finding an english-speaking doctor in mcallen (and surviving the wait)

so here's the thing about mcallen: it's not exactly new york or la when it comes to healthcare. i'm not even sure why i thought finding an english-speaking doctor here would be easy, but i was wrong. dead wrong. i moved here for a gig (i'm a touring session drummer, so i bounce around a lot), and about two weeks in, i got this weird rash. like, really weird. not "oh i scratched a mosquito" weird, but "is this leprosy?" weird.

anyway, i started asking around. the first person i talked to was this barista at a coffee shop on 10th street. she gave me this look like i'd just asked her for the secret to eternal life. "uh, try google?" she said. thanks, genius.

i did try google, and that's when i realized mcallen is huge. like, 143,000 people huge. and a lot of them speak spanish. which is cool, but when you're panicking about a rash, you want someone who speaks your language. literally.

i finally found a clinic through yelp. it was called "mcallen family clinic," and the reviews were... mixed. one person said the wait was "longer than a taylor swift concert," and another said the doctor was "a saint." i figured, what the hell, and booked an appointment.

the wait was indeed long. like, two hours long. i brought a book, but i ended up just staring at the wall, wondering if my rash was going to spread to my face. when i finally saw the doctor, she was great. super nice, spoke perfect english, and diagnosed me with "contact dermatitis." basically, i'm allergic to something. probably the hotel sheets.

here's what i learned: mcallen has some good doctors, but you gotta be patient. and maybe bring a book. or a snack. or both.

random mcallen facts i picked up while waiting

- the average rent here is about $1,200 a month, which is way cheaper than austin or houston.
- mcallen is one of the safest cities in texas, which is nice if you're paranoid like me.
- the job market is pretty solid, especially if you're into healthcare or education.

overheard in the waiting room

"i've been coming here for years. the wait sucks, but the doctors are good."
"my cousin got his wisdom teeth out here. he said it was fine, but he also ate a whole pizza the next day, so..."
"if you need a specialist, good luck. it's like finding a unicorn."

pro-tips for finding a doctor in mcallen

- use yelp, but take the reviews with a grain of salt. people are dramatic.
- call ahead and ask if the doctor speaks english. save yourself the awkwardness.
- bring a book, a snack, and maybe a pillow. you're gonna be there a while.
- if you're in a hurry, try a walk-in clinic. they're faster, but you might not get the same doc every time.

cost of living in mcallen (because why not)

Category	Average Cost
Rent (1-bedroom)	$1,200
Utilities	$150
Groceries	$300
Healthcare (annual)	$3,000

nearby cities to escape to

if mcallen starts to feel too small, you're in luck. brownsville is just an hour away, and it's got a cool vibe. or head to south padre island for a weekend. it's like a mini vacation, but with more sand in your shoes.

final thoughts

finding a doctor in mcallen isn't the worst thing in the world. it's just... an experience. like, if you're into waiting rooms and reading outdated magazines, you'll love it. but if you're like me and you just want to know if your rash is going to kill you, it's a little stressful. still, i survived, and my rash is gone. so, there's that.

links to check out

- mcallen family clinic yelp page
- google maps of mcallen
- reddit r/mcallen
- tripadvisor things to do in mcallen