Growing suburban Texas community along the Rio Grande
Hugging the Mexican border along the Rio Grande in the South Texas Plains, Penitas is rooted in its strong Latinx community and blends a suburban feel with access to larger city amenities. The area is seeing an uptick in development due to the expansion of its major thoroughfares: Interstate 2 and Expressway 83. “Penitas is a growing city that’s going to continue to develop over the next five to seven years,” says local Realtor Homero Olivares with TNT Real Estate Group. “We are starting to see investment properties being bought, the new highway coming in and new businesses and chains set up.” While the community’s established culture, supported by Spanish-speaking churches and restaurants, keeps locals anchored, the new developments offer the proximity to modern-day conveniences like larger grocery stores that new residents seek. “It was a forgotten city, but with our new management, we’re finally seeing growth,” Olivares says. “It’s a great place for anybody looking to live outside of city limits but who still wants the accessibility to those resources.”
Neo-traditional homes with Spanish influences offer more space
Palm trees, shrubs and cacti decorate the front lawns of the homes nestled on Penitas’ residential streets. Lot sizes average half an acre, creating plenty of space between neighbors while maintaining a connected, suburban feel, which is another draw for residents. “We’re seeing buyers who want bigger lot sizes,” Olivares says. “It’s common to have half an acre, but you can have more space here. It’s a better place to own if you want more of a country vibe than a city vibe.” The neo-traditional homes that line the street take on distinct Mediterranean and Spanish influences, with stone and stucco exteriors, arched openings and spacious layouts. The average home value in Penitas is significantly lower than the national average, and single-family homes typically range in price from $190,000 to $450,000, though outliers include estates on larger properties that can fetch up to $1.25 million. Parcels of land are also available for purchase, ranging from a quarter of an acre to 48 acres.
Strong academics within the La Joya ISD
Students in Penitas are zoned to attend schools within the La Joya Independent School District, which earns a B grade from Niche. John F. Kennedy Elementary School serves prekindergarten through fifth grade and earns a B. Students may continue to Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School and La Joya High School, both of which get B-minus scores. Home of the Coyotes, La Joya High School offers a slew of high-performing clubs and extracurricular activities, as well as special academic programs such as Texas-STEM, which emphasizes STEM through project-based instruction.
Local water parks, city parks and nature preserves
Penitas City Park is the community’s main recreational hub. The small tract features a basketball court and a playground. In the warmer seasons, picnic pavilions fill with groups while kids enjoy the splash pad. Locals beat the area’s high temperatures and hot summers by visiting the Quinta Las 4 Lunas Waterpark and the La Joya ISD Aquatic Center, a water park boasting indoor and outdoor pools and splash pads for all ages. The Howling Trails Golf Couse offers greens for honing swinging skills. The Penitas Unit of Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area takes up a large tract along the city’s southern border. Initially set up to preserve thornforest, grasslands and wetlands, the management area now emphasizes the preservation of local wildlife, including doves and chachalaca. The park does allow hunting during the season, from September through February, for quail, rabbit and doves.
Expanding commerce along Expressway 83 and thriving food trucks
Development over the last few years has allowed Penitas to expand its commerce, Olivares says. Clustered along Expressway 83, mom-and-pop shops sit alongside fast-food chains like Denny’s and Wingstop. Alicia’s Su Cocina is an especially popular community stalwart serving Mexican favorites in a casual setting. “Alicia’s is one of the better-known homey restaurants,” Olivares notes. Penitas also has a significant culture around food trucks, reflected in The Picnic at Penitas, an outdoor food park where mobile vendors serve a wide variety of grab-and-go offerings. “Food trucks have been booming here in the valley,” he says. “The Picnic at Penitas is a whole establishment that has become a place for a homey environment and small businesses to thrive.” Locals can lounge on the chairs while snacking on tacos, barbecue, burgers and more. The Expressway 83 business corridor is also home to necessities like banks and grocery stores like Walmart. For big-box retailers and familiar brand-names, locals head less than 40 miles east to the Rio Grande Valley Premium Outlets in Mercedes.
Cultural events celebrate a Latinx community
Olivares says the food truck park has also become a hub for the city’s events, noting that the park plays host to monthly and quarterly events. The Penitas government hosts many seasonal community events, including holiday celebrations like an Easter egg hunt and Christmas tree lighting. One of the largest events is the Penitas White Wing Festival, which honors the city’s history and community through local craft vendors, food and live entertainment. Young girls may compete in the White Wing Royal Court Pageant, an organization aiming to empower girls in leadership and self-confidence. Additional ongoing events, such as book clubs, classes and workshops, are held at the Penitas Public Library.
Major thoroughfares provide access to larger neighboring communities
Interstate 2 and Expressway 83 cut across Penitas before converging and leading to neighboring communities like Mission and McAllen. Mission Regional Medical Center, just over 10 miles east on Interstate 2, is the closest hospital. McAllen International Airport, 16 miles east of Penitas, is the nearest airport, offering service to Dallas, Houston, Austin, Las Vegas and Mexico City.
Photography Contributed By
Mauricio Atilano
