Mcallen (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio: upper-class, loan, how much)

[seldon7]

Originally Posted by bb654

I'm finally able to get back to the real world. May have to keep a house in McAllen
until it sells, but the Katrina ravaged gulf coast is making a comeback. For me,
living in a 300 yr old coastal town is much better than the RGV. Don't really hate
the place or the people here, but I need diversity rather than an isolated
monoculture.

I've never been to New Orleans, so I don't have an opinion about it, except this: Man can't win against nature. What happened there once WILL happen again, sooner or later. Why try to develop an area that is sinking and it below sea level? Thats irresponsible - but that's just my opinion.

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by seldon7

This comment is laughable. You're talking about 1977. Even Austin was crap back in 1977, so how could you know what it's like now? And this about the valley being dependent on snowbirds is 100% completely false. In fact, I would say they're more of an annoyance with their horrible driving.

Usually those that diss the valley know nothing about it.

As someone who moved from the Valley 6 months ago I believe that I am qualified to say that the Valley is crap today.

[seldon7]

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

As someone who moved from the Valley 6 months ago I believe that I am qualified to say that the Valley is crap today.

To each his own. The truth is the Valley isn't that bad. True, it doesn't offer as much as a bigger city, but if you're looking for that, then might as well move to a bigger city. The valley is just fine for all others.

[Kalifornian]

Originally Posted by seldon7

To each his own. The truth is the Valley isn't that bad. True, it doesn't offer as much as a bigger city, but if you're looking for that, then might as well move to a bigger city. The valley is just fine for all others.

Not for me. I have completed one year here, moving from California and I can't wait to get away from this place! McAllen has nothing to offer as far as I'm concerned. McAllen's downtown has one ugly skyscraper you can see for miles away and no arts district. No one goes there. McAllen is a city of strip malls in search of a centralized downtown. The brand new library (which will be moved to a former Wal Mart) will be located south of downtown. The areas near downtown are impoverished and unpleasant to drive through. The humidified heat here makes summer especially unbearable and uncomfortable. I thought the climate would be like south Florida but it isn't--no ocean breeze and much higher temps during the summer months. At least 30 days reached 100/F last summer. What happened to fall? The leaves just dry up and fall off without changing color at all and that's refered to as early winter. I miss the beautiful fall foliage they had in northern California. You have to travel outside the region for that. It's weird when the temperature reaches 85 and 90/f around Christmas time. When it rains, the city's drainage system can't handle it and the streets become flooded with a foot of dirty water. They say it's cheap to rent here but they don't mention the outrageous utility costs, probably due to the fact the A/C must run 24/7 in order for one to be comfortable in their home.

I regret moving here and can't wait to leave the region!

[teatime]

Originally Posted by seldon7

To each his own. The truth is the Valley isn't that bad. True, it doesn't offer as much as a bigger city, but if you're looking for that, then might as well move to a bigger city. The valley is just fine for all others.

No, that's really not true. I moved from the Valley to a SMALLER city (Abilene) last year and my quality of life improved 200 percent in every way. There's a better variety of stores, restaurants, cultural offerings, services, and parks, not to mention better weather with real seasons, no traffic jams, and actual diversity.

The Valley is geographically and culturally isolated. The unemployment rate is twice what it is in other parts of the state and wages are low. People boast about the low cost of living but it's not really much lower than it is in West Texas. When we lived there, my teen-age son had to compete with adults for fast-food jobs that paid minimum wage; here in Abilene, McDonald's is paying over $9 an hour and I've heard that Mrs. Baird's pays more than $16 per hour. There are more job openings than there are workers here.

Kalifornian, I really do sympathize. I hope you can make a change soon!

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by seldon7

This comment is laughable. You're talking about 1977. Even Austin was crap back in 1977, so how could you know what it's like now? And this about the valley being dependent on snowbirds is 100% completely false. In fact, I would say they're more of an annoyance with their horrible driving.

Usually those that diss the valley know nothing about it.

The valley has probably changed in many ways since 1977....but is it any less hot and humid than it was 30+ years ago? I LIVED there, so I DO know something about the valley.

I seriously doubt that the weather is any different from what it was back then. The hot and humid weather alone would be enough to make me never want to go back.

So tell me....has it changed any weatherwise? That was my entire point, and I bet it hasn't changed a bit in that regard.

For what it's worth...no, Austin was NOT crap back in 1977. It was not so overgrown, crowded and traffic-snarled back in the day.

You could not pay me to live in either place now.

[jabbit]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

For what it's worth...no, Austin was NOT crap back in 1977. It was not so overgrown, crowded and traffic-snarled back in the day.

sounds like Denton now.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by jabbit

correct me if im wrong but i would venture to guess that you cant possibly get a true picture of the valley if you are living in your uncles golf course condo in McAllen.

lol

I traveled all over the valley from Roma to Brownsville/Port Isabel before that, because I was seriously considering relocating there at the time. My parents used to go there during the winters, alternating their trips among Harlingen, McAllen and Mission. I decided to spend a summer down there at PanAm grad school.

One summer took care of ever wanting to either live in the Valley or go back. You can't do anything about hot, humid weather except stay inside with refrigerated air. I was certainly used to heat, being a native West Texan, but the humidity and heat put together brought this desert rat wuss to her knees, LOL!!!

[bb654]

Originally Posted by seldon7

I've never been to New Orleans, so I don't have an opinion about it, except this: Man can't win against nature. What happened there once WILL happen again, sooner or later. Why try to develop an area that is sinking and it below sea level? Thats irresponsible - but that's just my opinion.

New Orleans isn't the only +- 300 year old coastal town and isn't on the
coast. Katrina did not miss everything except NO, in fact NO did not take
a direct hit from it like parts of S. Louisiana & S. Mississippi. They just
got all the media attention.
All that aside, I'll take my chances with another storm over the geographic isolation and monoculrurism of the RGV. I don't hate the place, but other
than great weather & food, it's boring to me.

[TomBradyFan]

Originally Posted by texas5021

North McAllen IS awesome...houses and subdivisions rival suburbs of Dallas. The people are nice...there IS wealth...people ARE happy...very happy. Objectively look at this, many people agree as its population increase is the highest in the state...with the strongest economy.

Weather is great, but I like tropical stuff...and love the beach...people are nice...and golf is good! Plenty of courses near South Padre island also...but the McAllen area is still the best. And violence is NOT higher than other areas in Texas...currently OUT-OF-CONTROL in Dallas...even nice areas in Dallas. Crime can be found anywhere...pros and cons to any city. Be smart and do not listen to everything people say.

I'm not going to say anything about McAllen, however I do need to point out that your two claims of "population increase highest in the state" and "strongest economy" are both completely untrue. Big time.