The Pueblo Indians caused a new townsite to be laid out where over 30 homes were built and a small church. In 1908, the board of Dona Anna Bend Colony deeded 40 acres of land for the Village of Guadalupe Bay to the commissions of the town of Guadalupe [http://tortugasnm.org/history/]
With festivals, a history rich in native culture, and an indigenous society, Most of the homes for sale sit surrounding the main part of the small village. These homes start at about $200,000.
For more information on the surrounding villages, unincorporated communities and neighborhoods of Las Cruces please contact me at any time. Because I love this area and strive to stay up-to-date with changes, neighborhoods, new subdivisions and of course the real estate market, I can help you find exactly what you're looking for throughout the Las Cruces area.
( Image above from an actual listing in Mesquite courtesy of local MLS)
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