Random thought, I work in media and Crime rate is something to consider — McAllen sits at 96.6 per 100K. Median household income is $60,165, which feels about average for the area. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. What are your go-to spots? Thanks! Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
44 upvotes
13 Replies
Miles King
literally same
37 upvotes
Catherine P.
As someone who grew up here, I love the pace of life here. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much wild but now it's challenging.
37 upvotes
Abigail Rodriguez
seconding this
36 upvotes
Elizabeth King
Bought a house here in 2023 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
36 upvotes
Julia H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a electrician, 57, moved here 10 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Meadowbrook and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Strong job market in several industries
2. Four distinct seasons
3. Strong sense of community
4. The people are generally improving - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Property taxes are high
2. Dating scene is rough
3. The food scene situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Meadowbrook: Great for singles. excellent vibes, walkable.
- East: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Tampa, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $100K-$100K here.
**Final verdict:**
No regrets on my end.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
35 upvotes
lake_bennett95
glad someone said it
33 upvotes
Melanie Carter
Used to live on the Pine Hills side, now on the Cedar Grove side. Completely different vibe. I have mixed feelings honestly.
24 upvotes
Jeremiah Cox
Moved here from San Francisco about 10 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to pet-friendliness but Hope this helps!.
20 upvotes
Grayson Wood
Moved here from San Diego about 6 years ago. the quality of life is solid. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but Happy to answer more specific questions..
18 upvotes
Luca Ruiz
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 5 years ago from San Diego and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: The market is competitive but not impossible. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Old Town. It's surprisingly good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally tough. It took about 11 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
11 upvotes
Parker Harris
Bought a house here in 2020 and I love the pace of life here. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
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