As I begin my move to the DC area, and make my way to the airport in just a few short hours for FS orientation, I find myself reflecting on just how much I love and will miss my hometown of El Paso. Located in the far tip of West Texas, El Paso is where I was born and raised, and where I continue (and will continue) to make my home.
A city of about 700k, which balloons to 2.7 million people on the Paso Del Norte Borderplex (El Paso-Las Cruces-Ciudad Juarez), El Paso is an often forgotten city, in a state famous for several large cities. If you aren’t familiar with the area, you’re probably reading the population totals in near disbelief. Just about anyone I meet on the East or West Coasts is often under the assumption that El Paso is a sleepy little West Texas town.
In all fairness, it’s probably the sleepiest big city in the country. Although there is lots to do, and the city has seen an explosion of retail and entertainment growth in the last 20 years, El Paso still feels like a small town. Rightfully so, El Paso is one of the safest cities in the US and North America (probably to the chagrin of hardliners in Washington that want to paint the US/Mexico border as some sort of lawless dystopia). The people here are incredibly friendly, mostly bilingual, and there is a very strong sense of community. We have a great arts community, pro sports, tons of youth events, fantastic state and federal parks, and a thriving local restaurant scene.
That said, when reflecting on what I’m going to miss about living here (outside the obvious frontrunner of friends/family), it’s definitely the people as a whole, and the natural beauty of the desert (Also tacos. We have awesome tacos here). Pictured below are just a few of the stunning scenes that have occurred in just the last year!
As a whole, the region has been so good to my family and I (going back six generations). Personally, I met my wife here, had our kids here, grew professionally here (to the point where I could get the FS job), got two graduate degrees from UTEP (as did my wife), and just about all my friends and close family is in the region. Deciding to pack up and leave all of this has been one of the hardest decision I have ever made. It’s definitely a bittersweet feeling, but El Paso will always be home, and I will definitely be back as often as possible.
Ultimately, I’m so excited for my move to DC, and our move abroad. I love El Paso, but it’s time for a new challenge and a change of scenery. Here’s to the wonderful City of El Paso and all it had done for my family and I.
–Nick
P.S. – If you ever find yourself wanting some tips on what to do in El Paso, Juarez, or Las Cruces, please feel free to send me a message.
