Harlingen, TX is a city in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas that is about 30 miles inland from the Gulf coast.  Its location near the U.S. – Mexico border has allowed it to develop into a distribution and shipping center and its Valley International Airport works with major U.S. carriers and offers border-crossing shipping via the Free Trade Bridge into Mexico.  Harlingen is known for having the lowest cost of living in the United States as well as having an excellent, nationally recognized healthcare network.  Its population and economy have grown steadily in recent years as many local businesses benefit from the low tax burden and close proximity to Mexico.

Whether you are a current resident of the Harlingen area or just moved to the city, it helps to know that there are reliable disaster restoration and cleaning service providers in Harlingen that can assist homeowners and businesses with water damage and fire damage.  Harlingen, TX experiences dry conditions with mild to hot temperatures all year round which causes fires to burn up quickly and the periodic heavy rains can cause the dry ground to flood.  Make sure to contact your local disaster restoration service provider in Harlingen as soon as you discover water or fire damage in your home or business.

Disaster Restoration and Cleaning Services in Harlingen, TX

 

Water Damage Restoration and Repair in Harlingen

Water damage occurs within homes in Harlingen in a number of ways including leaks or flooding from heavy rains.  The periodic thunderstorms in the area could cause water leaks around the home and it is important to call for water damage restoration services immediately to help limit the damage.  Many structural elements and furnishings within the home absorb water quickly but a local water damage repair professional in Harlingen can restore your home within just a few days and help you file any insurance claims.

Dealing with House Fires: Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration in Harlingen

A home or business can catch fire at almost any time and in the dry heat of Harlingen, a house fire can cause a lot of damage very quickly.  The first priority in a fire is to make sure everyone is safe, but after the flames are put out, the corrosive byproducts and soot from the lingering smoke can cause permanent damage to the structural elements and furnishings of your home.  A local Harlingen fire damage restoration expert can help restore smoke and fire damage and eliminate any residual odors.  It is important to contact a fire damage professional immediately to help stop the spread of the damage and begin repairing your home as soon as possible.

Eliminating Odors with Odor Removal Services in Harlingen

If your home or business has a residual smell from water damage, fire damage, smoke, a dead animal, or some other source, contact an odor removal specialist in Harlingen to have it completely eliminated from your home or building.  Strong odors from smoke, pets, dead animals, flooding, or ozone can penetrate into the structural elements and materials of your home but an odor removal specialist can remove these odors using advanced equipment that treats different surfaces, materials, and empty air.  Do not let a foul smell ruin your Harlingen area home or business.

Protect your Personal Belongings: Content Cleaning and Pack out Services for Harlingen

When a disaster such as a fire or flood happens in your Harlingen home, the damage often goes beyond just the structural elements to affect your content and personal belongings.  Important documents and keepsakes as well as clothes, photographs and other items may sustain water damage or soot damage.  A local water or fire damage restoration professional can provide content cleaning and pack out services in Harlingen to help salvage your damaged personal belongings.  These services include packing up your items to safely transport them to a facility for cleaning and taking a detailed inventory of all packed out items to ensure that nothing gets lost.

“Capital of the Rio Grande Valley” – Business in Harlingen, TX

 

International Shipping Hub of Texas

Harlingen, TX is strategically located on two major highways near the border of Mexico, which along with its low cost of living and light tax structure makes it an excellent place for a business to develop.  Its close proximity to Mexico has made it a major hub for shipping and distribution as it has an international airport and it controls access to international trade bridges and waterways leading to Mexico.  The Valley International Airport in Harlingen works with globally recognized carriers such as FedEx, Continental Express, and DHL to name a few to service both sides of the border.  Carriers can cross the border from the airport via the international Free Trade Bridge.

International Trade Bridge and Ports

The Free Trade Bridge is an international trade bridge located in Los Indios which is about 10 miles south of Harlingen.  This bridge allows access to a four lane highway that crosses into Mexico and it is staffed by a U.S. Customs inspection facility that can handle up to 75 trucks at a given time.  The Free Trade Bridge is known for being one of the most efficient means to cross the border which helps improve the flow of shipping and distribution between the U.S. and Mexico.

In addition to the Free Trade Bridge, Harlingen also controls the Port of Harlingen which provides access to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.  This protected waterway starts in nearby Brownsville, TX on the U.S. – Mexico border and runs the entire length of the Gulf Coast to St. Marks, FL.  The Gulf Intracoastal Waterway can be accessed from the Port of Harlingen via the Harlingen Channel.

Nationally Recognized Harlingen Health Care Network

Shipping and distribution is not the only industry that has flourished in Harlingen, they are also known nationwide for their award-winning healthcare network.  The main healthcare facility in Harlingen is the Valley Baptist Medical Center (VBMC) which is ranked as one of the top 100 hospitals in the United States.  The VBMC is a Level III Trauma Center with over 450 beds that provides intensive medical, cardiovascular, surgical, neurological, and pediatric care as well as hospice care and radiology services.

The other major healthcare facility in Harlingen, TX is the award-winning Harlingen Medical Center.  This 112 room facility is a 24 hour emergency center ready to treat any medical situation and they also provide excellent care for cardiovascular issues, neurology, orthopedics, obstetrics, and gynecology.  Other notable Harlingen healthcare facilities include the South Texas VA Health Care Center which is the satellite outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Su Clinica Familiar, Valley Diagnostic Center, and the South Texas Emergency Care Foundation.

Crime Rates and Social Concerns of Harlingen, TX

Harlingen boasts some of the lowest crime statistics of the major cities in South Texas and the Harlingen Police Department has been reporting a reduction in crime each year since 2011.  While the trend is generally going down, there is occasionally trouble in the area stemming from issues involving immigration.  The crime in Harlingen is mostly under control and seems to be decreasing but it is still important for residents to be aware that Mexican nationals have been known to cause problems in the area.

Harlingen, TX Weather

The weather in Harlingen, TX is very mild all year round with very low annual precipitation.  The lowest average monthly high is in January at 70 degrees and the yearly high is in July and August which each have an average of 95 degrees.  Harlingen experiences the highest amount of rainfall in late spring and early fall while the rest of the year averages less than two inches per month.  The highest monthly average precipitation is in September with over 5 inches.

While it does not rain much in Harlingen, the heavy rain that comes after the driest seasons could cause flooding if it is not absorbed fast enough by the dried soil.  Make sure to contact a local water and storm damage restoration service provider in Harlingen if your home experiences flooding or water damage.

Harlingen, TX – Lowest Cost of Living in the U.S.

The population of Harlingen has steadily grown over the years and the low cost of living could be a major contributor to this growth as it makes Harlingen an attractive community to live and run a business.  The cost of living in Harlingen is about 20 percent lower than the average cost of living in the United States and it has one of the lightest tax structures in the country with no state tax on personal or corporate income, goods in transit, equipment for pollution control, or machinery and equipment used in manufacturing.

The low cost of living is especially apparent in Harlingen’s housing market.  The average price of a home in Harlingen according to the 2^nd Quarter Housing Affordability Index of 2007 is $95,000 and according to 2009 statistics from the Rio Grande Valley Apartment Association, the average rent for a two bedroom apartment is $525.  These low rates for houses and apartments make Harlingen a very attractive community to live and it is important for homeowners in Harlingen to keep their homes protected from disasters such as water or fire damage and contact a local restoration provider for assistance if a disaster does occur.

From Shopping to the Outdoors: Things to Do in Harlingen, TX

Whether you are a resident of Harlingen or plan on visiting the area, there is plenty to do from popular shopping centers to a range of outdoor activities.  Harlingen’s historic downtown area is lined with palm trees and a variety of shopping destinations and its location makes it a great spot for hunting, fishing, and bird watching.  The following is a list of fun activities in Harlingen, TX.

• 

  Possibly the best Bass Pro Shop you’ve ever seen!

  Brass Pro Shops: The Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World in Harlingen is unique because it is much more than just a store.  This 145,000 square foot building contains a museum, art gallery, aquarium, education, and conservation center in addition to the typical Brass Pro Shop store and is one of Harlingen’s top tourist attractions.

• Gladys Porter Zoo: This award winning zoo is located in nearby Brownsville and is home to over 1600 species of exotic and domestic wildlife.  The Gladys Porter Zoo is also known for successfully breeding endangered animals.
• Harlingen Arts and Heritage Museum: This historical museum features exhibits about Harlingen as well as other cultural and natural history exhibits and it shares grounds with Harlingen’s first hospital, city founder Lon C. Hill’s home, and the Paso Real Stagecoach Inn which was built during the Civil War.  Each of these buildings can be toured.
• Downtown Harlingen: The historic downtown area is home to many unique shopping destinations that are along Jackson Street which has been the city’s main strip for over a century.  The palm trees that line Jackson Street add to the picturesque appeal of downtown Harlingen.
• The Outdoors: There are plenty of outdoor activities to do around Harlingen as it has great spots to hunt, fish, or bird watch.  Its geographical location offers plenty of opportunities for fishing along the Gulf Coast and it is home to a variety of game such as white tailed deer, wild pig, and quail.  A wide variety of birds migrate each year through the area which provides plenty of great opportunities for bird watchers.
• Sports: Harlingen is home to a minor league baseball team of the United Baseball League, the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings.  There are also plenty of world class golf courses around Harlingen and the weather allows for residents to enjoy golf year round.

For more ideas of fun things to do in Harlingen, visit this website to see what the city has to offer.

Sources

https://restorationmasterfinder.com/harlingen-tx/disaster-restoration-and-cleaning-services-5/
http://www.valleymorningstar.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlingen,_Texas
http://www.visitharlingentexas.com/
http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/harlingen-tx/78550/daily-weather-forecast/331136
http://www.myharlingen.us/
http://www.harlingenedc.com/economic-development/business-climate/
http://www.harlingenedc.com/economic-development/demographics/