Mercedes, TX (Harlingen, Weslaco, Donna: schools, live in, outlet mall)

[jocodi]

Hello all. It is possible I will be moving to Mercedes, TX - working with Homeland Security. Could you please tell me what the area is like - crime? People? Anything you think may be useful in getting an idea about the area. Thank you. I do appreciate it.

[crbcrbrgv]

Harlingen is better. Mercedes is a very provincial small town that even has their own little newspaper. Everyone knows everybody. And there is nothing to do.

[TexasNick]

mercedes is slow close to its sister cities i dont' think it matters where u live anymore. It's not like back in the 80s I remember riding in my grandfather's pickup and we'd see nothing but citrus trees for miles and miles. Now it has changed back time!

[conanS]

Good point Nick. It's not like you'd be more than 30 minutes away from the places that do have something to do. We can drive from Donna, pass through Weslaco and then into Mercedes and not even know we've left Donna!! And all of that is about a 15 minute drive.

[RGV]

Mercedes is actually going through a growth spurt right now as a result of a new outlet mall that was just opened up. See Below for details:

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By CLARISSA MARTINEZ


MERCEDES — Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets mall will add a second phase of stores seven months after the stores opened.

City officials said a third phase with even more stores is expected in the future.

The outlet mall announced plans for a 150,000-square-foot expansion on the north side of the existing stores, which will provide space for an additional 40 stores plus parking, bringing the total to 150 stores.

http://www.valleymorningstar.com/new...ity_phase.html

Moderator cut: copyrighted materials

[conanS]

I love the outlet mall because it is outdoors. You walk outdoors until you go into a store. Our kids love going out there!!

[crbcrbrgv]

Mercedes ISD schools are not good but they do have South Texas ISD and Med high. I am telling you it is quite possibly the most provincial town in the Valley. There is a lot of "light on dark" prejudice. When I taught there, if a kid was from Indian Hills (a very large colonia north of town) he was a troublemaker before he opened his mouth.
Harlingen is the best place to be in the Valley.

[conanS]

CRB, my in-laws live in Indian Hills. I'd label the little punks too!! It would be well deserved.

[crbcrbrgv]

That's the problem. In Mercedes:
If you are from Indian Hills, you are a troublemaker
If you are anglo, you are rich and/or arrogant
If you do anything remotely stupid in Mercedes, you will wind up on the front page or the opinion page of the Mercedes Enterprise
If you are an educator in Mercedes, you best do whatever the parents say ESPECIALLY if they have a little money.

[conanS]

We stayed in a trailer next to the in-laws for about 2 months when we 1st moved to the RGV. It was all I could do to stay out of trouble there. Just all-around "thug" attitudes. Got into a fight while walking to the convenience store on the corner because the guy didn't like the fact I kicked his dog, even though it charged at me barking and growling!! I was already a "target" by simply being the only white guy around, but that sure escalated things. Didn't bother me too much, because I don't mind proving that I am more than capable of defending myself