There are several things to enjoy about El Paso, especially the majestic Franklin Mountains State Park, the largest state park in an urban setting in the country. Being on the border though, and having a sister city in Juarez Mexico, has had an undeniable impact on the culture, diversity, food, and lifestyle of El Paso. Tex-Mex food was invented here but that’s just a single byproduct of a blurred cultural landscape that makes El Paso like no other place. The food scene makes it obvious with the amazing Tex-Mex, classic Mexican, BBQ, and other cross-cultural fine dining. The fresh ingredients that move back and forth across the border feed this amazing food scene, and the culture and vibe of the city make it clear how big an influence it is to be on the border.

The biggest complaint about El Paso is how difficult it can be to find work. If you go there with a job or you’re going to be working remotely then you’re set. If you lose your job and need to work locally it can be tough.



It's the Tex-Mex

LookyLOO Review of El Paso

El Paso is heavily influenced in language, food, and overall culture by being on the border of Mexico. If you’re game for that vibe you’ll love it here. It is extremely casual with little fancy activities but TONS of bars and great inexpensive restaurants to enjoy on nights out. 
You’re also surrounded by vast beautiful terrain that means a good chunk of your time can/will be spent getting out doors for hiking and camping in the mountains, state and national parks, and canyons all around El Paso.

If you're interested in what happens in El Paso area during the year check out the [**calendar of events**](https://visitelpaso.com/events/calendar/2023/1).


Lifestyle 

This is a really interesting and possibly emerging aspect of El Paso. The local economy is rough for finding a job. High-end knowledge work is hard to come by. However, it has the lowest cost of living of any major city in the country. Which means that people who can work remotely and are attracted to a low cost city with great outdoor lifestyle are heading to El Paso. At present that is the most powerful work culture draw to El Paso. Great outdoor culture, casual but fun lifestyle, and extremely low cost of living. What a draw for a wfh’er. 


Worklife 

[**El Paso ISD**](episd.org) comes in with a [**"B+" ranking on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/d/el-paso-independent-school-district-tx/). In particular, the district scores high for extracurriculars/clubs and College Prep. 

The Northwest corner of the district scores highest but there are A grade schools in the Northeast and the southern sides of the city. Particular winners include:
-[**Silva Health Magnet School](episd.org/silva**) - the #1 ranked school in the city, it's a renowned magnet school that scores an [**"A+" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/silva-health-magnet-school-el-paso-tx/?map). 
-[**Transmountain Early College High School**](https://www.episd.org/o/tec) - the #1 niche standout high school in El Palo, and scores an [**"A" on niche.com**](https://www.niche.com/k12/transmountain-early-college-high-school-el-paso-tx/?map). 

Schools

El Paso has the lowest cost of living of any major city in the country. It also has a first time homebuyer program available through the city. If you’re getting started, particularly with a young family and would love an inexpensive and supported path to homeownership this is a great city. If you’re empty-nesting or retiring and want to maximize your bucks El Paso also fits the bill. 


Cost Of Living

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**spiccyudon**
Lived in El Paso
Updated 2y ago
✭✭✭✭

Hey there, I lived in EP most of my life before leaving for college. I've been gone for ~6 years now and finally moving back. Here's my perspective. El Paso is honestly expanding a ton in terms of things to do and more diversity (at least in the food spots, used to not be a single ramen joint now they're everywhere). When I go back to visit my friends always have something new to show me. I'm in Austin currently and while I love how much Austin has going for it I've been here for 2 years and still feel like I'm in a brand new city. It gets kinda lonely actually. Plus everything is so expensive it's hard to get all you can out of living here unless you have plenty of money to spend.

Now, if you're the kind of person who needs to be surrounded by greenery to be happy this probably isn't your city. The one thing I know I'm going to really miss is trees/bodies of water. There are a lot of outdoorsy things to do, but it's desert mountain outdoors with almost no shade. If you want to go for a long walk you really have to do it right at sunset unless you wanna be miserable. You'll also blow through lotion/moisturizer twice as fast and you will need to drink a little more water than you're used to. The desert does have a unique beauty to it though, our mountain turns this gorgeous bright red at sundown and we get the most beautiful sunsets I've ever seen. And the few times it does rain that smell is incredible. Cloudcroft/Ruidoso are also a few hours away of you need that forest air.

My main reason for moving back is cost of living. You really can get a house down there for an actually reasonable price and I'm finding studios for $500 a month, so it's a good landing spot if you need to get your finances together. That's how I'm doing it. I don't plan to settle in El Paso forever but I do plan to be there for 4-5 years while I get on my feet. The people are great, it's very safe, and it's cheap. The isolation, the desert heat, and the fact that jobs can be harder to find are probably the biggest cons, but I wouldn't listen too much to people saying there's nothing to do or it's boring.

To hear reviews from more locals check out: [**The Reviews**](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/el-paso/reviews).

Reviews of El Paso from Locals

**The Best Thing About El Paso?** Tex-Mex

There are a number of things to enjoy about El Paso, especially the majestic Franklin Mountains State Park, the largest state park in an urban setting in the country. Being on the border though, and having a sister city in Juarez Mexico, has had an undeniable impact on the culture, diversity, food and lifestyle of El Paso. Tex-Mex food was invented here but that’s just a single byproduct of a blurred cultural landscape that makes El Paso like no other place. The food scene makes it obvious with the amazing Tex-Mex, classic Mexican, barbeque, and other cross-cultural fine-dining. The fresh ingredients that move back and forth across the border feed this amazing food scene, and the culture and vibe of the city makes it clear how big an influence it is to be on the border. 

**The Worst Thing About El Paso?** The Job Market

The biggest complaint about El Paso is how difficult it can be to find work. If you go there with a job  or you’re going to be working remotely then you’re set. If you lose your job and need to work locally it can be tough. 

**How You Living?** In A Family Friendly Neighborhood

El Paso is most noted for being family friendly. The neighborhoods of Park Foothills, Via Hermosa, Castner Heights and Mountain View all represent the best of El Paso -- reasonable housing prices, good public schools, and low crime rates make it ideal for you and your little ones. 

**Why You Should Move Here Now?** Cost Of Living

El Paso has the lowest cost of living of any major city in the country. It also has a first time homebuyer program available through the city. If you’re getting started, particularly with a young family, and would love an inexpensive and supported path to homeownership this is a great city. If you’re empty-nesting or retiring and want to maximize your bucks El Paso also fits the bill. 


The majority of young professionals and college kids gravitate to the area around UTEP (University of Texas El Paso) called Westside. Westside has plenty of rental apartment options but just as important is home to the greatest concentration of bars and restaurants in the city. It also has an Alamo Drafthouse, Top Golf, Indoor Skydiving and tons of shopping. Westside is where you start your search if you’re just moving to town. 
- Westside
- Central


College Students / Young Professionals

Westside

El Paso is most noted for being family friendly and the neighborhoods match that reputation. Park Foothills, Via Hermosa, Castner Heights and Mountain View all represent the best of El Paso -- reasonable housing prices, good public schools, and low crime rates make it ideal for you and your little ones. If you’re getting started these are the neighborhoods to check out first. 
- Park Foothills
- Via Hermosa
- Castner Heights
- Mountain View


Families

Park Foothills

El Paso

**TehOuchies**
Living in El Paso
2y ago
✭✭✭✭

Westside
Do it, Do it!

Personal Insight/Opinion - I have lived on both coasts. I hated FT Lauderdale. As a dude, I hated the machismo over there.

I have lived in Harbor City, Every one is in such a rush that they ignore you or you become an obstacle to them. Not to mention Crime rates in the surrounding areas are far higher than El paso.

I have lived all over Eastern New Mexico (North and South) - Fuck this area of the US. Its filled with so much Meth. Although now that they have dispensaries legally, I do hope their Meth use drops all over that area.

Now to El Paso. This is where I always come back to. Grew up here. Finished High School Here. After that I did my travelling. I will leave for a few years (Because just about everywhere in the US pays better than here) But then I come back here to relax.

The people here, for the most part are friendlier.

A lot of people say our drivers suck, but I think thats due to the fact that traffic doesnt really move at 80 mph on the highway. (Fuck you San Antonio. I swear, I see three accidents on the highway anytime im going through it over there)

Crime rate here is starting to go up, but it is still one of the safest cities in the US by far.

**What’s it like living in El Paso (vibe, type of people, political views, etc)?**

There are lots of good previous posts asking about moving to El Paso; I think they could help you get a better feel for it. Here are some basics:

weather: hot summers and mild winters

going out: primarily food and drinks and movies, but getting to be more options; some good hiking, too; not sure what the post-pandemic music scene is or will be like

culture: Mexican-dominant—great Mexican food with other options available, very family oriented, you will regularly hear Spanish

economy: many young people leave for better job opportunities and activities; although I know Fort Bliss is large part of the economy, I don’t think of El Paso as a military town

Since you have friends that moved here recently, try to get a feel from them. Visit, if possible. Some people experience and have difficulty overcoming culture shock in El Paso; others absolutely love it.

**Alliecakes112**
Living in El Paso
6mo ago
✭✭✭

Pros: people (youll find your peeps!), the food, low cost of living, nightlife… a lot stays open late-not just bars, family oriented city, being a border town, being close to New Mexico (sooo much outdoorsy stuff in New Mexico that’s day trip-worthy), music and art scene, amazon has same day delivery lol

Cons: very competitive job market & low wages (good move if you have a remote job, not so much if you’re in the market for a job. We have a ton of call centers if you need something fast that pays decent), very dusty, we sadly have a lot of litter compared to other big cities I’ve been to :(, uninsured motorists, sooo much never ending construction everywhere

El Paso, Texas

Borderplex

Looklyloo Score: 74

Westside

College Students / Young Professionals

Park Foothills

Families