Life in the border town of Escobares
Escobares is a significant crossing point for migrants across the U.S.-Mexico border. Located between Roma and Rio Grande City, Escobares was incorporated as a city in 2005 and is within walking distance of the Rio Grande River. While the river is used by farmers to water their crops, it also sees much border activity with agents patrolling the coast and rafts washing up on the shore. The median household income is $29,000, and roughly half the town is unemployed, making Escobares one of the poorest places to live in the state and the nation. “It’s a tiny little town,” Big Realty Realtor Manny De Leon says. “You blink, and you’re by it already.”
One highway between Roma and Rio Grande City
U.S. Route 83 is the main highway through town and leads roughly 4 miles west to Roma or 9 miles east toward Rio Grande City. Valley Metro has a bus service between all three cities and South Texas College 8 miles east. Residents can also schedule transportation services throughout the county 24 hours in advance. The Starr County Memorial Hospital is open for 24 hours and is over 7 miles southeast. The McAllen International Airport is over 50 miles southeast and has nonstop flights to Cancun, Dallas, Houston, Austin, Las Vegas, Orlando and Mexico City.
Brick and stucco houses with gated entrances
Older homes are clustered around the western end with some new construction north of the highway. Many brick and stucco houses have wooden and chain link fences, while other homes have large stone and metal gates. Sizes range between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet with less than 1-acre lots. Most residents own their properties, and listings rarely hit the market since many houses stay in the family. “There are very few people there,” De Leon says. “Each one has their own entrance to their own ranch.” Prices vary between $145,000 and $165,000.
A few taquerias and a Dollar General
There are limited restaurants and storefronts in Escobares. Most taquerias, resale stores and taco trucks are located along the highway, along with a few auto shops and car washes. The Los Molcajetes Restaurant & Grill is popular for its fajitas, enchiladas and stewed shrimp bowls, while Las Alitas Sports & Wings serves bone-in and boneless wings and Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. The Tu Casa Salad Shop serves homemade Tex-Mex specialties, burgers and sandwiches, and the Green Acres Fruit & Market Grocery store serves barbecue on the weekends. Shoppers can pick up groceries and household goods at the local Dollar General, but most will drive either to Roma or Rio Grande City for more shopping and dining options.
Two elementary schools zoned for Roma ISD
Escobares is zoned for the Roma Independent School District, which earns a B on Niche. Two elementary schools are available to students depending on which side of the highway they live on. Those on the north side will be closest to Veterans Memorial Elementary School, which earns a B-minus on Niche, while those on the southern end will have to travel around 3 miles west to the B-plus-rated Delia Gonzalez Garcia Elementary. Ramiro Barrera Middle School has a Gifted and Talented program and a C-plus, while Roma High School offers advanced placement courses and has a B-minus.
A community center, playground and private pool
While there aren’t many green spaces in Escobares, there are a few venues where locals gather for special events and celebrations. Quinceañeras and banquets are held at the MAR Palace and Los Cristales event center, while live performances, cookoffs and car shows occasionally take place at the Escobares Community Center. The municipal park has a playground, walking trails and a pavilion, and the Las Cascadas Pool can be rented out for large groups on weekends.
