Questions about moving to El Paso and the schools (Cleveland: homes, neighborhood)

[Caltep]

Maybe the original post is two years old, but someone looking for this information will still stumble onto this thread and see the exchanges. I do not begrudge your right to defend your city, but I think we can be civil and not make comments that are demeaning and attacking...for that we can play around in Topix. I like this site because I felt that posters treated each other with respect despite the differences in opinion. I know you and Muhnay disagree over the color of grass, but I think there is even some congeniality between you. If you are portraying the proud El Pasoan, I think you can express it differently and not make folks from outside think differently from what we know of El Pasoans...they are nice, helpful people, not mean spirited because someone does not share their passion for the city. I don't know Alikat or missinggreen, but I can share their sentiment on several fronts as a non-Spanish speaking transplant. Maybe not to the degree that they may have, but as a new person in ELP, you may have similar thoughts and feelings...especially if you have no family or friends here and definitely in social situations, the language barrier can enhance the feeling of isolation. So, I respect your right to defend ELP and admire the passion that you have for the city. As you would classify the others as whiners, the way you have defended ELP can create an impression of you also. Now, if this makes me a whiner, then so be it.

[missinggreen]

Originally Posted by Caltep

Maybe the original post is two years old, but someone looking for this information will still stumble onto this thread and see the exchanges. I do not begrudge your right to defend your city, but I think we can be civil and not make comments that are demeaning and attacking...for that we can play around in Topix. I like this site because I felt that posters treated each other with respect despite the differences in opinion. I know you and Muhnay disagree over the color of grass, but I think there is even some congeniality between you. If you are portraying the proud El Pasoan, I think you can express it differently and not make folks from outside think differently from what we know of El Pasoans...they are nice, helpful people, not mean spirited because someone does not share their passion for the city. I don't know Alikat or missinggreen, but I can share their sentiment on several fronts as a non-Spanish speaking transplant. Maybe not to the degree that they may have, but as a new person in ELP, you may have similar thoughts and feelings...especially if you have no family or friends here and definitely in social situations, the language barrier can enhance the feeling of isolation. So, I respect your right to defend ELP and admire the passion that you have for the city. As you would classify the others as whiners, the way you have defended ELP can create an impression of you also. Now, if this makes me a whiner, then so be it.

Thank you Caltep. Elegently put. I try and be polite and civil in my posts, but may occasionally come across defensively. Especially when treated to comments such as "whiner" "glad you are gone" "cty" etc.

[missinggreen]

Originally Posted by alikat1205

in my defense, i do still think knowing spanish would be extremely beneficial to anyone moving to el paso. i took classes while i lived there and made some effort. i do think it is something that would help anyone living there. you can "get by" in only english, but if you really want to blend in, be accepted, you have to speak the language, and i stand by that.

Alikat

I am truely sorry that you have defend yourself for being honest about your experiences in El Paso. I feel the same way, and judging by other posts, we are not the only ones. We have a right to express our opinions and others have a right to express theirs. I just wish they could be polite and civil instead of resorting to rudeness and degrading behaviour with such comments as I hate whiners, Cya, Glad your gone.

When we first arrived here, a local Texan told me you will either love it or hate it - he said he has never seen any middle ground. Looking back, he was very accurate in his description.

Our company moved three employees here all at once, two of us moved within a year. One is still there - he does not have children and is single.

[alikat1205]

my husband's company did the same thing, moved 3 of us over there, and we were the last to leave. none of us stayed, and we were from various parts of the country. i know the cya, glad you're gone stuff just goes to show what to expect when you get to el paso. i never said you couldn't be happy there, and i did compliment some things about el paso. all i stated were my own experiences and that you should be aware of some big social stumbling blocks if you're going to go. all the nastiness directed at me did was to show what i was dealing with all along.

[mistabinks]

Originally Posted by alikat1205

all the nastiness directed at me did was to show what i was dealing with all along.

Regardless if it was me, Chuco, your neighbors, or even a combination, that still doesn't represent the whole city. It did not work out for you here. That is too bad. You moved on and you are happy. So everything worked out in the end.

[Caltep]

I don't think anything posted here represents, even in total, the city. Comments here are subjective/anecdotal and to the benefit of the person looking at ELP as a place to live, differing and valid perspectives of the ELP experience whether good, bad, or ugly. I don't think belittling the experience of someone who didn't enjoy ELP or their opinion is the way to go. In the end, I agree, we all need to determine our own happiness and the how and where that will occur.

Originally Posted by mistabinks

Regardless if it was me, Chuco, your neighbors, or even a combination, that still doesn't represent the whole city. It did not work out for you here. That is too bad. You moved on and you are happy. So everything worked out in the end.

[Indianagurl]

Is it just me or is there some underlying racism going on within this forum????

Well, I am a 23 year old white blonde female who has lived here since 2006 and here is what I can tell you. The nightlife is good as far as bars go but the music scene is seriously lacking accoridng to some friends because cover bands rule this turf so I don't recommend EP if you are a musician.

I'm an honors student in psychology at UTEP/transfer/military spouse(no children) and I have had great experiences here. I don't live on post because I am not a fan of military community living or city living for that matter. I was able to find a place near the mountain on the west side that is very quiet, serene, has grass and a great view. Up here it actually feels more like home.

About the language thing. I have had no problems with that. I have friends of all sorts native and non and some speak english, some are bilingual. Even people on the streets will try to communicate with you if you don't know any spanish. Obviously if someone speaks Spanish to you and you make a face of disgust, they proabably won't be very friendly. Business language is definitely English here and it seems like everyone knows a little of both to get by but Spanish is not a necessary requirement to live here. However, you will hear it constantly and it does take some getting used to if you are new to the area so if you don't like to hear it regularly then I wouldn't come to El Paso.

About not finding a doctor, I even have a white denitst! lol

Anyway..

I guess being in college it is easy to get along with everyone. There is a group of rich kids from Juarez who think they are better than everyone else on campus, but no one takes them seriously, not other students nor professors and they are laughable to everyone I've met so the pettiness in the schools definitely doesn't translate to higher education.

Now the bad..well apartments aren't the greatest and many are too old to still be lived in. DO NOT just jump in if you see a good deal. make sure you like the management because if they aren't willing to help then nothing will get repaired or taken care of. We pay a little more for where we live but I believe my manage is the best in town and that is priceless.

OK shopping, not a fan of the clothing styles here. You really need to travel to San Antonio or Phoenix for the real downtown experience because ours isn't that great but they are trying to improve it.

The DRIVERS are my biggest problem with El Paso but in all fairness it really isn't here fault because many of the bad drivers are foregn and just aren't used to our driving conduct. The don't know how to drive the speed limit(too slow) or how to properly get on the interstate. It will seem as if there is a yield sign on the onramp and some will even come to a complete stop before merging! Just be careful..I dont want to dig into my fellow citizens much..

So now that you have my EP review from a couple with no children, yous hould know that my husband will be taking a job in defense on the east coast but that we have pretty much enjoyed living here. In fact, I have enjoyed UTEP so much that when he leaves I will not transfer. Instead I'll finish my last year at UTEP before getting my PhD from Georgetown or George Washington. Now you know the qaulity of UTEP education and as for some of you skeptics who think UTEP sucks..think again. Any state school's education is as good as what you put into it and how faculty sees and recommends you. UTEP is no different.

[mistabinks]

Good review Indianagurl. I may not agree with everything but your posts seems fair and you are only describing your experiences. Honestly, I have no idea what rock some of these implants live under when they claim nobody speaks English here. Your review was a breath of fresh air. Thanks!

[XChucoresident]

well..let me tell you one thing..anyone who grows up anywhere becomes what he wants to be..no matter where he went to school...My father graduated from Bowie High School here in EP..and that school has a reputation for being a school for MExican gangs...he became an assistant principal here in EPPS...among the people that have graduated from Bowie High School..Nolan Richardson who became the coach Of Arkansas who won the NCAA in basketball,,,Dr Gardea,,,a noted doctor in El Paso..and many other people that I do NOT have the space to name..and I graduated from the elite UNIVersity of Texas at Austin and attended EPPS all my life..I hate people that put down my hometown even if I do NT live there anymore!

[usmc el paso]

Originally Posted by XChucoresident

well..let me tell you one thing..anyone who grows up anywhere becomes what he wants to be..no matter where he went to school...My father graduated from Bowie High School here in EP..and that school has a reputation for being a school for MExican gangs...he became an assistant principal here in EPPS...among the people that have graduated from Bowie High School..Nolan Richardson who became the coach Of Arkansas who won the NCAA in basketball,,,Dr Gardea,,,a noted doctor in El Paso..and many other people that I do NOT have the space to name..and I graduated from the elite UNIVersity of Texas at Austin and attended EPPS all my life..I hate people that put down my hometown even if I do NT live there anymore!

Thanks for sharing your story XChuco.