Moving to El Paso: East or West side? (Franklin: house, neighborhoods)

[1979]

I wouldn't make a decision right now on whether to choose west or east. I would look at homes in both. Usually, the west is a bit more pricey (or it used to be), but the east is just as fine. Make the decision after you've looked at several homes, and talked with some realtors.

[Muhnay]

Again overlooking my question..

"WHY HAVE YOU NOT CONSIDERED THE NE SIDE AS A PLACE TO LIVE?"

[malamute]

Originally Posted by Xpat

Thanks for all of the input so far. We were already thinking about the west side but wanted to give the east side a fair chance (if we come to El Paso). We're both from AZ/NM so we actually feel more at home in desert environments

We remember are lots of nice unpretentious people, good live music, skiing in Cloudroft, climbing and hiking in the Organ mountains, Franklins, Hueco Tanks, Guadelupe NP, 10K races, UTEP basketball, Florida cafe in Juraez, Aceitunas, lots of great Mexican, Vietnamese, Korean, Indian, and Thai food, the cool places near UTEP, low prices, and a laid back way of life. Is it so different now?

As for the vegetarian thing - if there are grocery stores with half-decent produce sections, we'll be fine. Albertson's usually has everything we need.

We heard the Army is sending thousands more people to Fort Bliss but this should help the local economy grow and create more jobs.

I don't know where all those Vietnamese, Korean, Indian, This and other food places are. There are some Indian shops on Mesa but I don't know of any restaurants.

Maybe the diversity is in the NE and Muhnay asks a good question. The NE is likely the more diverse part of town if that's what you're looking for.

If you move, make sure you get back with us and give us your impressions --- how it is now compared with 18 years ago and how many of your old friends and neighbors are still here.

[Xpat]

Originally Posted by Muhnay

Again overlooking my question..

"WHY HAVE YOU NOT CONSIDERED THE NE SIDE AS A PLACE TO LIVE?"

Muhany,
I did not overlook your question, just wanted to settle the East or West idea first, then start considering NE, NW, WW, EE, etc.

What is on the northeast side now that makes it worth looking at? Is it just residential?

[anelizk]

Xpat: While, you could make do w/the sides of town in EP that appeal to any economically sound couple w/your expressed interests. Specifically, based on your needs & wants, you guys sound very "Kern Place, Sunset Heights" to me. Kern Place has grown in leaps & bounds in the last 10 yrs & on the weekends is pretty happening. It's no 6th street or Deep Ellum but has greatly diversified w/some trendy venues & eateries.

If you're vegetarian, a speciality market that caters to health-food/vegetarian conscious folks has been opened for a good couple of years now on the Westside called "Sun Harvest" which I consider EP's only current remedy for those desiring a "Whole Foods" or "Trader Joe's." I'm not familiar w/any other one's like it EP. I left in 2004, maybe another has opened since my departure. There's another speciality gourmet food market which I think would appeal to you in Sunland Park Mall next to The Greenery restaurant called The Greenery Market.

Also, if you lived on the Westside you would be closer to NM which you mentioned you enjoyed visiting. You also mentioned "The Florida" restaurant in Juarez. While Juarez has never really been considered safe, it is now next to intolerable I've been warned, & law enforcement strongly discourage El Pasoans or other tourists from visiting due to widespread violence.

The India Palace on the Westside opened in 2003 & is probably the best Indian food I've eaten since the New Dehli Restaurant on Airways closed in the mid-90's. There's fabulous Mediterranean cuisine on the Westside. I find the Eastside has a wider variety of mom & pop's especially for Asian cuisine.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

[mistabinks]

Korean Restaurants

Korea Garden, Chais Korean Restaurant, Seoul, Kalbi, and Bonsai.

Indian Restaurants

India Palace

Vietnamese Restaurants

Pho Tre Bien, Saigon Taste

[Xpat]

Thanks to everyone for these great tips!

[Muhnay]

Originally Posted by Xpat

Muhany,
I did not overlook your question, just wanted to settle the East or West idea first, then start considering NE, NW, WW, EE, etc.

What is on the northeast side now that makes it worth looking at? Is it just residential?

Well lots of new construction, the highway is in the process of being widened, lots of new Business are being built out here.. wont be long now and you wont be able to drive to NM state Line with out having houses and business the entire way. There is a New highway about to be built from the pass to to the loop called the NE Expressway. And that will attract new business as well. NE is the area of town still growing and about to explode.. with the many military coming NE will be the spot to be. But hey that is just my opinion.

[Xpat]

Originally Posted by Muhnay

Well lots of new construction, the highway is in the process of being widened, lots of new Business are being built out here.. wont be long now and you wont be able to drive to NM state Line with out having houses and business the entire way. There is a New highway about to be built from the pass to to the loop called the NE Expressway. And that will attract new business as well. NE is the area of town still growing and about to explode.. with the many military coming NE will be the spot to be. But hey that is just my opinion.

Thanks! We'll check it out if we come there.

[lonewolfmccoy]

The NE is the best side of town to live in. People always like to exclude, and overlook the NE side. I think a lot of it has to do with the diversity on NE side. Maybe El Pasoans are a lot more racists than they like to admit! I've met people who have lived in EP for a long time and state, " I have never been to the NE before!" Ridiculous! To not make a story about this, consider the NE side of town!

Big Reg