How Texans view El Paso and its place in Texas (college, immigration)

[thenewtexan]

If San Antonio and McAllen moved to the desert, and had a child together, it would be named El Paso.

[madrone2k]

Originally Posted by TexasPipeFlyer

I don't think of El Paso belonging to Texas or New Mexico.. I think of it as a Mexican city in the US

To me, it doesn't seem like New Mexico, Texas, or even Mexico. I sense that it has similarities to all 3, but it is its own, unique place.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by caphillsea77

Question for Texans east of the Pecos; have you been to El Paso? What were your impressions of it? Do you feel it has any Texan quintessence and characteristics like what would be found in Fort Worth or San Antonio?

If you have not been to El Paso is it on your radar at all or is it too far out there?

As a resident of New Mexico I think the city would fit very well into this state with its high desert and mountain setting and shared its history along the El Camino Real. It has Texan characteristics for sure though, and its a very friendly city. What do y'all think?

Growing up in south Texas and then living in Austin, Dallas & San Antonio, EP always seemed really desolate. I can understand how you think that it fits in more with New Mexico.

[worldlyman]

El Paso: Culturally it seems in line with San Antonio. But that desert vibe and topography, it has much more in common with Las Cruces, Albuquerque and Tuscon. And it shares those desert realities and facts of life, I suppose. I am no big fan of the desert but it is fascinating at the same time.

As a Houstonian who's driven through El Paso many times, it is Texan. Just distant Texas.

Those West Texas summer nights...just the most delicious feeling anywhere.

[paleo99]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

I've been to El Paso a handful of times, and I definitely think of it as quintessentially Texan, as much as Fort Worth or San Antonio. Texas has many faces, and El Paso is one of them. Remember, at the time of the annexation of Texas into the United States, a large part of what is now New Mexico was part of Texas.

Actually that is not true at all. Texas CLAIMED a whole swath of land east of the Rio Grande in what is now New Mexico and but had neither the people or resources to take it. That area was referred to as New Mexico even when it was part of Old Mexico, and even had it's own revolt against Mexico City at one point. I suggest you catch up on your history before general claims.

[RJ312]

I would associate El Paso more with Old Mexico than New Mexico. I don't associate it as being super Texan. It is a border city. It has a not so great reputation for crime and urban decay.

[NoClueWho]

Originally Posted by Desert_SW_77

My curiosity lies is how Texans feel about El Paso since it is so far removed from the rest of the state.

Since it's so isolated from the rest of the state, I think El Paso never really crosses most Texans' minds, unless they live near it or hear something about it on their local news, or something like that.

[NewTexico76]

Originally Posted by RJ312

I would associate El Paso more with Old Mexico than New Mexico. I don't associate it as being super Texan. It is a border city. It has a not so great reputation for crime and urban decay.

I don't want to trot out yet another "safest major city" link...but I do agree with the urban decay part. Unfortunately, El Paso has so little tree and plant cover, and it does have a lot of litter and just too much clutter, as well as graffiti, usually on signs pasted on billboards or other signs. Its like a "hoarder" that can't get rid of its junk. I do like the city in general though.

McAllen is similarly positioned, but just looks much better in terms of its landscaping and upkeep.

[C24L]

Originally Posted by Desert_SW_77

Question for Texans east of the Pecos; have you been to El Paso? What were your impressions of it? Do you feel it has any Texan quintessence and characteristics like what would be found in Fort Worth or San Antonio?

If you have not been to El Paso is it on your radar at all or is it too far out there?

As a resident of New Mexico I think the city would fit very well into this state with its high desert and mountain setting and shared its history along the El Camino Real. It has Texan characteristics for sure though, and its a very friendly city. What do y'all think?

I was really impressed by El Paso and I was shocked and surprised by how much I liked it.I think its more like the Land of Enchantment than the rest of Texas.

[michaeltx9412]

I'd rather view El Paso as a typical mountainous Western city than a Texas city. There's very little Texan about this particular place.