Safety issues in Southern Texas and Mexico border

You might want to have the Moderator move this to the Snowbirds Forum...of course, it's hard to tell how those "Winter Texans" are going to receive the question!

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.

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 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.

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!!

Moved from RV Parks to Snowbirds

According to the stats safer than most cities in FL.

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

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.

Do yourself a favor and do not book long term in the Valley in the (I'm guessing likely) case that you do not enjoy it. It is a long narrow city that runs roughly from Mission (west) to San Benito (east) down to Brownsville (south). In much of this area you'll see graffiti, broken windshields, bars on windows, fences around stuff that have value, and litter. IMO you'll see more of it as you head west and south in the area. Seems like Weslaco is the dividing line.

Take a look at some of the government statistics and I think you'll find that the area has a low mean income, high unemployment, and high school or less education. Not the ingredients for an upscale tourist destination spot. I know of no local Texans that go to the valley for a vacation. There is a ton of Winter Texans escaping the cold that are on a budget though.

Is it safe, well that is subjective. Are you safe inside an all inclusive resort in Jamaica, of course you are. Are you safe roaming the back streets after dark in Jamaica looking for that local jerk chicken, well maybe not so much so. Valley is the same way, not many leave the parks once the sun goes down. Might explain why the parks have so many activities to participate in.

Long story short, some love the area, others can't leave fast enough. You'll need to see it to determine which one you are. Just don't book long term if you are the type that can't leave fast enough.