North Hills East - El Paso, TX

Development of North Hills East began in the 1950s as nearby Fort Bliss increased in size to accommodate Cold War ballistic missile research. More than 35,000 people now call the nearby base home, and it employs thousands more civilian workers who live in North Hills East and other neighborhoods near the base.

Another major employer in El Paso is the U.S. Border Patrol, and the National Border Patrol Museum gives guests a chance to journey through the history of the agency. Its collection includes guns and vehicles dating back to the Old West and charges no fee. Other history of the city is on display at the El Paso Museum of History, with exhibits about the settlement of the southwest and other revolving collections from around the world.

Most restaurants in the area sit along busy Interstate 54, the northeast approach to El Paso. Residents consider themselves lucky to have an Ardovino’s Pizza nearby – an El Paso favorite serving the city with tasty sandwiches and subs since the 1960s. Thin crusts with crispy edges are a specialty inside its dim brick interior, and it has a consistent record as the number one gourmet pizza shop in El Paso. Outdoor patios and local beer help exhibit the best of the city at this dining destination.

For 20 years, residents have enjoyed authentic Hunanese cuisine at The Chinese Café of El Paso. Spicy Szechwan chicken and orange beef are among lunchtime specialties. If you have the time to eat in the restaurant, free soup and rice come with all entrees. Locals say the broth remains some of the best in this neighborhood with no shortage of Asian food, and the tea brews on the spot.

Another eatery catering to the diverse residents of North Hills East is China Valley. Often packed during lunch, it serves simple, inexpensive Asian staples quickly. Call-in orders often turnaround in 10 minutes, and the sweet and sour chicken rarely disappoints. Free delivery with a minimum order adds convenience to lunchtime in North Hills East. Plus, it’s always hot when it arrives.

Area nightlife also concentrates along Interstate 54, and includes Three Pints Pub. This spot gets quite busy on the weekends, catering to both the Fort Bliss area crowd and northwest El Paso residents. Drink specials can dip as low as $3 and the outdoor patio often jams with a live DJ and dancing.

Residents of North Hills East catch movies a mile south at Carmike 16 in addition to other area theatres, including the Grand and Stayton Theatres, both within a few miles.

Most residents of North Hills East drive and quickly access the rest of the city and beyond via Interstate 54 and its interchanges throughout El Paso. Residents walk within the area for fun and exercise, but the limited selection of shops means serious shopping will require a quick car ride south. Plan on plenty of free parking and light traffic in this spacious neighborhood. If you prefer a chauffeur, schedule an Uber or one of the other cab services in the area, as you won't have an easy time hailing a cab from curbside.

The Sun Metro public transit system services the city and North Hills East via route 40, and bike lanes exist across the city. Residents of North Hills East speed up their green commutes by strapping their cycles into the bike racks on city buses and hitching a ride south.

Recreation opportunities in the area begin at the base of the Franklin Mountains, steps west of North Hills East. Franklin Mountain State Park encompasses thousands of acres of pristine wilderness topping out at 3,000 feet above the city. Trails and camping at this local treasure draw folks year round, and residents love being able to get into the cool mountain air with their dogs in only 15 minutes for $5 fee. Every March, the Franklin Mountains Poppies Celebration takes place and residents rejoice in the springtime color bloom across the mountain meadows — it includes a wildlife demonstration that locals love.

A number of free city parks also exist in the area, including Chuck Herrick Park at the base of the mountains. It affords a perfect photo opportunity at sunset with purple contours in the background. Veteran’s Park, a few blocks south of Interstate 54, pays prideful tribute to the armed services, and residents often watch America’s pastime being played on its baseball fields in the evening.

The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in North Hills East rests a bit above the city average at $755 a month. Renters in North Hills East enjoy more modern infrastructure and convenient transportation than some areas further south that also ring the base. A beer costs around $4, and a meal around $7 – both average for the city. The price of fuel in Texas generally stays low, costing 9 percent less in North Hills East than the national average - adding up to a cost-of-living roughly on par for the city. Another inexpensive option for transportation, the Sun Metro bus line serves the city of El Paso and surrounding area. Tickets on it cost just $1.50, which includes transfers anywhere in town, one-way.

Like many activities in North Hills East, shopping concentrates along Interstate 54 and Interstate 375 further south. The Bagel Shop’s carefully-baked, colorful creations come in more than 2 dozen varieties, including the muscle-building spinach bagel and spicy green chile bagel. It also makes sandwiches to simplify your lunch hour and happily delivers large orders. When you’re on the run, call in an order with your choice of meat and cheese and pick up a bagel sandwich in a convenient box.

Closer to the base, The Pet Barracks looks like a shiny white space capsule and provides grooming services so your furry friends will be as squared away as an army sergeant. Its spacious boarding areas include an outdoor yard complete with Astroturf in case your tail-wagger likes to play rough. True animal lovers, the owners also run a doggie day care, sending photos of the daily antics if you wish.

Comic book aficionados will find the selection and guidance at Allstar Comics and Games one of the best in the city, and the owner is a fellow fanatic. Unlike many musty comic shops, the wide-open aisles and clean displays provide a modern experience while perusing classic comics and being shocked by their ever-increasing values, but the prices at this local shop stay reasonable.

Albertson’s sits in the area for food and items for the home, and Wal-Mart Supercenter and its almost endless aisles lie only a mile beyond. Han Mee supplies Asian edibles and other goods to the diverse population of North Hills East, and the Downtown Artist and Farmers Market takes place each Saturday, featuring produce galore and local artists displaying their wares.