Perezville, Texas was founded in 1848, only to have its name changed to San Diego in 1852 and then back to Perezville sometime later. Now the area known locally as Abram-Perezville isn't officially a city anymore. Hopefully your search for an apartment will be less dramatic.
Perezville, Texas, also known as Abram-Perezville, is a census-designated place with a population of about 5,400, located just outside the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission metropolitan area, a conglomeration of border towns right across the Rio Bravo River from the Mexican city of Reynosa near the southern tip of the state. Population growth in the community exploded since 2000 when Perezville had close to just 2,800 residents. It's a busy U.S.-Mexico border crossing area with all of the bad and the good that comes with it, including some great deals on rental homes in the area and some killer Mexican food options nearby. Quiero todo!
Moving to Perezville
Perezville is a tiny location encompassing just 5.4 square miles. Much of that area is undeveloped land being used as parks or state wildlife refuge. Of the 3,089 housing units here, just 12 percent are renter occupied, so don't expect to find the wealth of choices of apartment rentals that exist up the road in Mission or McAllen. You can find some good deals when it comes to price for rental property in Perezville, but you have to be willing to be flexible in your options and maybe give a little when it comes to finding a newly-built apartment.
What's on the Menu?
Many of the apartment buildings and single-family homes here are older, which doesn't mean run down, but it does mean you're not going to find luxury apartments or renovated urban dwellings. The median year of construction for renter occupied dwellings is 1994, meaning there are going to be some older apartments for rent in Perezville mixed in with newer ones with a lot of rental homes built about 20 years ago. It's a good idea to call the electric company before you rent to see what the average monthly utility bill is on the property you're considering renting. Some older homes aren't as well insulated as they could be, which could mean an expensive air conditioning bill you don't want during the hot, humid Texas summer.
Conducting Your Search
The mix of old, older and newer apartments and houses means you're going to want to start your search for rental homes early. Spend some time getting to know the market so you don't end up choosing a property only to find out later you could have had a better deal in a location that better suits your needs. Are you going to be commuting to McAllen? Then you might want to consider living on the east side of town, which probably means renting a stand-alone home. Do you prefer apartment community living? You'll want to thoroughly check out your options in north Perezville between Western Rd. and Abram Rd. where many apartments are for rent.
What You'll Need
Remember to bring your personal information with you when you apply for an apartment to rent in Perezville. This includes your driver's license, proof of income, prior rental history and social security number. Your future landlord will most likely want to conduct a thorough background check before handing you the keys to your new home. Additionally, many property management companies require a $50 application fee, so make sure you have your options narrowed down so you don't waste a lot of money on these fees.
Perezville Neighborhoods
Perezville is small enough that it only has one designated neighborhood, and it's really not even a neighborhood, per se. The unincorporated community of Abram-Perezville is split in half by Interstate 2, the main artery for travel, and although each side of town doesn't really have its own look and feel, they do come with different options you'll want to consider in your apartment search.
North: This area is packed with single-family homes, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom apartments for rent, duplexes for rent and condo rentals. There is an HEB grocery store here for convenience, and Ann Richards Middle School is within walking distance for school-aged children.
South: Lots of undeveloped land here with individual homes, apartment homes and duplexes for rent. Close to Cesar Chavez Middle School, this area also is home to Anzalduas Park and Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area.
East: This part of Perezville bleeds into the neighboring town of Palmview. Lots of single-family homes, mobile homes and a few scattered apartment buildings. Palmview Medical Center is here, as well as several chain restaurants like Pizza Hut, LIttle Caesar's Pizza and Dairy Queen.
Chihuahua: The west end of Perezville is almost all undeveloped land and home of Penitas Lake. There are a few scattered single-family homes, but they are mostly privately owned. There are also some apartment buildings with units for rent, but the pickings are pretty slim. You'll literally find zero when it comes to shopping in Chihuahua.
Living in Perezville
There is not a lot to do in Perezville itself when it comes to entertainment. Most locals migrate over to Mission or McAllen for a night out on the town. Perezville does have many options for outdoor recreation, however. The Lower Rio Grande Valley is known for attracting its share of migratory and native birds, and the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area is rich with opportunities for all kinds of animal watching. Many people come here to take advantage of the wide-open spaces for activities that include hunting, fishing, boating, hiking, camping and horseback riding. The National Butterfly Center, home to more than 210 species of butterflies, is near the southeast edge of Abram-Perezville. If you like golf, you can play a nine-hole round or just whack some balls off the tee at Martin Valley Ranch in the Chihuahua neighborhood. Or, park your car and walk across the pedestrian bridge to Mexico and visit the town of Reynosa, which has loads of inexpensive shopping and cheap eats.
