Since our time in El Paso is coming to an end I wanted to do a recap post of sorts. Before we moved here we had so many people tell us what a horrible place it was. I compiled a list of all the things people said and my thoughts after living here for almost 2 years.
1. You are close to Mexico and the violence is really bad.
Ummm yea no. El Paso has been named one of the safest cities for the last few years. When you have a high concentration of 3 letter agencies the crime tends to stay pretty low.
2. The dry desert climate is not enjoyable and it's too hot.
You are talking to a person that was born and raised in the dry desert heat of Las Vegas. I'm good.
3. The people are not friendly at all.
I have met some of the nicest people while living here. The locals love the military and are incredibly welcoming.
4. There is nothing to do.
This is the one that made me laugh! We have visited more places, been to more concerts, seen more sporting events, ran more races and gone to more festivals than I could have ever imagined or hoped for.
5. The shopping is bad and there are no good restaurants.
While I don't care too much about shopping, we have a Target and that is good enough for me. Oh and we have a Jason's Deli and bitchin' Mexican food, I call that a win.
6. Fort Bliss itself is a horrible post.
Now let me just say two words, Freedom Crossing, if you have not seen it look it up. It is absolutely amazing. How many posts have a Buffalo Wild Wings, Irish Pub (the only one in El Paso mind you), Under Armour and a plethora of other stores in one place. While there are things that I might have changed about the units on Fort Bliss (but that can be said about any unit in any place) overall it has been an amazing place.
7. The medical care at the clinics/hospital is not good.
I have to say that I have had a great experience with the doctors here, of course there are those I had differing opinions with but the overall care has been stellar.
8. El Paso is an ugly and dirty city.
Every city is dirty lol. There is nothing like the El Paso sky, it is stunning and our mountain view is amazing.
Of course everyone's perceptions are different, we do our best to embrace everywhere we go. We have loved our time here in El Paso/Fort Bliss and we know that we will embrace our new adventure at Polk as well.
We will miss you El Paso/Fort Bliss, thank you for the amazing memories!
We will miss you El Paso/Fort Bliss, thank you for the amazing memories!
I would take dry hot over humid hot in a heartbeat! And every time I hear someone complain about there not being anything to do at Bliss, I always think of you and how you guys are ALWAYS doing something.
ReplyDeleteWhile we're not desert people, I completely agree that hot > than humid every day of the week. There is practically no humidity here but the people I work with constantly say it's "so hot" because of the "humidity". Coming from Missouri and Pennsylvania, this place has negative humidity compared to those places.
ReplyDeleteIt's definitely what you make it! Though, I haven't always been the best example of this!
Love your positivity.
ReplyDeleteI am very much bloom where you are planted type of gal and really think I could be happy anywhere. Yes, there are places I've lived that I've liked better than others but as with most things in life, it is what you make of it. Your attitude is great!
ReplyDeleteI think it's really interesting that El Paso is such a safe city when it's across the border from one of the most violent cities in the world. And I feel like people say these about 90% of Army towns. Each post will be a enjoyable as you let it. People hated Fort Bragg. Fayetteville wasn't the greatest, but North Carolina is really nice.
ReplyDeleteEverything you mentioned can be said practically everywhere and everyone can definitely make the most of your duty location. You're right, you can't beat the mountain view though!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd much rather have the dry heat you have then the constant 100% humidity on 95 degree days here haha! And I am right there with you about Target being all you need for shopping :)
ReplyDeleteI have visited Freedom Crossing. My husband de-mobed for his deployment from there. I was able to spend a weekend with him before he left. I really enjoyed the base and was happy that the airport was so small and close to base. :) Made getting around for me a little easier. However, the highways there are WAY confusing. But we had a great time and ate at some great restaurants as well.
ReplyDeleteYes for positivity! There are some people who just can't find the good in their duty station and they really do themselves a disservice.
ReplyDeleteI always figure it's what you make of a place. I'm not the biggest fan of where we live, but I know there is tons to do here, so I'm trying my best to do it all.
ReplyDeletePlaces really are what you make of them. More than anything I believe that friends and the unit/job can really make or break a post….not the actual post itself.
ReplyDeleteMy dad loved it there! (Except for the wrong turn he made and he ended up in Mexico.)
ReplyDeleteI just love your positiveness! I'm the same way which makes it really hard when Jarrod asks me where I would like to go for future tours. There really aren't many places that I WOULDN'T want to go.
ReplyDeleteOh man - and I can just imagine all of the amazing mexican food!
Ha! Love your responses. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree that most places have their good sides, and personally, I always live according to the motto: home is where my heart is. As long as I'm with my loved ones, all places can be home. I'm glad you had a great time in El Paso and wish you all the best for your future adventures!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I expected El Paso to be much smaller and worse, haha. I do think it's pretty dirty here (garbage is everywhere but I'm guessing that's because it gets so windy sometimes). I agree Fort Bliss itself is pretty awesome. I have never experienced medical care from another post, but I don't like the obgyn care here... although I'm assuming it's because there are just so many people that need to be seen. I miss my old doctor dearly!
ReplyDeleteAnother lover of Target. I could spend hours perusing that store! I enjoyed this post a lot :) I look forward to hearing about your new adventures!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why people have to be so negative. I'm glad that you could find positives where others only saw bad things.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you loved your time there. And I love that you're looking at the good. There is good in most things, agreed. :) Good luck in your new place/location!
ReplyDeleteThe desert was an experience for me when i was in New Mexico. Didn't care for the heat. I did love the Organ Mtns and the yucca which I miss, and White Sands Nat'l Monument...loved it. There's never a perfect place and we just adjust and make friends where ever ya go. Liked your thoughts you shared. Hope all is going good for you!
ReplyDeleteLove this! I need to start my own "goodbye" post. I agree with everything you've said (although you've gotten more out of your time here than we have!)
ReplyDeleteWell, you know that I agree. I'm Team Bliss all the way. And I also feel that while some places are better than others, anywhere can be home. It is what you make it!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It's good to realize there is beauty everywhere and it is pretty obvious you and Kyle made the most of your time in El Paso!
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