| "Wild as the Texas wind" is how Marty Robbins | | | | one story homes with flat roofs are popular in |
| described the cowboy sitting with his girlfriend in | | | | the real estate community, and interiors feature |
| an El Paso cantina. This haunting song and scores | | | | curved arches leading into rooms and cool tile |
| of western movies have helped build the image of | | | | floors. A favorite feature of design in that area is |
| this place as an exotic, dusty place where water | | | | ornamental iron work on the outside of houses. |
| is scarce and life is simple. | | | | The median home price is about $150,000, but |
| The land has a rich history of the Spanish and | | | | nicely situated condos for half that price can be |
| Native American lifestyles. Residents can still visit | | | | found as well as million dollar estates with million |
| missions that combine the best of both cultures, | | | | dollar views of the Juarez and El Paso Mountains. |
| eat authentic Mexican food, or walk across the | | | | Fortunately many residents in this area can afford |
| border into Mexico for a day of shopping and | | | | to own their own homes because the job market |
| exploring. | | | | has remained fairly steady. Helping boost the |
| One of the best things about this area of West | | | | economy is defense spending and civilian jobs |
| Texas is there are still cowboys, gringos, and | | | | brought in by Fort Bliss Army Post - jobs that |
| Native Americans - the Tigua Indians of the | | | | range from physician assistants to engineering to |
| Pueblo tribes. The influences of these cultures | | | | clerks at the retail stores on the post. In addition, |
| come together in El Paso, a city nestled in classic | | | | because it is on the Mexican border, the Customs |
| western geography but with all the modern | | | | and Border Protection Agency, the office |
| conveniences that help define a good standard of | | | | Immigration and Naturalization Service, and the |
| living. | | | | Drug Enforcement Agency have offices located in |
| It's easy to find homes designed around with | | | | the city. |
| southwestern style architecture in El Paso. The | | | | |