$232,256Average Value$666Average Price per Sq Ft0Homes For Sale
A community that outdates the city
Tortugas, also known as Tortugas Pueblo, is small, a semi-secluded neighborhood set just across Interstate 10 from New Mexico State University. For generations, the Indigenous Piro, Manso and Tiwa tribes have called this land – which predates the city of Las Cruces itself – home. “It's not a reservation,” says Hilary Dutcher, Destination Experience Manager for the City of Las Cruces. “It feels a bit more private and secluded from the rest of Las Cruces because of Interstate 10 separating it, but it is a public community.” Tortugas remains a close-knit enclave, dedicated to preserving its customs and identity – a distinction proudly displayed even on their own license plates. Annual ceremonies and traditions such as the annual three-day Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta in December bring folks from across the country to celebrate with religious ceremonies and dances.
Tortugas is a small community just on the other side of I-10 from Downtown Las Cruces.
An array of architectural styles can be found in Tortugas from Pueblo Revival to Ranch style.
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Modest, older homes
Tortugas' partially paved streets are laid out on a grid, in the shadow of Tortugas Mountain. The residential blocks here are bordered by strips of bare ground, dotted by the occasional mesquite tree and cacti. Modest Pueblo Adobe houses date back to the mid-to-late 1800s and sit alongside ranch-style and manufactured homes built between 1940 and 1998; both styles have two or three bedrooms, lots of 1/4-acre to 1/2-acre, and stucco exteriors and metal fencing. Square footage is a key factor in pricing: Homes with about 900 to 1,000 square feet range from $150,000 to $175,000, while those with 1,500 to 2,500 square feet range from $200,000 to $270,000.
Many homes in Tortuga are gated with large front and back yards for families to enjoy.
Ranch style homes are prevalent in the Tortugas community.
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New Mexico State set on the other side of I-10
Local kids can start school at Mesilla Park Elementary, which earns a B from Niche, and continue to the B-minus rated Zia Middle. The A-minus rated Las Cruces High – home of the Bulldawgs – offers athletic programs like bowling, golf and the Pom Squad cheer team, which competes in four events each year. Across Interstate 10 from Tortugas, New Mexico State University is a NASA Space Grant College that offers fellowships and scholarships to students interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Tortuga is just a couple of miles from NMSU and students can easily commute to class.
New Mexico State University is a short drive from Tortugas and a very important University.
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Neighborhood green spaces and nearby hiking
In the neighborhood's southwest, Guadalupe Park offers open green space, a basketball court and a shaded playground. Less than a mile outside Tortugas, Salopek/Stull Park has a shaded playground of its own, as well as paved pathways shaded by towering oaks and cottonwood trees. Residents can travel 6 miles to Tortugas Mountain to explore its rugged hiking trails, or 12 miles to Dripping Springs Natural Area for hiking trails that wind through the historic ruins of a stagecoach station and resort hotel.
An array of amenities are found Tortugas Park from a playground, playing fields and more.
Many residents of Tortuga enjoy hiking the many trails of Tortuga Mountain.
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Dining and essentials near New Mexico State
Casual eateries and small shops are clustered along East University Avenue. Bosque Brewing Co. serves up bar bites and craft beers, while Santorini offers flavorful Mediterranean cuisine. Nearby, Matteo's Mexican Food is a local favorite for carne asada fries and aguas frescas. Locals can run errands at the small Pan Am Plaza strip, home to Milagro Coffee Y Espresso, Dollar Tree and JOANN Fabric and Crafts. For groceries, there’s an Albertsons about 3 miles away on El Paseo Road.
Chachis serves great Mexican cuisine in a fun environment just a shot drive from Tortugas.
Milagro Coffee+Espresso is a very popular coffee shops near NMSU and minutes from Tortuga.
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Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
Part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Cruces, the Mission Revival-style Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church is named for the patron saint of Tortugas Pueblo. Offering bilingual Mass on Saturday and Sunday, Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta in Tortugas is a public event and by tradition is always held on December 10th, 11th and 12th every year at the church.
The yearly Rummage Sale at the Our Lady of Guadalupe church in Tortugas is popular.
The Our Lady of Guadalupe church and plaza can be found in the heart of Tortugas.
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Interstate 10 leads to El Paso
The neighborhood is bordered northeast by Stern Drive, which runs parallel to Interstate 10. Stern Drive merges with El Paseo Road and leads 5 miles north to Downtown Las Cruces; Stern Drive also merges with Interstate 10 in less than a mile, leading about 42 miles east to El Paso, Texas. The RoadRUNNER Transit bus stops less than a mile from Tortugas, in front of Union Grove Apartments, and travels throughout Las Cruces. MountainView Regional Medical Center is 6 miles away, and El Paso International Airport is about 48 miles away.
Residents of Tortuga can easity commute to El Paso on the I-10.
Public transportation does not pass directly through Tortugas but has stops a short walk.
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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Come see this beautiful and well maintained 3 Bed/2 Bath home with a separate 1014 sqft Casita that has 2 Bed/1 Bath. Located on a corner lot, This home comes with 2 new water heaters, new disposal, Breakfast bar, remodeled Bathrooms and Kitchen, 2x new refrigerators, 2x new heaters in bathrooms, New dishwasher, 2x new combo AC/Heaters in the Casita. Lots of room for family and friends. Schedule
Interested in learning more about homes in this neighborhood?
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Caroline Camfield,
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Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
660
Median Age
29
Population under 18
25%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.4%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$39,999
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$60,045
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
80.8%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
27%
Advanced Degrees
17.7%
% Population in Labor Force
74.1%
Above the national average
65.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
35/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
29/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
