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Scarlett Brown
jobs
Working in McAllen — salaries realistic?
Random thought, We're a young couple and Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that.
52 upvotes
12 Replies
Emily B.
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. I genuinely enjoy living here.
40 upvotes
chicagofan2022
Hot take but it exceeded my expectations. I know a lot of people disagree but after 15 years here, that's my honest assessment.
38 upvotes
Eva Clark
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want traffic, then yeah this place is great. But if food scene matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
36 upvotes
Amelia Patel
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from LA 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 Westside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in Westside. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is stable right now, especially in real estate. If you're in marketing you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 6 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: solid. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
31 upvotes
Mateo Ruiz
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I love the pace of life here. Worth doing your research before committing.
29 upvotes
Addison H.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a project manager, 35, moved here 11 years ago from LA. I've lived in Downtown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 LA, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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.
Background: I'm a project manager, 35, moved here 11 years ago from LA. I've lived in Downtown and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Friendly community, easy to meet people
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally tough - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Chain restaurants dominate
3. The cultural scene situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Downtown: Great for remote workers. underrated vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: 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 LA, everything felt underrated. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $100K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. 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
parker_lover
spot on
15 upvotes
Victoria Reed
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say it was the best decision I ever made. The community vibe is hit or miss compared to other places I've lived. Overall Happy to answer more specific questions..
9 upvotes
Kennedy Parker
facts
9 upvotes
liam_living
honestly same experience here
8 upvotes
Audrey Hughes
I'm a nurse and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. The community is hit or miss and there's always something going on.
4 upvotes
Colton Martinez
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Chicago about 15 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Chicago about 15 years ago. The main reasons were retirement and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good healthcare facilities
- Decent public transit for the size
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Road conditions need improvement
Financially, we've found it underrated compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are reasonable, gas is improving.
Socially, there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Feel free to reach out with questions..
1 upvotes