What To Expect When Moving To El Paso, Texas
Making the move to a new city can be overwhelming—especially when dealing with all the factors that come with military relocation. This post will help guide you as to what to expect when moving to El Paso, Texas even if you don’t get a chance to visit our city beforehand.
Here at Service First, we’re your boots on the ground, excited to help walk you through this new adventure and welcome you to your new community and your new home.
Cost Of Living
As far as cost of living goes, relocating to El Paso tends to be lower than the national average. The cost of housing is well below that of other major metropolitan areas, including Houston and Austin, the Central, Cielo Vista and Mesa Hills areas offer more affordable rental properties, while neighborhoods in the northwestern and eastern parts of the metro area have some of the more expensive housing inventory.
One great thing to remember is that you won’t pay state income tax in El Paso, and even though the real estate market is booming, prices have stayed reasonable and level. There is a sufficient inventory of homes for sale and for rent that even an influx of people moving to El Paso hasn’t driven up the prices.
Fort Bliss is also an option offering military housing that can be more cost-effective compared to some off-base housing options.
Climate And Landscape
El Paso, Texas is next to the U.S.-Mexico border at Ciudad Juarez, and with this comes a fascinating culture blend of Mexican, Western and Anglo elements that come together to form a unique heritage. There is always something to do in El Paso.
You can expect sun for most of the year, with about 300+ days of sunshine, which means you’ll be able to enjoy the outdoors and take in the landscape with little to no restrictions. El Paso’s weather means year-round festivals, music and art events; among the city’s 240 municipal parks, the El Paso Municipal Rose Garden is a must-see!
Hiking, biking or visiting the city’s museums is another amazing activity. Choose from the El Paso Museum of Art , El Paso Museum of History or discover 240 species of animals at the El Paso Zoo.
El Paso also has the single largest urban wilderness area in the country, Franklin Mountains State Park. This 23-mile mountain range has been home to explorers and cave artists for thousands of years. There’s a tram that will take you to the top of the mountain, and it’s always worth a visit.
Education
El Paso has an outstanding public school system made up of three school districts. When it comes to higher education, El Paso Community College serves about 35,000 students but it’s also home to The University of Texas at El Paso and the Paul Foster School of Medicine at Texas Tech University.
Wining And Dining
We love food in El Paso! You can find a perfectly Authentic Italian restaurant right next door to one that’s Tex-Mex. Historically, El Paso has brought in people from all over, and this diversity of cultures has merged into an explosion of flavors that can be seen across the city.
Legend says that the margarita was invented by Pancho Morales at Tommy’s Place Bar in 1945. Some say it was in 1938 in Mexico. No matter where it truly got started, El Paso has plenty of places with margaritas to offer a fun time!
A few of our favorite restaurants include:
Café Central first opened its doors in 1918 in Ciudad Juarez (just over the border in Mexico) but after a series of relocations, settled on El Paso’s Oregon Street. It has grown to be one of the best upmarket options in town. It’s the perfect spot for a late-night drink or inviting dish such as their cream of green chile soup and roasted rack of Colorado lamb.
Tabla is a Texan-style tapas restaurant where sharing plates is the thing to do. With dishes such as paella and albondigas (meatballs) with chorizo and manchego cheese, there are some Spanish nods, but Tabla also offers its own dishes including chickpea fries with chipotle ketchup and Moroccan spices, and ribs with apricot and almonds.
In the heart of downtown El Paso, the restaurant is a short walk from many of the city’s cultural hubs, including the Abraham Chavez Theatre and the El Paso Museum of Art.
L & J Cafe is a family-run Mexican joint that has been passed down through three generations. Founded to keep the liquor flowing during prohibition, it has a loyal local following to this day and has won numerous awards for its food and ‘dive bar’ atmosphere. Start with a plate of tostadas and salsa before moving on to the excellent homemade caldos (soups), fajitas, burritos and enchiladas.
Quality Of Life
Since 1997, El Paso has been on the list as one of the top four safest cities and a great place to raise a family. And if you’re looking for a change of scenery, the border is just minutes away! There’s plenty to see and do in Ciudad Juarez and you will have a chance to learn more about Mexican culture while you’re there.
Entrepreneur magazine also called El Paso the number one midsize city for entrepreneurs which brings many opportunities for new business ventures. We are excited to help make your move easier as you relocate to El Paso, and can’t wait to work together and help you find your new home. Contact us today!