Filed under Living on December 2nd, 2008:
The Sun’s Always Shining on El Paso, TX
El Paso is home to a population of more than 700,000. The city is located across the border from Ciudad Juarez on the Rio Grand and is cut in half by the Franklin Mountains. Residents enjoy over 300 days of sunshine a year in this warm, arid climate. However, residents can also experience snow in the winters due to the city’s elevation. Summers are usually very hot and the average rainfall is less than 9 inches a year making El Paso a great city for exploration and outdoor activities.
Interesting Facts about El Paso
- El paso has no city, county, or state income tax.
- It’s the biggest border city in America.
- Calamity Jane, a famous wildwest gunslinger and frontierswoman, was from El Paso.
- EL Paso housing and the cost of living are lower than the national average.
- Some believe the Margarita was invented in the El Paso area in 1945 by Francisco Morales.
Popular El Paso Restaurants
- Ardovino’s Pizza – $$
- State Line Restaurant – $$
- Carnitas Queretaro – $$
- Bowie Bakery – $
- Ay Cocula – $
- Mesa Street Grill – $$
- Como’s Italian Restaurant – $$
- Rib Hut – $$
- Greenery Bakery Cafe & Grill – $$
- Japanese Kitchen – $$
Franklin Mountains State Park
The largest urban state park covering almost 40 square miles, Franklin Mountains State Park, is located in El Paso. Visitors can enjoy hiking, rock climbing, and camping. Tours conducted by park rangers are also available to the public. However, you better make a reservation if you plan on going. Tours are only offered on the first and third weekends of the month and are limited to ten people at a time.
El Paso’s Employers and Industries
The two major employers of El Paso are Fort Bliss and the El Paso Independent School District. Fort Bliss houses the US Army’s Air Defense Center and employs almost 7,000 civilian employees. Also, several fortune 500 companies like Boeing and Delphi have offices in El Paso while companies like Spira Footwear, Western Refining, and Helen of Troy Limited are headquartered in the city. Major products of the city include petroleum, automotive parts, metals, and more.
Top Attractions in El Paso
- El Paso Museum of Art
- El Paso Zoo
- Plaza Theatre
- Ysleta Mission
- Magoffin Homestead
- El Paso Museum of History
- Gene Roddenberry Planetarium
- War Eagle Air Museum
- El Paso Desert Botanical Gardens
- Wet n Wild Waterworld
Housing Options in El Paso
Apartment listings are plentiful in El Paso. Trying to choose from so many great possibilities is the hardest part. Below are a few featured apartments in different price ranges and amenities. Check out the web to search more El Paso apartments.
Cheap El Paso Apartments
- Pinon Trails Apartments – From $355
- Athens Gate Apartments – From $365
- Del Comino Residence Hall Apartments – From $375
Luxury El Paso Apartments
Pet Friendly Apartments
If you’d like to share your experiences in El Paso or tips for apartment hunting in the area, just let us know about them in the comments below.