Llano Grande draws Winter Texans to the Rio Grande Valley
Llano Grande is a Rio Grande Valley locale in sunny South Texas, about 6 miles north of the Mexico border at Nuevo Progreso. Due to its warm climate, the valley draws Winter Texans, part-time residents who come to the state for the colder months. “Winter Texans are kind of like Florida’s Snowbirds, where they come down for the season and then go back,” says Jennifer Martinez, the broker/owner of Mariposa Realty RGV Inc., noting that she sees buyers and renters from Midwestern states like Wisconsin and Minnesota, and even from Wyoming and Montana. “A lot used to come from Canada, too,” she says.
Mailing addresses for Llano Grande homes list Weslaco . Mercedes is the other main city within a short drive. McAllen is about 22 miles west, and Edinburg is about 25 miles southwest.
Ranch-style homes, custom contemporaries and retirement living
Among Llano Grande’s older options are ranch-style homes from the 1950s through the ‘70s. There’s a variety of contemporaries, some with custom elements like Spanish-style tile roofs. Newer homes, including ones built in the 2020s, are in subdivisions such as Springwood Estates and Pleasant View Estates. Single-family homes typically list from about $100,000 to $275,000.
Siesta Retirement Village is a 55-and-up manufactured home community. The village has a saltwater pool, shuffleboard courts and a wood shop, plus social events like potluck dinners, dances and concerts. Listings range from about $50,000 to $200,000. To the east is the Llano Grande Resort & Golf Club, another option for those 55 and older. The private resort, part of Mercedes, has rentals and manufactured homes for sale. A golf course, pools and pickleball courts are among the amenities.
A state park and other areas for birding and hiking
Estero Llano Grande State Park, past the northeast side of town, is known for the World Birding Center. To the southwest, the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area is another place for wildlife viewing, particularly of white-winged doves. From Llano Grande, it’s about 60 miles to the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, for more birding, beaches and the resort town South Padre Island .
The Weslaco Independent School District and other school choices
Students may attend Dr. R. E. Margo Elementary School, which earns a C-plus grade from Niche. Armando Cuellar Middle School receives a C. Weslaco East High School has a C-plus and career and technical education programs in over a dozen areas, including agriculture, health science and transportation. Students may apply to Weslaco Independent School District Schools of Choice, such as the Early College High School, which focuses on a college-level curriculum. Others may attend IDEA Weslaco tuition-free charter schools; all grade levels are covered across two campuses. Additionally, the South Texas Independent School District operates magnet junior high and high schools for students in the valley.
Businesses on 18th Street and in Weslaco and Mercedes
To the north, on 18th Street, the Taqueria Bombazo Restaurant includes a drive-through snack and beverage shop. Nana’s Taqueria specializes in lonches, a type of North Mexican sandwich, and hosts mariachi performances on Thursdays and Fridays.
About 2 miles west on 18th, there’s a Walmart Neighborhood Market. Farther north, U.S. Route 83 links Weslaco and Mercedes and has many stores and eateries. The Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets and the WesMer Drive-in Theatre are in Mercedes.
Events to attend around Llano Grande and the region
Top area events include the Texas Onion Festival, held in downtown Weslaco on a Saturday in late March. The Rio Grande Livestock Show and Rodeo in Mercedes, also in March, lasts more than a week. A carnival, concerts, performances and competitions — like a greased pig scramble and mutton bustin’ — are part of the fun.
Other events within a 30-mile drive include the Edinburg UFO Festival and Conference in April. In May, McAllen puts on MXLAN, a 3-day Latino arts and entertainment celebration; in October, the city has the Fiesta de Palmas, a weekend-long event with dance performances, international cuisine and cultural activities. The Texas Citrus Fiesta in Mission , usually held in late January, features the Fiesta Fun Fair, the Parade of Oranges and a royal coronation for King Citrus and Queen Citrianna.
Car-dependent, with access to highways, airports and medical services
Streets within some subdivisions are walkable, with sidewalks, and golf carts are used in some communities. Otherwise, people usually drive, and there’s access to Interstate 2 and U.S.-83 to the north. Knapp Medical Center and other providers are within a few miles’ drive. The Mid-Valley Airport in Weslaco is a general aviation facility and a U.S. Customs & Border Protection Point of Entry. Its role in regional commerce and emergency response services continues to expand. A $26-million investment for the airport was announced in 2025. For passenger flights, Valley International Airport in Harlingen and McAllen International Airport are each within a 25-mile drive.
The county is relatively high risk for several environmental concerns
According to the FEMA National Risk Index, Hidalgo County has relatively high risk for environmental issues like heat waves, cold waves, tornadoes and riverine flooding. The hurricane risk is ranked very high. Llano Grande doesn’t stand out within the county, though homes closest to waterways and irrigation ditches could be vulnerable at times.
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Written By
Robin Silberman
