Tell me where to go (El Paso, Brownsville: rent, crime, new home)

[Ra_]

I should warn you that I flip flop around worse than a crooked politician,
so expect my ideas and plans to keep changing.
One reason why I chose Texas, is because whenever I'd run across a Texan in my life,
they were always the nicest, coolest people I'd ever seen.

I want to buy a few acres somewhere between El Paso and Brownsville.
I've got about 10k in cash to spend. I work online and make $1000 a month or so.
I don't want payments because I want to be able to tell anyone to 'get out of my yard'.
I'm a hermit and I have a Mollucan Cockatoo.
I've got an old diesel sedan and I'll be pulling a cargo trailer full of my crap.
I'm a very tall blond viking type older dude but I've known Hispanics while growing up in New York
and also in the Florida Keys and in Panama and I've always liked most Hispanic people.

I first explored some of the great deals in the Chihuahan desert
but now I'm thinking about the RGV instead, because the nights are warmer
and it's easier access to water would be nice, because I'd like to landscape the property.
I'm thinking of renting a place to live while I landscape some acres and flip them.

Tell me where to go.
Forgive me in advance for ignoring any expert advice.
I'm bullheaded.

[southeasttexas]

Sounds like the RGV is the place to be for you. Stuff is real cheap, water is near by...

[car957]

Van Horn Texas would be a a good destination

[Ra_]

Originally Posted by southeasttexas

Sounds like the RGV is the place to be for you. Stuff is real cheap, water is near by...

This forum is so valuable. Like was said in the 'thoughts of Texas' thread,
if all you want is the high points, any chamber of commerce will help.
I've been looking over North McAllen and Harligen today.
The classifieds in the Valley paper are very encouraging.
Before even buying any property, I'll probably rent a big house and garage,
or some kind of commercial property with living possibilities
and expand my home businesses a little.
South Texas will be the new home of Surfpick and I'm gonna print Made In Texas on our T Shirts too.

I've been out of the real world for over 20 years.
There's almost no crime in the Keys. The getaway route is 130 miles, before the first turnoff and enforcement agents are embedded from over a half dozen agencies.

I see stories about how gangs are becoming more prevalent
and how they're spreading even into the heartland.
What's the actual situation with that?
Is it dangerous only on the actual border? 20 miles in?
Am I just paranoid?

Thanks for your response.

[Ra_]

Originally Posted by car957

Van Horn Texas would be a a good destination

I was scrutinizing a lot of that terrain a few days ago.
Looks like a it's nestled in a valley. I love that shot of Fancy Junk

That's just outside the El Paso suburbs, is it not?
I checked the weather forecast. Low 30's tonight!
I checked Harlingen... low of around 70.
I'm a real cold weather *****. I've got poor circulation.
I'll check Van Horn out though. I don't have to live there forever
and I don't go out much at night anyway.

That reminds me of another question I have.
Where do people in the desert get firewood?
Where's the nearest place that free dead wood is fairly plentiful?
Is it available in Van Horn?

If either of you guys play guitar, let me know.

[car957]

Van Horn is about 120 miles East of El Paso on I-10. It's a small town located near the Gaudalupe Mountains and Sierra Blanca. It's the seat of Culberson County. Culberson County is one the largest counties in Texas and covers over 3,800 square miles. The total population is less than 3,000.

I don't play guitar.

[leorah]

Have you checked out the Alpine area? It does get cool at night in the winter, but winter is short. There are guitar players there , and a good arts community, and people seem to respect individuality.

"Burro Lady" passes away
How to Contact Designs by Petei
The Braille Forum, March 2003 (http://www.acb.org/magazine/2003/bf032003.html - broken link) (scroll down to Desert Living by the Numbers)

Good luck on finding the place that's right for you.

[Ra_]

Originally Posted by leorah

Have you checked out the Alpine area? It does get cool at night in the winter, but winter is short. There are guitar players there , and a good arts community, and people seem to respect individuality.
Good luck on finding the place that's right for you.

Thank you. I peeked at that area when I was checking out the place next to Big Bend.
I think the first thing I'm gonna have to do is drive that Highway 90 and check all these towns out.

[Muhnay]

yeah the RGV sounds like your ideal place. SURFS Up Big Kahuna! Anywhere from Brownsville to Galveston along the coast is a great place.. Brownsville area stays warm all year long. I think they are in the 80's today.

Originally Posted by Ra_

I should warn you that I flip flop around worse than a crooked politician,
so expect my ideas and plans to keep changing.
One reason why I chose Texas, is because whenever I'd run across a Texan in my life,
they were always the nicest, coolest people I'd ever seen.

I want to buy a few acres somewhere between El Paso and Brownsville.
I've got about 10k in cash to spend. I work online and make $1000 a month or so.
I don't want payments because I want to be able to tell anyone to 'get out of my yard'.
I'm a hermit and I have a Mollucan Cockatoo.
I've got an old diesel sedan and I'll be pulling a cargo trailer full of my crap.
I'm a very tall blond viking type older dude but I've known Hispanics while growing up in New York
and also in the Florida Keys and in Panama and I've always liked most Hispanic people.

I first explored some of the great deals in the Chihuahan desert
but now I'm thinking about the RGV instead, because the nights are warmer
and it's easier access to water would be nice, because I'd like to landscape the property.
I'm thinking of renting a place to live while I landscape some acres and flip them.

Tell me where to go.
Forgive me in advance for ignoring any expert advice.
I'm bullheaded.

[Ra_]

It's just a hop across the gulf from the Keys.
I'd love to take my 10k and find a big old distressed house that someone wants to unload without having to spruce it up.