Within the Chihuahuan Desert, the southeast New Mexico city of Carlsbad is the seat of Eddy County, nicknamed “The Pearl on the Pecos” for its location on the Pecos River and Lake Carlsbad, as well as its lively downtown commercial district. A wealthy oil town in the 1920s and ’30s, Carlsbad is now experiencing another oil boom, fueled by petroleum production and potash mining. “Most residents here are retirees or people who work in the oil fields,” says Jordan Jaquez, a Realtor with Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate who has three years' experience in Carlsbad. “The housing market prices cater to the working class." Tourism is a growing industry here as well, as area natural wonders include the famed Carlsbad Caverns, 20 miles away.
The Eddie County Courthouse is located in the center of the southeast New Mexico city of Carlsbad, nicknamed “The Pearl on the Pecos”.
A wealthy oil town in the 1920s and ’30s, Carlsbad is now experiencing another oil boom, fueled by petroleum production and potash mining.
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Ranch-style homes on large lots
The median home price in Carlsbad is around $320,000, lower than the national median of around $410,000. Ranch-style homes from the 1950s through ‘70s are the least expensive and typically set on lots of about a quarter-acre. Two-story new traditional homes from the late 20th century through today have either Pueblo Revival or Craftsman-style details, and are generally set on lots of a half-acre to almost 2 acres. Manufactured homes are found throughout the city.
Ranch-style homes from the 1950s through ‘70s are the least expensive and typically set on lots of about a quarter-acre.
Craftsman-style homes are generally set on lots of a half-acre to almost 2 acres.
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College prep from an A-rated school
Local kids can attend schools in the Carlsbad Municipal School District, which has 15 schools and earns an overall B-minus from Niche. The district's highest rated school is Carlsbad Early College High, which earns an A and offers dual enrollment courses at the local, two-year Southeast New Mexico College.
Local kids can attend schools in the Carlsbad Municipal School District, like Carsbad High, which has 15 schools and earns an overall B-minus from Niche.
The district's highest rated school is Carlsbad Early College High, which earns an A and offers dual enrollment courses at the local, two-year Southeast New Mexico College.
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A beach in the desert
There over 30 parks and open greenspaces within the city. Halagueno Arts Park is a local favorite for its winding paths, fountains and public art displays, and it hosts the annual Art in the Park festival each October. Residents can swim or kayak at Lake Carlsbad Beach Park, which has playgrounds and its own waterpark.
The 47,000-acre Carlsbad Caverns National Park, about 20 miles southwest, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem and over 120 limestone caves. Sitting Bull Falls, 42 miles west in Lincoln National Forest, has 150-foot-tall spring-fed waterfall, where locals can go hiking, picnicking and swimming.
Halagueno Arts Park is a local favorite for its winding paths, Museum, Library and public art displays, and it hosts the annual Art in the Park festival each October.
The 47,000-acre Carlsbad Caverns National Park, about 20 miles southwest, is a UNESCO World Heritage site, showcasing the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem and over 120 limestone caves.
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The heart of Carlsbad
The city's walkable downtown center is called Carlsbad MainStreet, home to locally owned restaurants and boutiques, as well as murals by area artists. Tex-Mex is the common cuisine here, with green chiles appearing in everything from nachos to fajitas. Milton's Brewery is a local watering hole, and galleries display everything from intricate jewelry to handcrafted sculptures. In June, MainStreet hosts CavernFest, a concert series highlighting regional performers, as well as local vendors and fundraisers.
The city's walkable downtown center is called Carlsbad MainStreet, home to locally owned restaurants and boutiques, as well as murals by area artists.
Milton's Brewery is a local watering hole featuring Tex-Mex plates that offer green chiles appearing in many of its menu options.
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Commuting to Roswell or El Paso
Carlsbad is set on two major highways. Highway 62/180 leads 20 miles to the entrance of Carlsbad Caverns and about 150 miles to El Paso, Texas. Highway 285 leads 75 miles to Roswell, New Mexico and about 86 miles to Interstate 20. The Carlsbad Municipal Transit System provides bus routes within city limits, and the city's largest hospital is the 99-bed Carlsbad Medical Center. The regional Cavern City Air Terminal is 5 miles from downtown and served by one airline, Advanced Air, with flights to Albuquerque and Phoenix. The larger El Paso International Airport is 158 miles away, a roughly 3-hour drive.
Comparatively low crime rates
According to most recent FBI data from December 2023, Carlsbad has lower average rates of violent and property crime than those in both the state and the nation. The Carlsbad Police Department has three stations throughout the city and employs a Crimestoppers/TipSoft Program, where residents can file anonymous reports of local crime.
Written By
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GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Carlsbad, NM sell after 66 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Carlsbad, NM over the last 12 months is $310,000, up 10% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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