RV Parks in South Texas

TexasH wrote:

John&Joey wrote:
Depends on your upbringing. If you enjoy living the Barrio experience then by all means go to Mission for the winter. The Barrio will be greater the further west you go and south of 83 to the Mexican boarder when it comes to the Valley.

Only town that is safe anymore is Neuvo Progresso in Mexico. Many of the bi-lingual locals will not even go there. Mostly because they listen to the Mexican radio, something most winter Texans do not.

Wind, it's windy everywhere in the valley. The concept of more is 20 mph vs 25 mph. After 10-15 mph what is the difference you really can not sit outside with the awning out.

Harlingen is a good choice on your part. Good location to explore from and a certain amount of money in the area that will keep things feeling nice and northerly. Much west of there the Barrio effect occurs.

My advice to you is don't plan a whole winter in the valley. Texas is a big state and one can move around in it very easily and have a great experience. All you need to be aware of is when you need to be someplace. The Valley will be the place to be in Jan/Feb. Just book for a month there, then move back north about 100 miles for a month (Rockport.) Then another 100 miles in April (maybe Hill Country.)

My advice, stay mobile.

I totally disagree on the bario thing. There are barios and ghettos and bad sections in every town, big and small. I find Mission and McAllen no worse than other towns. I feel safe there. The Bentsen Palm Village RV Park is near the border, but is surrounded by upscale residences and park lands. It is a gated park, and Border Patrol is visible throughout this part of the valley. The State Park has NEVER had an incident with illegals, and,in 10 years visiting, I know of only one such incident anywhere near this park, and it was totally non violent. I wish I could say as much about my hometown! Just like anywhere, you have to always be aware of your surroundings and take reasonable precautions to prevent trouble. But I do that at home, too. The Valley is a wonderful place for the winter. Don't let a few disparaging remarks scare you away.

Ditto! We stay in a small park in Donna Texas, what I would call mid-valley, with just 212 sites. We have been in this park every winter for the last five years. Ours is not a gated park, but we have never felt the least bit insecure there. There are the usual break-ins during the summer when very few people are there and the occasional theft during the winter of things that are left out, but if minimal precautions are taken the problems are few. It is pretty wind, but the breezes help make the warmer weather bearable. The weather varies year to year. Last year it reached 89 deg. on Christmas day and we never got near freezing, the year before we had an ice storm in Jan. and we had to wear winter jackets when we went to see the Christmas light show at Hildago. The Valley IS a wonderful place to spend the winter.