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Alright, about a month or so ago I posted a thread looking for cities that fit my ideal climate/weather, cost of living, jobs, and apartments. Well, I've got it narrowed down, and now I need some more advice.
The city that I had decided on based on climate, cost of living, jobs, and apartments, was Reno, Nevada. I'd like to work in a warehouse or distribution center, and there's plenty of that out there based on internet job searches. Cost of living is similar to what I have now. There's plenty of apartment choices and great lease choices, and the weather seems great for what I want. I'm currently in Wisconsin, I have lived here for my whole life, and I just need to experience something new. I need to go explore By the way, I would be moving there by myself, and don't know anyone in the city.
Anyways, I was pretty much decided on moving to Reno, but then a friend of mine moved back down to where they're from, El Paso, Texas, and wants me to move down there as well. In that aspect, it would be great to go to a city where there's at least one person there that I know, and they can show me around, etc. I'm perfectly fine with going to either city. I'd REALLY like to be by my friend, as we are pretty close, but El Paso doesn't seem to fit my climate, jobs, or apartment preferences as well as Reno does.
1) El Paso just seems like it would be TOO HOT for me, but someone told me that it gets just as hot in Reno as it does in El Paso. How true is that? Also, while Reno isn't as green or have as many lakes and rivers as Wisconsin, it still has some; while El Paso is just...desert. I'm not sure if this will bother me or not.
2) While there are some warehouse jobs in El Paso, there's nowhere near as many/good warehouse jobs as there are in Reno. But this is just based off of internet job searches. Anyone familiar with the job situations in these areas?
3) The apartment situation in El Paso doesn't seem as good as it is in Reno, either. But again, this is just based off of internet searches. In Reno I've found more selection, more of what I'm looking for in my price range ($500ish), and better leasing options. In Reno there are a few nice furnished studios or 1 bedrooms that I could sign just a 3 month lease for, until I get on my feet again, and get a job. And learn the city to have a better idea of what part of the city I would like to live in. Any insider information on apartments for these two cities?
4) I know that El Paso is mostly hispanic, and while I don't have a problem with that at all, (the friend I'm talking about is hispanic) I've heard that it can be quite a culture shock for some people. I don't know Spanish, I'm trying to learn, but that's not an overnight thing. Any insight?
Sorry this is so long. Thanks in advance for any advice anyone has!
El Paso is actually my favorite large city in Texas because it feels western but I still prefer Reno. My parents spend half the year up there and love it.
El Paso is actually my favorite large city in Texas because it feels western but I still prefer Reno. My parents spend half the year up there and love it.
What is it about Reno that you prefer compared to El Paso?
I lived in reno for ten years and have visited Texas only a few times. So I'll just give insight on reno lol.
Reno's job market is awful at the moment. Well actually for the past couple years. Mostly part time positions with less than competitive pay and competition. There are jobs like you described you needed but they are mostly in fernley and Fallon which is a commute pretty far into the middle of nowhere. That being said, reno is amazing!!! So many events and things to do. There are the air races, got august nights, the rib cook off and the aces baseball stadium just to name a few. There's a wonderful sense of community that comes with that. In summer people drive 30 mins to Tahoe for the beach or right downtown people float the truckee river with snack and beer. Closeby are parks, museums, tennis courts, old book stores, bars, clubs, and casinos. In winter we have a nice rink & world class skiing.
Renting apartments here is nice because there are university students in need of cheap living arrangements. There's lots to choose from. Your price range sounds like you'd be located near the Atlantis casino right by the mall. The cool thing is, no matter where you live it takes less than 15 mins to get across town.
Hope that helps!
FWIW, the areas adjacent to Reno are much nicer, safer, and more desirable than the areas surrounding El Paso (e.g., Ciudad Juarez, a.k.a. the most dangerous city in the entire world).
Actually, Juarez is not the most dangerous city in the world anymore. The city is finally getting back to where it was prior before all the drug cartels took over. To the OP if you can bare the heat in El Paso, I would say stick it out for atleast 6 months and if you don't like you can save up and move to Reno.
Actually, Juarez is not the most dangerous city in the world anymore. The city is finally getting back to where it was prior before all the drug cartels took over. To the OP if you can bare the heat in El Paso, I would say stick it out for atleast 6 months and if you don't like you can save up and move to Reno.
Just because it was dethroned as #1 doesn't make it safe.
OP, go Reno. The crime from Juarez does trickle over into El Paso. With Reno, you'd be closer to some larger cities and climates to visit. El Paso is over 600 miles from Dallas, 400 miles from Phoenix. You're pretty much in desert until you get just outside of Dallas if you go East of El Paso. At least with Reno, you are just 3 hours from San Francisco, so if you want to get a way from the desert or just get away, you can on the weekend to a completely different climate and visit the ocean. There is not a lot to do in El Paso. When I lived there, we all went to Juarez on the weekends and took our chance with the crime as there was little to do in El Paso. Military, College, etc. Even in the early to mid 90's, crime was bad in Juarez. In 94 or 95, I forget, they had a month with more homicides than NYC, Philly and LA combined. yea yea, they just lost their 3 year winning streak on most violent city, but it's not like it turned into Eden over night. Car Insurance will be high living in a border town like that. Frankly, coming from WI, I think you would hate El Paso. It is not a very attractive city in my opinion.
I used to live in El Paso some 14 years ago and I moved there from Chicago. Overall I liked it and enjoyed it but consider the description I will give you below. Can't tell ya about the jobs there but I don't think they have ever been many. It loses most its younger people because of that.
Things I could tell you about El Paso:
Not cosmopolitan at all. Its has a quiet hometown feeling. You could be bored there but it could be very relaxing if you are somewhat older and don't care for nightclubs etc. anymore.
Highly hispanic and it helps if not mandatory to speak spanish for many jobs.
Has the perhaps the best weather in the US. Sunny and dry with perfect falls and a taste of winter. There is a small monsoon season in the summer and though it does get hot its not nearly as hot as Tucson, Phoenix or Vegas. It is acceptable IMO and your body will acclimate in a couple of years.
The west side is thought as many as the best part of town. Really nice old houses around the UTEP area. The west side will have more white people if you prefer that.
Has a laid back/manana attitude and nobody is in a rush. People are mostly friendly and the crime is very low unlike its image as a border town.
Lots of military personnel are stationed in El Paso and rent apartments there.
The natural beauty of the area including New Mexico is very pretty. If you like hiking and outdoor activities, there are lots of nice areas and mountains in the region. The city itself is not the prettiest but they have build some really nice new neighborhoods.
Nearby Las Cruces New Mexico though much smaller might be another option for you but the cost of living is higher.
If this sounds good to you and you find a good job, then consider El Paso.
Last edited by WildWestDude; 04-17-2014 at 04:17 PM..
Juarez can still be considered "bad", but it's not the warzone it once was. El Paso just like any other place is what you make it. Btw El Paso is going through a growth spurt with lots of development going in and around the city. Also where this violence from Juarez that's spreading over to El Paso?
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By the way, I would be moving there by myself, and don't know anyone in the city. 
