Category: Small Town Life

Del Rio, Texas – Flawed Perception? Texas Border Town Fights Misconceptions, Boasts Safe & Friendly Family Living

5/18/2017

San Felipe Creek at US Highway 90 in Del Rio - Photo Courtesy of Del Rio One Aerial Footage (via YouTube)

I’ll start by saying I was one of those people, when I first received notification of job transfer to Del Rio.

My wife and I came from Tucson, Arizona. Arizona has a lot of problems with the Mexican border and drug smuggling. It’s a great state, but the border is a big problem. We all have heard the stories of cartel wars in Nogales & Juarez, mass graves, kidnappings, stray bullets flying over the fence, murdered border ranchers, and the whole works. I’ve spent most of my life near the border, but not in a border town, per-se. So, Del Rio was our first real exposure to the remote, West Texas border, and initially thought...of all places to go! A previous coworker even asked, “who did you piss off?”

The Mexican/US Border Fence scene from the show "Border Wars"

Any level-headed family that has ever relocated to a new town understands that location is only one aspect of what makes or breaks a community, so I learned quickly that, despite (perhaps) the solitude of Del Rio, the community thrived on its culture, not it’s point on the map. Big cities have never been my thing, but I can appreciate proximity to a big town for the sake of copious amounts of entertainment, shopping, transportation, and medical needs. Smaller towns, however, can often have a much more vibrant “homey” feeling – where neighborly relationships across the community do matter.

Pecos River near Del Rio, Texas. Photo Courtesy of Beautiful Del Rio Images

When you research Del Rio, you can’t find much about what people who actually live here think about it. And, actually, the only thing I really heard about it before we moved there was, “it’s only a three-hour drive to San Antonio”, as if Del Rio was a God-forsaken, run-down, dusty border town that everyone couldn’t wait to leave.

To be honest, I know some people feel that way, and my heart aches for them. In most cases, from what I’ve observed, it’s because they arrived close-minded to the opportunities and relationships that Del Rio and the surrounding area offers. I’m not talking about Mexico – although I’ve heard there is fun to be had there as well. I’m talking about a culture, that, if you choose to immerse yourself in it with no strings attached, will welcome and hold you like family.

Del Rio Rams Football - Photo Courtesy of Del Rio News Herald

You see, it’s the uneducated misconception of the town that Del Rio struggles with – one of its worst enemies – and that in itself deters many from ever experiencing it for real. Is Del Rio perfect? Absolutely not! Certainly, not every perception or rumor about the town is flawed. There is plenty that both the town and the townsfolk could do to improve the quality of life, economy, and attractiveness. This discussion is not about community development, however – it’s about the importance of being open-minded.

Listen, one of the first people I met in Del Rio told me that they had relocated here because they just loved the culture and the friendly, safe town. While encouraging to both me and my wife, we can both admit that we both thought this person must be a little crazy or something to want to do that. I tell you what, though – I’ve come to see why more and more folks – many of them transplants – are calling Del Rio home. They aren’t crazy, they have just learned to appreciate the real things in life that the community of Del Rio holds dear – things like faith, family, and community spirit.

Annual Del Rio H-E-B Feast of Sharing

Welcome to Coahuila Sign in Acuña, across the border from Del Rio, Texas

But, without going any further, I’d like to address some of the perceptions that both my wife and I had when we were a little less educated about Del Rio before we moved here – and what the reality of the town actually is.

Misconception: Nobody Speaks English
Not true at all. While Spanish will certainly help you understand the local gossip standing in line at the H-E-B grocery store, you don’t have to speak any Spanish to get around. Signs are in English, menus are in English, and we even have English radio stations.

Now, if you are Hispanic, some Del Rioans may speak initially to you in Spanish, assuming that you speak Spanish. If you reply in English, they will be happy to accommodate you in your native tongue. Many Hispanic locals are bilingual, so this is common. I’ve also heard conversions switch languages mid-sentence. You will hear this the first few times and be confused, then just learn that that’s the way it goes.

One foot-note, however – it helps to be bilingual for job opportunities. This is a common “plus” in many places, not just border towns, but it really does make a difference here. No worries, my wife easily got a job upon arrival here and doesn’t speak Spanish.

Crime Rate In Del Rio Compared To National Average

Misconception: The Low Crime Rate Is Fudged
I suppose that I can’t say for sure that this is false, but I can say that I’ve never really witnessed a crime in Del Rio in the two years that I’ve been here. It is extremely safe. I never worry about my wife and young daughter at night, out on the town by themselves, or even if we left our front door wide open (not that we do that…).

I’ve read the arrest reports for a little mischief here and there – but compared to many other places that I’ve lived, Del Rio does not have me worried about safety and security. I’m actually way more worried about crime in San Antonio than in Del Rio.

Val Verde County Sheriff Patrol Vehicle Alongside a US Border Patrol Truck

Misconception: Drugs
I learned quickly that Texas does not tolerate drugs. In California, Oregon, and Arizona – three states that I lived in most of my life – it seemed like drugs just seemed to overwhelm small towns. Not Del Rio, Texas.

Del Rio isn’t drug-free. I’ve heard a few stories of folks getting caught with a little marijuana – and in some cases heavier narcotics or pills. But overall, I don’t see a bunch of people blazed out of their minds walking aimlessly down the street in Del Rio like I would see in many other places that I’ve lived.

A common side-effect of drugs – homelessness – is another thing that Del Rio appears to lack. I can’t remember the last time I saw a homeless family here. Del Rio doesn’t let folks go without a roof over their head.

Sunset Over Lake Amistad

Misconception: It’s a Barren Wasteland
Google Maps doesn’t help with this misconception. Do yourself a favor and don’t use Google Maps Satellite View to get an impression of Del Rio, sort of like I did originally. Del Rio and the local surrounding area is home to not only the Rio Grande and Amistad Reservoir, but also the Pecos River, the Devils River, the Frio River, the Nueces River, and Hill Country. My favorite local natural beauty is San Felipe Creek, which the city has done a great job developing into a wonderful park.

Del Rio is actually pretty diverse when it comes to nature. West of Del Rio is the Chihuahuan Desert and Big Bend. It’s dry, but serene. North and northeast of Del Rio is Hill Country – the closest Central Texas can come to forested mountains (hills). South and east of Del Rio may seem a bit barren for an hour or so, but is relieved by a bunch of farmland and much more humid air from the Gulf of Mexico. So, whether you want to spend a night under the desert stars, tube down the rivers in Hill Country, or start a garden – Del Rio gives you the opportunity to do so.

Misconception: Gringos Don’t Fit
My wife and I are Gringos. We have a baby gringo chiquita (little girl). The Del Rio community has welcomed us with no thought to race or skin color. Honestly, despite the demographics, I really don’t think we even really stand out. There’s a bunch of us non-Hispanics that call Del Rio home.

There is plenty of “American” restaurants, stores, and amenities – in fact, when I first arrived in Del Rio, I remarked that “I would have never guessed this to be a border town by the looks of it. Definitely a Texas town, though!”

Misconception: Don’t Drink The Water
The water is great. Call us gross, but we have no problem drinking the tap water in Del Rio. While Acuña across the border gets its drinking water from Amistad Reservoir, Del Rio is home of San Felipe Springs – and there is so much clean water that they had to build a golf course, park and amphitheater around it.

San Felipe Springs

Annual Adventure Race

Professional Bull Riding at the annual George Paul Memorial Event in Del Rio, Texas

Misconception: There is Nothing To Do
There’s plenty to do. Nightlife – not so much, at least during the week. If you like parties and wildness, you probably won’t find it in Del Rio – of course, I’m perfectly ok with that. On the other hand, Del Rio offers plenty of attractions, from great parks and recreation, to theater productions, to intramural sports teams, to the Del Rio High School Rams football games. There’s plenty of boating and water sports, plentiful hunting and fishing, wine tasting at Val Verde Winery, and all sorts of cultural and community events, often advertised by the one of the two Chambers of Commerce in town.

I think the big thing is that you have to make an effort to be engaged in the town’s events – they don’t always just smack you in the face. The best way is to follow the various Facebook pages, like the Chamber of Commerce, the Parks Foundation, Del Rio Buzz, and so forth to hear about events. Even better, get involved with local organizations and be a part of organizing local happenings – my wife and I have really enjoyed playing a part in this community this way.

In conclusion, I think it’s only appropriate that I thank a number of unnamed people in Del Rio who welcomed my wife and me to this town. I remember telling my mom, when she asked about what I thought of Del Rio, I said, “I haven’t met someone who hasn’t smiled”. It’s a growing community, slowly, but surely. Every day it seems like there is a new organization or initiative in town with a passion for continuing to promote and develop the community, highlighting the pride that Del Rioans take in their city.

If I had never met many of the locals that I have come across if I didn’t have an open mind about Del Rio, I might still be lumped into the category of folks who can’t wait to leave. Fortunately, I’m in the other boat – the group that doesn’t want to leave.

- Dan Schreiber

See More About Del Rio Here

Del Rio, Texas – Tips & Tricks For Newcomers - The Best of The Border & No Country For Old Men

4/30/2017

Del Rio, Texas Welcome Sign

My wife grew up in Tucson, Arizona. I didn’t – but I called Arizona home, especially since that’s where I met my wife. Once work decided that the somewhat isolated town of Del Rio, Texas was our next destination – I don’t think either of us was thrilled, but we both hated cold weather - so we figured it could be much worse. We were newlyweds as well – I mean, what better place to have a honeymoon than a small, dusty border town?

My wife and I moved to Del Rio during the spring of 2015. After driving through much of West Texas on the Interstate 10 at 80-miles-per-hour for several hours with little sight of civilization east of El Paso – it can be a bit daunting. If you have every watched the movie No Country For Old Men, you are probably scared to death. What are we getting ourselves into? If that has crossed your mind – you’re at the right place!

The US Highway 90 West of Del Rio

The Drive To Del Rio From the West

Interstate 10 in West Texas

El Paso has really grown, now pretty much starting on the New Mexico/Texas line and spanning several congested miles east of the airport and Fort Bliss – about 40 miles on the Interstate total - which can take over an hour to traverse. I would probably despise it if it wasn’t the only built-up civilization along the 11-hour drive. And, it hosts the first Taco Cabana along the route, and littering of truck stops – Love’s, Flying J, Pilot, Petro/TA, among others. I always fill up either in Anthony, Texas (Exit 1) if I’m headed west, or just off Horizon Blvd and the Interstate if I’m headed east – you never know where the next [affordable] working gas pump will be for several hundred miles.

Highway near Van Horn, Texas

I remember driving from Tucson straight to Del Rio one afternoon (about 11 hours in total) to rent a house. I’ll talk about housing here in a bit. After I left Tucson on the Interstate 10 headed east, it is a pretty boring drive. I’d done it plenty of times – and I was pretty used to the talk radio channels cutting in and out with border-blaster Mexican stations. There’s not much between Tucson and El Paso besides The Thing? and Las Cruces – which is notoriously littered with speed traps and state police (I knew this and still got a speeding ticket…).

El Paso, Texas

There’s several ways to cut down to Del Rio from the Interstate 10 – Van Horn being the western origin of the US Highway 90. If you take this way, you’ll head down the scenic route through the world-famous town of Valentine, the artsy town of Marfa, and through the Davis Mountains into Alpine, which is about as much of a mountain town as you can get in Texas. I chose to follow the interstate to Fort Stockton, however – a dusty, windy town that seems to come and go with the oll-drilling industry like many small West Texas towns.

Davis Mountains State Park

Sanderson, Texas

Langtry, Texas

After refueling in Fort Stockton (although you will probably still have a decent bit in your tank – but trust me – if you see a gas pump in West Texas, fuel up!), I headed south to Sanderson. Sanderson is an interesting little town – dwindling in population – and straight depressing for someone from the city (but sort of cool for someone like me who enjoys peaceful remoteness). Sanderson is the county seat for Terrell County, Texas – one of the few counties in Texas with a total population of less than 1,000 people. Needless to say, it’s remote. There is cell phone reception (only in town), however – but I couldn’t find a working radio station. Not sure what people do in Sanderson, although I’d like to find out some day – it is a pretty little area, nestled in a canyon parallel with the Union Pacific railroad tracks, with the Rio Grande a few miles south.

From Sanderson, it’s about an hour and a half of no civilization eastbound to Del Rio. It’s beautiful, in my opinion, during the springtime when recent rainfall has left the normally dry and dead desert shrubbery different shades of light to dark green. After crossing the Val Verde County line, you’ll eventually run into Seminole Canyon State Park and the Pecos River – which again, is quite gorgeous. Even if you don’t stop at Langtry (the site of a legendary Judge Roy Bean’s courtroom, which also doubled as a saloon) or Seminole Canyon State Park, you will probably be as amazed as I was at the natural cut that both the Rio Grande and the Pecos River have made in the local terrain – it is actually quite beautiful.

The sign that you are getting close to Del Rio – after passing through the blink-of-an-eye town of Comstock (about where cell phone reception starts trying to come back to life) – is the Lake Amistad bridge. It’s a pleasant site – a decently wide body of water for the desert – blue – and lots of nice coves and inlets. When we moved here and my wife saw the lake at sunset, she explained that it was surprisingly beautiful. Del Rio itself is about 15 minutes east of the lake.

Lake Amistad Bridge

First Impressions

Veterans' Blvd At Night

A few of the first impressions that I had:

It was humid – like Gulf of Mexico humid. Well, I found out that it’s not always humid, but it generally is during the morning because of the southeasterly wind from the Gulf of Mexico travels over 300 miles up the Rio Grande into Del Rio. Sometimes it sticks around the whole day, other times, it feels like the Arizona desert. And, during the winter, it can get pretty cold (briefly) – there’s not much to stop that cold breeze coming out of the north through the Great Plains.

People Still Smile. Yes, they do! I never noticed this until I starting living in Del Rio – but coming from the Western United States – I didn’t really notice that a lot of people don’t smile anymore. But, in Del Rio, strangers are just flat-out happy to see you, and some will talk your ear off.

Val Verde County Sheriff Vehicle

No Crime. A breath of fresh air – folks in Del Rio are law-abiding. Granted, every-other household across the north side of town is employed by the Border Patrol, the Air Force, or some other federal or state agency – but really, small crime is big news in Del Rio because it’s pretty dang safe. My wife has left the garage door open, and keys in her car door overnight (by accident), and everything was still there.

Downtown Could Use Some Work. I like small-town downtowns. I was spoiled living in Prescott, Arizona – which is arguably the best small downtown in the United States. I guess I just figured every town was like that – but then I met Del Rio. Sadly, in Del Rio, the small mom-and-pop shops that used to make up downtown are almost entirely boarded up and vacant. It’s almost like Walmart on the north side of town just decimated the place. Sad, because you can see the potential the place has. But, the old theater is still open from time to time for plays (The Upstagers).

Food

Mexican Food – Not What You Expect. I’ve lived on the border much of my life – and each border town seems to have a different style of food. In California, it’s Baja-style. In Arizona, it’s Sonora-style. In Del Rio – it’s different. My wife and I expected all sorts of fantastic Mexican food – and were a bit disappointed.

Nonetheless, there are a few good restaurants for Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine – Memo’s being one. Memo’s sits right on San Felipe Creek. It’s been around forever, and can be easily missed (especially because it’s tucked away). But, it’s great food (in my opinion), easy on the wallet, and their salsa is pretty good. Chinto’s is also tucked away behind the Best Western off the main drag (Veterans’ Blvd). It’s only open until 2pm, but it’s fantastic. Julio’s (off the Highway 90 east of town) is also decent – open all day – and they make some fantastic tortilla chips that are sold in stores throughout the region. And, if you are used to breakfast burritos – here in this part of Texas, they are called breakfast tacos. Same thing, different name.

A word of warning – if you come to Del Rio expecting some big attractions, you will probably be disappointed. If you come looking for nightlife, you will also be disappointed. If you come looking for good people – you will not be disappointed.

If you’re like me, you probably wonder how – and why – people end up in places like Del Rio. Well, lots of people in Del Rio wonder the same thing – so it’s not an uncommon conversion. What brought you here? How long have you lived in Del Rio?

The "Big" H-E-B Grocery Store in Del Rio

H-E-B and Walmart. I never lived in Texas before, but apparently, H-E-B is a Texas thing. They sell a lot of Texas-made-and-grown groceries. I always wondered what H-E-B stands for, but it’s a first-rate grocery store. I’ve heard it stands for “Here, Everything’s Better”…but it is Texas…so maybe, “Here, Everything (or Everyone)’s Bigger”. Actually, the name is the initials of the son of the store’s founder – Howard E. Butt. H-E-B has got it all as far as groceries go. There is two H-E-B's in Del Rio – the main (big) one, and a smaller, older one (one of the originals). If you want selection, go to the big one. If you want no lines and no crazy parking lot traffic jams, go to the small one across from the Val Verde County Courthouse. If you go to the small one, just check the expiration date on the perishables! If you decide H-E-B isn’t your thing – Walmart is the only other option.

Downtown Del Rio

Garage Sales. I grew up loving garage sales. Great deals, halfway decent stuff. Del Rio is garage-sale heaven. Garage sales are such a big thing here than I’m scared to leave my garage door open on Saturdays for fear people will flock in, thinking I was having a sale. One time, I was pulling some unneeded kitchen items (in a cardboard box) to the curb to simply give away for free, and a garage-sale patron pulled up and offered me $10 for the box (and its contents) without even looking inside. I made $17 in about 3 minutes that day, and I didn’t even intend to. I was just getting rid of excess junk. If you have Facebook, check out the various Del Rio Yard Sale pages.

Cripple Creek Restaurant

San Felipe Creek & Memo's Restaurant

Other Restaurants. Del Rio also has the standard fast-food restaurants. Chick-Fil-A just opened a year or so ago and is still a big hit, as is Panda Express (even newer). No Denny’s (bummer for me), but an IHOP. Applebee’s and Chili’s. Buffalo Wings & Rings, Skillets, and the local donut shop, River City. But, let’s talk about some unique places. Keep in mind, my wife and I don’t eat out much, but when we do – here’s where we prefer:

Manuel’s is a great place that my wife and I go to on occasional dates. It’s not fancy, but it’s Del Rio fancy. It’s good steak, chicken, and Tex-Mex. Even has a little bar with a few TVs. Huge portions (it usually takes me two meals to finish what I ordered), friendly staff, and a wine menu. Small, however – so show up early or make a reservation.
Cripple Creek is probably the most sought-after steakhouse in Del Rio. While we’ve had good meals and mediocre meals there, it’s a great rustic atmosphere, country music on the stereo, and friendly staff. A great drink menu, and you can dress as formal or as casual as you really want to, and still fit in. It’s comparable to Manuel’s, in my opinion, but the old-west atmosphere sometimes tips in Cripple Creek’s favor. The prices tip in Manuel’s favor, though.
Pho-Rio. If you like Vietnamese food, this newly opened place downtown may be your new spot. I’m not big on pho (my wife is), but they make a great chicken-vegetable-rice dish that’s very filling.
Wright's Steakhouse. Similar to Cripple Creek and Manuels. Wright's is a bit more upscale, but doesn't bust your wallet, either.
Ajillo’s. They have some decent Mexican food (both at the restaurant and at the food truck). Nothing special and certainly very casual, but it’s great for a quick, inexpensive meal.
Gatti's: The local pizza joint with an arcade.
Ramada Del Rio’s Malinda Restaurant. The Ramada in Del Rio at the corner of Cantu Road and Veterans’ Blvd is about as resort-ish as you will find in Del Rio. The restaurant inside (Malinda) offers a Sunday Brunch which is usually pretty tasty. They even have a pianist. Again, nothing too special or formal, but a nice treat after church.

Jobs

Jobs can be tough in Del Rio, like many small, remote towns. Well-paying jobs are found with the Air Force Base (Laughlin) and the Border Patrol and National Park Service (Lake Amistad). These jobs are more transient, by nature (although there are a number of “stay-put” jobs at the base) – so a decent-paying long-term job in Del Rio may be found with the local schools or with the Val Verde Regional Medical Center (VVRMC). H-E-B and Walmart are always hiring – and you may also be able to score a job with Union Pacific (railroad). There are also many jobs at the local mall (I’ll talk about that below), but the wages aren’t terrific. One of the downsides for Del Rio transplants is that many jobs prefer bilingual applicants and employees due to the large Hispanic population– so if you speak Spanish, great! If not, you will have some competition by – perhaps – some less-qualified folks that do speak Spanish. In recent years, the pipeline and oilfield have also provided some high-paying jobs for those interested in long hours away from home.

Plane at the Entrance to Laughlin AFB

Plaza Del Sol Mall

Amenities

My wife has gotten real used to Amazon.

Walmart does have a decent supply of amenities, and Home Depot, Russel's True Value, AutoZone, and O’Reilly Auto Parts are a weekly stop-off for the Do-It-Yourselfer in me. Tractor Supply Company (TSC) and McCoys are also in town. There are a few furniture stores in town, a decent-sized small-town mall (Marshalls, Ross, Bealls, JC-Penny, and a small Cinemark theatre along with the standard small-shops).

My wife is pretty satisfied with the beauty salons such locally. I don’t know much about that sort of stuff, but she’s still been able to maintain being sexy since we got here.

Banking can be a challenge if you are used to the larger banks like Wells Fargo or Chase. Neither of these banks exist in Del Rio, the closest being San Antonio or San Angelo. So, you can either online bank, or work with a local branch.

We give UPS, USPS, and FedEx quite a bit of business with Amazon Prime and Ebay – simply because the closest drive to anything that we can’t find in town is either three hours north in San Angelo or three hours east in San Antonio.

Auto care in Del Rio isn’t really the greatest, unfortunately. The normal car dealerships are all here – so you have plenty of a selection for new and used vehicles Service isn’t superior, however – I’ve struggled to find a good combination of honest and affordable. H’s Audio was decent, however, when I visited them – they do more than audio (most of the standard mechanic stuff), and have arguably the cheapest labor costs in town. Thompson Tire is also decent for tires and alignments. Southwest Motors is also decent – they were great for me, and for many others that I’ve spoken to. Of course, each place has the occasional bad review too – and that scares many transplants to San Antonio. I’ve just become more of a do-it-yourself kind of guy because of the lack of auto repair amenities locally.

Healthcare

Val Verde Regional Medical Center

VVRMC used to have a somewhat bad reputation – but from what I here, it’s gotten much better. My wife and I had our daughter here, and, given the circumstances, it was as pleasant of an experience as we would have gotten in most small towns. Granted, our daughter needed some extra medical attention (pre-mature), so she had to be ambulanced to San Antonio for more intensive care. She turned out just perfect, if you’re curious. Del Rio is a small town – with not a huge doctor presence – so many folks head to San Antonio for healthcare, but it’s nice to know that Del Rio (as well as Uvalde and Eagle Pass) does have plenty of resources, if you need them.

Housing

Housing in Del Rio is a bit more expensive than many parts of rural Texas. I think this is because of the Border Patrol and Air Force presence (decent wages). There are a lot of very nice neighborhoods and elegant houses in Del Rio, especially on the north side of town and south near the San Felipe Creek and near the Val Verde Winery. The north side is definitely populated by the more transient population (federal employees), where the mid-section (lettered and numbered streets) and south of the railroad tracks are more populated by Del Rio Natives. Some houses are barely hanging on, others look like mansions. You can pay a little, or you can pay a lot – it’s up to you. From what I’ve seen, rent runs from about $700-1100 for a small house and can run over $2000 for a larger house near the lake or on the north end of town. The buying market seems to ebb and flow with the summer-moving cycle of the Border Patrol and the Air Force Base – but decent houses can be bought between about $130,000 to $250,000…and even more if you want something real nice.

If you are looking to rent (or buy, for that matter), we use Texas Heritage Realty. Very friendly staff that will really take time out of their day to ensure you get the perfect house for your family. And no, they didn’t give me a discount for referring them.

One thing we had to get used to was the electricity bill. In Texas, there are several electric companies. They all use the same transformer, but they sell different usage plans (just like cell phone plans). We chose TXU, but many folks use Reliant, Green Mountain, and others.

Time Warner (now Spectrum) is really the only internet and cable provider in Del Rio. Some folks have Dish Network, others Verizon. I know a guy who tethers to AT&T for internet.

Culture

No one is in a hurry in Del Rio, except for the folks that aren’t from Del Rio. Everyone drives a truck (whether they actually need it or not), men are gentlemen, and families still have values, for the most part. Just about everything but the main stores are closed on Sunday, and it’s not uncommon to have folks knock on your door offering to sell you something or contribute to a fundraiser. People still say “sir” and “ma’am”, but are generally pretty passive unless you engage them. I’ve met some great people I would have completely missed the opportunity to meet unless I had engaged them first (and it’s usually at the grocery store, and church).

I think the one thing about Del Rio that makes it different from many of the other small towns in the area is the influx of military and other federal workers. They come and go from all over the country, so the culture is a little more diverse than many surrounding areas.

The Del Rio Chamber of Commerce also looks to be actively attempting to improve the quality of life in Del Rio – they’ve even launched Leadership Del Rio, an annual conference of events for local businessmen and women that are interested in developing leadership skills and use those to promote economic and community development.

Residential Neighborhood in Del Rio

Which brings up cell phones – reception, rather. While Verizon seems to work everywhere else, it’s not the best here in Del Rio. It will work, but AT&T and T-Mobile (GSM networks) seem to do much better. I have Sprint – it works fine, until I get off the beaten path. Up in rural parts of Hill Country, only AT&T and T-Mobile work (and well!). Verizon and Sprint have no service.

San Felipe Springs

Del Rio generally votes blue, but is still rather conservative. Blue in Del Rio is a little different that blue in many parts of the country – so if you’re more conservative, you will still fit in just fine.

Hard work is valued, but not always practiced. Sometimes you have to double check on paid labor – and that’s why I’m a DIY’er. There are some great workers out there too, like my rental agency’s handyman. And, of course, Chito.

Hispanic culture is not the only influence on Del Rio. Because of Del RIo's rural nature, there are a lot of ranchers and cowboys through the region - so cowboy hats (Texas Hats), rodeo and wild game dinners are also a big hit locally.

Rodeo & Bull Riding at Val Verde County Fairgrounds in Del Rio

Schools

Both public and private schools are available in Del Rio – as is community college. Many of the military folks flock toward Buena Vista Elementary School (north side of town), claiming it’s the best public option (I can’t validate that). There is also a Catholic school (Sacred Heart), an Episcopal School (St. James), another Christian school (Bible Way Christian Academy, which is the cheaper, but equally as reputable option) and two charter schools (Premier & Heritage Academies). There is only one public middle school and one public high school. Some folks also choose to attend Brackett ISD (Brackettville) and Comstock ISD (Comstock). Both Southwest Texas Junior College and Sul Ross State University have campuses in Del Rio (across from the high school). Laughlin AFB also has a magnet school as part of the Del Rio school district.

Del Rio Rams Stadium

There is also quite a group of homeschoolers – most of these families are only temporary residents, but there’s a number of locals as well.

Airport & Commercial Travel

Amtrak Station in Del Rio

Church

Del Rio is the first place that I’ve lived where talking about church is completely acceptable, telling folks “God Bless” normal, and “I’m praying for you” is standard. While the population is mostly Hispanic (and therefore traditionally Catholic), there are plenty of options for Christian-based faiths (and yes, there are services held in English). Other faiths – well, it’s Texas. We go to Del Rio Christian Fellowship

Old Sacred Heart Catholic Church

As of November 2018, American Airlines serves Del Rio International Airport twice a day. Otherwise, the nearest large commercial airport is in San Antonio. If we need a larger airport, my family typically flies out of Austin, however – an hour past San Antonio, but much cheaper. Some folks I know have gotten great deals on American Airlines out of San Angelo, and I’ve noticed Midland has some cheap airfare as well. Laredo is also a choice, but I have no experience down that way. It's nice that Del Rio now has American Airlines, at affordable prices.

Amtrak also services Del Rio. The Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle train runs east/west and can take you to New Orleans, Chicago, and Los Angeles (and cities in between). It’s a great deal that a lot of people don’t take advantage of.

Traffic

There isn’t much traffic, but there can be some congestion. While Del Rio only boasts about 35,000 residents, Del Rio is also a hub for many small surrounding communities and the much larger city of Acuña across the border in Mexico. So, it is estimated that during the work week, over 100,000 folks transit on Del Rio streets for work, school, shopping, and recreation. The Highway 90 (including Gibbs Street and Veterans’ Blvd) can get very congested during rush hours (about 7:15-8:30 am and 3:30-6:00 pm). A better alternative route is Bedell Street (although this can also get congested headed south), and the Loop 79 that bypasses town to the north and east.

The Loop 79 is far removed from town, but if you want to escape traffic, it’s the way to go. Main Street can also be a decent alternative (except for school dismissal), so can King’s Way, Cantu Road (except when school is letting out). Dodson Avenue is also a nice back-way to Walmart.

Demographics

Recreation

There’s a few gyms in Del Rio for the folks that need to work out with all that fancy equipment in the air conditioning. If you prefer outdoor recreation, Lake Amistad is the go-to place. Fishing is good, from what I here. It used to be better, I also hear. I don’t spend much time out there, but I do like to run and bike at Buena Vista Park. There’s plenty of open fields, running tracks, bike paths, and even a summertime swimming pool. There’s two public pools in Del Rio, actually, that I’ve seen.

Who needs a pool, though!? Aside from the lake, San Felipe Springs is also a great swimming hole. It spans from the San Felipe Golf Course to down near downtown, and many folks float down it on innertubes and kayaks. It’s warm all-year round, and it gets pretty crowded during the summer weekends. The City of Del Rio did a pretty good job with it for recreational purposes – and even built an amphitheater along it for summertime concerts.

My wife recently discovered a community garden that she really enjoys taking our daughter to downtown. She brings home organic vegetables from time to time – and I hear that they also hold some cool events down there every once in a while, (a beer garden, once, I heard).

Hunting and Fishing are both big here in the local area. In Texas, since most land is privately-owned, land-owners sell permits to hunt on their land.

Garner State Park

Del Rio is largely Hispanic, but many of the locals, while Hispanic, are true Americans and Texans. Most natives are bilingual, and it’s pretty common to hear conversations between locals transitioning between English and Spanish virtually sentence to sentence – or sometimes intra-sentence. A word of caution, though – if you are Hispanic, or even look Hispanic – Hispanic locals may speak to you in Spanish before trying English. It’s normal – but I don’t have that problem. I’m gringo. The local natives don’t really have much in the way of “new” and “expensive”, many don’t make much in the way of a paycheck, but they are happy, friendly folks and most are pretty honest.

Lion's Park (San Felipe Creek)

There are a lot of state and national parks within driving distance of Del Rio. Big Bend National Park is always a hit – three-to-four hours west. It’s very remote, and that’s what makes it beautiful. Garner State Park , Lost Maples Park, Kickapoo Caverns, Seminole Canyon State Park, and Fort Clark Springs are a few other great places to see.

Some folks also float down the Frio and Nueces Rivers (about an hour or so east) when the water is up (usually spring through fall).

Fishing in San Felipe Creek

Big Bend National Park

Cost of Living

Del Rio is not expensive, really. While maybe a tad more pricey than other towns in rural Texas, you can make it by in decent shape, if you are wise with your money (that’s the key). The bills start adding up when you pay for more amenities and services (yard care and housekeeping, for example). A lot of folks (especially the transient population of federal employees) drive a lot of back and forth to San Antonio for shopping and entertainment - and that can add up.

Utilities aren’t terrible, but they aren’t cheap, either. I think we pay about $200 or so a month for water, sewer, trash, and electric, if you average it out across the year, but we have a smaller house and are pretty conservative with utility usage (it was cheaper in Tucson for us).

Nearby Towns

San Antonio Riverwalk

San Antonio, Texas

While San Antonio is the go-to place, there are plenty of other towns much closer. San Angelo is also about that same distance as San Antonio and offers just about everything, but San Antonio is larger. The drive to San Antonio takes about three hours (two and a half for lead-foots), and, after about the tenth time, feels like a drive down the street. The longest part of the drive (as far as level of boredom) is between Del Rio and Uvalde. From Uvalde to San Antonio, you will enjoy a number of small towns and farmland to break up the monotony – especially Hondo, recently taking flack for its “God’s County” welcome sign.

Since Del Rio can be a drive from just about anywhere, it’s always a great deal to become a AAA member, or pay for some roadside assistance elsewhere. Usually, a membership will pay for itself in just one call.

Hondo, Texas Welcome Sign

The Frio River

Country Road near Brackettville, Texas

Rio Grande near Del Rio, Texas

Comstock: 30 minutes west. Very small, has a school, but otherwise pretty worn down.
Sonora: 70 minutes north. A nice small town along the Interstate. A great stop on the way to San Angelo. Very remote between Del Rio and Sonora, and lots of deer all over the road (dead and alive).
Rocksprings. 70 minutes northeast. A very small town in Edwards County and Hill Country. Ranching and oil. I don’t know much about it, but I’ve met a few folks from there that were very friendly. I hear they have a great Fourth of July rodeo and dance under the stars.
Camp Wood. 70 minutes northeast. A tiny tourist trap along the Nueces River. It’s a great getaway in Hill Country, and don't expect to answer your phone, unless you have AT&T or T-Mobile. I don't, so I was a "missing person" from work for a day. Felt Great.
Brackettville. 30 minutes east. This town is the closest incorporated community to Del Rio (at least in the United States side of the border). It’s small, half of it is gated (Fort Clark Springs), and they have two stoplights (that I’ve seen). It’s very shady (cold springs), and a lot of folks who work in Del Rio live there.
Uvalde. 60 minutes east. While smaller in population than Del Rio, it gives the impression of larger. It’s the halfway point on the map between Del Rio and San Antonio, and it’s got a little of everything. My wife and I have always liked Uvalde (it’s got a nice downtown square).
Eagle Pass. I’ve never been, but it’s another border town about 45 minutes south of Del Rio. Most people travel that way because of the Kickapoo Lucky-Eagle Casino, which supposedly actually pays out well.

Like all places, Del Rio is what you make of it. I’ve met a number of people – some natives, others transplants – that say Del Rio is the best place they’ve ever lived. Other people choose to hate Del Rio – some with good reasons, others just because. One of the local Game Wardens in San Angelo once told me that his wife came to Del Rio crying, and then fell in love with it and left crying. I won’t lie, if you don’t like hot weather, Hispanic culture, or remoteness – Del Rio probably won’t be at the top of your list. On the other hand, warm winters, Tex-Mex, and a little bit of peace and quiet away from the big-city hustle and bustle is what I enjoy about this town. It’s not perfect, nor is it my favorite, but it clearly is exactly as I said – what you make it, and I will miss it when it comes time to leave.

- Dan