El Paso, TX Apartment Renter's Guide

At last here I am on the hill overlooking el paso, I can see roses cantina below. My love is strong and it pushes me onward." (-Marty Robbins, "El Paso").

El Paso is the place to be. Outdoors-y couples will love living in “The Sun City” right along the slopes of Franklin Mountains State Park, the largest urban park in the United States, retirees will feel great in the warm weather city with easy access to medical centers, and since Juarez is just a few steps outside of downtown, single party animals can always find a hot nightspot south of the border. Fast fact: Spanish for “Can I have a margarita?” is “Yo quiero un margarita.” Now let’s find you a place to plug in that blender.

With the beautiful weather and high housing availability, any time is a great time to move to El Paso. However, if you’re worried that such a warm, sunny area comes with a hefty price tag, we can put your mind at ease. With non-existent state income taxes but high city property taxes, renting is the way to go in Sun City. While location is important (more on that later), No matter where you live in El Paso, a laid-back drive will bring you to orchards, deserts, mountains, and New Mexico’s beautiful White Sands all in the same day, plus you’ll get home in time to watch one of El Paso’s breathtaking sunsets from the comfort of your patio. Another plus? When we say quick trip, we mean it. It only takes about twenty minutes to get anywhere in El Paso, but do watch out on the road, as the city has a proportionally high amount of uninsured motorists.

We won’t lie, it’s a bit tough to find your way in El Paso. Squiggly I-10 divides El Paso into north and south, and northeast and northwest are divided by the Franklin Mountains. The southern part of town is all one area. El Paso is bounded on the north and west by New Mexico, and on the south by Mexico, so suburbs spread into the “Far East.” El Paso neighborhoods divide into five main areas: Tequila Nights, Texas Trekkin’, Cactus Caviar, True Texas Ranch Living, and Out on the Range.

Tequila Nights: Central El Paso Central El Paso is the downtown area, located in the heart of the city. This area holds some of the oldest and most historic neighborhoods in town, as well as the El Paso International Airport, the entry point to Mexico, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), and a portion of Fort Bliss, the second largest military installation in the United States. International travellers would be happy with Central El Paso’s constant option to either walk or fly to a new country, and history buffs would love this area’s old-fashioned, small-town community feel. Central El Paso has a slightly older demographic than the rest of the city, so retirees could feel at home in this highly affordable area, but young people can enjoy this area too. If your weekend is just another word for “party,” living in Central El Paso will get you closest to El Paso’s most happening nighttime scene: Juarez. A 1BR apartment will cost $450, and a 3BR house will cost you $800.

Texan Trekkin’: The Northeast Northeast El Paso is located north of Central El Paso, and east of the Franklin Mountains. Want to be wowed in spring? Make sure to check out this area’s famous mountain poppies and view from the Wyler Aerial Tramway. The Northeast makes a great home for off-base military personnel, and because it holds the majority of Fort Bliss, it is also the most ethnically diverse area in all of El Paso. Northeast El Paso abuts the Franklin Mountains, so outdoor enthusiasts can easily trek over to some serious mountain biking, hiking, and rock-climbing. Sports lovers would also be happy here; although El Paso has no professional sports teams, northeast El Paso houses Cohen Stadium (home of the El Paso Diablos). A 1BR apartment in the Northeast area will cost you $500, and a 3BR house will cost $950.

Cactus Caviar: The Upper Valley The Upper Valley is located above Central El Paso and west of the Franklin Mountains. The “valley” refers to the lush, green Rio Grande river valley that divides the United States from Mexico. If you love to take urban strolls along wide, shady boulevards and then shop till you drop, this is the area for you. Stretching from the quiet suburbs into the foothills of the Franklin Mountains, the Valley is the most desirable area of El Paso, and holds some of the most beautiful houses in the city, as well as the best antique stores and big-name shopping. A 1BR apartment with a salt-water pool will cost $700, and a fully-loaded 3BR house will cost upwards of $1250.

True Texas Ranch Living: The Lower Valley The Lower Valley stretches south of Central El Paso, sliding along the Rio Grande. This historical, mom-and-pop dominated area is perfect for urban homesteaders who love southwestern culture and food. If you live in this area, you can spend your morning at a Native American Feast Day at the Tigua Indian Reservation, grab a quick bite to eat in some of the best Mexican food restaurants in El Paso, and then pick up fresh, locally-grown food for dinner. It’s easier to rent a larger apartment or house. Luckily, the larger places here are very affordable. A 2BR apartment with lots of trees will cost $600, and a 4BR “horse-lover’s property” will cost $1050.

Out on the Range: The Far East This newly-built suburb stretches out from the east side of El Paso into the rural Chihuahuan Desert and historic Mission Valley. Although this desert area is called the far east, there’s nothing “far” about it; it only takes twenty minutes to drive from the heart of downtown to here. The Far East is home to couples of all ages who want new houses in an up-and-coming (though still largely undeveloped) area. If you love the beauty of the desert and would welcome coyotes wandering though a backyard in which you can customize the brand-new landscaping for yourself, this area is for you. Because this sub-division-filled area is growing so quickly, it’s hard to find a place to rent, but if you’re lucky enough to find a 1BR apartment it will run you $800, whereas a 3BR house will cost $1300. Live it up, future El Pasoan!