264,703
Population
Sunny Days: 220
41100 Affordability
89100 Schools
19100 Diversity
84100 Safety
Texas is a state of mind. Texas is an obsession. Above all, Texas is a nation in every sense of the word.
–John Steinbeck
Laredo, Texas
The City Under Seven Flags
Best Part About Laredo
History and Heritage
Locals will tell you Laredo is unlike any city you’ve been to and that you’re not going to really “get it” unless you visit. For starters, Laredo has the largest hispanic population out of any city in the US, outside of Puerto Rico, making it technically one of the least ethnically diverse cities in the US. It’s one of the oldest crossing points along the Mexico-United States border and that fact means it’s steeped in history and hispanic heritage, from the food to the shopping and even the language spoken (a true Spanglish). Grab some mariachis (breakfast tacos, not the band), attend the famous Washington’s Birthday Celebration throughout the month of February, shop at Mall del Norte, or just walk around and experience it yourself!
Note from a local about Laredo:
In my experience, most ppl I’ve met that have relocated to Laredo end up loving it, make lasting bonds with the ppl here and never leave. There’s a common known phrase that we warn ppl that are not from Laredo and say, “just don’t drink the water”. What we mean by that is once you drink the water you’ll never leave.
Worst Part About Laredo
Economically segregated
Laredo is very segregated, economically, especially for a smaller metro area. Most of the wealth of the city is in the gated communities, while the areas that are classified as poor have been that way for quite some time. Laredo’s poverty rate is about three times that of the national average, and locals say you can tell when you drive around the city. The good news is that the poverty rates do appear to be dropping if you look at the averages year over year.
Here's a note from a local about the topic:
You can visibly see the difference between the south side and north side. Everything is catered to the rich side (north) That’s where the mall is, the bowling alley, movies, bars, fancy heb etc
Lifestyle of Laredo
Laredo is a big city with small town energy. People here love their community, their families, food, and, surprisingly, George Washington! Every year, over 400,000 people attend the George Washington’s Birthday festivities in February. You might be confused as to why a celebration honoring our first president happens on the border and you wouldn’t be the only one! The event, dubbed “GWBA” was originally planned by the patriotic Improved Order of the Red Men, local chapter Yaqui Tribe #59. The members were made up of prominent Laredoans from both Mexican and American ancestry. This event highlights the heritage and history of the town and has a huge economic impact on the city. GWBA is just one of the many things that makes Laredo Laredo. It really is a town you won’t understand unless you visit!
If you want to see what people do in Laredo check out the calendar of events: https://www.visitlaredo.com/events
Workstyle of Laredo
Laredo is the largest inland port in the United States and one of the oldest border crossing locations in the country mainly due to its location, benefits from NAFTA, the twin assembly plants across in Nuevo Laredo, and the import export agencies expediting trade. Understandably so, the largest industries are trade, transportation, and utilities closely followed by government and education and health services. Despite having such a large proportion of its population living below the poverty line, the unemployment rates in Laredo have been steadily dropping since the mid 1990s. Despite all of the above, it is really important to note that women moving to Laredo are in for a shock when they find out that the city has one of the largest gender pay gaps in the country, according to a study from NerdWallet.
Why Move Now?
Talkin 'Bout My Generation
Residents of Laredo say that the younger generations of Laredo are steadily revitalizing the city and they’re excited for that change. The city has a chance of becoming an amazing place to live for young professionals and families and is constantly striving to improve. If you’re looking for a town full of heritage, opportunities for affordable housing, and you know a decent amount of Spanish, Laredo might be for you.
Living in Laredo
Neighborhoods in Laredo
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Salinas Key
Young Professionals
Laredo is a great chance for young professionals to purchase their first home and branch out on their own. Laredo offers a lot of amenities close by so you won’t have to travel very far for groceries and daily needs. Check out these neighborhoods that offer great sized homes and even apartments!
- Salinas Key
- Shiloh
- Tiara de San Isidrio
Plantation
Young Families
In Laredo, there are plenty of planned communities to meet the needs of a growing family. In these areas, you’ll find tree-lined streets, sidewalks for walks with the dogs, stucco architecture and enough room for the whole family!
- Plantation
- Regency
- San Isidro Taos
Lakeside
Established Families
If you’re a family looking for a little bit more square footage without sacrificing the yard and garage space, look no further than these neighborhoods. Some of these areas feature the added security of gated driveways or entire neighborhoods. Check out Winfield below if you’re looking to stay close to some great schools!
- Lakeside
- Winfield
- Plantation