El Paso, Texas

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.

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

5 Things to Know Before Moving to El Paso