Adivce on living in the McAllen Area, please (Houston, Edinburg: salons, apartment complexes)

[ComeOnAileen]

My husband's employer is sending him to the McAllen area for a year-long project starting next month. The dog and I will be going with him (no kids) and I really need advice on where to live, where to shop, where to eat, etc. - and conversely, where not to live, shop, and eat.
We are from Houston and, after reading the forums, I'm getting ready for a pretty big culture shock. I see that there's a sushi restaurant in Sharyland and it sounds like there's plenty of golf, but what about organic groceries? or gyms? or salons? And maybe this is a silly question, but is there a place to get biodiesel for my old benz?
I'm really ready to embrace the adventure of living in "the valley" for a year or so. But since we don't know anyone there, it kind of feels like we're going in blindfolded when it comes to all the creature comforts.
One more thing, hubby thinks I should just sell the Benz and buy something 'cushy' for all the traveling the perrito and I will be doing. Any adivce on the best kind of car to get for Valley life?

[hellpaso]

First of all--despite what you read on these forums it is still the United States. I would suggest you look to other sites rather than just here, as most people tend to bash the area. There are more sushi restaurants here than Mexican restaurants. Sharyland is not all it's cracked up to be--there are better places throughout the valley. There are gyms, salons, and spas everywhere. Shopping is no problem, as there are lots and lots of stores. If you like malls, the mall in McAllen is the top-grossing mall in the U.S. per square foot, with stores usually found in much larger cities--Sephora, Swarovski, etc. There is an outlet mall a few miles to the east in Mercedes. As far as organic foods, HEB carries them as well as places like Sun Harvest. I don't use biodiesel so have no experience there. There are a lot of very high end cars in the valley--I've seen more here than ever in Houston. If you want to look like a local, try driving a huge King Ranch Ford truck, Maserati, or 3-cylinder "mexi-car".

[ComeOnAileen]

Originally Posted by hellpaso

If you want to look like a local, try driving a huge King Ranch Ford truck, Maserati, or 3-cylinder "mexi-car".

Ha ha! That's awesome. I'm definitely gonna get a mexi-car

Glad to know there's a Sun Harvest. I'll be spending lots of time there, I'm sure. So if not Sharyland, where would you suggest we look? He's working on an irrigation project near Donna, but I haven't seen many nice apartment complexes on that side of town - granted, I'm just surfing the web from Houston, at this point.

[recrossler]

I just moved here on August 1, and we are living in N. McAllen. I was really concerned about where to live as well and couldn't be happier with where we picked. It is within 2 miles of all the shopping I really need. We also attended a church in Donna for the first few weeks we lived here and it took about 20 minutes to get from where we live to Donna and there was little to no traffic. The worst part is the lights aren't synced the way they should be. Check out craigslist for rentals. That was the best option we found.

[Mcallen Kid]

Originally Posted by ComeOnAileen

Ha ha! That's awesome. I'm definitely gonna get a mexi-car

Glad to know there's a Sun Harvest. I'll be spending lots of time there, I'm sure. So if not Sharyland, where would you suggest we look? He's working on an irrigation project near Donna, but I haven't seen many nice apartment complexes on that side of town - granted, I'm just surfing the web from Houston, at this point.

I Live in NE Mcallen and I love it. everything you need is around you, its a nice safe area with beautiful homes all around there. I would really suggest that part of the area.

[gabetx]

It is safe to live anywhere north of 83. There are some nice spots here and there south of 83, but you really have to look at it.

[Mcallen Kid]

Originally Posted by gabetx

It is safe to live anywhere north of 83. There are some nice spots here and there south of 83, but you really have to look at it.

I would have to say that the safest part of McAllen is The North East side about 3 to 4 miles north of 83.

[gabetx]

Originally Posted by Mcallen Kid

I would have to say that the safest part of McAllen is The North East side about 3 to 4 miles north of 83.

True that its the safest, but the area aroound Nolana is the most expensive as well. The whole area north of 83 is pretty nice. I would recommend somewhere around the convention center district. I have a good feeling about that area as to what lies ahead in its future. Soon that area will be the place to be.

[ziptree]

Hi there,

Sorry to threadjack, but I'm also moving to the McAllen area for work.

Some locals have told me places around Edinburg are a bit cheaper than McAllen. But is it as safe? Safety for my family is my primary concern.

Also, what specific areas of Edinburg and/or N. McAllen are the nicer ones? I see areas like Parkland Estates, Oak Manor, Westway Avenue, etc...in N. McAllen...any others that come to mind that are nicer/safer?

Thanks.

[Mcallen Kid]

Originally Posted by ziptree

Hi there,

Sorry to threadjack, but I'm also moving to the McAllen area for work.

Some locals have told me places around Edinburg are a bit cheaper than McAllen. But is it as safe? Safety for my family is my primary concern.

Also, what specific areas of Edinburg and/or N. McAllen are the nicer ones? I see areas like Parkland Estates, Oak Manor, Westway Avenue, etc...in N. McAllen...any others that come to mind that are nicer/safer?

Thanks.

The nicest are in the NE McAllen. They can get pretty expensive but thats a really safe area. Its something that you should really just see for yourself, come down and check out the cities