Living In Horizon City? (San Antonio, El Paso: extended stay, real estate, affordable houses)

[EnjoyEP]

Hi Folks -

I know we have another thread up about Horizon City, however, that one has more to deal with real estate logistics, rather than overall info on the city. So...I thought I would get another thread going.

My wife and I are very frequent visitors to El Paso for extended stays (we reside in Albuquerque). Versus Albuquerque, we love the climate of El Paso (Albuquerque's is very good...El Paso's is even better), the even more relaxed pace of life, the ability to grow really neat fruits/palms, etc., the food, and most of all...the much lower cost of housing.

Thus, recently, we have at least given some thought to relocating 4-hours down I-25 into El Paso.

On our last visit, we first discovered the Horizon City area. We were struck by how relatively new, clean, and nice the town was - we really were amazed at the quality of nice, new homes - and just how incredibly affordable they are. Similar houses in Albuquerque would be $200K+...in Horizon City, they were $120K-$150K.

Home size is a huge priority for us currently, as we just had our second child...our family is expanding. We cannot afford a $225K house that would be nice and sizable here in ABQ...but we surely can in Horizon City.

Two observations additionally I had:

--I really liked the secluded, more rural nature of the setting of Horizon City. It seems like Horizon City has a really bad rap with El Pasoans/forum members due to it being "too far" from El Paso, but it really didn't seem to be an incredibly far drive from EP (plus, there is little traffic outside of EP to HC). To me, it seemed appealing in the same way people in big cities like to live in outlying suburbs...close enough to the big city for work, shopping, etc., but removed from the city to be quieter, darker at night, more family-oriented, etc.

Am I nuts here? Am I missing something? Is it really THAT far from EP?

--The other observation was that Horizon City seemed to have alot of young families, etc. This is important to my wife and I - currently in Albuquerque, we live in a pleasant neighborhood, but it is filled more with retirees, etc. Not much in the way of neighborhood opportunities for friendships, for children to play with other kids, etc.

What would you say the general makeup is of Horizon City? Families? Families with children? New residents to the area? Friendly folks? Or...the opposite of those items.

We are going for a long weekend to El Paso again this weekend, and would like to casually check out Horizon City a bit more again...but any info here that could be lent on HC in particular would be helpful.

Thanks!

[eplifestyle]

Two observations additionally I had:

--I really liked the secluded, more rural nature of the setting of Horizon City. It seems like Horizon City has a really bad rap with El Pasoans/forum members due to it being "too far" from El Paso, but it really didn't seem to be an incredibly far drive from EP (plus, there is little traffic outside of EP to HC). To me, it seemed appealing in the same way people in big cities like to live in outlying suburbs...close enough to the big city for work, shopping, etc., but removed from the city to be quieter, darker at night, more family-oriented, etc.

Am I nuts here? Am I missing something? Is it really THAT far from EP?

The best way to answer this is objectively:

Horizon City is roughly 23 miles from downtown. Various points on the Westside (especially the Upper Valley) will be around the same distance. The "distance" from Horizon City really becomes a matter of perception, which is, of course, subjective. Horizon City seems far away specifically because of that suburban/small town feel that you described.

Some people prefer this kind of environment. From what you've posted, it seems you might fall into this category.

Others (like myself) prefer being closer to business and government offices, coffee shops, etc. I like the easy access to the centers of commerce and entertainment. But that's just me. If I had children, I might well consider Horizon City to be a better place to raise a family.

One more thing:
For folks who are accustomed to El Paso, it might feel like the commute is far. But having lived in San Antonio for 12 years, I don't feel like El Paso traffic/distances are bad at all (I can't imagine living in L.A.). Having said that, I still prefer to live in town.

Here's hoping you enjoy your visit!
-eplifestyle

[6 FOOT 3]

EnjoyEP....have a good and safe trip down there and give us an report on all the construction and what nots going on.... . LOL...

Horizon City reminds me of an earlier Rio Rancho as back in the late 80's people said it was too far from ABQ and now they touch each other as Horizon is almost touching the far east side (El Dorado high school area) past the new loop I-375.

[EnjoyEP]

Originally Posted by harry o

EnjoyEP....have a good and safe trip down there and give us an report on all the construction and what nots going on.... . LOL...

---Thanks harry o! I plan to be voyaging alllll around EP like I always do when I am down there, so I will give you a report when I get back. I see there will be a few days in the 70s when I am there, so I may be in the mood to plant a palm tree at my wife's grandmother's house as well!

Originally Posted by harry o

Horizon City reminds me of an earlier Rio Rancho as back in the late 80's people said it was too far from ABQ and now they touch each other as Horizon is almost touching the far east side (El Dorado high school area) past the new loop I-375.

---See, this is EXACTLY the comparison I had in my own mind. To me it seems alot like a newer Rio Rancho as well.

I compare it to my old home of Milwaukee, WI. Plenty of people lived in suburbs like Oconomowoc, Pewaukee, West Bend, etc. (these names probably won't mean much to you if you've never been there). But they are very separated from the city of Milwaukee - even farther than HC to EP or RR to ABQ - but are a fairly reasonable commuting distance into the city (less than 30 minutes) and people do it all the time. They do it because they love the more rural feel - darker night skies, less noise, traffic, quieter neighborhood, less crime, etc. - but are still fairly close to big city life.

That is what seems so appealing about the HC area!

[barbstuart]

Just watch your property taxes. Texas is notoriously high. A 2200 SF house in Horizon City built in 2005 that costs around $160,000 has $4200 a year in property tax (or $3882 with a homestead exemption). Also your house can't appreciate much in Texas, because with the high tax rate and the fact that Texas assesses at full market value and can (and usually does) raise taxes 10% every year, nobody could afford to live here if the property value went up too much. Assuming you would work in Texas, though, we have no state income tax - so there's a savings there.

[edjumacator]

Whatever happened to the light rail project that was supposed to come to EP?

[malamute]

Yes --- if you like rural then because of terrible sprawl here, you will have a commute. You won't find any rural within driving distance -- what little is left is going fast -- the devlopers are quickly filling every space up.

[edjumacator]

There was supposed to be an upscale housing area built on Kenazo/Eastlake accross from the small shopping center, but it looks like it is going to be rezoned. I am guessing the original developer/builder couldn't raise the funds. The old Shadow Mountain Lakes is supoosed to be turned into a housing dvekopment, but it doesn't look like anything is going on there except for one lone security guard on duty almost 24 hours a day (that job has got to suck!)
Horizon City also has a new website. It has been under construction forever and I doubt much will happen with it:
Horizon City --

HCIA never sent out its Summer newsletter as well...

[btroop]

Originally Posted by EnjoyEP

Hi Folks -

I know we have another thread up about Horizon City, however, that one has more to deal with real estate logistics, rather than overall info on the city. So...I thought I would get another thread going.

My wife and I are very frequent visitors to El Paso for extended stays (we reside in Albuquerque). Versus Albuquerque, we love the climate of El Paso (Albuquerque's is very good...El Paso's is even better), the even more relaxed pace of life, the ability to grow really neat fruits/palms, etc., the food, and most of all...the much lower cost of housing.

Thus, recently, we have at least given some thought to relocating 4-hours down I-25 into El Paso.

On our last visit, we first discovered the Horizon City area. We were struck by how relatively new, clean, and nice the town was - we really were amazed at the quality of nice, new homes - and just how incredibly affordable they are. Similar houses in Albuquerque would be $200K+...in Horizon City, they were $120K-$150K.

Home size is a huge priority for us currently, as we just had our second child...our family is expanding. We cannot afford a $225K house that would be nice and sizable here in ABQ...but we surely can in Horizon City.

Two observations additionally I had:

--I really liked the secluded, more rural nature of the setting of Horizon City. It seems like Horizon City has a really bad rap with El Pasoans/forum members due to it being "too far" from El Paso, but it really didn't seem to be an incredibly far drive from EP (plus, there is little traffic outside of EP to HC). To me, it seemed appealing in the same way people in big cities like to live in outlying suburbs...close enough to the big city for work, shopping, etc., but removed from the city to be quieter, darker at night, more family-oriented, etc.

Am I nuts here? Am I missing something? Is it really THAT far from EP?

--The other observation was that Horizon City seemed to have alot of young families, etc. This is important to my wife and I - currently in Albuquerque, we live in a pleasant neighborhood, but it is filled more with retirees, etc. Not much in the way of neighborhood opportunities for friendships, for children to play with other kids, etc.

What would you say the general makeup is of Horizon City? Families? Families with children? New residents to the area? Friendly folks? Or...the opposite of those items.

We are going for a long weekend to El Paso again this weekend, and would like to casually check out Horizon City a bit more again...but any info here that could be lent on HC in particular would be helpful.

Thanks!

Hey, what ever happened to your visit to Horizon City? I was glued to this thread to learn more and then...nada. lol. Is EnjoyEP still around? Can anyone give some updates on HC? Is this the town where you can find bigger home lots? A 20 minute commute is nothing for me.

[mrsrobinson73]

Originally Posted by btroop

Hey, what ever happened to your visit to Horizon City? I was glued to this thread to learn more and then...nada. lol. Is EnjoyEP still around? Can anyone give some updates on HC? Is this the town where you can find bigger home lots? A 20 minute commute is nothing for me.

Btroop ~ I posted to you under the "property taxes" thread, i have been waiting to see your response LOL ~ have you had a chance to check it out yet? I basically said to please check out Horizon City before deciding it was "too far". My husband and I are buying there, and we don't feel it is "too far" especially with a new gate that might possibly be opening up to making Ft Bliss a lot closer to HC. Beautiful affordable houses in HC. Our house will close escrow this month and were so excited!