Moving to El PAso (Austin, Fort Bliss: transplants, for sale, real estate)

[Ilovecitylife]

We are moving to El Paso and from what I've read so far in the forums is that people don't think highly of it. It sounds as though we should be expecting angry people, bad neighborhoods, and poor education. Does this sound about right?

[KimK]

Far from it. I have only experienced poor education. Beyond that, El Paso and its people are terrific. You can read on these all about problems getting jobs for certain types of work, low pay generally, high property taxes (as is true in all of Texas) and bi-lingualism but you can also turn the glass upside down and see this city as offering tremendous opportunity for creative and flexible people. And, no city has better weather or Mexican food. Good luck.

[br7or13]

You probably read the posts of two people [names withheld to comply with TOS] who have distortingly-skewed, negative views of EP. Ultimately, EP is what you make of it. Yes, it does help if you can scratch off some Spanish here and there, but you can survive just fine without it. Economically, EP is not the Silicon Valley or Manhattan. But, EP does have its unpretentious charm (I'm quoting someone else) and if you don't like it at first, I think it will eventually grow on you. Yes, many people leave; but many also come back. <Mod cut: language>

[Ilovecitylife]

We are also looking into purchasing a home. What areas would you recommend?

[KimK]

I have said it before and I will say it many more times-look into the area above Magnetic west of Hondo Pass. Somebody tell me what that area is called. Older, very nice homes on stunning lots. You can see all the way to the Guadalupe Mts. on clear days and Sierra Blanca to the north. Yes, there are many new homes all over. Poorly built, small lots, etc. I don't know about schools for that area so maybe somebody can chime in on that front. It sits largely above Fort Bliss.

[nixau27]

The weather is great in El Paso! I've been here for a couple of years and will leave soon (trying to sell my house) but it's true that El Paso "grows" on you. I live in the Upper Valley/West side and we're in our late 30's w/a child in M.S. My child went to Bond Elem. and the school's great, the staff,principal,counselor are supportive and hands-on. Just like any other cities, some people like it and some would rather be somewhere else. I, for one, can't wait to leave but only because there's better opportunities elsewhere. I've met a lot of nice people, there's a lot of "transplants" and they tend to be very helpul. I would suggest you visit and look at the different areas and see where it would be best for you to live. Don't worry, there's a lot of houses for sale so you won't have a problem in that aspect. Property taxes are high though so expect to pay maybe $4K on a $150K house. Good luck!

[Miner72]

Property taxes are high because there is not a state income tax. Seems people always forget to mention that fact.

El Paso is a good place. Many fine neighborhoods with good schools.. On the west side, Chaparral park, Coronado Hills, Upper Valley,Kern Place. Central has Memorial Park, Austin Terrace, and Government Hills. These areas are over 80+ years old but they have some nice neighborhoods. Eastside has Cielo Vista, Eastwood, Vista Hills & newer onew farther east with many different types of areas. Northeast has the area off Alabama and North Hills.

There is still a lot of value here and the people are outstanding. Had two visitors from the midwest during our SunBowl event say they could not get over how friendly people were here.

And El Paso is in the midst of an expansion and boom to follow. The housing debacle has not hit much here because our real estate appreciation was not like the east or west coast. It has been gradual.. But there is value here....and much to chose from throughout theh city.

Good luck and welcome to El Paso, Texas and the Pass since 1598!

[gritz]

I live in Washington and we have no state income tax and I pay about 3K in property taxes on a 300K house. Seems to be for a house of the same price in EPT that I would be paying about 10K. There has to be more to it then no income tax.

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Miner72

Property taxes are high because there is not a state income tax. Seems people always forget to mention that fact.

El Paso is a good place. Many fine neighborhoods with good schools.. On the west side, Chaparral park, Coronado Hills, Upper Valley,Kern Place. Central has Memorial Park, Austin Terrace, and Government Hills. These areas are over 80+ years old but they have some nice neighborhoods. Eastside has Cielo Vista, Eastwood, Vista Hills & newer onew farther east with many different types of areas. Northeast has the area off Alabama and North Hills.

There is still a lot of value here and the people are outstanding. Had two visitors from the midwest during our SunBowl event say they could not get over how friendly people were here.

And El Paso is in the midst of an expansion and boom to follow. The housing debacle has not hit much here because our real estate appreciation was not like the east or west coast. It has been gradual.. But there is value here....and much to chose from throughout theh city.

Good luck and welcome to El Paso, Texas and the Pass since 1598!

I thought the very high sales tax here was to make up for the no state income tax.

Property taxes here are very high -- especially when you consider how little we get from them in return. In some places they pay far less and have better streets, sewer systems that prevent flooding every time it rains an inch, snowplows, better schools.

And you can't forget how much we have to pay on vehicle taxes -- both a very high sales tax rate and very high yearly costs. Double what many pay.

Taxes are a definite negative -- luckily the good weather helps offset them because if we had heating or airconditioning bills in addition to the high taxes, how many of us could then afford to live here?

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by gritz

I live in Washington and we have no state income tax and I pay about 3K in property taxes on a 300K house. Seems to be for a house of the same price in EPT that I would be paying about 10K. There has to be more to it then no income tax.

Where in Washington?

Here would be a big difference: In Seattle, $300K will buy you next-to-nothing now housing wise. In El Paso, $300K would buy you a proverbial luxury home. In El Paso, you could get a really nice home still for $150K...which would be nearly impossible to do - or even come close to doing - in the Pacific Northwest in urban areas.

Property taxes are high in Texas, no doubt (and as mamalute correctly pointed out, the sales tax rate is fairly high too). However, tax list composites consistently show Texas to have some of the lowest tax burden of any state in the US. Couple the no income tax factor with the low cost of housing, I still think you'd come out ahead in EP cost-of-living wise than you would in WA.