El paso texas?

[Sherrypooh]

My son is recently graduated boot camp and is stationed in el paso at ft bliss. We are from ct so have no clue about texas. Anyone have any first hand info good or bad? I know in the spring I will fly down there, but he is so homesick and I just feel bad..

TIA

Sherry

 

[Duckfan]

I don't know a lot about Ft Bliss, my husband was stationed there for a year but I only went to visit a few times. If you have some questions, I might be able to ask him and reply. Anyway, it is close to Carlsbad Caverns so he might want to go and see them sometimes. The weather can be warm but winters aren't usually as cold. It is in a desert but when it does rain, it can often create standing water. There are some nice hiking trails around there. They just built a new PX, the other one was sort of small. I also like the What a Burger chain and a German place that I found.

 

[Sherrypooh]

help. He is just so miserable. I know we were told to stay on base at all times, but not sure if the area is really that bad.

 

[malibuconlee]

We have been here a year and a half...what are you wishing to know?

My DH is in charge of a large construction project at Ft. Bliss, however we are not military and I don't spend any time on post.

The other thing I would say is that El Paso is nothing like other parts of the state. It is what you make of it tho.

Does he have a car? I'm assuming since he just graduated basic and AIT he's fairly young as in not old enough to go to the bars.

Weekend/day trips to White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns would be good things for him to do if he has transportation. Take advantage of the area and see as much as he can. From our moving that is one lesson I've learned.

When you come to visit definitely go to Cattleman's Steakhouse at Indian Cliffs Ranch, it's about a 30 minute drive East of town. There is also the Wyler Tramway that you should check out.

The two things still on my list to do before we move next month are to see the Missions and go to Rosa's Cantina (from the old Marty Robbins song).

 

[malibuconlee]

help. He is just so miserable. I know we were told to stay on base at all times, but not sure if the area is really that bad.

What? Stay on base at all times? I'm confused. El Paso is perfectly safe or I wouldn't live here. NOW THAT SAID HE MUST STAY AWAY FROM JUAREZ, MEXICO. I may be mistaken but I believe that's a directive from the powers that be here at Bliss that soldiers are not to cross over.

10 years ago, even 5 apparently Juarez was the place for fine dining and partying. That is just not safe any longer. Plus you are required to have a passport or passport card for border crossings now.

 

[Sherrypooh]

your help. We have been told horror stories about el paso how dangerous it is to the young kids. He will be 19 this weekend so no car, no real anything except his uniforms. He is just driving us crazy and I don't know what to tell him. Gosh I hate being a parent sometimes lol

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

What? Stay on base at all times? I'm confused. El Paso is perfectly safe or I wouldn't live here. NOW THAT SAID HE MUST STAY AWAY FROM JUAREZ, MEXICO. I may be mistaken but I believe that's a directive from the powers that be here at Bliss that soldiers are not to cross over.

10 years ago, even 5 apparently Juarez was the place for fine dining and partying. That is just not safe any longer. Plus you are required to have a passport or passport card for border crossings now.

Yes, there is quite a bit of talk in the military community about the unrest surrounding El Paso - reports of shootings over the fence that have hit the UT buildings, etc...

Ft Bliss was one of our options on our last PCS and the main reason we chose not to go there because of the issues just over the border. Dh's co-worker at our last post was from El Paso and his family that still lives there had told him many stories about the higher crime rate in the area. It isn't the place it used to be due to the Mexican drug cartels and law enforcement has their hands full.

 

[malibuconlee]

OK, so I only have a small child, and I know this is your child, but he is a man now who is in the military. I am sure that is hard to deal with.

I assume he's living on post in barracks? He just needs some time and to make friends with those he is living with.

A car will help him. Make sure he is saving his money and gets one as soon as possible. That will give him options to get out and do more things. Have him look into MWR and get into some sort of a rec league of sports, something to get out and make friends.

Plus if he has a car think of it as kind of like college. If he has a car others in the dorn/barracks may ask for rides to a store and he can get to know people that way.

How long has he been here?

 

[malibuconlee]

Yes, there is quite a bit of talk in the military community about the unrest surrounding El Paso - reports of shootings over the fence that have hit the UT buildings, etc...

Ft Bliss was one of our options on our last PCS and the main reason we chose not to go there because of the issues just over the border. Dh's co-worker at our last post was from El Paso and his family that still lives there had told him many stories about the higher crime rate in the area. It isn't the place it used to be due to the Mexican drug cartels and law enforcement has their hands full.

While the incidents of bullets coming across have happened it has been only twice and I can tell you that for most people living in El Paso, at least the ones I know it doesn't affect our daily lives. The Fort itself is quite some distance from the border.

 

[Tink888]

My step-daughter (mid-twenties) and her husband spent two years in El Paso while she was stationed at Fort Bliss. They liked it well enough, never had any safety issues. They lived off base for the first six months and then moved to housing on base (just a preference and more opportunities to meet people and socialize).

At the time they left 6/2009 there was a directive in effect that no one in the military was allowed to go into Juarez. There are many, many Juarez residents who commute into El Paso every day for work.

If your son enjoys skiing, there are some good places to ski in New Mexico that aren't too far of a drive.

There are lots of things the military do as far as socializing. I'm sure his spirits will lift as he meets more people. As far as going off base I would just recommend going with a buddy or two. Not that there's a real danger being alone, just always safety in numbers.

I have to be honest, though SD never encounterd any problems I was much happier when she was out of there. As safe as El Paso might be, Juarez is just across the bridge and it's bad there.....getting worse every day.

Good luck to your son and you also. It's hard having them so far away from home.

 

[Sherrypooh]

thank you all for your help.