I have previously made the comment that I do not want to return to the RGV, but now I am having second thoughts. We were there in 2008 and 2009 and the area was just plain dirty in my opinion. Hwy 83 was terrible and I swore I would not return.Gang graffiti was common and trash was an issue back then. My question for you seasoned snowbirds is: how is the area now? We stayed at Bentsen Palm Village and really liked the place but their rates are much higher now, so any recommendations of other nice places is also appreciated. Thank you.

Hidalgo County is one of the poorest in the United States. It borders a third world country. We recognize that, but we and thousands of others plan to return.

If you didn't like it six years ago, you won't like it now. However, lots of us liked the RGV then and like it in 2014.

Please drop the term "third world country". Don't base opinions on border cities when there are 112 million Mexicans living in Mexico and many are middle and upper class. The term is insulting to Mexicans. Mexico is part of North America. In other words, Canada, United States, and Mexico. You know, part of NAFTA. Mexico is the second largest consumer of U.S. made products (only after the U.S. itself), and also the largest producer of products exported to the U.S. Mexico produces crude oil, automotive accessories, passenger cars, trucks and buses and electrical apparatus and telecommunications. Mexico's close proximity and its cheap production costs make its products affordable in the United States. Mexico exported $52.6 billion in goods to the United States in 2011.McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley apprciate the fact that Mexican nationals spent more than $600 million dollars in Hidalgo County and close to $230 million dollars in Cameron County last year alone. Thank you.

:), I have lived in Mexico most of my life. I made my life here as an immigrant. Thank you for your kind words.

We have lived near Mission Texas 6 months a year for the past 10 years. We love it and can't wait to get back each year. When we get to old to travel back and forth we will likely stay there permanently.

How is Mission, TX these days? | Good Sam Community

Luke_Porter
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014
You get what you pay for, Florida costs more.
Gr8life
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2014
qtla9111 wrote:
You can check the demographics for the different areas. RGV isn't for everyone but it is a lot of fun, parks are very reasonable, the food is fantastic and inexpensive and you can go to Progreso for a myriad of things.

Check some of the parks on line and you will find discounts for the first or second month, dollars off depending on length of stay. Last year I stayed two months; first month $90 and the second $150.

BINGO! The correct answer. The cost of a month in the RGV is about a third of what similar facilities would be in Florida. Combine that with six dollar haircuts and four dollar breakfasts and you begin to see the real appeal of the area. I can put up with a lot of trash to save $500-$1,000 a month.
Sooner_Schooner
Explorer
Jun 19, 2014
We spent this last winter as workampers in Destin, FL...beautiful area but was way too cold for our taste. I know most of the country had an unusually cold winter, I just want to be far enough south this next winter so it does not happen again.
qtla9111
Nomad
Jun 19, 2014
You can check the demographics for the different areas. RGV isn't for everyone but it is a lot of fun, parks are very reasonable, the food is fantastic and inexpensive and you can go to Progreso for a myriad of things.

Check some of the parks on line and you will find discounts for the first or second month, dollars off depending on length of stay. Last year I stayed two months; first month $90 and the second $150.
pawatt
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014
A person should really try Florida, Texas & AZ & maybe southern CA to see what is best for you.
Sooner_Schooner
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014
Strangely, I was really hoping we would return to the RGV and give it another try, but for now, based on what you fine folk are telling me, we are leaning towards Arizona. We have never stayed in Arizona, so it's worth a try. South Florida such as the Naples area is still my first choice, but nice RV parks are way too high for me.
TomG2
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014
Not to quibble, but do you really think eastern towns like Los Fresnos, San Benito, and Port Isabel are more affluent than McAllen or Mission? I am not anti-RGV and have made reservations for my ninth winter in the area. Obviously, there are affluent areas, mostly inside the fences of the RV parks.
John_Joey
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014
Sooner Schooner wrote:
TomG2 wrote:
One part of the OP's question regarded cleanliness. All you have to do is learn to appreciate Wal-Mart bags as yard decorations, especially the ones that the high winds deposit in the trees. The RGV is a lot of things, but clean is not the first thing that comes to mind. I did hear that Crazy Joe's was moving to a new place and that Pepe's hopes to be open in August. Those are both fun places.

Thank you for the info TomG2, pretty well answers my questions.

Again this is referring to the Mission area not the entire RGV. The further east(and north) in the RGV you go, the more affluent it becomes. It still may not be affluent enough for the OP's taste. Seems like graffiti, litter, and lack of education is more prevalent in lower income areas.
Sooner_Schooner
Explorer
Jun 18, 2014
TomG2 wrote:
One part of the OP's question regarded cleanliness. All you have to do is learn to appreciate Wal-Mart bags as yard decorations, especially the ones that the high winds deposit in the trees. The RGV is a lot of things, but clean is not the first thing that comes to mind. I did hear that Crazy Joe's was moving to a new place and that Pepe's hopes to be open in August. Those are both fun places.

Thank you for the info TomG2, pretty well answers my questions.
TomG2
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
One part of the OP's question regarded cleanliness. All you have to do is learn to appreciate Wal-Mart bags as yard decorations, especially the ones that the high winds deposit in the trees. The RGV is a lot of things, but clean is not the first thing that comes to mind. I did hear that Crazy Joe's was moving to a new place and that Pepe's hopes to be open in August. Those are both fun places.

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