Aledo versus Benbrook (Fort Worth, Arlington, Bryan: cul-de-sac, for sale, real estate market)

[linuxology]

Look to be relocating to the west side of Fort Worth. What are the pros/cons of Aledo versus BenBrook? I have read that the Benbrook schools are decent south of I-20. I have two elementary aged children. THanks.

[bmlx]

I'll start off by saying that Aledo is going to have the best schools. Benbrook schools are a part of the Fort Worth ISD, which might scare off some people not familiar with the better areas of that district, but I'd say that the Benbrook area is at least comparable academically with some of the middle-of-the-line suburban districts like Eagle Mountain-Saginaw and White Settlement. Being a large district FWISD also has a lot of choice programs and the sort as well (though some of those are quite distant from Benbrook). I would try and buy in the Westpark Elementary zone (map) as that is the better of the two elementary schools in Benbrook that are south of I-20.



Although you would have the better schools there, much of the Aledo area is rural and is further off from many amenities which you and your children might enjoy, though Walsh and Morningstar (City of Fort Worth but with Aledo schools) are going to be more suburban in character. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of parks as well. In other words, you'll have to drive more to do things.



Benbrook is going to be your typical suburb, with not too much to do in the city itself, but it seems better than Aledo with respect to family-friendly amenities like the Dutch Branch Park (large playground, baseball fields, track, YMCA) in the city. You would also be closer to shopping opportunities (Hulen Mall, Clearfork) and grocery stores like Whole Foods (there's one on Bryant Irvin in Southwest FW) if that's your kind of thing.

[loves2read]

There is small district south of FW--not Crowley--
Godly I think is the name
IMO smaller districts often can't offer the same quality of education as kids get older--
Like not same AP/pre-AP level education as a larger district
Would recommend Aledo

Have you driven through the areas?
Aledo has is very spread out--
Not a central town
Benbrook because of the main highway has more commercial/retail along it but that is also kind of shabby
But it does have more concentrated amenities/activities than Aledo
Just Google Target
Don't think there is one in Aledo yet
Google grocery stores and see where the closest is in Aledo
So you have to make compromises...

Where are you working?

[legalsea]

I will add my two cents: I have lived in Fort Worth all of my 63 years (save for college). Mainly in the Arlington Heights area next to Camp Bowie Boulevard.


However, I also lived in Aledo for a year back in the early 1980s (while my parents were building a new house in Arlington Heights). My wife and I moved to North Benbrook in 2006.


We live just off Chapin road, along which you have three schools: elementary, middle and high. I have always heard (for I have no children) that they are considered 'good' solid schools.


I work downtown Fort Worth (at least, until June 30th, when I retire). I can make the drive in 13 minutes (going west on Chapin to 820, getting on 820 North, then immediately exiting I-30 East, then an easy drive to downtown).


If traffic is bad on I-30 (usually not), I can simply drive from Chapin (via Las Vegas Trial) north to Camp Bowie, and thence east to downtown.


We are close to three major grocery stores (La Fiesta, Kroger's, Tom Thumbs), and easy access to Ridgmar Mall (with two movie theaters in the area), Wal-Mart and a Sam's Club. Of course, driving down Camp Bowie you have all sorts of eating establishments, pharmacies and shops.


I have no idea about the current real estate market in Aledo (I think it has built up a lot since I lived there), but North Benbrook has avoided the 'market bubble' that seems to be forming in places like Arlington (where a house can easily sell, over asking price, within 24 hours of being placed on the market), or the Mid Cities area (ditto).


indeed, as I write, we have two houses along our street (Mary's Creek, which runs into Chapin) for sale, and they have been for one or two months. One reason we moved to that neighborhood was we got a lot of house for the money (back in 2006, $180,000 for 3,000 square feet). The two houses are smaller (we have almost the only two-story house on the block). It is a very safe neighborhood (Mary's Creek is a cul-de-sac) with several police officers living on the street, and with children walking to and from school, and playing outside.


Thus far, North Benbrook has avoided having the older homes (for such they are; ours was built in 1968) torn down and 'gentrified'.


It all depends on one's situation, of course, but I do like to beat the drum for North Benbrook for its affordable housing and amenities.