La Joya, TX

Located in the Rio Grande Valley near the Mexican border, La Joya is a fast-growing city wrapped around Walker Lake. Just west of the city, another large lake shares the city's name. La Joya Lake was named by early settlers during the 1700s, who said that the sun shimmering on the lake turned it into a jewel. Today, La Joya offers tidy subdivisions, tall palm trees, and the nearby Rio Grande. La Joya is only about an hour from the coast, so choosing an apartment in La Joya means a weekend at the beach is quick and easy.

Walker Lake provides picnic areas, fishing piers, and ample park space for residents who enjoy boating, fishing, or just relaxing by the water. In the city's center, La Joya Municipal Park provides a large playground, a walking/jogging trail, and the La Joya Municipal Swimming Pool. On the south side of La Joya, the Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area protects the native plants and animals of South Texas and the Rio Grande. When you aren't at the park or on the water, you may find yourself shopping of dining at the many stores and restaurants that line US 83.