Mission : Texas

Mission is a rapidly growing town that is adjacent to McAllen, Texas in extreme southeastern Texas.  Known as the pink grapefruit capital, it is also very close to the Mexican border. The population is overwhelming Hispanic. The City of Mission is also widely known for ecotourism and is the premiere spot for birding in South Texas. Birders and nature enthusiasts flock to Mission for the World Birding Center headquarters at Bentsen State Park and the Texas Butterfly Festival.  Retirees are attracted to Mission and McAllen for the weather, low taxes, and cost of living.

There are a surprising number of active adult communities in Mission and the surrounding area (see Texas Directory under "Find a Community" above).  The median price of a home in Mission had consistently been about $120,000. City-Data reports the price to be about $125,000 at the end of 2014.

Warm weather, close to the Gulf, great birding and butterflies, low cost of living. Bentson-Rio Grande State Park.  Llloyd Bensten was born here, while Tom Landry is a local hero.

Being at the southern point of Texas it is a pretty remote place.

Retirees like Mission for the weather and costs.  If you are Hispanic you will particularly feel at home here, although it tries to be a welcoming place to everyone.

Agriculture and tourism.

Mission is in the southwestern tip of Texas, near Mexico and the Gulf.   Winter temperature in January averages in the high 50's, while the July average is in the 80s. The area is very dry.

Mission is the headquarters for the World Birding Center which has nine designated sites that will protect wildlife habitats throughout the Rio Grande Valley. There is also a Butterfly Center.  Mission has 4 golf courses as well as some historic sites including Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. The Texas Grapefruit Festival is the highlight of the year. The Border Theatre (cinema) opened on remains one of the last theatres with "Art Pueblo Styling", while the Rio Theatre hosts local performances. There are dozens of restaurants from national chains to local Tex-Mex.