Posted: 6/29/2013 3:18:47 AM EDT
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So I'm moving to Laredo and was wondering if you guys could give me some advice on where to stay, places to avoid, places to eat, gun ranges, etc....
thanks in advance |
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So I'm moving to Laredo and was wondering if you guys could give me some advice on where to stay, places to avoid, places to eat, gun ranges, etc.... thanks in advance Watch yourself down there, Stay away from the border and definitely don't go into Mexico. Nuevo Laredo is pretty much in a state of full civil war and controlled by the Zetas drug cartel and the violence and crime is spilling over the border. One of the most common problems is people who are kidnapped and taken to an ATM and forced to get money out. Also high incidence of burglary, auto theft and other problems associated with drug trafficing activities. CHL religiously, get a big dog, secure doos & locks & get burglar alarm system on your house and lojack on your vehicles. Have a plan and a backup plan. |
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Let me guess, career move? North, south, or west?
Stick to north laredo, north of del mar blvd x mcpherson rd to loop 20, plenty of apts and nice neighbirhoods that direction. Any thing south of that are older neighbor hoods for the most part and breed bad juju. Definitely stay away from south laredo. As far as food there really isnt anything bad, i hope you like mexican food. |
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Good advice there in the last post.
My wife travels to laredo alone for work on occasion. Sometimes once a week. Shes had no problems, so far. She wont CCW, but so far theres been no need for it. I think the basic advice you would give anyone in a large city would apply here even though laredo is not "large". I've walked right up to the border in laredo and watched people cross the river, and kicked a rock into the river myself, the helo go after people and border agents run around. I had no problems personally. I will say this. Prepare yourself for the WORST Mother-Fu$*(#KING drivers IN-THE-WORLD. Tail gating, left lane camping, speeding sons of bitches down there. Just expect to get CLOBBERED. Carry UN-insured motorist coverage as well as medical payment coverage. Prepare yourself for walking into a place to eat like Wendys and the worker not knowing ENGLISH. It's very frustrating. 
You are in for quite the culture/climate shock. |
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I've been going down there a lot over the last five years for work. Usually once or twice a month for 2-3 days at a time.
About me: I'm as anglo as they come, and only know about 10 words in Spanish. Most of them only come in handy at a bar. Knowing Spanish would be handy, but is not neccesary. You will go into some of the smaller mom and pop establishments and find that nobody speaks English. I don't mind, I enjoy the challenge. I've never once had any sort of problem down there. I've stayed in a motel that's right on the river. From my balcony, I could look across the river, right into Mexico. La Posada is the name of the motel. Used to be a 5 star place before tourism took such a hit. They still try to maintain a high level of service. I like staying there from time to time, and it's a nice change of pace from thevusual business class chains. There is also a VFW just down the street from it. Coldest beer in town, and the bartender doesn't know english. I still find that odd for a VFW, but I've never had a problem getting a beer. Everyone will be talking Spanish when you walk in, but being veterans, they know english. Favorite restaurant is Palanque Grill on the Bob Bullock Loop. Best Chile Rejeno in the country. There are countless good places to eat, especially if you like Mexican or TexMex. You'll never go hungry there. Most of the usual chain restaurants are there as well, such as Olive Garden, Outback, and so on. If I were to live down there, I would focus my housing search on the North East side of town. A poster above me mentioned the streets, and I agree. If you're going down there because you're in the O&G business working the Eagle Ford, you'll probably do alright. Housing prices have skyrocketed over the last couple of years. If you're single, there are some beautiful and intelligent women in that city. Many of them visit from Mexico. It's a lot safer for them. If you speak Spanish, you won't have any problem striking up a conversation. Don't know about gun ranges down there, but it shouldn't take you long to make acquintances with someone who will know a place where you can shoot. I've been shooting down there on private ranches a few times. If you go there determined that you're going to enjoy it, you probably will. If you go there with the attitude that because Laredo is an American city and they better start acting like it.....it might be a bit tough. That being said, if you ever have a doubt as to Laredo being American, drive by the cemetary on Veterans day. |
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Quoted: I've been going down there a lot over the last five years for work. Usually once or twice a month for 2-3 days at a time. About me: I'm as anglo as they come, and only know about 10 words in Spanish. Most of them only come in handy at a bar. Knowing Spanish would be handy, but is not neccesary. You will go into some of the smaller mom and pop establishments and find that nobody speaks English. I don't mind, I enjoy the challenge. I've never once had any sort of problem down there. I've stayed in a motel that's right on the river. From my balcony, I could look across the river, right into Mexico. La Posada is the name of the motel. Used to be a 5 star place before tourism took such a hit. They still try to maintain a high level of service. I like staying there from time to time, and it's a nice change of pace from thevusual business class chains. There is also a VFW just down the street from it. Coldest beer in town, and the bartender doesn't know english. I still find that odd for a VFW, but I've never had a problem getting a beer. Everyone will be talking Spanish when you walk in, but being veterans, they know english. Favorite restaurant is Palanque Grill on the Bob Bullock Loop. Best Chile Rejeno in the country. There are countless good places to eat, especially if you like Mexican or TexMex. You'll never go hungry there. Most of the usual chain restaurants are there as well, such as Olive Garden, Outback, and so on. If I were to live down there, I would focus my housing search on the North East side of town. A poster above me mentioned the streets, and I agree. If you're going down there because you're in the O&G business working the Eagle Ford, you'll probably do alright. Housing prices have skyrocketed over the last couple of years. If you're single, there are some beautiful and intelligent women in that city. Many of them visit from Mexico. It's a lot safer for them. If you speak Spanish, you won't have any problem striking up a conversation. Don't know about gun ranges down there, but it shouldn't take you long to make acquintances with someone who will know a place where you can shoot. I've been shooting down there on private ranches a few times. If you go there determined that you're going to enjoy it, you probably will. If you go there with the attitude that because Laredo is an American city and they better start acting like it.....it might be a bit tough. That being said, if you ever have a doubt as to Laredo being American, drive by the cemetary on Veterans day. Taco Palanque is some damn good food. Just watch your 6 and your buddies 6 if you have any down there. Be polite and don't wear anything expensive. |
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I stayed in Laredo for work every Mon-Thurs. There are REALLY nice parts of town that I enjoyed being at around and felt safe at. I'd Stay around McPherson and Del Mar as well.
I don't know much about the town other than its full of Democrats and has about 20 white people. The LaPosada has amazing steaks and Cosmos Sports bar always has good food. |
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Favorite restaurant is Palanque Grill on the Bob Bullock Loop. Best Chile Rejeno in the country. There are countless good places to eat, especially if you like Mexican or TexMex. You'll never go hungry there. Most of the usual chain restaurants are there as well, such as Olive Garden, Outback, and so on. Taco Palanque is some damn good food. Just watch your 6 and your buddies 6 if you have any down there. Be polite and don't wear anything expensive. Taco Palenque and Palenque Grill are different. Taco Palenque is a local fast food chain. Never tried it, but they seem to stay busy. Palenque Grill is an upscale restaurant. Owned by the same people, but totally different styles with totally different customers in the evenings.You might have to wait to be seated, but I've never had to make reservations. |
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So I'm moving to Laredo and was wondering if you guys could give me some advice on where to stay, places to avoid, places to eat, gun ranges, etc.... thanks in advance Watch yourself down there, Stay away from the border and definitely don't go into Mexico. Nuevo Laredo is pretty much in a state of full civil war and controlled by the Zetas drug cartel and the violence and crime is spilling over the border. One of the most common problems is people who are kidnapped and taken to an ATM and forced to get money out. Also high incidence of burglary, auto theft and other problems associated with drug trafficing activities. CHL religiously, get a big dog, secure doos & locks & get burglar alarm system on your house and lojack on your vehicles. Have a plan and a backup plan. What this guy said. I know some guys from there even they say it's shitty. |
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Any decent motels to stay at where you don't have to worry about your vehicle getting broken into or stolen and that do not cost a $100 dollars a night ? Nope. This applies to anywhere in Texas, regardless of the price of the hotel. Vehicle burglaries are a way of life for many criminals and they will find your car if you leave anything in it. Its just a matter of time. The only exception to this rule I have seen is where the hotel has an active and well run security patrol. |
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Favorite restaurant is Palanque Grill on the Bob Bullock Loop. Best Chile Rejeno in the country. There are countless good places to eat, especially if you like Mexican or TexMex. You'll never go hungry there. Most of the usual chain restaurants are there as well, such as Olive Garden, Outback, and so on. Taco Palanque is some damn good food. Just watch your 6 and your buddies 6 if you have any down there. Be polite and don't wear anything expensive. Taco Palenque and Palenque Grill are different. Taco Palenque is a local fast food chain. Never tried it, but they seem to stay busy. Palenque Grill is an upscale restaurant. Owned by the same people, but totally different styles with totally different customers in the evenings.You might have to wait to be seated, but I've never had to make reservations. We did taco Palenque and they were good tacos. |
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Any decent motels to stay at where you don't have to worry about your vehicle getting broken into or stolen and that do not cost a $100 dollars a night ? Nope. This applies to anywhere in Texas, regardless of the price of the hotel. Vehicle burglaries are a way of life for many criminals and they will find your car if you leave anything in it. Its just a matter of time. The only exception to this rule I have seen is where the hotel has an active and well run security patrol. That's the type of Motel I'm talking about. I've stayed at Motel 6 that had security. No vehicle problems. I don't l know Laredo at all, that's why I asked. Not trying to hijack the Op's thread, just thought it might be relevant to him also. |
| Just got into town and checked into an extended stay america for night. As the previous posters have said there are few white people, in fact I have yet to see one. I made the mistake of trying to listen to the local radio stations and gave up after the constant bombardment of mariachi bands. About to check the town before dark, the general consensus is to stay away from the border correct? And yes, I'm carrying. |
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Just got into town and checked into an extended stay america for night. As the previous posters have said there are few white people, in fact I have yet to see one. I made the mistake of trying to listen to the local radio stations and gave up after the constant bombardment of mariachi bands. About to check the town before dark, the general consensus is to stay away from the border correct? And yes, I'm carrying. In all likelihood you will be fine. Just keep your wits about you is all. ...I would say subscribe to XM radio, but they lost my business when they wouldnt allow me to cancel it via the internet. Get ATT/Verizon and stream some radio stations to your phone . The AM radio is pointless . |
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Any decent motels to stay at where you don't have to worry about your vehicle getting broken into or stolen and that do not cost a $100 dollars a night ? Nope. This applies to anywhere in Texas, regardless of the price of the hotel. Vehicle burglaries are a way of life for many criminals and they will find your car if you leave anything in it. Its just a matter of time. The only exception to this rule I have seen is where the hotel has an active and well run security patrol. That's the type of Motel I'm talking about. I've stayed at Motel 6 that had security. No vehicle problems. I don't l know Laredo at all, that's why I asked. Not trying to hijack the Op's thread, just thought it might be relevant to him also. Good to see more are doing it. But remember, even with security, it only takes a few seconds to bust a window and take whatever. It can still happen if the guard is not paying attention. |
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Any decent motels to stay at where you don't have to worry about your vehicle getting broken into or stolen and that do not cost a $100 dollars a night ? Nope. This applies to anywhere in Texas, regardless of the price of the hotel. Vehicle burglaries are a way of life for many criminals and they will find your car if you leave anything in it. Its just a matter of time. The only exception to this rule I have seen is where the hotel has an active and well run security patrol. That's the type of Motel I'm talking about. I've stayed at Motel 6 that had security. No vehicle problems. I don't l know Laredo at all, that's why I asked. Not trying to hijack the Op's thread, just thought it might be relevant to him also. Good to see more are doing it. But remember, even with security, it only takes a few seconds to bust a window and take whatever. It can still happen if the guard is not paying attention. I agree with this. I have had my vehicle broken into twice in past couple of years. Once overnight at a hotel and once in broad daylight while eating at a restaurant. It happens when least expected. |
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So sad its fallen into such a bad place. I used to go to Neuvo Laredo in college and it was so much fun. A whole generation of kids wont have that experience of going into Mexico on a Saturday night for a relatively fun night of drinking and goofing off.... Yeah that atmosphere went away around the year 2000 I think. Long over with. |
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So sad its fallen into such a bad place. I used to go to Neuvo Laredo in college and it was so much fun. A whole generation of kids wont have that experience of going into Mexico on a Saturday night for a relatively fun night of drinking and goofing off.... The "White Lion" used to be a pretty popular Nuevo Laredo club, especially after the clubs on the US side closed for the night. However, even in the late-70's, it wasn't regarded as being particularly safe. |
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I'm currently living in Laredo and I have been here about 3 years. The language barrier is one of the hardest things about living here. The north side is nicer, pricier, and has a few more anglos and a few more people in general who speak English. There is a Holiday Inn Express on loop 20 by the university that is pretty nice. The only gun store I've stopped in is Kirkpatrick guns and ammo. They are on I35 and they have Kirkpatrick leather for custom belts and holsters in another location. They have a good selection of ARs, and handguns like XDs, M&Ps, and Glocks. They sometimes get ammo in stock also. The prices tend to be high and I have yet to buy anything from them. They have a Facebook page and they will update it when they get new guns and ammo. There will be a place called the arena gun club opening in November or December by the LEA and it will have an indoor range, gunsmith services and even a restaurant. I'm looking forward to its opening. There are some other local places like border sporting goods and jacaman guns and ammo but I can't tell you what they are like. Academy tends to be a good place for guns and ammo.
The others are right about the drivers and the violence across the river. There is less violent crime than a lot of cities this size and I figure its because a lot of the nasty stuff takes place across the river. Downtown and the south are seen as the places to avoid. Downtown has lots of vagrants and a lot of the south side looks like a third world country. Avoid Saunders on Sunday nights because all the car clubs come out and show off, drive like they own the street and generally make a nuisance of themselves. You can carry just about anywhere. I have yet to see a business with a proper 30.06 sign. Taco Palenque is good fast food and the Palenque grill has a great reputation. For music I hope you like country. 98.1 is big buck country their djs mostly stick with English but pretty much everything else is in Spanish. HEB is the south Texas grocery chain. Their deals are good and the produce is fresh. The heat is terrible and it's basically like living in a desert. Let us how how the love is going for you. |