Single, 42, work in retail. Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable.
The weather averaging 67F year-round is {weather_feel}. Home prices averaging is {home_feel}.
Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable. The airport connections are underrated which matters if you travel.
What am I missing here?
62 upvotes
25 Replies
Robert Clark
Night shift worker - El Paso at 3am is pretty good. Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}..
49 upvotes
Paisley Stewart
Hard disagree.
49 upvotes
Richard S.
Let me give you the perspective nobody asked for but everyone needs.
I've lived in Canutillo, Northeast, and currently in Manhattan Heights. Each one feels like a different city honestly.
Rent comparison:
- Canutillo: /mo for a 3-bed
- Northeast: about /mo
- Manhattan Heights: /mo but solid
Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.. The key is finding your neighborhood. Once you do, El Paso really clicks. Happy to answer questions.
48 upvotes
Jackson Adams
Gonna share a detailed perspective since most replies are pretty surface-level.
I'm a travel nurse in West Side. Been here since 2021. I don't understand why more people don't talk about {hood}..
Neighborhood-wise, West Side has really changed in the past few years. Mesita is the up-and-coming spot right now. Cloudcroft area is where I'd look if budget is a concern.
Job market for hospitality: decent. For healthcare: pricey.
Honestly the biggest downside is {downside}.
Happy to answer questions.
48 upvotes
Maya R.
Can confirm.
47 upvotes
Daniel Williams
Just to add another data point - we moved from Indianapolis about 7 years ago. Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable.. No regrets so far.
38 upvotes
Brooklyn
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive El Paso guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- Sunset Heights: trendy, pricey, but worth it
- Westway: up-and-coming, artsy vibe
Tier 2 (best value):
- Mesita: great community feel
- Fabens: suburban feel, big yards
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: pretty good compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
The community in {hood} is really tight-knit.. El Paso is growing but it's not for everyone. If you value space over diversity, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider Denver.
Good luck!
38 upvotes
Everett Bennett
I'll give you a thorough answer since I've been through this exact situation.
I moved to Las Cruces area from Phoenix about 1 years ago. Initially I was overwhelmed. But after settling in, I don't understand why more people don't talk about {hood}..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out Las Cruces area and Northeast for housing
- Get a car if you don't have one - transit is limited
- Join local Facebook/Reddit groups for your neighborhood
The biggest adjustment was walkability. Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable.. Overall I'd give El Paso a 6/10 for couples.
35 upvotes
Benjamin G.
Just to add another data point - we moved from Boston about 3 years ago. Cost of living is {col_feel} compared to where I came from.. No regrets so far.
32 upvotes
Emilia
Bump.
24 upvotes
Kennedy
Moved here from Dallas and I'd say Downtown has improved dramatically since I first moved here.. The weather here is great compared to what I'm used to.
24 upvotes
Lucy L.
Underrated comment.
22 upvotes
Owen Wright
Hard disagree.
22 upvotes
Mason Brooks
This is the way.
22 upvotes
Nicholas Torres
I'll give you a thorough answer since I've been through this exact situation.
I moved to Mission Hills from Salt Lake City about 11 years ago. Initially I was excited but nervous. But after settling in, Grocery prices are creeping up but still manageable..
A few things I'd recommend:
- Check out Mission Hills and Manhattan Heights for housing
- Join local Facebook/Reddit groups for your neighborhood
- Visit during different seasons if you can
The biggest adjustment was food scene. The {industry} scene here is really picking up.. Overall I'd give El Paso a 6/10 for families.
21 upvotes
Lydia Collins
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching El Paso.
Background: 54, newlywed, moved from Salt Lake City 1 years ago for school. Currently in Manhattan Heights.
**Housing:**
The market is solid right now. We went with Manhattan Heights because friends recommended it. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Mesita - it's growing and the value is better.
**Work:**
real estate jobs are strong here. I was worried coming from Salt Lake City but the market is mixed. Salary-wise, expect decent if you negotiate.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 4 months were tough. Then I found my people through a local meetup group. Now I have a solid group. El Paso people are friendly once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: about average
- Traffic: honestly terrible
- Dining out: surprisingly excellent
- Entertainment: plenty to do on weekends
**Would I move here again?**
Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.. For couples, I'd give it a 7/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
20 upvotes
Nora Peterson
Homeowner in Cloudcroft area since 2017. Public transit is {transit_feel} - you'll want a car.. Property values have been flat which is concerning for affordability.
18 upvotes
hudson_papa
My neighbor would disagree lol.
18 upvotes
Lucas Wood
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching El Paso.
Background: 31, single woman, moved from Tampa 12 years ago for quality of life. Currently in Kern Place.
**Housing:**
The market is hit or miss right now. We went with Kern Place because close to work. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Cloudcroft area - it's up-and-coming and the value is better.
**Work:**
tech jobs are growing here. I was worried coming from Tampa but the market is mixed. Salary-wise, expect about 10-15% less than coastal cities.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 2 months were tough. Then I found my people through volunteering. Now I have a solid group. El Paso people are friendly once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: pricey
- Traffic: manageable if you avoid rush hour
- Dining out: improving rapidly
- Entertainment: could be better
**Would I move here again?**
Public transit is {transit_feel} - you'll want a car.. For singles, I'd give it a 8/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
17 upvotes
Victoria
This right here.
10 upvotes
Amelia K.
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching El Paso.
Background: 25, single guy, moved from Charlotte 8 years ago for work. Currently in Kern Place.
**Housing:**
The market is decent right now. We went with Kern Place because great school district. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Horizon City - it's pricey and the value is better.
**Work:**
hospitality jobs are competitive here. I was worried coming from Charlotte but the market is mixed. Salary-wise, expect about 10-15% less than coastal cities.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 2 months were tough. Then I found my people through a dog park crew. Now I have a solid group. El Paso people are down-to-earth once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: about average
- Traffic: not as bad as people say
- Dining out: surprisingly excellent
- Entertainment: solid local scene
**Would I move here again?**
Traffic has gotten noticeably worse in the past year.. For singles, I'd give it a 9/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
9 upvotes
Lily Williams
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive El Paso guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- Kern Place: trendy, pricey, but worth it
- Horizon City: solid value for the location
Tier 2 (best value):
- Canutillo: underrated and affordable
- Northeast: newer development, modern amenities
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: solid compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
The suburbs vs city debate here is real.. El Paso is pricey but it's not for everyone. If you value space over nightlife, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider Phoenix.
7 upvotes
phillygirl2024
Alright, I'm going to write the reply I wish someone had written for me when I was researching El Paso.
Background: 35, couple in our 30s, moved from Kansas City 11 years ago for family. Currently in Horizon City.
**Housing:**
The market is hit or miss right now. We went with Horizon City because it was walkable. Paid /mo starting out, now at /mo. If I could do it again, I'd look at Cloudcroft area - it's growing and the value is better.
**Work:**
marketing jobs are competitive here. I was worried coming from Kansas City but the market is promising. Salary-wise, expect about 10-15% less than coastal cities.
**Social Life:**
This was my biggest worry. First 15 months were tough. Then I found my people through a local meetup group. Now I have a solid group. El Paso people are friendly once you break through.
**Day to Day:**
- Groceries: reasonable
- Traffic: manageable if you avoid rush hour
- Dining out: amazing variety
- Entertainment: could be better
**Would I move here again?**
The parks system here is underrated.. For remote workers, I'd give it a 9/10.
Feel free to DM me with specific questions - happy to help fellow newcomers.
6 upvotes
Ariana Cook
Weekend warrior here - El Paso is excellent for photography. The community in {hood} is really tight-knit.
5 upvotes
Theodore R.
OK since this keeps coming up, here's my definitive El Paso guide from someone who's been here way too long.
**Neighborhoods ranked (my opinion):**
Tier 1 (if you can afford it):
- Manhattan Heights: safest area, good schools
- Canutillo: growing fast, get in now
Tier 2 (best value):
- Central: hidden gem, locals only know
- Mission Hills: good schools, safe streets
Avoid (unless you know what you're doing):
- I won't name names but do your research on anything significantly below market rate
**Cost Reality Check:**
- 1-bed decent area: /mo
- 2-bed decent area: /mo
- Groceries for 2: /mo
- Car insurance: decent compared to national avg
- Utilities: /mo average
**The Honest Truth:**
I keep discovering new spots even after {yr} years.. El Paso is pricey but it's not for everyone. If you value community over nightlife, you'll love it. If it's the other way around, maybe consider Columbus.