Tortugas blends deep tradition with university proximity
Tortugas is a neighborhood in Las Cruces with roots stretching back to 1852. Located just across the interstate from New Mexico State University, the area maintains its own identity while staying connected to the broader city. Community buildings like the Casa del Pueblo meeting house and a dining hall anchor local gatherings throughout the year. Each December, a three-day fiesta draws visitors from across the region, featuring traditional dancing by four dance groups, a procession to the summit of Tortugas Mountain and a communal meal open to all attendees. The neighborhood's strong sense of tradition and its proximity to university life give it a distinct character within the Mesilla Valley.
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 and Dollar Tree. 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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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.
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Written By
Braxton Chea
Photography Contributed By
Daniele Giuseppe Del Gaudio
Video By
Tyler Belile
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Schools
Source:
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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Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Tortugas
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
3
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Tortugas Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Tortugas, Las Cruces sell after 480 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days.
Housing Trends
Last 12 months Home Sales
1
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes
140
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Median Year Built
1951
Months of Supply
0.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,461
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
11,107
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
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
$79,597
Average Household Income
$60,045
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
80.8%
Below the national average
89%
College Graduates
27%
Advanced Degrees
17.7%
% Population in Labor Force
74.1%
Above the national average
64.9%
Area Factors
Fairly bikeable
Bikeability®
50/ 100
Somewhat walkable
Walkability®
30/ 100
Minimal public transit
Transit®
10/ 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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.
