Approximately half of the Texas Tech-El Paso graduates completing the residency program continue to practice in the West Texas area. The reasons are many, but most agree that El Paso is a great place to live. The sun shines 350 days a year, so picnic, hiking or camping plans are rarely canceled because of inclement weather. El Paso's temperature, dry climate offers year-round golfing, tennis and other outdoor sports. Spectacular sunsets and majestic mountains rising to 7,000 feet create a photographer's dream.
Cultural opportunities range from urbane to rustic, from cosmopolitan to country.
Centuries-old Spanish missions, art museums, theaters, opera, outstanding Mexican and international cuisine, Mariachi bands, rodeos, and country and western dancing all play a part in the music of El Paso. In addition, there are many nearby recreational sites that are well worth the drive such as New Mexico's Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, Elephant Butte Dam and the resort area of Ruidoso located in the Lincoln National Forest. El Paso is a city of approximately 550,000 people. El Paso and Cd. Juarez are the United States'largest contiguous border cities comprising a metroplex of nearly two million people.