In the 1960s, the Horizon Corporation dreamed of creating an upscale retirement community on the eastern outskirts of El Paso. The real estate development company purchased large tracts of land to pursue the project, which they called the “City of Tomorrow.” The idea was for the community ¬— eventually dubbed Horizon City — to evolve into a desert oasis, similar to Arizona’s Sun City. But fraud accusations transformed the dream into a mirage, and for years, the lots sat vacant. Now, as El Paso’s population grows, developers are turning their eyes eastward once again. “I would say the best reason to buy [in Horizon City] is that everything is so new,” says Realtor Joseph Almada with Re/Max. “If someone says, ‘we want a new build,’ that’s the area we send them to.” Statistics bear this out: Horizon City’s population grew roughly 20 percent from 2010 to 2020 and currently hovers around 22,000.
The sunny desert oasis of Horizon City.
The Horizon Golf Course re-opened in 2013 offering a golf course, driving range, and swimming pool.
1/2
New construction east of El Paso
“I think one of the big pulls for Horizon is the availability of land,” says Dan O’Leary, regional marketing director for View Homes, a building company. “It’s where a lot of development is, so it’s easy for people to get into inexpensive new homes.” The median price for a Horizon City home is around $277,000, well below the $340,000 median for Texas and the national median of $407,000. Most builds are newly constructed and priced in the $200,000 to $400,000 range, but some large custom homes ¬— especially in the western sections of town — can fetch $500,000 to $700,000. Sizable patches of land on the eastern outskirts have a checkered ownership history that inhibits development in that area. Still, the local HOA Horizon Communities Improvement Association is attempting to iron out the legal kinks.
Some homes in Horizon City are adorned with palm trees.
Stucco homes in the heart of Horizon City.
1/2
Eastlake Shopping Center and Water Tower
Horizon Boulevard is one of the city’s main thoroughfares, with shopping centers and fast-food chains lined up along both sides. About a mile north, a bulb-topped water tower marks the site of the recently constructed Eastlake Shopping Center. The one-stop destination features grocery and furniture stores, a gas station, takeout joints, bars and a billiard hall.
Taste the essence of Mexico at ELEMI with our flavorful dishes.
Savor Mexico's essence at Santa Cecilia in Horizon City.
1/2
Socorro Independent School District serves the city center
Most students who live near the city center attend schools in the Socorro Independent School District, which earns a B-plus from Niche. Clint Independent School District earns a B-minus and serves students in the eastern part of the city.
Excellence in education blooms at Desert Hills Elementary School for El Paso learners.
Clint High School, a proud institution established in 1965.
1/2
Loop 375 to El Paso
With El Paso 20 miles away, many residents commute to the larger city for work. Access to Interstate 10 and Loop 375, a highway encircling El Paso, makes for an easy ride. The interstate offers the most direct route to El Paso International Airport, a 15-mile drive. While a few Sun Metro bus routes pass through Horizon City, the area is mainly car-dependent. Amazon recently added a warehouse and distribution center to the city’s east side, adding 750 jobs. The Hospitals of Providence also opted to build a campus in Horizon City to promote job growth and increase access to health care services. The two-story hospital opened in late August 2024.
Off-roading, hiking and golf on the horizon
Because Horizon City is surrounded by desert, off-roading and target shooting are popular weekend activities. The area also offers fantastic hiking, with trails that appeal to all skill levels. Public parks are geared toward young families, offering playgrounds, sports courts, picnic areas and splash pads. Horizon Golf Club, a public 18-hole course, occupies the rolling hills between Horizon and Eastlake Boulevards.
Families gather under the stars for Movies in the Park on select Fridays from June through September. The Horizon Police Department hosts the summer event, with showtimes starting in Desmond Corcoran Park at sunset.
Experience golf bliss at Horizon Golf Club.
A climbing rock for the littles ones at the Horizon Mesa Park.
1/2
Crime risk and environmental concerns
According to data reported to the FBI, incidents of violent crime are low by regional, state and national standards. Property-related crime rates trend lower as well. El Paso typically claims lower crime rates than the rest of Texas, where rates tick slightly above the national average. Horizon City’s rates are lower still, with totals per capita sometimes clocking in at a quarter of the state’s numbers.
Summers are hot and dry in Horizon City, with daily highs soaring into the 90s from May through September. Even in winter, temps rarely stray below 60 during the day.
Holy Spirit Catholic Church holds bilingual services
Several churches, some non-denominational, serve Horizon City’s predominantly Christian population. Holy Spirit Catholic Church is one of the biggest and holds daily Mass in English and Spanish.
I'm an expert real estate agent with Millennium 2000 Real Estate Se in El Paso, TX and the nearby area, providing home-buyers and sellers with professional, responsive and attentive real estate services. Want an agent who'll really listen to what you want in a home? Need an agent who knows how to effectively market your home so it sells? Give me a call! I'm eager to help and would love to talk to you.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
