Need Relocation Ideas

[1rocket69]

I've been reading here lurking for a while but never posted, and now I need some help on a duty station.

I started the CBP hiring process about 2 years ago and I just got the call of a job offer, YAY (Now I may throw up, they give me 2 weeks to report :eek: )

I was given a few choices, all S/W Texas as GS-5

Brownsville
Del Rio
Laredo
Pharr
Rio Grande

Any thought's on living cost, school systems, crime, housing, job market for the spouse, and recreation/ hunting, fishing, hiking and anything else you know

Background on me

35 yrs old, married 14 years with 2 kids age 12 and 13 and 3 dogs
former Marine 5yrs

I'd like to give them my choice by tomorrow so speed counts, right now i'm leaning toward Del Rio or Brownsville

THANKS in advance

[MisterK]

2 years down to 2 weeks? HA!

Good luck with that one. Congrats though.

[txinvestigator1]

I would say Brownsville or Laredo. All but Laredo and Del Rio are within 50 miles of each other, so if you want FAR south Texas Brownsville is the largest town.

Do a Google search of them and see which one is the best fit. All of these towns are heavily Hispanic, and the Hispanic (not Mexican) culture and lifestyle will permiate all aspects of life there. Do you and your family speak Spanish (Texican actually LOL)?

(I am not making a judgement on that, I am just stating a fact)

[richcecil]

Take Pharr, puts you close to McAllen, (Good Schools) and within spitting distance of Brownsville(Shopping for the better half and kids) Bad news... Gangs are all up and down my home town.. so watch the kids in school or put them in Privte. I grew up in Edinburg, so you are lucky. Wish I could get home.

[Nole795]

I also agree with Rich, I work a lot of cases in the Southern District of TX which takes me to the Valley, including Pharr and McAllen. They have everything you need in a city. I don't know the school system, but housing is very inexpensive. I have a friend who bought a 4000 square foot home, with a pool for 200K.

[Lost Texan]

No question, take Pharr which is really Hidalgo. The PD is very progressive and they are an enforcement type of Port. You can live in the McAllen area which is very nice, about 100K people. Don't go to Laredo unless you like heat, McAllen is hot, but there is no hot like Laredo. Brownsville is nice, bigger than McAllen, but kind of off by itself. The best thing is the proximity to South Padre Island. It is a long drive to anywhere.
The cost of living in the Valley, Brownsville to Rio is very good, you can buy a nice 3/2 brick w/ central air for 65-100K. Schools are decent if you have kids, the advanced classes are good. Hunting and fishing are great, but it is pretty much private land, so it can cost you. Del Rio is a good Port with a good PD and fairly close to San Antonio, but not as nice as the valley. Laredo cost more to live and is very busy, pushing 8-10 K trucks a day, not to mention the passenger lanes. Pharr/Hidalgo is really your best bet.

Good Luck

LT

[1rocket69]

Thanks for the help guys, just wish they had give more of a warning. This whole process seemed to take forever, no word for months and then BAM, move now

[chewy]

If your going CBPO then you DEFINITELY need to come to Detroit. When you talk about CBP Detroit is the ONLY place to be!!


I haven't worked any of the ports listed but from what I've seen and heard from people I know and work with who are familiar with those areas Pharr sounds like the best choice.

[Denny]

My in laws live near McAllen. (Harligen) I visited them last year during an Indiana winter. And I loved it. weather was great. inexpensive to live Congrats on your selection wish I was young enough I would love it.