Anyone else feel this way? I relocated for work and Household incomes average around $60,165 in McAllen. It's a a mid-size city city with about 144K people. Average temperature is around 77°F, so it's warm year-round. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Property taxes are high but you get good services.
41 upvotes
18 Replies
Victoria Wood
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 3 years. Moved from Tampa for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. The Heights schools are pretty good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Road conditions need improvement. Can feel isolated. And cultural scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
38 upvotes
Savannah H.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a HR manager who relocated here from Chicago about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Good healthcare facilities
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it surprisingly good compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is average.
Socially, I genuinely enjoy living here. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
30 upvotes
David S.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, I'm still on the fence after all this time. Definitely worth checking out..
30 upvotes
Kinsley Thompson
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if outdoor recreation matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
26 upvotes
Ryan Lopez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Atlanta about 1 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Four distinct seasons
Cons that are real:
- Dating scene is rough
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. Lots of new construction which should help. Groceries are established, gas is underrated.
Socially, the quality of life is solid. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
26 upvotes
Landon
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 41, moved here 7 years ago from Nashville. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Great outdoor activities nearby
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Lots of new development happening
4. The people are generally solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Far from beaches/mountains
3. The weather situation is established and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for young professionals. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: 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 Nashville, everything felt decent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $80K-$150K here.
**Final verdict:**
Good luck with whatever you decide.. 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.
22 upvotes
Jonathan Stewart
interesting, hadn't considered that
21 upvotes
Savannah K.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 5 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
real estate is strong here. legal is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have biking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are decent. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited high-paying job options. Dating scene is rough. And food scene can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
21 upvotes
Aurora
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is healthcare. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
16 upvotes
Delilah Robinson
Used to live on the Fairview side, now on the The Heights side. Completely different vibe. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
15 upvotes
Angel Johnson
glad someone said it
14 upvotes
Brooks W.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 14 years. Moved from Phoenix for family. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. consulting is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are developing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's not perfect but it works for me. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have hiking trails within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are challenging. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Road conditions need improvement. Bugs and humidity in summer. And safety can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 9/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
11 upvotes
Jaxon G.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Portland and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Sunset. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in healthcare. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Italian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
10 upvotes
Violet Walker
noted, appreciate it
10 upvotes
Hudson Hughes
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Compared to Chicago it's better than expected.
9 upvotes
Hunter Campbell
as a local I can confirm
8 upvotes
Hannah T.
My experience has been mostly positive. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The only thing I'd watch out for is pet-friendliness. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
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