Job offer in Brownsville, TX area (Harlengin, TX, McAllen, TX) (Houston: spring break, car insurance)

[AKACarmen]

yes, I am getting the since that money on paper looks good, but i dont want to be miserable, and being that my family is about two days away in travel time, i am having second thoughts about the job offer.

I am not hispanic, anglo, or white, i am bi-racial, i look like myself. i did see the white and green trucks, during the interview process, one of the administrators pointed out the window that some people were being caught, and then he wenton to brag how pple from mexico get caught on purpose, simply to get a meal, I don't want to live in fear, and have to watch over my back.

the more i read posts/replies on here and get reponses, its looking like i am going to have to decline the job offer.

My auto insurance call me today and indicated that my $600 per month car insurance would increase to $1400 for six months, thats more than rent. She said it has to do with the make and model of the car, and the area, is known for high auto theft...assuming this is true.

Also, both Budget and U-Haul stores in brownsville, and mcallen, tx are not accepting anymore trucks, meaning, i would have to drop the truck off in another city.

I am a vegeatarian, so it was very challenging finding veggie foods, any leads on this?

I am planning to do one more visit, but after hearing these stories, I may just decline the offer, and whats a shame in this economy jobs are really hard to come by.

[texan55]

illegals don't get caught on purpose... ever.


cars don't get stolen so much, more than anything they get broken into, but that all depends on what your car looks like and where you leave it.


really, there's not much to fear in brownsville. i wouldn't walk around downtown at night alone, especially if you're a woman. there are also a couple of neighborhoods to avoid walking around alone, especially if you're not a local, or don't look like a local.

[texan55]

oh yeah, opportunity theft happens.


so don't leave bicycles...tvs....bathtubs laying on the lawn, and lock up your garage.

[AKACarmen]

Thanks Texan55 - sounds llike u know ur way around the area - thansk for the post

[jgar477]

if you decide to relocate to brownsville or the valley here are some of the negative things you will encounter:

1. heat. the humidity and heat has to be the worst i have ever encountered. it was 102 degrees the other day! the only season here is summer. i laugh when i see people wearing coats and seeing long lines at starbucks when it is cloudy or when the weather drops below 70 degrees.

2. the worst drivers in the state.possibly the country. the highway seems like the autobahn. people do not believe in using turn signals. and its best to exit the freeway not from the right lane but from the far left lane.

3. generally unsafe. turn on the local news and you will hear about the numerous murders that occured that day. you have no idea what kind of people you are messing with down here. you have to be very careful who you **** off.

4. tex-mex or spanglish language. if you speak proper english you will be labeled as stuck up. speak proper spanish and you will be labeled an indian or also stuck up around certain people.

5. third world meets first world. i have seen very nice areas such as homes, apartments, businesses next to some very poor living conditions, areas.

6. you will see ugly houses with very nice cars. you will see people driving very nice cars pay for their groceries with food stamps.

7. illegal immigrants and drug dealers are idolized down here.

the positive:

1. low cost of living. your money will go far if you decide to relocate down here.

2. small town living. no traffic jams on freeway. very few panhandlers.

3. some of the best bbq i have ever tasted.

[TexasNick]

Originally Posted by jgar477

if you decide to relocate to brownsville or the valley here are some of the negative things you will encounter:

3. generally unsafe. turn on the local news and you will hear about the numerous murders that occured that day. you have no idea what kind of people you are messing with down here. you have to be very careful who you **** off.

That's not true. The valley is actually one of the safest places in the country for a region its size. I believe there was only 1 murder in Brownsville from 2000-2001.

[txsizzler]

I haven't had alot of experience in the Valley, but I can tell you that:

1.) You WILL most likely be in for a cultural shock

2.) Be prepared for high heat/humidity from early spring to late fall

3.) As you indicated, considerably higher insurance costs (if you buy a house, consider hurricane insurance too)

4.) Although Spanish fluency is not required IN SOME JOBS, most will want someone with a bilingual ability (highly recommended you learn Spanish... it will help you out ALOT)

On the flip side:

1.) GREAT winter weather... among the best in the country if you like warm winters

2.) Wonderful beaches nearby... South Padre is absolutely gorgeous (about as close to a Florida beach as you will get here)

3.) Great ethnic and BBQ foods; REAL Mexican food!

4.) Generally good flow of traffic there; very little in the way of traffic jams

I would strongly suggest you stay there a week or two. Don't just go to touristy areas. Go to the local supermarkets, TALK to the people who live there, WATCH the local news EVERY night, READ READ and READ some more of the local newspapers, and do some exploring of your own. Remember, your trying to make an INFORMATIVE decision that may very well impact the rest of your life, so treat it with such regard.


Ian

[DesertDog]

AKACarmen
To some people living in south Texas is like another planet but to some people NY, Calif., MISS., South Carolina seem strange also. It depends on your life experiences. I live in a border town and have friends from the area you're looking at and they can't wait to get back there. Yes it's different but that's what makes life fun. Do you want to experience new things or stay within your little comfort zone? You may not decide to live there forever but if it's a good opportunity to learn and grow then why not? My daughter's blondie head stands out in a sea of brown but she loves where we are and has made many good friends. You will find that Hispanic people are generally the warmest, friendliest people you will ever meet so don't let color cloud your judgement. Where I have lived for the past 2 years has been called horrible things by people but the reality is it's one of the safest cities in the nation and it's right on the border. There's bad people everywhere and you'll find Texas has fewer than a lot of other places. Heat, humidity, and occasional language issues are what you will need to deal with the rest is subjective. As far as auto insurance shop around, I found better rates in my border town than I paid in Nevada. Good luck with your new adventure.

[crbcrbrgv]

I lived in the Valley for 6 years. I am from Chicago originally. Here are some thoughts after reading your post:

-Forget restaurants if you are vegetarian
-Your car insurance is going up because so many people don't have insurance coupled with the high amount of Mexican nationals who drive on our side of the border
-There is very little to do outside malls and movies
-If you like to exercise, good gyms are scarce
-The beaches are beautiful and South Padre is nearby
-Whoever told you that because you are in Brownsville i.e. the United States and therefore people are required to speak Spanish is lying. Spanish is spoken more than English in many areas
-There is a culture of dependence. If people living off the government for every aspect of their lives bothers you, you will not like the Valley. And I mean every aspect. From free breakfast and lunch at school for the kids to food stamps to Section 8 housing to getting more money for having more children
-When the economy in the country takes a hit, the Valley gets it much worse. 15 percent unemployment in the area is not uncommon
-Harlingen is much nicer than Brownsville. There is not much to do, though
-The closest major city in the United States is 250 miles away (San Antonio).
-The Mexican border cities are fun, but no longer safe to travel to with the cartel violence (Nuevo Progreso, a small town south of Weslaco is the exception)
-Most educated people that live in the Valley are from elsewhere and most Valley natives who become educated leave. If they don't, they become teachers.

Let me know if you'd like to know more.

[edubya]

Having a bit of experience with the valley, I second crbcrbrgv's comments, particularly the one about a culture of dependence. Well put.