McAllen is a fast growing community on the border of Mexico about 80 miles from the gulf of Mexico.  Because of the NAFTA agreement and the Maquilladoras, which are large factories producing anything you can think of and use in your every day life,  that are in Reynosa, Mexico and other cities a short distance from McAllen the area is growing exponentially.  Having moved here from Miami 19 months ago it was a bit of a cultural, shopping and dining shock, but I am thrilled to say that those things are changing quickly with new shops and restraunts coming in.  If you like mild winters this is the place to be with the winter coming and going with only having to use the heater on a handful of days, golf courses and swimming pools galore this is the place to spend your winters.  The culture if very family oriented which we found refreshing after having our 4 children in the Fort Lauderdale/Miami area and the we can't complain about the schools our kids attend.  Currently we have had a New HEB open within several miles of our home and if you have never done your grocery shopping at HEB you are in for an experience with so much to buy you will never have enough room for it all.  In the Sharyland area we also have a Kohls, TJ Maxx, Target, and many more shops that will go into the Shary Crossings shopping center along with the HEB plus.  One of the best things about living in this area is the close proximity to Mexico and being able to go to Progresso or Reynosa for shopping and Dining.  If you are thinking of relocating to the area from the viewpoint of a transplant myself it is a nice place to live, retire or raise a family.