How dangerous is it to cross at the Pharr bridge/Reynosa border during rush hour?

Question

I'm a 50 yr old widow thinking about accepting a relo package from my employer. It would mean moving from NJ to McAllen,TX area and commuting over the Pharr Bridge/Reynosa border to our corporate campus daily. I've read so many negative reports on various websites it scares me. Yet I have several coworkers, mostly male, who get stationed on a temp basis in TX and commute for several months at a time over the border and they've never had a problem. The relo package also includes buying my home in NJ and paying my son's tuition at UT, Techincal for engineering.

I'm really torn and only have 2 weeks to make a decision.

Answer 1

I go there frecuently its save you will see!

Answer 2

I am a single female same age, and I worked for 5 years in Reynosa.  I lived in Reynosa a couple of years, later in Mission.  My commute was usually via the Reynosa-Hidalgo bridge, as it was nearer to my house and the industrial park where I worked.  

At times, I did take the Pharr bridge, because I could avoid the downtown traffic.

Today I still make trips to Reynosa, and can say the traffic is much worse, including the Pharr bridge.   The bridge is so long that it gives opportunity for cars to speed and take chances on passing in non-passing lanes.

There will be some relief to the two border crossings next summer, when the new bridge is complete.

Other than the traffic, both around the industrial parks and the bridges, I cannot think of any reason not to jump at a chance to live in the Rio Grande Valley.  People are great, weather is hot in summer, but winters are excellent.

I have never felt threatened or unsafe in this area.

If you have the patience for the traffic, it's worth the inconvenience of the border crossing.

Answer 3

I have lived in McAllen for 14 years and all I can say is that it is a great city to live in! Well maintained and managed! Very safe! Populous to say the least. It is relatively very safe to cross over to Reynosa. Do not worry. yes, yes, we all hear of the drug busts at the bridge, the kidnappings and the assaults, but those kind of things are really hard to see in plain day. Do not worry. I have several friends from Japan, France, Egypt, England, Norway, Italy who live in McAllen, but commute to their work in Reynosa and they never complain...except for the long waiting time at the bridge. The bridge waiting time is not dangerous at all. There are usually always about 10 Border Patrol agents with guns and K-9 dogs on watch on the bridge, waiting if anything wrong takes place! McAllen is one of the greates and most affordable cities to live in, and that is because I've been to NYC, LA, Chicago, Phily, Austin, Miami...etc. May I recommend living in North McALlen however..upper class elite.

No worries! Border Towns are always exagerated on the news!

best wishes!

Answer 4

you heard many stories around always is the same but as long you don't going places o mess around with other business people there is not problem . there is a lot traffic to cross the border is the only manly problem but you will be safe

Answer 5

I would not worry...I go to Reynosa monthly and have never had a problem...although with the border drug problems I am much more alert than I used to be...recently the head of police in Reynosa was arrested and replaced due to ties with drug cartels.