"Now, in Texas, we believe in the rugged individual. Texas may be the one place where people actually still have bootstraps, and we expect folks to pull themselves up by them. But we also recognize there are some things we can't do alone. We have to come together and invest in opportunity today for prosperity tomorrow." (-- Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio)
While Julian Castro may have been talking as a whole, he may have very well have been talking about San Juan. Nestled on the western edge of Texas' southern tip, the city of San Juan is located in what is known as the Rio Grande Valley. This city of 33,856 people sits just along the Texas and Mexico border and is best known for its Basilica of our Lady of San Juan, considered one of the largest churches in the Rio Grande Valley. One of the reasons San Juan is so unique and culturally diverse is its close proximity to Mexico. People live, work, shop and travel from one side of the border to the other, which helps to create lasting cultural as well as economic relations between the business men and women that travel between the two countries. Just a few minutes from McAllen, TX, it is an easy day trip into Mexico for a marathon shopping excursion that will have you home by dinner!
When you are thinking about making the move to San Juan, you want to keep a few things in mind as you plan and make your lists
"Now, in Texas, we believe in the rugged individual. Texas may be the one place where people actually still have bootstraps, and we expect folks to pull themselves up by them. But we also recognize there are some things we can't do alone. We have to come together and invest in opportunity today for prosperity tomorrow." (-- Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio)
While Julian Castro may have been talking as a whole, he may have very well have been talking about San Juan. Nestled on the western edge of Texas' southern tip, the city of San Juan is located in what is known as the Rio Grande Valley. This city of 33,856 people sits just along the Texas and Mexico border and is best known for its Basilica of our Lady of San Juan, considered one of the largest churches in the Rio Grande Valley. One of the reasons San Juan is so unique and culturally diverse is its close proximity to Mexico. People live, work, shop and travel from one side of the border to the other, which helps to create lasting cultural as well as economic relations between the business men and women that travel between the two countries. Just a few minutes from McAllen, TX, it is an easy day trip into Mexico for a marathon shopping excursion that will have you home by dinner!
Moving to San Juan
When you are thinking about making the move to San Juan, you want to keep a few things in mind as you plan and make your lists. Texas is huge so having a car is paramount to getting the most enjoyment possible out of living in this state. Added to that, San Juan is on the Texas-Mexico border and is considered to be an arid desert region, which means very dry heat! Moving to this area of Texas requires you to do your homework about the current border issues, as well as other possible issues that may arise living so close to Mexico. When you begin your search for a home to rent or possibly own, enlist the help of a local realtor or agent who is intimately familiar with San Juan and its neighborhoods. You will need to bring with you your basic information such as identification, rental history, references and your credit history. It will also help if you are prepared to put down a security deposit just in case you find something right away that you don't want to lose to another prospective tenant. If you have those basics, finding a place to live in San Juan should be relatively simple and fun. Just remember that having a car is a must, as is air conditioning. These are two basic rules in South Texas!
Neighborhoods of San Juan
Downtown: The urban center of San Juan has mostly single-family homes (and large ones at that), but is still an extremely affordable neighborhood to live in. The vacancy rate is quite high in this neighborhood; at 15.4% there are still many homes standing empty, ready to be sold or rented out. A few apartment complexes and high-rise apartments are in this nabe as well.
Morningside: The area on San Juan's south side is largely populated by small to medium-sized single family homes and some mobile homes. Low cost of rent, coupled with a high vacancy rate (13.1%) means finding a modest place here quickly shouldn't be a problem, but be sure to speak to an agent or a realtor and drive through the area during the day as well as at night to get a real feel of the area's vibe.
Sioux Terrace: Just north of I-83, Sioux Terrace is a mostly walkable, urban neighborhood with moderately priced rentals. Most of the homes, complexes and high rise apartments were built between 1970-1999, but a few are a bit more modern, having been built after 2000. This neighborhood is considered nice but not extravagant, and is populated by mainly managers, government employees and service workers with a few executive level professionals.
Primavera: Bisected by E Nolana Loop and N Raul Longoria Rd, this neighborhood is affordably attainable. The average vacancy rate is 12.2% in this suburban neighborhood. Like much of Texas, it's a predominately Spanish speaking community.
Miller/San Juan City Park: Tucked along I-83, this urban, mostly walkable neighborhood is home to a diverse group of residents who rent and own their homes. The average price of rent and vacancy rate are both low enough to make it an in-demand hub. Throw in the picturesque City Park, and it's easy to understand why this is a densely populated area.
The city of San Juan is as diverse as any large, thriving metropolis, it just comes in a much smaller package! The cuisine is heavily influenced by a large and thriving Spanish population, much to the enjoyment of the locals and tourists who are lucky enough to stumble across this beautiful little town.
