Forum Discussion

Iluvrvcamping's avatar
Nov 06, 2013

Safety issues in Southern Texas and Mexico border

This will be our first season as Snowbirds. Before joining this Forum I would of not considered the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas as one of the places we would stay.
I've always heard that the border towns are high crime areas, not a safe place to be and are dirty. I've been reading lots of posts about this area. I was wondering about how the area is? Do you feel safe outside the Rv parks? Is the area trashy?
  • Thanks for the feed back. We are also going to cruise the Gulf Coast too. We have traveled the west coast and are excited to see and do new things.
  • To the OP..this is our fifth year of fulltiming and while we have been all over the north, middle and panhandle areas of Texas, we decided this year to cruise the Gulf Coast. While it is not as upscale as areas like Dallas or Austin, it's very beautiful. Check out my blog if you want pictures. The only time we felt "threatened" was last week when Mother Nature threw a tornado at us.:W...the people have been friendly, interesting and simply "down home" folks who are ready and willing to help you if you need it. Texans are great!....Dennis
  • You'll be absolutely safe in the Rio Grande Valley. There are thousands of RVers there to keep you company.

    Also, you'll find that many RVers park their cars on the U.S. side and then walk over to Progresso Mexico (a block or so) for a fun shopping day or go to the dentist or get meds! Get to know some of your RV neighbors and ask them to show you the ropes and to possibly go with them.

    The 'Valley' is huge and there are RV parks one after another. It's no different than any other city. Just read the online headlines of any city and you'll find various crime - probably even where you used to live. Just use common sense and you'll be just fine. The businesses are very friendly and cater to RVers. There are some great folks living there.

    Have a fun winter and enjoy that new lifestyle. We surely do!!
  • I didn't mean to offend any Snowbirds. I haven't posted a lot. If this the wrong forum I apologize. I was asking about this area for camping. I guess we our Fulltimers now and not really Snowbirds. We aren't traveling for warmer weather for the winter. We are starting our tour of the States. I don't want to camp somewhere that I only feel safe in the park. The posts I've read has really perked my interest in this area.
  • It was only a couple of years go El Paso was one of the safest cities in the US. I know this isnt quite in the area you are asking about, but a case in point about how the media hypes news. Pretty sure you will be fine. The valley area would not concern me any more than any other US city.
  • I have always felt safe wherever I go including wintering in the Valley. For what it's worth, MOST of the larger RV parking lots have security.

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