Are you moving to Brownsville to teach English as a second language? Are you wondering how you'll fit in and what the city is like? Or are you planning a vacation to visit relatives in Brownsville and are curious as to what there is to do in the city? Whatever your reasons for coming to Brownsville, Texas, it always pays to get a clearer picture of your destination. That's why we created this basic information page on Brownsville - to help you paint that picture.

Start your picture by laying some fairly flat groundwork and populating it with many different species of palm trees. As the southernmost city in the United States and a locale that borders the Gulf of Mexico, weather here in Brownsville is hot, sunny, and humid. An architect in Canada tired of freezing winters would find it a great place to retire to. Temperatures can be in the 100s during the summer, but during the rainy winter they drop to the 50s.

Brownsville's proximity to the border with Mexico and its similarity in climate to cities in the northern part of Mexico have made it a popular destination for immigrants from that country, so you will see many Hispanic people around town as you interview commercial mortgage lenders. As much as 90% of the population identify themselves as being at least partly of Hispanic descent. Culturally Brownsville is a mixture of Texas and Mexican influences, which is known colloquially as "Tex Mex.”

Economically Brownsville is not a very wealthy city. There aren't many people in town who can afford to have actively managed ETFs or large homes. In fact, the per capita income is only about $9,700. However, real estate prices and the cost of living are correspondingly low. Even so, there are still many people who struggle to make ends meet here. The percentage of people living below the poverty line is 36%, one of the highest in the country.

Despite the city's seemingly sleepy reputation, there are quite a few ways you can fill your time in the city. There's a branch of the University of Texas, three bridges over the Rio Grande that connect Brownsville to Mexico to facilitate trade, and a heritage complex that includes art galleries and a history museum. There are many small businesses here, ranging from nutrient management services to retail, and a large shopping mall. Attractions include a zoo, a children's museum, and access by boat to the resort island of South Padre.