Millie

Downtown

About

El Paso has a modestly sized downtown, bordering the Rio Grande and the U.S. border with Mexico. The southern tip of the Franklin Mountain Range abruptly terminates just north (and a little to the east) of downtown, leading some to associate Downtown El Paso with West El Paso. This region is well-known as the home of the University of Texas at El Paso, or UTEP, and also the Hyundai Sun Bowl, an annual college football championship game.

Downtown El Paso is a destination in and of itself and you can easily fill a day with outings here. Authentic shops and restaurants that display the vibrant cultures of the region are plentiful. The events calendar is always jam packed with activities, festivals, and concerts, and the nightlife is very active. A popular bridal/prom dress shop housed in an old bank, a retro ice cream parlor, and a paranormal research society occupying a former saloon/brothel from the late 1800s all contribute to Downtown El Paso’s personality. The El Paso Chihuahuas (minor league baseball) play at Southwest University Park, and shows at the historic Plaza Theater are always a delight.

There has been a renewed effort on revitalizing the area, but there is still a lot of work to do. There isn’t a lot of residential inventory available and it isn’t typically an area that military families or even single service members tend to consider. The neighborhoods that do exist are sadly neglected and there are many vacant buildings and abandoned warehouses in the area.

Neighbors

While there are tons of things to do in Downtown El Paso, there really isn’t a lot to choose from by way of residences. If you do happen to find a small rental or apartment, you’ll likely reside next door to a business of some sort, a factory, or worse yet – an abandoned building.

Neighborhood Feel

The neighborhoods are in desperate need of TLC. Homes here are pretty badly neglected and there are pockets of crime to go with that. Some of the areas around Southwest University Park are up-and-coming, but there still isn’t a ton of housing available.

PCS’ing to Fort Bliss?

Don’t go at it alone

AgentHero

Buy or Sell a Home

Scouts

Help on the Ground

Find A Rental

Rent Smart

Please let us know a little about your needs, and we’ll connect you with an AgentHero or Scout prepared to help you.
No spam, no hassles, total privacy guaranteed.

Neighborhood Location

Commute
Fort Bliss – Cassidy Gate
Drive Time to Gate
8 to 23 minutes
By Transit
N/A

Neighborhood Info

Downtown El Paso - Fort Bliss, TX - gomillie.com

Points of Interest

University of Texas El Paso

Sun Bowl Stadium

Southwest University Park – Home of the Chihuahuas, El Paso’s minor league baseball team

The Plaza Theatre

El Paso Museum of Art

Abraham Chavez Theater

Scenic Drive and Murchison Park

Big Plus

Downtown El Paso is a great place to visit for its quirky shops, vibrant nightlife, and eclectic restaurants. Catch a sporting event at UTEP, a play at the Plaza Theater, or visit one of the many museums and historic tours of the area.

The fusion of cultures of the Southwest is on display in Downtown El Paso. El Pasoans pride themselves on coexisting and retaining their authenticity, especially in this urban center.

Things to Consider

Although El Paso is considered to be relatively safe city, there are higher crime rates downtown. Sharing a border with Juarez, Mexico presents its own set of concerns as Juarez is beset with activity that usually makes the evening news. Some military units are even forbidden from traveling to Juarez, so it is highly recommended that you thoroughly research this area before renting or buying a home so close to the border crossing.

The homes are older and many are in disrepair, with some downright dilapidated. If you do find a home that appears to be in good shape, it is still highly advised that you consider its surroundings for the long term outlook on your investment.

Families tend to settle in other areas based on the poor school ratings and drug activity that is problematic in Downtown El Paso.

How’s the Market?

The median home value in El Paso is $88,400, according to the Zillow Home Value Index.

Home Values are forecasted to increase by 4.1% in the coming year.

According to Zillow’s Rental Index, the median rental rate in El Paso is $896.

The ZRI for El Paso is for all rentals, including smaller apartments and very large homes. There isn’t enough data available to narrow down the median rate for single-family homes.

School Scoop

Downtown El Paso contains five primary and secondary schools. One of the highest rated schools is Hillside Elementary School, which has a rating of 6, according to GreatSchools.org. Public schools in Downtown are part of El Paso Independent School District. Overall, the El Paso Independent School District has a rating of 6.

All students attending the El Paso Independent School District are required to attend school in the attendance zone where you reside unless there is an approved transfer on file.

Highlighted Areas

Sunset Heights Historic District

Get more Neighborhood info

Connect with a scout