Orders to Del Rio, Texas? The Quick Need-To-Knows

Del Rio Civic Center, Del Rio, Texas

If you have orders to Laughlin AFB in Del Rio, Texas, chances are that unless you personally requested them, you may be a tad disappointed.  Don't worry, most folks don't have the greatest enthusiasm right off the bat, either.  

My biggest piece of advice - don't listen to anyone, or anything - that hasn't lived here.  I can't tell you the number of people that gave me weird looks when I said my family was moving to Del Rio, and how many people remarked "eww" and "who did you piss off?".  But these people had never experienced Del Rio - they simply ignorantly classified the town with all other cartel-infested border towns that politics, the media, and Hollywood would like you to believe is the case.  But, it's not true.

Sign near Del Rio, Texas. Photo by Beautiful Del Rio Texas

The Del Rio area is home to several state parks (Seminole Canyon, Devils River, Devils Sinkhole, Kickapoo Caverns, Lost Maples, Garner, and more), a National Recreation Area (basically, just like a National Park) known as Lake Amistad and known for its bass fishing, several rivers (Rio Grande, Devils River, Pecos River, and nearby Nueces & Frio Rivers, among others), a city creek with several swimming holes, a waterfall, and rope swings, historic Fort Clark (in nearby Brackettville), the world famous Super-Bull George Paul Memorial bull riding event, and more.  

In short, Del Rio isn't short on attractions or things to do, nor is it a pit of doom, like some folks - who have never lived here - will say. 

River landscape near Del Rio, Texas. Sign near Del Rio, Texas. Photo by Beautiful Del Rio Texas

Del Rio's crime rate puts it at one of the safest in the State of Texas.  In fact, even witnessing a crime is rare.  Most people are generally honest, and live a slower pace of life than folks that are used to the hustle and bustle. The amount of law enforcement in Del Rio, between local, state, and federal agencies, makes it a good chance that your neighbor is probably an officer of the law, especially on the north side of town.

Del Rio has several neighborhoods, with the Alta Vista, Buena Vista, Reservation, and Ceniza Hills being the most popular among military and federal employees.  You can find a very nice house in these parts of town, and not have to worry about your kids playing in the streets.  Lake Amistad living is also available, outside of the city limits, and more expensive.

Val Verde County Sheriff deputies. Photo by Beautiful Del Rio Texas

South Del Rio is more historic, with large mansions and lots of trees, and many of the original Del Rio families still live there.  Central Del Rio (basically the numbered and lettered streets) is modest living, with both older and newer homes and a higher concentration of long-term Del Rio locals. 

The San Felipe neighborhood, which constitutes just about everything south and east of San Felipe Creek, used to be it's own town before it was annexed by Del Rio years ago. Many of the original San Felipe natives still live there and take pride in their neighborhood legacy and culture, which is almost entirely Hispanic.

American Airlines landing in Del Rio, Texas

Del Rio does have a commercial airport, serviced affordably by American Airlines twice per day.  Amtrak is also available a couple days each week.  Both San Antonio and San Angelo are about a two-and-a-half hour drive away, which becomes a "drive down the street" after so many times of doing it.

Del Rio has a hospital, a Walmart, an H-E-B (grocery store), and several home furnishing stores, hardware stores, and auto parts stores.  There are plenty of restaurants, too, from typical Mexican food, to Tex-Mex, to barbecue and steak houses, pizza, and even Asian food. Nightlife isn't a big thing in Del Rio, but there are a few places to go for late-night drinks and a social atmosphere. In Acuña (Mexico), the nightlife is more abundant.

The Del Rio Community Garden in the San Felipe neighborhood set up for a Beer Garden event

There are also several social clubs in town - everything from Rotary, VFW, Lions, and Boy Scouts to Bible study groups, Chamber of Commerce, Library book clubs, Dance clubs, STEM clubs, a Wine club, Art clubs, Karate clubs, and more.

The Val Verde Winery in south Del Rio, Texas

If school is an issue, don't let it be. Between the public school system, several private, alternative, and Christian schools, and a large homeschooling group as well as a community college, most families do not run into issues regarding school choices.

The railroad tracks in Del Rio. Sign near Del Rio, Texas. Photo by Beautiful Del Rio Texas

So, don't fret.  I always encourage newcomers to explore the area with an open mind upon arrival.  Unfortunately, many families do not come with open minds, and they barricade themselves and their families on Laughlin AFB.  Do yourself a favor, don't do this! You'll be miss out on a great experience.