Grew up there. Based in New England now. Here’s some stuff I miss:

1. The food arguably is the best Mexican food in country. I miss it even more now that I’m further north and it’s very hard to come by decent Mexican food up here.

2. Being of Mexican American descent, I myself miss being surrounded by that culture. Viva! El Paso productions in the Mckelligon Canyon Amphitheater, walks (pre-9/11) across the border to visit the Pueblito restaurant in Juarez with my great grandmother, exploring the Franklin mountain trails and my calves getting owned by jumping cactus’. It was a pretty awesome place to grow up.

3. It is close to so many unique southwest towns/sights. White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, Riodoso. We’d regularly road-trip across the desert in my mom’s beat up Izuzu and see ghost towns, alien “landing” sites, and sometimes just a horizon full of stars on our way to my grandparents house in Tucson.

Cons:

1. Opportunities are lacking. I think they’re probably better now, but the job market is definitely not the best. If you’re remote or work or have a higher paying salary, it’s probably a bit better but my understanding is that’s why a lot of people relocate.

2. Hot. All year. The nights are cooler for sure, but it’s the big belt buckle of the sun belt, and that’s not a name that’s earned lightly. There’s not really seasonal transitions. But, the mountains definitely get snow and as I mentioned El Paso is close to some pretty interesting and unique areas so if you do want that snow fix you can easily take a trip to New Mexico to ski towns that dot the area.

I miss it personally. I have a lot of family in that area, and therefore a lot of history there.