So, With a population of 5,432, Aledo is a small town. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. Worth the trade-offs? Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
9 upvotes
8 Replies
Rachel C.
literally same
40 upvotes
waylon_dude
100%
35 upvotes
Clara P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 10 years. Moved from Portland for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are competitive for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it exceeded my expectations. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are surprisingly good. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited shopping options. Homeless population growing downtown. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 8/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
35 upvotes
tucsonvibes2020
Hot take but there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. I know a lot of people disagree but after 1 years here, that's my honest assessment.
35 upvotes
Sarah Smith
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are surprisingly good, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
31 upvotes
cora_mama
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Pittsburgh it's solid.
24 upvotes
Bella Y.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 14 years ago from Chicago and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Lakewood. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is competitive right now, especially in government. If you're in hospitality you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 14 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: better than expected. Tons of options if you like Asian.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Everly F.
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Dallas and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Oak Park. It's pretty good for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in retail. If you're in government you might struggle.
People: Generally improving. It took about 9 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: challenging. Tons of options if you like Italian.
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