Thinking of moving to El Paso (Houston, Center: rent, low crime, job outlook)

[melissa]

Looking for info on the El Paso area. Is there any parts of the city that are better than others? Areas to stay away from because of crime/gangs/violence in general? What is the job outlook? Also is there any casinos/card rooms in the area where my husband can play Texas hold 'em. I probably won't be able to drag him down there if there isn't. Also how would you rate the climate? Too hot, too humid ? Well known for tornados? Monsoon season?
Thanks for any help and advice. Can't wait to get the hell outta NY! Sick of snow, cold, and just in general NY!

[dothedrew]

Generally speaking, El Paso is an exceptionally safe city, though lots of the youth like to act tough etc. by pretending to be in gangs and such. There is a thriving drug trade, but it is extremely nonviolent. Very many years the city is considered one of the safest in the nation. As far as "safe" areas of the city go, it depends on your idea of "safe." There is definitely more of a "ghetto" or "barrio" presence to the Lower Valley (south of I-10) but it is generally a very old and quiet neighborhood type area. The East Side (North of I-10) is newer and more "bleached," as it were, but because of the sudden influx of money in the area, there can be instances of more dangerous crime like illegal street racing. The said can be said of the Westside. The Westside is even more wealthy, and the same rules apply. The city is expanding pretty far in an eastern direction, and the outskirts are also generally safe.

As far as weather goes, it is extremely hospitable. No tornadoes, period. It hails about once every ten years. It snows about once every 4 years, and even then, not more than half of an inch. It rains an average of about 9 inches a year. In general, it is extremely arid - humidity is almost never a factor. The desert climate gives you very warm summers and very cool winters, but nowhere near the freezing cold of New York. Lows are rarely below freezing, but never ever drop below 0. Highs will consistantly hit triple digits in the summer, but generally it's not as bad as central Texas (my current location) because of the arid air.

Job outlook is not so good. The governmental sector is booming, and there are tons of jobs opening up in the tech industry and in the service industry. Education is always a safe bet, as Texas in general is in a severe teacher shortage. In general, El Paso experiences a severe brain drain, so skilled labor is in shortage, but menial laborers way outstrip demand.

Casinos (even Indian - reservation casinos like Speaking Rock in Ysleta) are outlawed in Texas. It's pretty stupid, but the New Mexican casino scene is incredible. The reservation casinos there are generally inexpensive, and range from mediocre to Vegas Quality. I suggest Inn of the Mountain Gods, as you can go skiing, then to relax, play hold 'em within the casino proper. As far as local El Paso, TX poker rooms go, they're there if you look hard enough.

[swusresident13yrs]

I agree with drew - sounds like he has lived in EP for some time. My family and I are new to EP and we like it a lot. The people are very friendly, the city is very safe by national standards (2nd safest large city I read somewhere), and the mexican food is some of the best. Actually there is a great variety of restaurants and bars all over EP, and I especially love the steak here. Texas ranks as one of the best states to live in for overall taxes, though property tax is a bit higher than the national average; schools benefit from the property taxes generated in each neighborhood, however, so if you have children attending public schools, it isn't a bad thing. Some people who don't have children live just on the other side of the state line (new mexico) and work/play in EP because the property tax is much lower(NM's income tax may average this out though if you make a lot) I love the Las Cruces/El Paso area and think that it will continue to be great city to live in for quite some time.

[HottNix]

As far as playing texas hold em , youre in luck there is a bar called "Thirsty's" located on the eastside of town. They have tournaments every single day, mon-fri in the evening around 7pm and sat-sun around 1pm. Call for the correct times. Usually a $10 buy-in and depending on certain days, amout of players range from 20 to 60 people with at least 3 places paid!

[blaisa]

Hey Melissa, Before you move reconsider. That is unless you are hispanic or speak spanish. 77% Hispanic population! Less than 4% white! If you think that does not effect job searches, if you know what I mean, then you are mistaken. That and enjoy living in the middle of no where. Desert desert desert. Hubby likes Texas Holdem? That is everywhere! Do you like water sports and going to the lake? 125 miles away is the closest lake. Want a beautiful green lawn? Not here, unless you can afford the higher than average water bill and extensive lawn care. Most folks here have either gravel lawns or just sandy dirt lawns. That is real nice when the wind kicks up. Which is quite often. I had to be practically drug back here and the only reason I am still here is because my ex-wife has all my kids here. Drugs? Yeah they are here in plentiful levels. Heck we are a border town which is famous for drug trafficing. Gangs? Yeah we have plenty of those too. Once again, border town. Car theft? besides the largest cities in America we hold an extremely high auto theft rate. Once again, border town where stolen cars are just shuffled over the border regularly. I could truely go on and on with reasons why anyone in there right mind would not want to live in the ashtray of the United States but if you choose to move here you will surely find out.

Hoping that you will reconsider,
Andy

[ur12]

I lived in El Paso 1996-2005.
You better get ready to speak & understand Spanish, El Paso is not an English friendly City.....you'll experience job descrimination & a culture shock that will knock you over...BTW (to put my comments in perspective) I have been active in Civil Rights since the 60s.
The climate is great,second only to coastal CA.....best Mexican food ANYWHERE......Low crime rate.
I recently got a call to do some temporary Gov't work in EP, and whereas it will be nice to visit the slow-paced culture, I'll be glad to return to CA where the radio plays something other than 'rancho' music.....Bring your Sirius or XM, because the ONLY english AM station is all about Rush Limbaugh......and it's not as if there is a hostility, it's just about you being different..........and that eventually gets to some people.......me for instance.
If you don't already know someone who lives there, I would reconsider this choice, or at least come to visit for a week if you can.
Oh yea, it's a real depressed economy. TIAA CREFF started divesting its' holdings a couple years back.......and a large telecommunications company invested millions to put in a bi-lingual call center, they couldn't find enough qualified employees to keep it open. Really

[ladyjny]

I'm from NY.lived in central El paso for about 9 months. It is a nice place to live if you are looking to retire. Cost of living is inexpensive provided you have a good job. The malls are nice and was have all the name brand clothing stores. Everything the other posts said are true also. Although, I had a good job my sister is struggling. We are African American and there is discrimination. She plans on moving back to NY whenever she can save up the funds after paying rent and utilities from her minimum wage job. El Paso is a place where you either love it or hate it. I have a few Mexican friends there that have lived in larger cities, and they hate it. They are only there because of the job. I know African Americans that love it. I would go there to visit, but not live there. My teenage son did not like it. There was gang activity in the high school.

[CA2TX]

Originally Posted by ur12

I lived in El Paso 1996-2005.
You better get ready to speak & understand Spanish, El Paso is not an English friendly City.....you'll experience job descrimination & a culture shock that will knock you over...BTW (to put my comments in perspective)

I used to live in EP (about 10 years, about 20 years ago), and I agree. I wouldn't go there especially now. A little too much international drug smuggling violence all along the border and I think EP is the second busiest border entry point with Mexico (SD is biggest?). Do not, ever, without a savvy, suitable, trusted guide, go to Juarez. Get ready for lots of Mexican drivers, here illegally and just as illegal driving skills to be out there threatening your safety - it happened to me. Learn Spanish or be prepared to help the City return to acting like it's in the USA. Sad, but true.
Good luck to you!

[zapata]

Originally Posted by ur12

....and a large telecommunications company invested millions to put in a bi-lingual call center, they couldn't find enough qualified employees to keep it open. Really

Was that MCI...???? I remember applying for a job in the Call Center but they never call me.

I lived in El Paso, TX from March-96 to March-98, It's nice if you can have a good job. I was lay-off in Nov-97 and never found a job in my field (IT) Have to move to Houston, TX and have been living here since April-98. All my wife's family is there and she will like to return to El Paso but I have not being able to found a job in IT paying what I'm making now (mid 50's) and I'm not in a Managerial position but the salarys in El Paso are way low compared with Houston.

[stan4]

I never met anyone who was trying to purposely move to El Paso. I spent three years there.

Pros
Great weather
Ridiculously low cost of living
Low traffic
No mosquit/flea problem (unless you're on the river)
Cheap labor
Gorgeous landscapes/sunsets


Cons
<Mod cut: let's not go there>
Lack of variety of groceries/restaurants
Poor school system
Petty crime/theft
Far from everyone and everything