Rancho Viejo evolves from a seasonal destination to a permanent home
For decades, the country club community of Rancho Viejo attracted Northeasterners in the winter and Mexican citizens in the summer. These days, residents are more likely to call the South Texas town home all year long, says Isabel Perales, the interim town administrator and a 20-year resident. “It used to be more of a Texan retirement community, and everyone was retired and would golf. Most people were members of the club.” However, the community has changed as a new generation has moved in, she says. “Everybody is more full-time, and we have more families with children.” Even if residents don’t join the country club, they can still enjoy a resort-like atmosphere complete with palm trees, trimmed fairways and the waterfront of a resaca, the name for channels that twist through the Rio Grande Valley.
Homes with waterfront and golf course views
Winding streets lined with Spanish Colonial Revival homes and contemporary designs follow the resaca. Nearly every property borders the water or the golf course — and sometimes both. Decks often extend from backyards to the water, with small boats moored to some decks. Homes have recently sold from $175,000 to $510,000, with custom houses and new construction selling between $750,000 and $1.3 million. Low-rise condo complexes cluster on the east end; units typically cost between $125,000 and $210,000.
The CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
A community split between two school districts
Most houses are zoned to the Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District. Kids can start at Villareal Elementary, graded a B by Niche. Niche gives a B-plus to Resaca Middle, a new school that opened in 2023. At A-minus-rated Los Fresnos High, students can choose from nearly 30 clubs, including Mariachi Club and Audio Video Productions Club. The district is converting the old Resaca Middle campus into a Career and Technical Education Center, while building an Agriculture Barn for the local National FFA Organization chapter and a Multi-Purpose Fine Arts Center. Construction of the Career and Technical Education Center and Agriculture Barn is expected to finish in 2025, with the fine arts center wrapping up in 2026. Homes on the east side of Rancho Viejo are in the Brownsville Independent School District, which gets a B-plus.
Recreation includes Rancho Viejo Park and a private country club
At Rancho Viejo Park, trees and a canopy partially shade a playground and picnic tables from the Texas sun. The park’s tennis court and basketball court are open to the public. Only members can play on the tennis and pickleball courts at Rancho Viejo Resort & Country Club, which also has a pool with a swim-up bar and an 18-hole golf course. Members of the public can book a bay at Total Golf, a driving range that tracks balls, allowing players to compete against each other. About 30 miles away, families, anglers and spring breakers hit the beaches of South Padre Island.
Events include Christmas parade with golf carts, tamales
The city organizes events, including spring and fall cleanups, where students earn community service hours tidying up the community, and National Night Out in October. In December, Ranch Viejo celebrates Christmas with a country club twist. “We get people to decorate golf carts, we have a parade and then we come back and have tamales,” Perales says. The Rancho Viejo Farmers Market opens on Saturdays, bringing local farmers and food trucks to the municipal office grounds.
Shopping found in the cities of Brownsville, San Benito
Blue Eye Bistro blends Mexican and Lebanese cuisine in its lunch, dinner and brunch menus. Next door, Rancho Viejo Mini Mart carries snacks and drinks. There aren’t many other businesses in Rancho Viejo, but residents can get their groceries at H-E-B, 10 miles away in San Benito. Locals also shop in Brownsville, where there are Target, The Home Depot and Sunrise Mall, home to nearly 100 shops and eateries. Brownsville is also where locals can access emergency care and specialists at Valley Regional Medical Center.
Located next to I-69E
Rancho Viejo sits alongside Interstate 69E, which drivers can take 5 miles to Brownsville or 12 miles to Harlingen. At Brownsville South Padre Island International Airport, passengers can take direct flights to Dallas, Houston and Monterrey, Mexico.
Written By
Alex Soderstrom
