Safety issues in Southern Texas and Mexico border

Dog Folks wrote:

2gypsies wrote:
Seriously, don't you think that if there was so much violence or crime that everyone would leave?...or not come there in the first place? The area is packed with people living there and visiting there. There are many, many happy contented folks living in and visiting the area just like in San Diego, Phoenix, and any small town across the country.

Crime and violence is everywhere...just check in with the news. There's no need to be afraid.

There's another post going asking about safety in Fort Myers, Florida. Folks being so afraid should just stay home - and read the crime stories in their hometown newspaper!

In principle I agree, crime is everywhere. However, the frequency of crime must also be considered. Living close to Ft. Myers, I can assure you that the number of crimes and people killed is far higher on the border than in Ft. Myers.

I'd like to see some statistics on that. This shows that the murder rate is much higher in Florida than Texas.

Murder Rate By State

Hard to narrow down crimes by region and the RGV is a long strip of towns. I have to say that the crimes I have seen in the news in the RGV are mostly drug related so it doesn't affect the general population.

Wow,
I'm so glad I joined the Open Road Forums. Everyone has been so helpful. I really appreciate you taking the time to share your opinions with me.
I realize that there is crime everywhere. At this point in our travels we are tourists. We want to to do all the touristy things. We aren't to concern about what kind of activities the Rv parks we stay at have. We our more concerned with the area. I realize the finale decision is ours to make about staying in the RGV. You all have perked my interest about the area. Before I joined this forum I was totally against staying anywhere close to the border. Now I'm more open to it. For this visiting trip to the Great State Of Texas we will be staying somewhere around San Antonio. Are we there yet? Lol

I just saw that the December issue of Motorhome magazine has a very 'positive' article on staying in the Rio Grande Valley. Check it out!

2gypsies wrote:
Seriously, don't you think that if there was so much violence or crime that everyone would leave?...or not come there in the first place? The area is packed with people living there and visiting there. There are many, many happy contented folks living in and visiting the area just like in San Diego, Phoenix, and any small town across the country.

Crime and violence is everywhere...just check in with the news. There's no need to be afraid.

There's another post going asking about safety in Fort Myers, Florida. Folks being so afraid should just stay home - and read the crime stories in their hometown newspaper!

In principle I agree, crime is everywhere. However, the frequency of crime must also be considered. Living close to Ft. Myers, I can assure you that the number of crimes and people killed is far higher on the border than in Ft. Myers.

Seriously, don't you think that if there was so much violence or crime that everyone would leave?...or not come there in the first place? The area is packed with people living there and visiting there. There are many, many happy contented folks living in and visiting the area just like in San Diego, Phoenix, and any small town across the country.

Crime and violence is everywhere...just check in with the news. There's no need to be afraid.

There's another post going asking about safety in Fort Myers, Florida. Folks being so afraid should just stay home - and read the crime stories in their hometown newspaper!

steelpony5555 wrote:

and let me tell you, ever other car was a boarder patrol, there must have been dozens per mile

Then you should have asked yourself...Self, why are there sooooo many border cops?????? Stop and ask a local rancher why and he will till you about all the trash left on his property, about all the fence he has to repair daily cause they tear it down, about all the drugs being ferried across his land,,etc etc.....but for real those Border Cops are there for a reason....no violence or crime means you don't need cops, lots of crime drugs and violence, you need lots of cops...

The Board Patrol was there to catch folks crossing over the Rio Grande, not to stop crime. Their eyes were all faced south.

What I've been reading about New Mexico lately, you can get a colonoscopy for doing a "California stop". I think I"d rather be in Texas.

I have a mobile home just down the street from Ron and Shirley. I echo her sentiments. I have been to a variety of places in Mexico, all over Florida, Arizona and California. There is good and bad to be said for all of them. After spending many years in a variety of winter places I settled on Texas.

Why Texas? Well foe me it is the best fit. However, for you it may not work. How can you tell........ well come and see for yourself. Just make sure you pick a place in the RGV that will interest you. It is NOT all the same. The first time my wife and I came to the valley she hated it. The second time she loved it. It was all about location and the type of RV park we stayed in.

We winter in Donna Texas at Victoria Palms which is a gated community in the mid valley. We love the Rio Grande Valley. We also love going south of the border into Nuevo Progresso. We feel safe at all times.

Everyone has a comfort level. If you don't feel comfortable coming this far south then you shouldn't do it as you will not have a good time. We love the people and truly enjoy our winters here. Yes there is poverty here but the Mexican people are so family oriented and they truly make us feel very welcome and wanted/respected here.

We also had a great time in Florida and Arizona but south Texas gives us the warm fuzzy feeling. Each of us is different and looking for something different. Go where you feel good. Life is too short to spend too much time in a stressful environment. Enjoy your winter wherever it is.

Shirley

Major Dad speaks the truth......and I too do not like the insinuation of being racist. Uhhhhhh I grew up in Texas duh....I too have friends who refuse to cross over the borders to visit family as frequently as they used too. But if you want to put your faith in someone who just visits Texas and Mexico then so be it....We still go to Mexico, we just don't go around the border.

Iluvrvcamping wrote:
Thanks for all the input. I think we will stay around San Antonio.

It's your call of course, but if you're out there experiencing the country and Texas then let me suggest maybe these area's to put on your itinerary. Between San Antonio and Austin and to the west is Hill country, spend some time there exploring all the little towns. On our way south I noticed that the toll road 130 (north of Austin off of I35) is now open all the way down to I10. I didn't take it that far, but that should make coming into SA much easier.Than in San Antonio is an RV park that we've enjoy a few times called Travelers World. There are a few Winter Texans who winter there also.

From SA come down to the valley for a short stay to see what you think. Like I said prior some love it, while others can't get out fast enough. Without a doubt this will be the warmest area in Texas during the coldest part of the winter.

Harlingen in the valley is a nice city with nice shopping and many eating places it's also an easy drive with an RV into the Valley area. It has a very nice small airport if you need to fly out for the holidays. You can take your vehicle then and explore the rest of the valley from there and draw your own conclusions on your likes and dislikes.

To the east of Harlingen is SPI (also not a bad drive with an RV.) There you will experience high humidity and a harsh salt environment. Not all older snowbirds enjoy putting up with those negatives since they cause joint pains and RV damage. But a week or two should not be a problem. From there you can head north up the Gulf Coast with Rockport and the surrounding area being a main snowbird hub to check out.

When the weather warms more drive up to Galveston Island and see what you think. There are a few RV'ers who spend the whole winter there even. From the island you can take a ferry over to the mainland and avoid driving an RV in Houston all together. After that you're off and running. That should give you a good first hand knowledge of the lower eastern part of Texas.