Take a drive through Harlingen, Texas and you will note the historic Latino culture evident in each nook and cranny of this small border town. As you tour around, you will see the assortment of Mexican restaurants dotting the main drag, smell the aroma of taco carts wafting through the streets and hear the sound of salsa music escaping from the local bars. This vibrant town is part of the Brownsville-Matamoros metro region and sits just 30 minutes from the Gulf of Mexico. Residents can be at the bridge to cross the Rio Grande in twenty minutes and many travel back and forth on a regular basis. Historically, Harlingen was a military town but today the Air Force base has been converted into student housing for the city’s technical college. If you are a student, a family member, or simply someone looking for a great place to live, Harlingen has a million things to offer. Let us show you around!
About Harlingen:
In 2011, Bloomberg Businessweek named Harlingen, Texas the Cheapest Place to Live in America. (Its cost of living is about 18 percent below the national average). The city is a more affordable place to live than most other parts of Texas and quality of life is high, but that’s not the only reason to make a move this way! Harlingen has a collection of antique shops, hiking trails (rife with sub-tropical birds), delicious Mexican bakeries and an unlimited cache of small-town friendliness.
The town is known for its artisans and many of its downtown buildings are painted with murals— and don’t forget that you’re still in Texas. As the city slogan goes, Harlingen has a “Dutch name, Texan heart.” That means you can expect healthy helping of Lone Stars alongside the Coronas and an “Everything’s Bigger Here” cowboy pride. If you speak Spanish, it is a plus; however, Harlingen is regarded as one of the better towns in the region for English proficiency. Almost all of the locals speak English and you won’t need the second language to survive as you would in Brownsville or some of the other towns farther south where many restaurants and grocery stores are Spanish-only.
The geography of Harlingen is right on the Arroyo Colorado River where Highways 77 and 83 intersect, making cotton and agriculture the staples of the city’s old economy. In the early 1960s it held an Air Force base and the city currently runs an industrial airpark where bombers used to land. Until the late 1990s, the Confederate Air Force (now Commemorative Air Force) had hangar and apron space at the airport. In addition to this historical interest, the city boasts multiple golf courses, along with the Rio Grande Valley Museum and Iwo Jima Monument and Memorial. Every year town officials host a birding festival, as well as the musical celebration, “Blues in the Streets.” In all, Harlingen is thought of as fun, friendly and full of life.
Finding a Place to Live:
Snagging a place to live in Harlingen, Texas is a medium-sized task: It’s not the exhausting hunt it can be in some big cities yet is also not as simple as it is in some small towns. The fact that there is only one small technical college means you don’t have the high turnover rates so you’ll definitely want to start early. There isn’t really a particular time of year that is best, locals say, so it helps to do a lot of planning. One key tip a property manager told us: One-bedrooms are very scarce so if you are single or in the market for a small place, take extra care to do your research. If you are seeking 2 or 3-bedrooms units, your hunt will be simpler. However, you want to keep in mind that a 6-month lease in the absolute minimum you’ll find and it is more likely they will want a 12 or 18-month lease. For that reason, you want to make sure you get something you like.
Neighborhoods in Harlingen:
Northeast:
This is where the Mather Airport is and also home to Texas State Technical College. You will find a lot of students up here and along with them, affordable rental housing that is not too run down or shabby. There are a lot of apartments and rental options. Though crime is higher here than in other parts of town, it is largely property-related and the neighborhood is still considered relatively safe. The old Air Force base has been converted to student housing and people who attend the college are eligible to live on site. If you are a student, a single person, or simply someone in search of nice affordable housing, the Northeast part of town can be a great option.
West Side:
The West side of Harlingen holds some of the oldest homes in the city and therefore offers fewer apartment complexes or multiple-family dwellings. That said, there are still a number of rental options scattered around and if you can find one, the Northeast can provide a happy medium of well-kept units mixed with affordable prices. You probably won’t be in a brand-new housing development and might have to deal with creaky floors. But all in all, the neighborhood is safe and the community has a pleasant, old-district feel. Price ranges also fall somewhere in between here. There are lovely homes in the Primera Road-Palm Valley area and rental units available along Wilson Road.
Southwest End/Rangerville:
The southern part of Harlingen is the most upscale part of town with most of its new development and fancier homes. The Southwest portion has perhaps the nicest ones and for this reason, most are home-owned, making rental options more limited. Along the same lines, prices will be higher and availability more exclusive. Nevertheless, the area has a smattering of rental opportunities and if you can find one (check around New Hampshire Street), it is likely to be very nice, well-kept, and safe— with a garage and backyard.
South End/Southeast:
Like the Southwest end, homes down here are nicer, bigger and of better quality. The difference here is the Southeast part tends to have more rental properties available and can be a great option for a renter with a little more money. You find lots of backyards, neighborhood parks and children playing in the street. There are rental zones around Ed Carey Road and Hale Drive, most of which are duplexes and multiplexes. Rent costs are a little higher here but the trade-off is you get a great community, safe streets and a pleasant atmosphere for kids or senior citizens. Highlights include the Cottonwood Creek Country Club and the Treasure Hills Golf Course.
Downtown:
The area down here is the oldest part of town and, although there are a number of apartments and multiplexes available for rent, they are lower quality and not as well kept. Prices are cheap which is the good part, but crime is higher. Some describe certain sections as “ghetto” although most of the problems are not violent and tend to be more property-related. Nevertheless, the look of most units here are shabbier, especially around Harrison Street, and this neighborhood may only be a good fit if price is truly your top concern.
Transportation:
Public transportation is not stellar in Harlingen and it helps a lot if you have a car. There is no public bus line and bike paths are limited. That said, if you are without a vehicle there are still some options. A private bus line runs through the city called Valley Transit Company and there are good sidewalks and pedestrian pathways. The best way to get around without a car is really by taxi cab. The rates are fairly cheap (pennies compared to New York or other big cities) and the town isn’t very big so your fares will be minimal. If you have a vehicle, you are in luck: traffic is good here and there is very little congestion.
That's it from us! Hope this helped & happy hunting!
