Donna, Texas was named during a secret meeting of most of the town's residents, who decided to show their appreciation for the town's prominent developer by naming the town after his daughter. The new name was revealed at a surprise party at the train station and they say there was not a dry eye to be found.
When you think of the old West, or Texas at that, you think of horses, cowboys and huge beef steaks roasted over an open fire
Donna, Texas was named during a secret meeting of most of the town's residents, who decided to show their appreciation for the town's prominent developer by naming the town after his daughter. The new name was revealed at a surprise party at the train station and they say there was not a dry eye to be found.
When you think of the old West, or Texas at that, you think of horses, cowboys and huge beef steaks roasted over an open fire. What you don't think of is a quaint little town called 'Donna'. You'll find Donna way down near the Mexican Border in West Texas. Donna is about 15 minutes east of McAllen and a half hour west of Harlingen.
Moving to Donna
If you're looking for apartments for rent, Donna is a great place to start. This city is highly residential, so there are plenty of properties to choose from. Aside from apartments, there are a variety of other places to live in here. You can find housing for rent, condos and even townhomes; however, if you want a chance to land any of these properties, there are a few things you should know:
Best Time to Move
Donna is located in West Texas, also known as Hell's kitchen, This area is called Hell's kitchen for a reason. It's hot as hell here in the summer, with temperatures topping 98 degrees Fahrenheit. For all practical reasons, this isn't the best time to find apartments. The best time to begin your search is in the beginning of the year, the start of Spring or around the Fall when there are multiple move-in specials throughout the area.
What You Need
If you're looking to relocate in Donna, Texas, you need a few documents on hand. These documents will help you to pass through the application process quickly and easily:
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Current proof of residence.
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Contact details for all references.
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Deposit and Key Deposit -- both of these items will fluctuate throughout the year. In some cases, they may not be required at all.
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Identification documents.
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Proof of income in most cases this is 3 to 6 months worth of bank statements. If you just started your job, you will most likely need a hire letter with salary stated and check stubs.
Homes to rent
If what you're after is a home, there are dozens for rent at any one time. Many of the homes are 2+ bedrooms with lots of yard space. Since there isn't a public transportation system in this area, many of these homes have garages. Some of the apartments in Donna have garages too, with the added amenity of extra parking spaces.
Just remember, when you're looking for properties here, you will need a car to get around to each viewing -- unless of course you like to walk, bike or gallop.
Neighborhoods of Donna
Although there aren't any neighborhoods within Donna itself, there are a few notable neighbors worth mentioning.
San Juan: Failing to meet up to Donna's high standards, San Juan is nevertheless one of the most popular neighborhoods surrounding the area. It's located just west of Donna off of the 2. This town mainly attracts tourist who stop in for a quick kip or a bite to eat.
Weslaco: This 'Donna wannabe' is located to the southeast of the city near an even bigger town called Mercedes. Weslaco is peppered with restaurants and cafe's so it's a foodies dream town! If you're looking to diet, you probably shouldn't move anywhere near this town.
North Alamo: Now here's where living in Donna gets interesting. Although there is tons to do here, North Alamo is a strong competitor. This area is highly residential, but many of the residents moved here to be within close proximity to the many museums located off of the 281 and I-2.
As you can see Donna is a pretty strong contender for amenities, but there is much to be seen in and around this area.
Living in Donna
Although Donna is located deep in the Rio Valley Grande, there are a lot of things to do around here but shopping isn't one of them. Texas is a VERY big state, so things are a bit spread out around here. In Donna, you'd be lucky to spot a shopping center, local mall or even a major department store. In fact, you'll have to travel about 15 minutes east on Interstate 2 to get any retail therapy.
Good Finds for Less
Okay, so Donna isn't the most ritzy place to be, but I'll be darned if you can't find a good bargain here. Donna is packed with Dollar stores no exaggeration they're every few blocks. So if you're trying to save a little money, this town definitely won't allow you to overspend.
Best Mexican Food Around
One thing that Donna is known for is its wonderful Mexican food. Out of state visitors traveling down the Interstate exit on S. Salinas Blvd or merge onto the 83 to visit some of the most popular restaurants around. Three worth mentioning here are Don Panchitos, Delia's Taco House and the Taqueria La Diligencia.
Camp Out
If you're looking for a good camping spot, Donna has plenty. These camping spots are mainly for RVs so rent one and drive on out for a Donna-style camping experience. A few of the most widely used RV Parks are Green Acres Mobile RV Park, Sandy Acres Mobile Home Resort and Altas Palmas Park.
If you want to experience any of the items listed above you'll need your own car, horse or chuck wagon. There is no trace of a public transit system here, so invest in a good pair of walking shoes or a gas card -- you'll need it.
