In the olden days, the town of Mercedes, Texas, was home to the Toluca Ranch (still standing), which was a huge target for the legendary bandidos during the time of Pancho Villa. To keep its people and belongings safe, the ranch was built with some of the coolest and most complicated secret passageways, hidden rooms, and special heavy wooden shutters to keep people from climbing in the windows.
Mercedes' storied past extends far beyond its days of bandidos
In the olden days, the town of Mercedes, Texas, was home to the Toluca Ranch (still standing), which was a huge target for the legendary bandidos during the time of Pancho Villa. To keep its people and belongings safe, the ranch was built with some of the coolest and most complicated secret passageways, hidden rooms, and special heavy wooden shutters to keep people from climbing in the windows.
Mercedes' storied past extends far beyond its days of bandidos. It was also the location of the headquarters of General Zachary Taylor, which had convenient access via stagecoach and riverboat to Mercedes' Rabb Ranch. There's lots still going on in Mercedes, and the town is just as vibrant as it was back then (but also much calmer and safer). Incorporated in 1909, today about 15,570 people call Mercedes home. Geographically, Mercedes is nearly as far south as you can go in the giant state, meaning it's also a suburb or commuter town for the nearby big city, McAllen. Want to live somewhere that affords easy access to Mexico, rivers for water sports or travel, and also large interstates to get around the rest of Texas? Mercedes may be just your place. Grab your tank tops (the weather is hot) and pack your bag, because there are plenty of rental homes for you to choose from!
If you've decided to look for home rentals in Mercedes, you're in luck. The town is full of apartments for rent, and you can find places of varying sizes: from three-bedroom houses for rent to two-bedroom apartments for rent. To begin your moving process, start gathering your leasing documents for any rental application. Rental applications basically are an opportunity to prove to a potential landlord that you'll be a great tenant. Every landlord or management company has specific requirements for a rental application. Some of the most general requirements include copies of your identification, bank statements, pay stubs, tax returns, proof of income, a letter of employment, letters of reference from former landlords, letters of reference from personal acquaintances and more. Make sure you choose your references wisely; you'll want the people the management company calls to convince your potential landlord that you'll be a great person to rent to!
Also, keep in mind that your management company will probably do a credit check. This means you should get your credit score in good shape so they'll know that you are a financially stable and reliable renter. If you have any concerns about your financial status, consider renting with a guarantor. A guarantor will financially guarantee your apartment, so that if anything happens to it, they will be financially responsible. Having a guarantor reassures a landlord that should anything happen to the apartment, there will be someone who can pay for it. Consider asking a close family member or friend to be a guarantor.
Then, once you've chosen a neighborhood in Mercedes, consider conducting your housing search during the fall, winter or spring. Summers can be very hot in Mercedes, and you'll have to apply sunblock when you hunt around for the right home!
The next-most important step in a moving process is to do some research about the town. What neighborhoods are there? What amenities can you find? Where, geographically, would you want to live? This can not only make sure you have a nice life once you do settle down in Mercedes, but also that you don't waste time on your housing search looking in places you wouldn't actually consider living in. Want to know more about neighborhoods in Mercedes? Check out some info below.
Western Mercedes: Looking for the wild, wild west side of Texas? This is where you'll find it. You'll be in the country here, so expect to see ranches, farms and wide, open spaces (a la Dixie Chicks). You'll need a car to get around here; it's not a walking kind of place. If you live in western Mercedes, you will have ample chances to enjoy the Texas sunshine. The area is home to the beautiful Grande Lake Park.
Central Mercedes: Looking for something scenic? This is where you'll find it. The central part of Mercedes is home to the Llano Grande Country Club, a beautiful golf and gathering place right on the Rio Bravo. Want a large house with a large yard? This is the place to find it. The area is also home to Kennedy Park, a great place to run around and get some exercise.
Eastern Mercedes: Eastern Mercedes is a very residential neighborhood with lots of treelined streets and houses. This is the least-bustling neighborhood in the area, but it does have some restaurants in the northern part on Highway 83.
Residents in Mercedes can enjoy some of Texas' most beautiful landscapes. With dry, desert-y Texas countryside bordering the Rio Bravo, you can get brown, green, and blue all in one day. The city borders Mexico, so if you like international travel, it's also a great place to be. If you like spending time outside, Mercedes is home to several great parks, and the residents here tend to be very active. Kennedy is a great centrally located park, where residents come to have picnics, play basketball, run around, or just visit with friends. Llano Grande Lake Park is also another favorite destination in the southwestern corner of the city. At Llano Grande Lake Park, you can see the Rio Bravo and Llano Grande Lake, and you can enjoy all the great amenities that go along with having waterfront parks, like water sports and fishing.
If you like to play sports, Llano Grande Country Club is also one of the best spots in the region to take advantage of. The Country Club offers an 18-hole course, as well as a lovely clubhouse where members can visit and reconnect with friends.
Mercedes itself can be kind of quiet; however, nearby McAllen is one of the area's most bustling cities and is a great place to visit if you call Mercedes home, since the drive between the two is only about 24 minutes long (many people even commute between the two for work). In McAllen, you can visit outstanding historic sites like the Quinta Mazatlan, an historic adobe mansion built in the center of town. The area is also home to the International Museum of Art and Science, an outstanding museum that's great for people of all ages.
