Wanted to get your thoughts on Harlingen. It's a great place to retire (so they say) and is very laid back or boring when compared to "posh" (what people say) McAllen. What are the thoughts of texags peeps?

it's closer to the beach

I have lived in Harlingen, McAllen, and Edinburg. Harlingen is definitely different than other towns in the valley. I think the reason is that (I know it was a long time ago) Harlingen used to have an airbase. Many folks in the airforce retired in Harlingen. Even though that was a long time ago, the retirees still have an impact on Harlingen. After the base closed, the military tradition continued with the Marine Military Academy, which brought in retired marines. (I taught at MMA for a couple of years.)

This retired military culture has made Harlingen a very conservative town. For years the town (city) would not support the schools and defeated bond issue after bond issue. (Retired folks don't have kids in school.)Whether you think this is good or bad, it is a fact that most of the valley is very familiar with. Harlingen and Weslaco have tried mightily to copy the merchantile successes of McAllen. Harlingen has had some success but it does not have a bridge. Weslaco has not succeeded and needs to really make some changes fast or be left in the dust by Mercedes and it's outlet mall.

In the last few years Harlingen has done some good things. They have a mall, and they have made good use of the old AFB for several things. The schools have dramatically improved and are on the same level with better schools in the valley. The Baptist hospital is as good as or better than the hospitals in McAllen. All that said, Harlingen seems to be a clique-ish town (probably a hold over from the old military days).

AND it's closer to the beach

OH yeah....and it's closer to the beach!!

definitely closer to the beach!!

IMO - Harlingen is and has been playing catch up to the bigger cities because they were opposed to any kind of growth. The new mayor and city planner are finally doing some good things there.

I've never thought of McAllen as "posh" ever

Compared to the rest of the valley it certainly is.

Oh before reading the thread my first thought was 'the only good thing about living in Harlingen would be that it's closer to the beach'.

agree with TKE. the older regimes wanted to keep harlingen from changing...more of a quiet, retirement community.

it's obvious that a number of changes are occuring finally. it's in a pretty good spot being a crossroads of sorts at 83 and 77

so to bucky, it depends on what you're looking for. my dad's replacement just moved there. he researched a ton about where to live with his family and young son. harlingen made the most sense b/c he's pretty conservative, living in treasure hills he's right next to quality healthcare and decent schools...just depends on what you're looking for.

Until the mid 70s, before the school year started we would go the Sears store in downtown Harlingen to shop for school clothes (we lived between Donna & La Blanca). Ah yes: Toughskins! The building is still there, but I don't remember what is in it now: either a hardware store or offices of some sort. Then after the shopping whip, we'd eat at Sammy's Red Barn (Dad loved that place).

I always thought Harlingen "felt" different from the other cities in the Valley. I think (as someone mentioned) the fact that the AFB operated until the mid 1960s had something to do with it. Also, unlike Brownsville, McAllen and Weslaco, there was no international bridge feeding the Mexican traffic into town.

Anyone else remember Six Shooter Junction?

I remember Six Shooter Junction.
That's how I knew we were "almost" almost to the beach.
Because, as everyone knows, Harlingen is closer to the beach.

Also, Harlingen is closer to the beach...

Harlingen has that really good barbeque place out on old 83 towards Stuart Place Road. I can't remember the name...maybe Lone Star. If you want a bunch of good food, there's your place!

Harlingen = Brownsville, Jr.
C'mon, when you have to drive to Brownsville to get your college degree, you might want to relocate.

There a problem with Brownsville there, Scorpion?

Im a valley girl...RGV that is! Im heading down south for vacation this weekend and will be in Harlingen where my family is from.

Of course, its closer to the beach,laffs,and we will be visiting Schlitterbahn on the island as we do every year. Here we come Palmetto Inn and Blackbeards! Yum!

Six shooter junction...ahhh the memories! Longhorn is a good place to get some BBQ, and we like going to Las Vegas for breakfast too.

But as a tradition...Oyster Bar is the first place I wanna go too! I remember that place since I was a little girl, wow.

My father was law enforcement on the island when I was born, its all "home" to me and its also neat to see my kids visiting the same places that I grew up with.

Schlitterbahn's only appealing to tourists.
Ohhhh, let me sit around in tepid water surrounded by overweight men and women with their snotty children.
Yeah, sounds like a real fun time.

As for BBQ, Blue BBQ in Los Fresnos is the best.

Harlingen will get a lot more exciting in the next few days with Dolly approaching!