Another Yankee considering a move to El Paso (Winters, Marfa: appointed, fit in)
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My husband works for a company that just opened an office in El Paso, and we've been thinking that before we settle down and have kids (we just got married in August 2005) we should travel a little and live in another part of the country.
I've been reading these El Paso threads for the past hour or so here at work, now, and I've got a few questions for those among you who would be so kind to help us make our decision.
1. I'm studying to get my teaching certification in IL - is it transferable to TX? If not, are there good schools in El Paso or in the EP area where I can transfer to and continue my education? As a follow-up to this question: Is it difficult to get a teaching job in EP or EP area?
2. What is the Jewish community like? We are coming from the Chicago suburbs (although that's not our ideal Jewish community). We're looking for a close-knit, homey, comfortable community that is actively supportive of ongoing learning (Hebrew classes for adults, etc).
3. Entrepreneurship: I own my own Mary Kay Cosmetics business, and I would love to continue/grow it in TX. What is the vibe there on this kind of business?
4. Property tax/personal income tax: I know that property tax/personal income tax is something that was sorta discussed in other threads, but if someone could address it more concretely here, I would appreciate it. We've never been homeowners before, and I have no idea what some of the terms you've used before (valuation) mean!
I would appreciate any/all feedback related to these questions, and any other general "why to move to El Paso" or "why not to move" advice!
Let me put it to you like this. I am a 10 year veteran of the Army and stationed on Ft. Bliss here in El Paso, I am a 29 yo white male and I don't stand a chance here! Avoid it at all cost! My wife has TWO specialized degrees and can't get a job here. She is turned away at every interview because she does not speak spanish. She has an illness that the Army hospital here cannot treat so they are sending her to a doctor here in El Paso. We called twice onc her once me. Neither time could we talk to anyone in the office thatspoke english well enough to even schedule an appointment. Are these the people you want treating your family?
Your car insurance will instantly go up a minimum of 25%(ours was $200 @ 6mo.) because the auto theft rate is so high, and the recovery is so low(they end in up in Mexico). Home owners insurance does the same thing due to theft. To make it even better after 3 years of looking here we have yet to find a home in the 100K range that does not have serious issues due to poor construction, no doubt due to illegal unskilled labor.
Prices are considerably high compared to pay here. The summers are a 115 degree minimum, with regular sand storms that will break the windows in your car, and remove the paint. There is NOTHING green here unless you spend a fortune and have imported dirt put down for your lawn; otherwise you have sand, rocks, and sand.
As far as I know there is no Jewish community here. There MAY be a religous point of gather somewhere but I assure you they are not looked upon kindly. If you visit here to look do it in the summer so you have an honest feel for things.
I only spent 3 days in El Paso and I was very scared to be in that town to be honest. It wasnt a place Id want to live, no way. But, thats just my opinion of course, youd need to experience it yourself to find out. But dont go in with high hopes, youll be disappointed like I was Im sure. The scenery is nice though...
Whoa! We have lived in El Paso over 30 years and have found it to be a wonderful place to raise children-- we have 3 very successful. There is a long Jewish presence here dating back to the late 1800's. We have 3 active synagogues--reform, conservative, and orthodox with mikvehs. We have a Jewish community center and federation, Holocaust Museum, Jewish senior retirement home, and a Jewish Academy that goes up to grade 8. We will soon have a kosher grocery on Mesa Street. The majority of Jews here live on the west side of town and we are a warm, friendly, welcoming community. We are sorry to hear of your negative experience, but you obviously didn't contact any religious organization because we have lots of families that would have opened their homes to you. El Paso is a great place to live. We have super weather--sun shining about 360 days of the year, very affordable housing, low crime, easy shopping, low volume traffic, and a friendly city. Come on, give us a chance!!
We have one of the best climates in the country with few catastrophic weather events. Sandstorms occur about once a year and are not strong enough to break car windows. Summers are hot and dry, but not oppressive. We have low humidity all year. Winters are wonderful around 60's and 30's at night (we are a high desert)-- and 10 to 15 degrees cooler than Phoenix.
Last edited by sharcg5; 12-03-2006 at 07:16 PM..
Reason: adding more
As a continuance of the previous message, if someone would like to contact us for more information in regards to relocating here in El Paso and the Jewish community center, please email us and we will gladly get in touch with you and give you any information you need.
We need Yankees down here, come on down! (We already have plenty) sharcg5@aol.com
I'm jumping in here to say thanks for posting that sharcg5. We are for sure moving to El Paso next spring as that is where the Army will be sending us. I am looking forward to it, after living in Illinois most my life. I'm tired of the long cold winters, and overcrowded burbs. I may contact you myself in the future for more info. :-)
I'm jumping in here to say thanks for posting that sharcg5. We are for sure moving to El Paso next spring as that is where the Army will be sending us. I am looking forward to it, after living in Illinois most my life. I'm tired of the long cold winters, and overcrowded burbs. I may contact you myself in the future for more info. :-)
That is a good attitude to have. I moved many places while stationed in the Air Force and made the best of it where ever I was. In El Paso, you have many places to go, such as Big Bend National Park, Marfa, and the Davis Mountains to name a few. And in New Mexico you have Carlsbad Caverns, and lots of mountains to visit for all the snow you want to enjoy to name a few.
Thanks Steel Man, I agree with your title (Home is where you hang your Army hat). And at this point, dealing with the brutally cold winter thus far, I am more than ready to move on!
Hi! I've been in El Paso for almost 18 years. My husband was born here and I am from Germany. I came here when I was 25 and I like it. I know people look at me strangely when I tell them yes it's really nice here.
Having said that we are VERY active. We don't rely on going to the zoo here (it is really bad, sorry!) and we don't rely on advertisement for events. You usually find out about the events the day after. They somehow forget to advertise for events BEFORE they start. With the exception of mariachi events, somehow they always get into the news!!!
In El Paso you have to drive to Caballo Lake about 2 hours. This one is pretty good for fishing or if you have a cruiser boat and if you don't like big crowds. Elephant Butte is a little bigger, my husband and I argue which one is better and I like Elephant Butte better. Neither one of these lakes have a fancy marina. You are just lucky there is one :-)
If you are looking for work a lot of companies want bilingual reps, even big companies nowadays. I don't speak spanish but if I would quit my job in a Fortune 500 Co. they would most likely hire someone that speaks spanish. I mean even large companies advertise for EEO and they are looking for bilingual people.
Have had no problem with violent crime. About a month ago though they tried to steal our new F250 from the driveway. Didn't work because the thug somehow didn't get the lock poked right. I ended up with a broken door handle. In my 18 years in El Paso this has been the only time someone tried to steal my vehicle and we have always had a big Pick Up in the driveway that doesn't fit in the garage.
My husband works for a company that just opened an office in El Paso, and we've been thinking that before we settle down and have kids (we just got married in August 2005) we should travel a little and live in another part of the country.
I've been reading these El Paso threads for the past hour or so here at work, now, and I've got a few questions for those among you who would be so kind to help us make our decision.
1. I'm studying to get my teaching certification in IL - is it transferable to TX? If not, are there good schools in El Paso or in the EP area where I can transfer to and continue my education? As a follow-up to this question: Is it difficult to get a teaching job in EP or EP area?
2. What is the Jewish community like? We are coming from the Chicago suburbs (although that's not our ideal Jewish community). We're looking for a close-knit, homey, comfortable community that is actively supportive of ongoing learning (Hebrew classes for adults, etc).
3. Entrepreneurship: I own my own Mary Kay Cosmetics business, and I would love to continue/grow it in TX. What is the vibe there on this kind of business?
4. Property tax/personal income tax: I know that property tax/personal income tax is something that was sorta discussed in other threads, but if someone could address it more concretely here, I would appreciate it. We've never been homeowners before, and I have no idea what some of the terms you've used before (valuation) mean!
I would appreciate any/all feedback related to these questions, and any other general "why to move to El Paso" or "why not to move" advice!
Thanks!
1. Teaching job- if you move to EP and want work, definately work for the City, State, or Government. There are no jobs in the private sector.
2.Jewish Communty??...in EP?? It's mostly Catholic.
3.Entreprenuership- it will not work in EP.
4.Property Tax- they will bleed you dry financially. The city has managed to chase away big business, so thier solution for revenue is to tax the stuffing out of the remaining working poor who can't leave.
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Another Yankee considering a move to El Paso
