SperlingViews - McAllen, Texas

McAllen, Texas: If you are a transfer from any type of metro-area in the United States you will want to reconsider relocating. The best way to describe McAllen is that it has all of the conveniences of any cookie-cutter suburb with Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Applebee’s and Best Buy, but it lacks the access to the bigger cities in Texas. The first attraction listed in McAllen’s “Things to Do” is South Padre Island. South Padre Island is over an hour away and if you are a local to McAllen this can be a long drive and an eventual bore unless you are an avid fisherman or sky diver. There are a not many nooks to find in this city that are fun and interesting, but they are few and far between and if you are used to a conglomerate of cities together you can yearn for more that you will not find unless you drive at least 3 hours. Mexico is always a possibility, but I felt very uncomfortable crossing the border and having military armed with machine guns and tanks outside of the restaurants. Aside from this every other city within an hour of the McAllen/Mission area is a complete disappointment. It is very hot from April through mid-November. If you are from the north it is best to visit from December through February. McAllen lacks the outdoor cafes and bars, but I think this is due to the excessive heat throughout the year. If one happens to find an outdoor facility, in most cases it is a patio acutely set next to a parking lot with the exception of about three places that I have found (which are great). Lastly, trying to get out of McAllen through the airport is not fun because most every flight has a connection. This means that even if someone wants to go south or lateral east they have to first fly back to Houston or Dallas and then back south. This is a huge waste of time, therefore getting anywhere there is a connection and in the winter you will more than likely miss your connection that will result in delays. In summary, this area is has primarily unbearable high temperature during the day, it a mecca for every retail chain you can imagine and lacks easy access to other cities and does not have the charm that many other cities have. I would seriously consider this relocation especially if there is more than one person involved in this decision. [read more...]

McAllen, Texas: If you are a transfer from any type of metro-area in the United States you will want to reconsider relocating. The best way to describe McAllen is that it has all of the conveniences of any cookie-cutter suburb with Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Applebee’s and Best Buy, but it lacks the access to the bigger cities in Texas. The first attraction listed in McAllen’s “Things to Do” is South Padre Island. South Padre Island is over an hour away and if you are a local to McAllen this can be a long drive and an eventual bore unless you are an avid fisherman or sky diver. There are a not many nooks to find in this city that are fun and interesting, but they are few and far between and if you are used to a conglomerate of cities together you can yearn for more that you will not find unless you drive at least 3 hours. Mexico is always a possibility, but I felt very uncomfortable crossing the border and having military armed with machine guns and tanks outside of the restaurants. Aside from this every other city within an hour of the McAllen/Mission area is a complete disappointment. It is very hot from April through mid-November. If you are from the north it is best to visit from December through February. McAllen lacks the outdoor cafes and bars, but I think this is due to the excessive heat throughout the year. If one happens to find an outdoor facility, in most cases it is a patio acutely set next to a parking lot with the exception of about three places that I have found (which are great). Lastly, trying to get out of McAllen through the airport is not fun because most every flight has a connection. This means that even if someone wants to go south or lateral east they have to first fly back to Houston or Dallas and then back south. This is a huge waste of time, therefore getting anywhere there is a connection and in the winter you will more than likely miss your connection that will result in delays. In summary, this area is has primarily unbearable high temperature during the day, it a mecca for every retail chain you can imagine and lacks easy access to other cities and does not have the charm that many other cities have. I would seriously consider this relocation especially if there is more than one person involved in this decision. [read more...]

McAllen, Texas: If you are a transfer from any type of metro-area in the United States you will want to reconsider relocating. The best way to describe McAllen is that it has all of the conveniences of any cookie-cutter suburb with Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Applebee’s and Best Buy, but it lacks the access to the bigger cities in Texas. The first attraction listed in McAllen’s “Things to Do” is South Padre Island. South Padre Island is over an hour away and if you are a local to McAllen this can be a long drive and an eventual bore unless you are an avid fisherman or sky diver. There are a not many nooks to find in this city that are fun and interesting, but they are few and far between and if you are used to a conglomerate of cities together you can yearn for more that you will not find unless you drive at least 3 hours. Mexico is always a possibility, but I felt very uncomfortable crossing the border and having military armed with machine guns and tanks outside of the restaurants. Aside from this every other city within an hour of the McAllen/Mission area is a complete disappointment. It is very hot from April through mid-November. If you are from the north it is best to visit from December through February. McAllen lacks the outdoor cafes and bars, but I think this is due to the excessive heat throughout the year. If one happens to find an outdoor facility, in most cases it is a patio acutely set next to a parking lot with the exception of about three places that I have found (which are great). Lastly, trying to get out of McAllen through the airport is not fun because most every flight has a connection. This means that even if someone wants to go south or lateral east they have to first fly back to Houston or Dallas and then back south. This is a huge waste of time, therefore getting anywhere there is a connection and in the winter you will more than likely miss your connection that will result in delays. In summary, this area is has primarily unbearable high temperature during the day, it a mecca for every retail chain you can imagine and lacks easy access to other cities and does not have the charm that many other cities have. I would seriously consider this relocation especially if there is more than one person involved in this decision. [read more...]

As a winter texan we enjoy the weather,cost of living,fresh fruit, veggies. Great medical care & in 10hrs by plane we can be back in Alaska.[read more...]

The RGV is a great place to live. Though a bit hot during the summer, most of the year can be spent outdoors. Its proximity to Mexico adds an interesting twist to your weekend and/or shopping options. Health care is among the most expensive in the country, and dining out is always a mixed bag - lots of options but few *great* options but in all the time we've lived here our kids have never been bored and we've always felt safe.[read more...]

The Mission-Mcallen-Edingburg is a nice area.There are many hosptiols, movie theatres,a couple high rises, not mutch traffic,a Vealero at every corner, and Wal-Marts everywhere.There are many libraries,coffee shops, auto repair and everything you need to survive.When the northern part of the country is in an ice storm and -40F degrees were are at a comfortable 75-85F degrees.If you like live performances, such as symphonic bands,big time musicians, and if you are lucky,the opera may come down and play at the "New Mcallen Civic Center", also not far away is the Dodge Arena where the Major Major musicians and enents happen such as BorderFest,Brad Paisley, WWE, and of coursethe home to the RGV KILLER BEES!! Also other bands may play at the Cine El Rey in the downtown area next to the Bentsen Tower and a block away from the ScreamfactorX(a popular haunted house, open only in October).Cine El Rey is also in the middle of the shopping district, 3 blocks away from the bus station, 15 mins. from the Miller Inernational Airport and the mall.Mcallen is a nice place to live,its about 2 hrs. away from the beach,but... the drug violence is getting real bad![read more...]

McAllen Texas is great place to raise a family. I lived there for 25 years before relocating to California for a job. Overall, cost of living makes this south Texas town an excellent choice for anyone looking for warmer weather and close travel time into Mexico. The downside, summers are HOT & HUMID and winters are mild to warm. [read more...]

The McAllen-Edinburg-Mission Metropolitan Area and Rio Grande Valley is a great place to live. Some of the nation's best schools are found in the Edinburg area. The area is also one of the top 10 areas in job growth so if you are looking for a job, this is the place to be. There is also cheap and affordable housing. The climate is great- if you want a cheaper alternative to Miami or Ft. Laudradale- then this is the place for you. The area also offers a unique bi-national culture of Mexican and American influences seen everywhere from the architecture to the people themselves. Not to mention all the palm trees you see- no wonder why the city is nicknamed "The City of Palms". Also, Mexico is just miles away. South Padre Island is an hour drive from the city. During the winter, "Winter Texans" from the Midwest come and live in the area for the winter and they add a contrast to the Hispanic ethnic make up of the area and they also contribute to the local economy. The city is also one of the fastest growing cities in the country. This place is certainly one of the best places to live in the country and it is been kept a secret for far too long.[read more...]

mcallen is a pretty great place to live but the people here are really not that great, everyone is in there own thing , the nightlife is pretty awesome, and the food is pretty great..mostly fast food[read more...]

Hello, I am new to this site and need to compare cost of living, schools, economy and all other studies between New Jersey and Texas. I am trying to relocate back to my home state, Tx, and need all the information I can get. I hope this site meets my needs and maybe even more so ;) [read more...]

McAllen is a small and unexpensive city, but besides that, there are not many nice things to say about this town.[read more...]

I have lived in McAllen, TX for 31 years. The weather is great; never cold and hardly ever a thunderstorm. People here are friendly and it is a great place to work and do business. The culture is southwestern and mostly hispanic which makes it a friendly kind of laid back place. I call it home.[read more...]

Is it too hot in summer?What are the nice areas of this city? Thanks for any information on this.[read more...]

I lived in Mcallen all my life, it's a small quiet town but it has been growing a lot lately. Feel free to ask me any questions, I'd be glad to help.[read more...]

I am a african anerican male 31 years old, the people here are mostly hispanic, but they are very nice and sweet people, the hispanic comunity accepted me in to their circle :) But i don't like texas:([read more...]

Living in McAllen combines the best of two cultures. The city is very isolated from the rest of Texas but 1hour from South Padre Island. The city feels like a small town but has all the retail shopping of a large city. Schools are okay and the retired snowbirds show up every winter to boost the local economy. The climate is hot and windy, but there are beautiful citrus orchards everywhere. You can get a maid who speaks only Spanish to come in for about $25-35 for a half day. The only "problem" is the isolation, 3hours to drive to San Antonio. However, if you want a sunny climate with warm TexMex personality, the low cost of living of a small city with the conviences of a large one, check out McAllen one weekend and see what you're missing.[read more...]