The Best Budget Friendly Neighborhoods For Renters in El Paso, TX

El Paso has been inhabited for thousands of years and still has much to offer people of all ages and walks of life. It has a desert climate with hot summers but lacks the stifling humidity that plagues large East Texas cities such as Houston. Economic opportunities abound as the city is the second-largest international crossing in the United States and is home to publicly traded companies, Fortune 500 companies, military bases, and multiple small to mid-size businesses. It's also a great place to start a family as the city has a family-friendly vibe, plenty of great schools, parks, entertainment centers, and educational venues. My name is Lori, and as your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert, I'd like to share a bit of insight into what to expect in and around the city's most affordable neighborhoods.

North Loop Gardens

North Loop Gardens is one of the few affordable El Paso neighborhoods on the eastern side of the city. The area is primarily residential with a few small Mexican eateries and other businesses dotting the area. North Loop runs along the southern end; it's a busy road but not nearly as congested as the I-10 highway. There is a handy bus route up and down this road and along Giles Road on the eastern edge of the neighborhood. The El Paso International Airport is just six to seven miles away and the city's large Cielo Vista Mall, along with a Wal-Mart Supercenter and Sam's Club, is less than four miles away. If you enjoy reading, Books are Gems is the place to visit; it offers a limited number of free books for kids per month, provides free books and educational materials to teachers and homeschool parents, hosts weekly Saturday readings and other programs, and more. Our family has many great memories of visiting the place, doing activities, and coming home loaded with great new books to read. We also loved Ally B Gator's indoor play area; it's affordable as you only pay a flat fee instead of a per-attraction fee, there are tons of inflatable slides and bounce houses in various shapes and sizes, and the food is great too.

Pacific Park

Pacific Park is conveniently located in Southwestern El Paso. There are lots of hotels, so you can expect plenty of traffic, but there are also convenient amenities right inside or just outside Pacific Park. A large shopping center with large stores such as Target, Michael's, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Best Buy is less than two miles up Sunland Park Road, while a Wal-Mart is just a short drive down the road in the opposite direction. The I-10 runs along one edge of the neighborhood, making it easy to get downtown and back. This is great, as El Paso's downtown area is home to unique traditional architecture, small shops, and other great places to visit. El Paso Zoo was a favorite for our family; we especially loved being able to peek through plastic pipes to get a very close-up look at the prairie dogs. The Armijo Swimming Center with the indoor splash pad, water slides, and swimming pool was also a lot of fun; it's affordable, clean, and a great break from the desert sun.

Coronado

Coronado is just a couple miles to the east of Pacific Park but has a very different vibe. Unlike Pacific Park, it's almost entirely residential. Grocery stores, department stores, restaurants and other businesses can, for the most part, only be found on the neighborhood's edges, near main roads such as North Mesa Road, Sunland Park Road, and Resler Drive. The local Goodwill is well worth a visit; it's large and when I visited, I had little trouble finding good deals. Parks dot the entire neighborhood, making it a great spot for anyone who enjoys nature or wants to raise a family. Downtown El Paso is 8 to 9 miles away and bus stops dot North Mesa Road, Sunland Park Road, and Cadiz Street.

Remcon

Remcon is several miles north of Pacific Park and has a similar vibe. The southern end of the neighborhood is a commercial venue with plenty of hotels, big box stores, restaurants, and a movie theater. North Mesa Road, one of the city's major roadways, runs west to east through the neighborhood, while the I-10 runs on the western edge. If you want to live in an area with plenty of great entertainment opportunities right on your doorstep and/or are looking for an affordable area of town that isn't too far from other parts of the city, this may be the spot for you. The northern end is residential with mostly single-family homes but there are some affordable apartment complexes. Buses run along North Mesa Road and around Remcon Circle, which makes it easy to get around even if you don't own a car.

South Belvidere

South Belvidere is on the east side of Remcon but has a very different vibe. Unlike Remcon, it does not border the I-10 and North Mesa Road runs along one side rather than through the neighborhood. It's a calm area with mostly single-family homes but there are affordable apartments on the city's northern end. Public transport is available in the form of buses running on North Mesa Road in the south, Resler Drive to the east and Belvidere Road on the western edge.

Montoya Heights

Montoya Heights is a cozy neighborhood in El Paso's northwestern corner, close to the border of New Mexico. The I-10 runs along the eastern edge but don't expect short commute times if you travel downtown (over 11 miles away) or to the El Paso International Airport (just over 18 miles away). However, if you love nature, this can be an ideal place to live. Franklin Mountains State Park is nearby, offering plenty of hiking, biking, nature watching and rock climbing opportunities. You can camp overnight or drive the 375 through the park to pay a visit to the El Paso Museum of Archeology on the other side. Our family greatly enjoyed seeing the old pottery, models of Native American villages and homes, the native plant garden right outside the museum, and taking a free archery class.

I've always enjoyed visiting El Paso. There's plenty to see and do, and since the cost of living is 11% under the national average, it's not too hard to find good deals on products and services. Housing is far more affordable here than in other large cities in Texas, which is good news if you're looking for a reasonably priced place to live. However, unlike most cities, El Paso is split almost in half by Franklin Mountains State Park. Getting from the western side of town to the eastern one can be time-consuming, especially during rush hour, as there is only one large road that runs through the park; all other traffic must go around. While the city's most affordable neighborhoods are on the western side, you may want to pay a bit extra for rent if you intend to work in the eastern part of town. Be sure to check out all our cheap El Paso apartments for rent to find the spot that best meets your needs and budget.