"As independent as a hog on ice" is a great description of the state of Texas. That phrase and the word "biggest," as in everything else in Texas from hats to ranches, and you've mostly got Texas covered. In fact, Texas has more big things than you can shake a stick at, including some of the most colorful sayings in the English (American) language. The 10-gallon cowboy hat (actually only holds about three quarts), King Ranch, even the deep sea game fish off South Padre Island are all as big as Dallas, the best "big" compliment a Texan can make.
Weslaco, named for the W.E. Stewart Land Company, sits at the very most southern tip of Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley about 10 minutes from the Mexican border. Although Americans need a passport to get into Mexico, many of the tightly knit Weslaco residents frequently go across the International Bridge to shop and visit their neighbors to the south.
While really low rates for rental apartments in Weslaco are rare, the quality of living here is high and almost makes up for having to pay a little more
"As independent as a hog on ice" is a great description of the state of Texas. That phrase and the word "biggest," as in everything else in Texas from hats to ranches, and you've mostly got Texas covered. In fact, Texas has more big things than you can shake a stick at, including some of the most colorful sayings in the English (American) language. The 10-gallon cowboy hat (actually only holds about three quarts), King Ranch, even the deep sea game fish off South Padre Island are all as big as Dallas, the best "big" compliment a Texan can make.
Weslaco, named for the W.E. Stewart Land Company, sits at the very most southern tip of Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley about 10 minutes from the Mexican border. Although Americans need a passport to get into Mexico, many of the tightly knit Weslaco residents frequently go across the International Bridge to shop and visit their neighbors to the south.
Moving to Weslaco
While really low rates for rental apartments in Weslaco are rare, the quality of living here is high and almost makes up for having to pay a little more. There's no personal income tax, so that's a savings already. One and two bedroom apartments for rent in Weslaco are often one story. Most have a fistful of amenities worth looking at.
When To Start Looking
You should probably start looking about four to six weeks out from your proposed move-in date for places to live in Weslaco. You could find something sooner, but if you don't, you might find yourself two hoots and a holler away from where you want to be.
Where To Look
Weslaco is one of those rare places where you'll find decent rental homes throughout town. Many folks prefer the 78596 ZIP code -- lots of posh places on this side of town -- but the 78599 is OK, too. You may even score duplexes for rent here. It's interesting to note that streets north of the railroad tracks all have Spanish names, while streets at the south end of town all have English names, with most of them bearing the names of Northern states.
What You Need to Move There
You'll need the "usual" to secure a house rental or apartment complex home in Weslaco. Have your credit score, letter verifying employment and salary and a copy of your last paycheck stub. When it gets serious, you'll need cash in the form of a cashier's or bank check. Prepare for first month's rent and that good old security deposit.
Life in the City
While there are other things to do on Friday night, you most likely will need to take in a football game at Bobby Lacky Stadium to keep up with the locals. Could be a high school game, college combat, or Pop Warner's, but if you mess with Friday night football, you mess with Texas. The bands, the teams, the cheerleaders -- you probably won't want to miss this Texas cultural experience anyway.
Weslaco takes great pride in its other cultural activities at the Museum, historical sites and recently revitalized historical downtown area. Charming antique shops like Mimi's Antiques line Antique Row on South Texas Boulevard. The one hundred seat Tower Theater is in a renovated historic water storage tank. Ville De Cortez houses a beautiful ballroom, shops and restaurants. The Museum highlights Weslaco's olden times with replicas of a typical kitchen and a barbershop from the early 20th century, and changing exhibits about life in the past.
Dining around town is eclectic. After a day's antique hunting, try the Lonches at Nona's. Not lunches, although they make great ones. Nona's is where the locals gather. A corrugated steel roof, seven tables and incredible Mexican tacos called Lonches served in bolilla rolls instead of taco shells make up for the lack of ambiance you might have been expecting. The only place you'll find them is in the Rio Grande Valley. Another good choice is the Blue Onion with fresh salads, brick oven pizzas, dips with crispy flatbread and healthy wraps. It may be the only place in town you'll find goat cheese on the menu. If you want to kick back for a fun evening dancing and drinking some great brews, try the Mustang Lounge Nightclub.
For more peaceful natural surroundings, Weslaco has almost 250 acres of mature forest, wetlands and parklands to explore. Two golf courses are within the city limits. Fishing and camping are beloved pastimes here in South Texas and there's plenty of open space to do both.
Getting Around
Sadly, a car is a necessity in this part of Texas -- unless automobiles are your cup of tea (if that even makes sense). The Walking Score is rated at 58, and it's mostly because things are spread out in Weslaco. If you score a place to call home in the downtown area, walking to most places you need to get to is a pleasure.
The Valley Transit buses run through the towns of the Rio Grande Valley every hour of the day. The Rio Metro Link travels the local routes daily from 6AM to 7PM. While there is an airport in Weslaco, it's for freight and corporate use only. The closest passenger airports are each 17 miles from town -- McAllen Miller International to the west and Valley International to the east.
For a quick day-trip or a long weekend, Weslaco-ites drive an hour to the South Texas paradise of South Padre Island. This tropical barrier island on the Gulf of Mexico offers para-sailing, horseback riding on the beach, scuba and snorkeling in crystalline turquoise waters, and those deep sea game fish as big as Dallas!
