Home to one of the best birding locations in the country, the South Texas city of Alamo is a growing community hailed for its convenient location and affordable market. “It’s sitting in the middle of everything. It’s close to McAllen, and it’s close to the Mexican border, so it’s really convenient for people commuting to work,” says Isabel Cantu, a Realtor with Imperio Real Estate who has sold homes in the area for three years. It’s common for residents to cross the border daily for work, but Alamo has also seen plenty of business development within its borders recently. Restaurants and retailers such as Carl’s Jr. and Goodwill have opened in the city. A 12,000-square-foot distribution and a new freestanding emergency room have brought more growth to the area as well. As the city grows, it continues to foster a strong sense of community with annual events such as school parades, Fourth of July celebrations and barbecue cook-offs. Weekly markets at the Mercadome boost local businesses and farmers, while longstanding restaurants like The Original Willie’s Bar-B-Q keep the community connected to its roots. While the subtropical climate may be perfect for birds, the expanding modern housing options in Alamo are helping turn this city into a welcoming habitat for homebuyers as well.
Various species of plants bloom year round in the subtropical environment in Alamo.
You can find various walking trails within Alamo.
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Modern new construction in the Valley
With an extensive mix of homes and apartments, Alamo appeals to many different buyers looking to stay under a $400,000 budget in the Rio Grande Valley. “It’s a growing city, and there’s a lot of new construction that’s moving fast. As soon as they’re completed, they’re selling,” Cantu says, noting that even new three-bedroom homes around 1,500 square feet can sell for close to $250,000, which is far lower than the average in the rest of Hidalgo County. Modern, Craftsman-inspired styles are gaining popularity, while others feature brick exteriors and spacious built-in garages. They are often close together on neighborhood streets lined with sidewalks, but there are homes with larger yards on the northern and southern edges of the city. There is still plenty of room to grow in this city, and buyers looking for something custom should have no trouble purchasing parcels of undeveloped land.
Various modern style homes can be found in Alamo.
Single story brick style home adjacent to Robert G. Balli Park.
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Preparing for the future at PSJA schools
Students can begin their academic career at Augusto Guerra Elementary and Audie Murphy Middle, which both maintain grades of C on Niche. In ninth grade, students can transition to PSJA Memorial Early College High School, which maintains a grade of B-minus on Niche and offers extensive career and technical education courses. The school serves approximatley 1,800 students and has a student-teacher ratio of 14-to-1. Some students may even graduate from the Early College program with an associate degree or 60 college credit hours that can be transferred to a four-year school.
Augusto Guerra Elementary School is accepting Pre-K through 5th grade students.
Audie Murphy Middle School is a great place to enter students in the early college program.
Students move on to PSJA Memorial Early College High School, which currently holds a B-minus rating on Niche.
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Easy routes in and around Alamo
As a border city, Alamo has access to multiple international bridges. The Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge is about 12 miles away while the Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge is about 13 miles southeast of town. Interstate 2 is also a major route in South Texas, giving residents a 9-mile drive west to the business district in McAllen. Residents have a roughly 70-mile drive east along I-2 and Interstate 69 to popular Gulf beach destinations, including South Padre Island. While the closest hospital is in McAllen, there is a South Texas Health System emergency room along I-2, in the heart of Alamo.
Market finds at Mercadome
With Walmart, H-E-B and the Alamo Plaza shopping center lined up right off Interstate 2, residents can easily take care of weekly errands without driving all over town. Just north of the highway is the Mercadome, known as the largest flea market in the Rio Grande Valley. Open seven days a week, this outdoor market has a little bit of everything, from local farmers with fresh fruit to leatherworkers selling handbags. After shopping, locals refuel at staples like The Original Willie’s Bar-B-Q, which has been running for 20 years. And in the evening, self-serve beer and yard games like cornhole bring a crowd to The Landmark on Tower, a local food truck park.
Mercadome offers various types of fresh produce at an affordable price.
An adornments of wall art unique to The Original Willies Bar-B-Q located in Alamo.
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Grab some binoculars to explore Santa Ana
With more than 2,000 acres of moss-coated trees, riverside grasses and shaded pathways, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best locations in the country for birding during migration season. Butterflies are also prominent pollinators here, with more than 300 different species known to make an appearance. This vast swath of nature along the Rio Grande has 14 miles of hiking and biking trails and offers guided birdwatching tours for visitors. In town, residents enjoy spending time at the Alamo Sports Complex, which is home to four lighted ball fields, a basketball court and a skate park. And in summer, residents can stay cool at the Alamo Municipal Pool located on East De Soto Avenue.
Santa Ana Wildlife Refuge offers various lush walking trails within its park.
This walking trail is located adjacent to PSJA Memorial Early College High School.
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Annual events bring community spirit to Alamo
Alamo hosts several events throughout the year. The annual Watermelon Festival and BBQ Cook-off takes place each spring and features live music, food, a beer garden and carnival rides. In October, the communities of Pharr, San Juan and Alamo come together for the PSJA ISD Tri-City Red Ribbon Parade, which has been held annually by the school district for more than 20 years. Students can help build creative floats for their school or perform as part of the marching band or dance team.
Written By
Corrine Fizer
Photography Contributed By
Mauricio Atilano
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Carlos Cordova,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Alamo, TX sell after 86 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Alamo, TX over the last 12 months is $221,000, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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MOVE IN READY! Apply NOW A must-see unit with an open layout, modern flooring, Granite Countertops, modern lighting fixtures including recessed lighting throughout the unit. Vaulted ceilings with a fan in living room and bedrooms. All bedrooms come with double chrome closet rods, the master bathroom has a glass walk-in shower and custom built-in drawers. Property Features:2 Assigned
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