Places to Live in ELP for a Young Professional (El Paso: apartments, house)

[AH-64Dpilot]

I have read many of the threads on this forum and have learned a lot from them. I still have questions on where is the ideal place for someone young and active to live in ELP. I am a 1LT in the Army and will be working out of Biggs AAF. Originally I am from Las Vegas so I do enjoy the city life and would like to live where there are things someone my age could do and interact with. From what I understand the best areas for someone with my criteria would be 79902 and 79912 is this correct? Commute isn't a huge problem from me within reason and lastly I'm a gringo. If you need me to answer further questions to enhance the answers I am more than willing to. Thank you.

[malamute]

With the price of gas and the heavy congestion on the roads, I would think living close to work would be where you'd want to live. What used to be a 20 minute drive can now be over an hour -- one fender bender and traffic tends to come to a halt, and there seems to be twice as much traffic as the roads really can handle.

I think the NE side of town feels most American if that's what you're looking for. Especially younger Americans. 79912 and 79902 are more families and older people, except there are a lot of clubs around UTEP.

[AH-64Dpilot]

Thank you for the quick response. From what I was told the NE is very hit and miss. What zip code are you specifically talking about? Price of gas and commute time isn't really a problem I am from a major city and understand traffic issues. I'm young and have a lot of expendable income.

[malamute]

Then my guess is that you might be looking for that area around Mesa Hills, North Stanton, Shadow Mountain in zip code 79912. 79912 is less "hit and miss". The area east of UTEP has a number of clubs.

[MB8abovetherim]

Are you not at all interested in on post housing? Just a question. IMO I think El Paso is better than Vegas, it just seems like a more natural city. Downtown EP ain't too bad it's not very big but it does have some cool little shops and stuff to lookaround in which makes it seem bigger and better. The westside seems like a different place, I guess if you're a city person anywhere on the eastside will work. The weather is perfect, except for the friggin wind. I don't get that, it's always windy and sandy here. But if that doesn't bother you then you shouldn't mind it. Also, as this is the case for me, if you are originally from a big city with a lot to do. El Paso may at first seem small and boring, but give it a chance, the night life isn't as bad as I thought it was when I got here. There is actually some pretty cool stuff to do here. I know this being from Los Angeles, I hated it here but, since then El Paso has grown on me and it's really not a bad city at all. It just sucks being in the middle of nowhere.

[mistabinks]

Great accurate post.

[AH-64Dpilot]

Originally Posted by MB8abovetherim

Are you not at all interested in on post housing? Just a question.

I would rather not live in the BOQs and can't get a house on post because they are not privatized like the majority are going towards. Some of my married friends are looking at on post housing and the wait time is approximately 6-9 months from the rumors.

[TexasCCW]

I always respond the same to people asking where to live so I will reiterate here. Look for the apartments in the Cielo Vista area. Stay away from the ones that always catch fire though. I forget the name. Anyone know the name of those?