McAllen's aiming to be "the new Austin" (Canadian: insurance, income)

[Metro Matt]

Originally Posted by WillysB

There are things about Austin that just don't, won't and never will happen in McAllen. Or anywhere else in Texas for that matter.

Care to elaborate?

I can find anything Austin has & more in Houston or Dallas.

[gabetx]

I really think McAllen is becoming a real nice city. Its got the best shopping all the way up to SA. Its already got a large Metro pop as well. The city is growing rapidly. I can see it hitting 200,000 before 2020 with a real definative downtown filled with regional HQ's. McAllen is also becoming more culturally and racially diverse. Its one city you actually don't need spanish in in the valley. Its down to only 80% hispanic now lol. I think it used to be 90%. US 83 is looking nice and US 281 is starting to grow into Pharr too. Same thing as McAllen pretty much. Sure the southside needs some work, but every city has its less privillaged parts. The North side and West side are beautiful though.

McAllen is a wonderful city, and all of these people talking bad about it make me wonder how long its been since they have been there. The city has changed a lot in the last 10, 5 and even one and two years.

I think McAllen is a beautiful city and has nothing going against it. Everyone there is very pro-growth and want to see big changes for the better there.

I cant wait to see what kind of shape the city wll be in 5 years or so.

[imaterry78259]

Austin don't look down on McAllen because the city could pass you by one day.

[TexasHorseLady]

FWIW, I don't think that thinking that McAllen isn't going to become Austin is "talking bad" about it. I don't think ANY town should try to "become Austin" - it should try to become the best of itself, not try to be some other city.

I do hold that one city striving to "become" another city is doomed to failure, for the reasons I gave initially.

[houstoner]

So many literal people. The article just means McAllen is becoming "the new Austin" in that its downtown has a street (17th) that's developing into a walkable, pedestrian-friendly area with some nightlife like Austin's 6th Street, instead of L.A.-style like Houston's and Dallas's nightlife scenes. The writer could have said "the new New Orleans" with its Bourbon Street, or "the new Memphis" with its Beale Street, and the effect would have been the same.

[hellpaso]

Thank you, houstoner! It really is changing here. I've been here a couple of years and have already seen many changes for the better. My husband had worked here about 6-7 years ago, and hardly recognized it when we moved to McAllen permanently.

[David Pristupa]

Isn't there enough high priced towns?

[bb54321]

Originally Posted by gabetx

I really think McAllen is becoming a real nice city. Its got the best shopping all the way up to SA. Its already got a large Metro pop as well. The city is growing rapidly. I can see it hitting 200,000 before 2020 with a real definative downtown filled with regional HQ's. McAllen is also becoming more culturally and racially diverse. Its one city you actually don't need spanish in in the valley. Its down to only 80% hispanic now lol. I think it used to be 90%. US 83 is looking nice and US 281 is starting to grow into Pharr too. Same thing as McAllen pretty much. Sure the southside needs some work, but every city has its less privillaged parts. The North side and West side are beautiful though.

McAllen is a wonderful city, and all of these people talking bad about it make me wonder how long its been since they have been there. The city has changed a lot in the last 10, 5 and even one and two years.

I think McAllen is a beautiful city and has nothing going against it. Everyone there is very pro-growth and want to see big changes for the better there.

I cant wait to see what kind of shape the city wll be in 5 years or so.

Been there in the last few months. Still not beautiful sorry. Nothing against McAllen. I'm glad to see they are pro-growth and are improving themselves though.

[crbcrbrgv]

There is one problem. Half of McAllen doesn't even have a high school diploma, much less a college degree. And those that do graduate from UTPA tend to leave. The problem with McAllen is its reputation. They can't attract big companies because the ISD's are sub-par, the health care system isn't the greatest and there are no museums, pro sports teams, beautiful parks or any other amenities that Austin, Houston and other Texas cities have. Let's be honest. If you worked your rear end off to move up to C.E.O. you are going to want a little bit more than Best Buy, Cracker Barrel, malls over run with about the rudest people in North America (Mexican Nationals) and school districts that churn out impressive 50 percent graduation rates.

[NOTAM]

here you go again. seem awful defensive. chip on your shoulder? everyone has a right to an opinion. it doesnt mean that the poster is racist.....

Originally Posted by Calle13

You racist?