Stonehaven - El Paso, TX

First colonized by the Spanish Franciscan friars, El Paso was originally a farming community and was designated as part of the New Mexico Territory under Mexican rule. El Paso officially became a part of Texas with the Compromise of 1850, and soon after, American families from the East Coast began to settle in the region.

As the United States rose in power during the 20th century, its economic relationships with Mexico intensified, positioning El Paso as an important center of trade. This prompted the development of residential communities like Stonehaven surrounding El Paso. The nearby El Paso Museum of History contains documents detailing the area's heritage. None of El Paso's numerous annual events take place within Stonehaven, but some take place downtown.

Most of Stonehaven's restaurants cluster around I-10 in the southern part of the neighborhood. Because of its proximity to the Mexican border, many of Stonehaven's restaurants focus on Mexican and Latin American cuisines, including Pepe's Tamales. This local favorite serves tamales exclusively, but offers three different flavors. Try the chicken and green chile tamale, a favorite among the locals.

Not all of Stonehaven's flavors come from south of the border. T-Coasters, a health conscious restaurant, serves smoothies, cilantro soups and inexpensive breakfasts. Enjoy the delectable smoked salmon topped with a light chipotle spread for a light lunch or snack. If you spend over $5 you also get free coffee.

Just a few minutes west of Stonehaven sits one of the area's premier oriental restaurants, Kona Grill. This trendy establishment serves Japanese-American fusion such as barbecued chicken flatbreads, shrimp tempura, and a large variety of sushi rolls in a chic, inviting atmosphere. Be sure to order the restaurant's infamous butter cake with raspberry sauce for dessert.

On nights out, most Stonehaven residents prefer to travel to bars and lounges in downtown El Paso. However, a few small bars exist close to neighborhood, including the Little Bavarian Restaurant. While this bar serves authentic German dishes, most patrons visit for the beer selection and friendly staff.

Driving is the easiest mode of transport in Stonehaven. Interstate 10 forms the southern half of Stonehaven's borders and nearby Highway 180, or Montana Avenue, also serves the area. Free and cheap street side parking exists throughout Stonehaven.

Hailing a taxi in Stonehaven presents some challenges, but some taxi drivers frequent the commercial area in the southern section of the neighborhood. Furthermore, Uber and a handful of other ride-sharing apps serve the neighborhood.

Because of the relatively low traffic levels, walkers and bikers travel safely on Stonehaven's streets. However, none of the neighborhood's streets contain dedicated bike lanes, so cyclists need to maintain situational awareness at all times.

El Paso's public transportation system, the Sun Metro, maintains numerous routes in the Stonehaven neighborhood. Routes 51, 52, and 53 pass directly through the center of the neighborhood, while Route 1 follows the neighborhood's eastern border.

Though no parks exist within the borders of Stonehaven, several of the adjacent neighborhoods feature spacious, well-equipped parks.The community of Travis White, located east of Stonehaven, holds Travis White Park. While the majority of Travis White Park's land area remains undeveloped, it does offer a few amenities, including basketball courts, a baseball field, a jogging track, a lake, and a handful of gazebos. The park also features a large central playground to entertain children. Though Travis White Park does not contain any areas specific to canines, the city highly encourages residents to bring their dogs for a stroll through the park and even offers free bags to clean up after your pet.

Despite the neighborhood's range of amenities, the cost of living in Stonehaven typically ranks lower than much of the rest of El Paso. For instance, a one-bedroom apartment in Stonehaven costs an average of $605 per month, and a beer at a local pub costs just $3. A gallon of gas in Stonehaven costs 19 percent less than the national average and one-way fare on El Paso's public bus system runs $1.50 into the city center and around town.

The majority of Stonehaven's shopping outlets lie in the southern section of the neighborhood near I-10, including the local favorite, Daw's Home Furnishings. This appliances and furniture store specializes in unique and attractive furniture. Daw's also does its best to establish relationships with the community, so that when repeat customers come back, the store can suggest products that match their previous purchases.

Five minutes east of Stonehaven sits the Fountains at Farah. This shopping mall contains numerous chain stores and restaurants, and makes a habit of regularly hosting community events such as concerts, ice skating, and theatrical performances.

Several grocery stores operate within Stonehaven, including a Wan Jia Ie, Big 8 Food Store, Pro's Ranch Market, and the Cielo Vista Natural Market. Unfortunately, El Paso's only regularly operating farmers market occurs downtown, so Stonehaven's residents must travel to purchase farm fresh produce.