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Nolan Mitchell moving

Is McAllen worth moving to in 2026?

First post here. Homes are going for about $173,800 on average. Poverty rate is 17.8%, which is higher than I expected. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. What do you all think?
14 upvotes

7 Replies

Kennedy
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the Midtown side. Completely different vibe. the quality of life is solid.
39 upvotes
Ruby Price
exactly what I was thinking
25 upvotes
Cooper R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely average and I've found it's exactly what I was looking for. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is stable and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Dallas, be prepared for the culture shock. food scene is completely different here. And Summers can be brutally hot.

My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
21 upvotes
Katherine Robinson
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.

I'm a real estate agent who relocated here from Charlotte about 12 years ago. The main reasons were weather and cost of living.

Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Affordable housing options

Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Limited shopping options

Financially, we've found it better than expected compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is surprisingly good.

Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Good luck with whatever you decide..
20 upvotes
Serenity Young
facts
19 upvotes
Michael R.
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Uptown side. Completely different vibe. I love the pace of life here.
8 upvotes
local_aria42
I'm a teacher and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. The community is better than expected and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
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