Moving to Rio Grande Valley

[DorianRo]

Originally Posted by Framos

Run away from the valley as quick as you can, and don't look back!

Why??

[MAtheBanker]

I loved my 9 months living in the RGV. Granted I lived in a new subdivision in Primera (Harlingen), was relocated for work (and still making wages from my previous city which were WELL above the norm for the RGV), and made fast friends with several people who made me feel welcome. I don't speak Spanish and I did have a few encounters where I felt very out of place, but never unsafe or threatened.


SPI was amazing. I miss it the most.

[C24L]

Originally Posted by MAtheBanker

I loved my 9 months living in the RGV. Granted I lived in a new subdivision in Primera (Harlingen), was relocated for work (and still making wages from my previous city which were WELL above the norm for the RGV), and made fast friends with several people who made me feel welcome. I don't speak Spanish and I did have a few encounters where I felt very out of place, but never unsafe or threatened.


SPI was amazing. I miss it the most.

I agree with you that South Padre Island is a good place.

[momtopets]

Originally Posted by DorianRo

Well.. Life expectancy rate is the highest in the rio grande valley and higher than most other states from what studies have shown. Im sure the low paced lifestyle and warm climate has positive effects on a person's health

I live here; this is one of the unhealthiest places in the state (and considering it's size and population, that isn't something to be proud of).


The RGV has some of the highest rates of childhood obesity, diabetes, heart disease and obesity in adults not only in the state, but nation. Considering the lack of GOOD water (all our water comes directly from the Rio Grande River, which we share with Mexico, and since this is an economically depressed area, the EPA has special exemptions in place to allow for extra 'stuff' to get past the water treatment plants.), you cannot safely eat fish from the waters. I dare you to drink it straight from the tap.


Don't get me wrong; I live here and I really like the people, but they don't have high life expectancies (not picking a fight, but where did you get that quote from?). While this is an area where the high schools have great track teams and other sports, children and adults are often not active.


Just because this area is awash in medical buildings doesn't mean it's healthy (just that there's a large population of chronically ill people).

[thenewtexan]

This thread is 11 years old. It starts middle school in the fall.

[michaeltx9412]

Originally Posted by momtopets

I live here; this is one of the unhealthiest places in the state (and considering it's size and population, that isn't something to be proud of).


The RGV has some of the highest rates of childhood obesity, diabetes, heart disease and obesity in adults not only in the state, but nation. Considering the lack of GOOD water (all our water comes directly from the Rio Grande River, which we share with Mexico, and since this is an economically depressed area, the EPA has special exemptions in place to allow for extra 'stuff' to get past the water treatment plants.), you cannot safely eat fish from the waters. I dare you to drink it straight from the tap.


Don't get me wrong; I live here and I really like the people, but they don't have high life expectancies (not picking a fight, but where did you get that quote from?). While this is an area where the high schools have great track teams and other sports, children and adults are often not active.


Just because this area is awash in medical buildings doesn't mean it's healthy (just that there's a large population of chronically ill people).

The obesity in RGV (or every border town in Texas for that matter) seemed pretty bad when I first visited the area from Mexico. I lived in Mexico for almost a decade and it's not something you would see very often there. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a single person who wasn't obese from what I can remember... Maybe it has a lot to do with the oppressive hot weather and the lack of outdoor activity options (no mountains nearby whatsoever). The other places you'll see that many obese people other than the valley might be LA, MS or AL.