Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I am a single father of three considering moving to El Paso. I'm a native Detroiter, living in San Diego, love the weather, but can't afford it much longer. I lived in AZ as a child, but the crime and drug situation there is a little too much for me to want to move my family there. Don't speak spanish, but am learning more everyday as I work in construction. I'm attracted to the area cuz I love the desert and the culture, and surprisingly the wages are not too far behind what I get paid here in Cali for new construction plumbing, with cost of living at about half of what it is here. Just wondering if anybody had any input or advice on schools, decent affordable neighborhoods, quality of life for someone in my position etc. Any honest input is appreciated, thank you.
I am a single father of three considering moving to El Paso. I'm a native Detroiter, living in San Diego, love the weather, but can't afford it much longer. I lived in AZ as a child, but the crime and drug situation there is a little too much for me to want to move my family there. Don't speak spanish, but am learning more everyday as I work in construction. I'm attracted to the area cuz I love the desert and the culture, and surprisingly the wages are not too far behind what I get paid here in Cali for new construction plumbing, with cost of living at about half of what it is here. Just wondering if anybody had any input or advice on schools, decent affordable neighborhoods, quality of life for someone in my position etc. Any honest input is appreciated, thank you.
There are decent affordable neighborhoods in all parts of town -- El Paso is generally thought of as Northeast, Central, South, East, West, Lower Valley and Upper Valley. Each area has it's own flavor, it's own view of the mountains, and politics. It depends on what someone wants and needs, what they want to pay, language needs, and so on.
Schools are relatively safe -- but it depends more on the child, age, and friendships. Quality of life -- it sounds like you'd be a good candidate for this city -- but some people like it very much, others don't like it at all here. It's hard to predict who will end up liking it.
With the ft bliss expansion there's a lot of construction work I've heard so you should be in a good position to move here. I always tend to suggest the westside of town, but really there are nice areas pretty much all over the city. I don't really know too much about which schools are the best, but I do know ysleta is the best school district. Hope it helps
If you can find a decent paying job that pays almost as well as your San Diego job, then you might have it made here. If you already know how the Southwest desert part of the country feels, then you might get used to it quickly here. There are lots of really nice areas and some that are not so nice just like every other city in America, but we do have some nice newer areas that are really appealing to our new arrivals to the El Paso area.
The Westside, Upper Valley, has some areas that are really nice and some good schools in that area as well. There are houses that come in all price ranges in this area. Nice parks are located here, some areas close to the Rio Grande are greener areas. Its close to UTEP and downtown for sporting events, concerts, and museums. Sunland Park Mall, brand new Outlet Shoppes at El Paso, and all sorts of restaurants are located in the Westside. Some of the best views of the mountains can be seen from this area. Some nearby hospitals are located by UTEP. For the kids, Western Playland is close by in Sunland Park, NM, Adventure Zone, Bob-O's Family Fun Center, and Wet N' Wild Waterworld are all in the Westside or next to it. Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino is also in nearby Sunland Park.
The Eastside, Far Eastside, are the fastest growing areas in the city. Houses also come in all price ranges, nice parks, and good schools. The Far Eastside has a lot of new development, including new huge shopping centers, restaurants, new schools. The new loop 375 freeway is already built, and a new state of the art hospital is being built in the area. Several other hospitals already exist here. Cielo Vista Mall and Las Palmas Marketplace are located in the Eastside by the I-10 freeway. One note though..the farther you go out east, the farther you get away from the mountain views and the more into the desert you go. This part of town is becoming like its own little city inside of El Paso.
Northeast, has a lot of pluses and negatives to it. It has some of the best mountain views in the whole city. Some great houses are located here, also a lot of new homes are being built in the far northeast. A lot of soldiers call this area of El Paso home. Some schools are good here, some are not so good, our Northeast experts here can help you more with this. Some parts of the Northeast have been in a decline for some years now. No big mall exists, no hospital in the area, limited shopping and restaurant choices. The El Paso Diablos baseball team plays in this area. This area is expected to grow and improve tremendously however in the near future. The Northeast master plan will give this part of the city new life IMO. 20,000 new troops (60,000 including family members) will be arriving in Ft. Bliss within the next five years, and this part of the city is expected to get a good share of those soldiers, since it is located next to Ft. Bliss.
Central, it is mostly made up of older homes. Some bad areas and some really nice areas exist here. It is hard to purchase a good home in this area, since most get snatched up quickly if they are in good shape and in a nice area. Some schools are great, others are ok or not so good, depends on the school. Located close to I-10 and patriot freeway for easy access to any part of town. Hospitals and Bassett Place Mall are located close by. Some older but really nice parks exist throughout Central. This area is older than many parts of El Paso, so some areas look run down, while other areas are really nice with huge homes. Since it is located in the middle of the city, it is close to everything.
South side, Lower (Mission) Valley, Socorro: These areas are located south of the I-10 freeway and are usually looked at as the poorer areas of town. Not all of that is true, some huge homes exist in these areas, and some really nice hidden areas do exist here. There are also a lot of bad areas in some of these parts of town. These areas touch the U.S.-Mexican border, so they get a bad rap because of their locations. Most schools are decent, but some are bad, some get failing grades when they themselves get graded. These areas need to be redeveloped and more economic improvements need to be made to these areas for them to improve. The South Central area has Thomason General Hospital, El Paso Zoo, El Paso County Coliseum, a future children's hospital, and a future medical school all within a few blocks of each other. This area will improve quite a bit in the next 10 years.
Downtown, Sunset Heights, Kern Area: Downtown will be going through a major redevelopment in the next 20 years.. so it will get better with future lofts, condos, apartments.. but it will take time. Right now it needs a lot of help, but it is getting better. Sunset heights has a lot of huge historic homes, some are gorgeous and some need a lot of repairs. It is a really nice area that in the future will be the place to be. It is close to everything. UTEP, hospitals, Sunland Park Mall, downtown are all close by. I'm not too familiar with the schools there. Kern area, is filled with gorgeous older homes, beautiful views of the mountain and the city..it is one of the trendy areas of the city. It is a little hard to get a home in this area. Kern is also close to UTEP, hospitals, shopping, downtown, restaurants, and Cincinnati street which has a nice college bar and club scene.
To single father with children, wish I could give you advice where to move but El Paso for now is not the answer. Cost of living-cheap but finding a job, forget it. Better to live someplace where the cost of living is high but more jobs around and if living costs are high then job wages are probably hiigher. Mother lives in el paso but is elderly and lives well. If you are elderly and financially sound aaand want a affordable place to retire-then El paso is best.
To single father with children, wish I could give you advice where to move but El Paso for now is not the answer. Cost of living-cheap but finding a job, forget it. Better to live someplace where the cost of living is high but more jobs around and if living costs are high then job wages are probably hiigher. Mother lives in el paso but is elderly and lives well. If you are elderly and financially sound aaand want a affordable place to retire-then El paso is best.
it all washes out ~ with higher wages comes higher cost of living ~ that is NO BETTER at times, the lower wages and lower cost of living. If he can line up a job, sounds like El Paso might be a good fit
I am a single father of three considering moving to El Paso. I'm a native Detroiter, living in San Diego, love the weather, but can't afford it much longer. I lived in AZ as a child, but the crime and drug situation there is a little too much for me to want to move my family there. Don't speak spanish, but am learning more everyday as I work in construction. I'm attracted to the area cuz I love the desert and the culture, and surprisingly the wages are not too far behind what I get paid here in Cali for new construction plumbing, with cost of living at about half of what it is here. Just wondering if anybody had any input or advice on schools, decent affordable neighborhoods, quality of life for someone in my position etc. Any honest input is appreciated, thank you.
San Diego is a far more beautiful city. If you like the ocean, or ocean views you will miss it here. Also, the economy is not as diverse, and El Paso, like other areas is over-built. I think Socorro is truly an ugly place. Construction jobs here are usually inundated with those willing to work for slave wages...read: non-citizens.
To single father with children, wish I could give you advice where to move but El Paso for now is not the answer. Cost of living-cheap but finding a job, forget it. Better to live someplace where the cost of living is high but more jobs around and if living costs are high then job wages are probably hiigher. Mother lives in el paso but is elderly and lives well. If you are elderly and financially sound aaand want a affordable place to retire-then El paso is best.
Phone is right..I talk to my mother who lives in EP..and she told me the same thing..that there are no jobs in EL Paso..but she is leaving me the house and I always have a home to come back to as long as I live..my parents have it made with my father's 3 pensions..and my mother's social security
Anyway, the thought of you making a better life for you and your children is wonderful. I think if you are seeking advice on schools, there are many good schools here. Of course someone always has something negative to say on here.... Decent, affordable neighborhoods are plentiful here as well, wait....here come more people having something to say about that too. Quality of life for someone in our position seems to be on the top of the scale....but if you wait a bit someone will rush right over to counter attack that idea as well.
Unfortunately, I find myself shying away from this kind of forum where although there are many good, positive people. There are also "honest" ((whatever))) more like negative opinions. I think that of all the trades, construction would be the least threatened here because of all the military growth. If you read on elpasotimes.com or on other fact based writting, as opposed to glass half empty input you may be finding what you already seem to know.
You seem like a perfect fit for us here in El Paso...you are welcomed here anytime you are ready!
Last edited by mrsmeyer; 04-09-2009 at 12:44 PM..
Reason: typos
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
