Random thought, Military spouse here. With a population of 678K, El Paso is a major city. You can expect to pay around $1,041 for rent here. Average temperature is around 67°F, so the weather is moderate. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. Anyone in a similar situation? The food scene here is surprisingly good. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The weather takes some getting used to. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
93 upvotes
8 Replies
Melanie Rodriguez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 34, moved here 4 years ago from Baltimore. I've lived in Midtown and Maple Ridge, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Active local events and festivals
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally surprisingly good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The pet-friendliness situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Midtown: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Maple Ridge: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Baltimore, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are stable. Gas is developing. You can live comfortably on $60K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Feel free to reach out with questions.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
37 upvotes
Ava Rivera
interesting, hadn't considered that
35 upvotes
Katherine G.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a marketing manager, 41, moved here 2 years ago from Miami. I've lived in North and Greenfield, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Four distinct seasons
2. Close to major attractions
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally decent - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Rising rent and home prices
2. Nightlife is limited
3. The dating scene situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- North: Great for young professionals. average vibes, walkable.
- Greenfield: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Miami, everything felt average. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is competitive. You can live comfortably on $70K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
31 upvotes
Miles Hill
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a teacher who relocated here from San Diego about 1 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and retirement.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good schools in most areas
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Nightlife is limited
- Can feel isolated
Financially, we've found it average compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are established, gas is pretty good.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
31 upvotes
Ezra
great question, following
26 upvotes
Adrian B.
Totally agree!
13 upvotes
Leah
Weather-wise, the summers are surprisingly good and winters are wild. You get used to it after the first year.
5 upvotes
Colton Carter
Bought a house here in 2015 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
All Countries
