El Paso/Las Cruces?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 29, 2006

I was planning to relocate to El Paso last year. Unfortunately, there were very few nurses who live in El Paso and post here regularly. Therefore, I obtained minimal and very limited information regarding the city and its healthcare facilities.

Most of the people on this forum live in Dallas-Fort Worth, the Houston metro area, San Antonio, or central Texas (Austin, Bryan, College Station).

sbyramRN · Dec 29, 2006

I was born and raised in El Paso and got out of there in 1991 and never looked back! I cannot tell you anything about working there, I just know I cringe every time I go back there to visit family... I would never live there now.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2006

I just know I cringe every time I go back there to visit family... I would never live there now.

Why is this?

saguaro13 · Dec 30, 2006

Absolutely, I want to know what is bad about EP. My husband may get transferred there and compared to where we are now, I think it may be better or it may not....any feedback on living there is appreciated....I hear it is growing.

sbyramRN · Dec 30, 2006

Well, I think the cost of living is relatively high for the salaries people earn in El Paso. I grew up on the West side of town (Which I recommend you stick to if you plan to move to El Paso), and housing prices are high, and the property taxes are some of the highest in the state. It is growing, I guess, but businesses come and go. The economy is not the greatest. The money in el paso is typically "old money", and most people there either live very well, or not so great. There really isn't too much in between. The public schools leave much to be desired, but I do have to say the private schools are very reasonably priced (I went to an all girls Catholic school). I just don't see much room for advancement in that city. People kind of get "stuck" there and there is not much progression. I would say 95 percent of the women in my graduating high school class left El Paso after high school and never moved back. The other five percent lived in Juarez

military spouse · Jan 3, 2007

Hello,

I lived in El Paso from approx. 2001-2004. I really liked it. We lived on the West side off Redd Rd. and at the time houses were very inexpensive. We lived in a new house and the price was under $100,000. Property taxes are very high (close to $4000/yr for that type of house), but there is no state income tax, auto registration was about $50, and utilities seemed reasonable. We now live in PA and everything here is much more expensive. The job market is great for nurses in El Paso. I made about $25-26 an hour, but I knew many people making $35-38. I chose flexibility in scheduling instead of increased pay. One can have a maid for $40-$50 per week. There are many things I miss about that area. The majority of people speak Spanish, but the younger people are almost always bilingual. I worked for hospice and there were many times that my patient didn't speak English, but almost always a close family member did. I didn't find the language issue to be too big of a deal. There is a tremendous nursing shortage there. I have a friend working in a nursing home (LPN) that makes $25/hr. That is not unusual in that area. In general, the people in that area are very friendly. If you don't speak Spanish, I would definately try to live off Redd Rd. or there is a new neighborhood going up in Canutillo. Also, Upper North Hills (It was something like that in the NW) caters to a military crowd and so English is widely spoken. There are plenty of stores and restaurants. If you like gyms, EP Fitness has numerous locations and is very nice. Our daughter was preschool/kindergarten age at the time and attended private facilities that were reasonable in cost and we were very pleased. Another area to consider is Santa Teresa, NM which is a few miles from the West side of El Paso. Great community! Property taxes are lower, but they do have an income tax. If I can answer any other questions, just let me know

Soapy · Jan 4, 2007

Hi everyone! I was born and raised in El Paso, and even though it's "home" to me, I would also never go back. Part of me really does LOVE it, the people there are sooo nice and if you're into backyard parties and clubbin, then it's great. It's "home" for me so I always find myself going to visit, but in terms of making a life out there, I would never want to do that. The reason being is for the same given above....people there really do get "stuck". The city is growing like wildfire, but rather than bringing in acutal big businesses, and attractions, they bring in restaruants, malls, and jobs that leave little room for advancement. Kids (by kids I mean teens) have very little to do there but party and go clubbin' sometimes even in Mexico. Just trouble. I left in '98 when I graduated from high school in the Northeast side (ohh...the northeast side....the ghetto:rolleyes: ). While I visit frequently, I cannot see myself there. My family that is still there says they're trying to bring in more businesses and hospitals, but it's all talk so far. I can't speak for the medical field there, other than there is a HUGE shortage of nurses there, and as my friends tell me, they get paid pretty good there. I grew up going to the military hospital there, and the nurses (even some civilian) liked the pay, just not the fact that there's not much to do in EP.

Schools there aren't THAT bad, they're MUCH worse in California, but that's due in part to the Texas education system as a whole. Living in San Antonio now, I do see that the schools in EP aren't as great as in other parts of the country, as a state, the schools are good....I've seen worse. Everyone says to live in the West side, but you really just have to research for yourself different parts of the city. Like I said, the NE side is known as the ghetto, where you go get stabbed, but I grew up there and it's all more bad reputation than fact. The NE side has some really nice neighborhoods which also includes military housing. The Sgt. Major's academy is there, and it's where they house them in a nice area called North Hills. People there are nice and not as "scary" as some parts of EP have a reputation of having. The housing market is hot there right now though!

Being military there is differnent than being there as a civilian. Saguario13, I'm pretty sure you can find a very well paying job at WBAMC, the Army hospital there. Being an Army wife myself, growing up as an Army brat in EP, I really think that with your DH in the service and you working as a nurse in EP, you all will be financially well off. The cost of living for what people make there may be a bit high, but with those 2 occupations, you'll be ok. Ft. Bliss is the 2nd (or 3rd..I forget) biggest Army base in the US, so military facilities and the attitude of the people there about the military are very favorable. If the Army is sending you there, I wouldn't completely rule it out.....especially if you're likely to be transfered somewhere else later. LOL...just don't get stuck living there forever!

As a civilian, unless you're also planning on leaving at some point, I just can't see it being something I would do. People really DO get "stuck" and are ok with it, but it hurts those that want to advance. Depending on the side of town you're on and what your income is, you may be just fine!

Speaking spanish is a plus, if you love to go out to eat, then you'll be set, but if you like to go out and enjoy things and DO things....you'll find yourself bored quickly.

As for Las Cruces....I have a good friend there that says that's where they big bucks are! Areas there have multi-million dollar houses and the workforce is small, but strong. Again, I don't know about how the nursing field is out there, but I'll try to find out for you.

I hope I answered some questions too....feel free to ask! :)

military spouse · Jan 4, 2007

Hi everyone! I was born and raised in El Paso, and even though it's "home" to me, I would also never go back. Part of me really does LOVE it, the people there are sooo nice and if you're into backyard parties and clubbin, then it's great. It's "home" for me so I always find myself going to visit, but in terms of making a life out there, I would never want to do that. The reason being is for the same given above....people there really do get "stuck". The city is growing like wildfire, but rather than bringing in acutal big businesses, and attractions, they bring in restaruants, malls, and jobs that leave little room for advancement. Kids (by kids I mean teens) have very little to do there but party and go clubbin' sometimes even in Mexico. Just trouble. I left in '98 when I graduated from high school in the Northeast side (ohh...the northeast side....the ghetto:rolleyes: ). While I visit frequently, I cannot see myself there. My family that is still there says they're trying to bring in more businesses and hospitals, but it's all talk so far. I can't speak for the medical field there, other than there is a HUGE shortage of nurses there, and as my friends tell me, they get paid pretty good there. I grew up going to the military hospital there, and the nurses (even some civilian) liked the pay, just not the fact that there's not much to do in EP.
Schools there aren't THAT bad, they're MUCH worse in California, but that's due in part to the Texas education system as a whole. Living in San Antonio now, I do see that the schools in EP aren't as great as in other parts of the country, as a state, the schools are good....I've seen worse. Everyone says to live in the West side, but you really just have to research for yourself different parts of the city. Like I said, the NE side is known as the ghetto, where you go get stabbed, but I grew up there and it's all more bad reputation than fact. The NE side has some really nice neighborhoods which also includes military housing. The Sgt. Major's academy is there, and it's where they house them in a nice area called North Hills. People there are nice and not as "scary" as some parts of EP have a reputation of having. The housing market is hot there right now though!
Being military there is differnent than being there as a civilian. Saguario13, I'm pretty sure you can find a very well paying job at WBAMC, the Army hospital there. Being an Army wife myself, growing up as an Army brat in EP, I really think that with your DH in the service and you working as a nurse in EP, you all will be financially well off. The cost of living for what people make there may be a bit high, but with those 2 occupations, you'll be ok. Ft. Bliss is the 2nd (or 3rd..I forget) biggest Army base in the US, so military facilities and the attitude of the people there about the military are very favorable. If the Army is sending you there, I wouldn't completely rule it out.....especially if you're likely to be transfered somewhere else later. LOL...just don't get stuck living there forever!
As a civilian, unless you're also planning on leaving at some point, I just can't see it being something I would do. People really DO get "stuck" and are ok with it, but it hurts those that want to advance. Depending on the side of town you're on and what your income is, you may be just fine!
Speaking spanish is a plus, if you love to go out to eat, then you'll be set, but if you like to go out and enjoy things and DO things....you'll find yourself bored quickly.
As for Las Cruces....I have a good friend there that says that's where they big bucks are! Areas there have multi-million dollar houses and the workforce is small, but strong. Again, I don't know about how the nursing field is out there, but I'll try to find out for you.
I hope I answered some questions too....feel free to ask! :)

I just wanted to agree that Las Cruces is a great place. Our favorite restaurant is there, Andale, and we used to go up there all the time and enjoy their beautiful patio and great green chile chees enchiladas. I can almost taste them!! I really do miss many things about the El Paso area and from a military spouse perspective, I believe it offered the best job opportunities for a nurse out of any assignment my husband had.

rpric7990 · Jan 4, 2007

I'm here in Las Cruces and work here with some of the greatest nurses I've ever met. Can you believe I've worked almost 2 years without ever being criticized or put down? The place feels like my favorite hospital near Baltimore, only the people are so friendly. I enjoy picking up the Spanish around here also. I don't care for Mexican food but it's about the best here.

CoastMedRN · Jun 23, 2007

are you still there? how is el paso? love to e mail you if possible.

rpric7990 · Jun 24, 2007

Las Cruces has two wonderful hospitals. The Doctors are good, the people very friendly. Spanish is necessary to give good care to 30% of your patients but they don't require it for work. Staffing is 1 to 6 sometimes 7 patients for even the telemetry floor. (CNA is poorly staffed at 14 patients each) Memorial Medical Center has been there longer and the community tends to trust them more. The docs cover both hospitals. Nurses get 22-33 dollars/hr for regular staff, travelers help us out a lot and really like our place at MMC. Las Cruces relocation site tells the rest. It's nice. I think El Paso has some ugly areas...but easy to travel to the west side for the mall and the horse racing park.