Situated along the Rio Grande on the border with Mexico, Laredo is inextricably linked to its neighbor. Four international vehicle bridges and one railroad bridge connect the city with Mexico, and the Port of Laredo is one of the busiest trading ports in the U.S. “We have a large import and export; it’s our main cash crop if you will. Anything you’ve worn or consumed has probably come through here,” says Joe Baeza, the Public Information Officer for the Laredo Police Department. “You can get commercial vehicles stacked for miles.” In 2024, over 72% of loaded trucks entering the United States through Texas from Mexico passed through Laredo.
Law enforcement, largely tied to border control, is one of the major employment sectors in this city of 255,000. “All the three-letter acronyms are here,” says Baeza, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other government entities. “We’re very closely intertwined and constantly talking to each other.” Other large employers include the two school districts and the Laredo Medical Center.
Mexico’s proximity also shapes Laredo’s culture. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, around 95 percent of the city’s population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. That influences everything from architecture to dining and shopping to local events. “It’s bilingual and bicultural,” says Maria Calderón-Porter, a resident of Laredo. “If you go to a restaurant, you have to say, ‘Please, English.’” Many church services are held in both English and Spanish, including mass at the historic San Agustin Cathedral in downtown Laredo, or the CBD .
El Cuarto neighborhood is located in the historic downtown area of Laredo, Tx.
The Rio Grande River sits adjacent to La Ladrillera and is the border between USA and Mexico.
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Spanish Colonial architecture, gated communities
In Laredo, many buildings and houses—both old and new—are built in the Spanish Colonial style. Historic parts of the city include homes dating back to the 19th century, like Azteca , where 1870s Mission-style houses rub shoulders with Victorians. Many neighborhoods feature modest, midcentury ranch-style homes. To the north and east, homes are typically newer, larger and sit on bigger lots. “There are a lot of places for growth,” says Baeza. “If you like big lot sizes, there’s lots of options.” Laredo’s median home price is about $260,000, far lower than the national average of around $420,000. But in upscale neighborhoods on the outskirts—like La Bota Ranch , the first gated community in Laredo, and Plantation , home to the Laredo Country Club—prices can be much higher, with some houses in the million-dollar range.
Many homes in Laredo also have backyard pools, since temperatures often reach the triple digits in summer, and the climate is mild the rest of the year. Extreme heat combined with low humidity puts the city at risk from wildfires.
The Azteca neighborhood has many styles of Spanish colonial type of homes throughout the area.
Spanish style homes are found in Crown Ridge Laredo Texas.
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Two school districts along with a Texas A&M campus
Laredo has two school districts: The Laredo Independent School District covers the central part of the city and gets a B grade on Niche. In contrast, the A-minus-rated United Independent School District covers the edges of the city and beyond, serving students in northern Webb County as well. UISD is also growing, with one or two new schools opening yearly since 2017. Both districts have several magnet high schools, including Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts in LISD and John B. Alexander Health Science Magnet. “There are a lot of ninth-grade campuses. They have the same name but have room to grow,” Baeza says.
Higher learning institutions include Laredo College, a public community college, and Texas A&M International University. The multilingual university has over 8,400 students enrolled each semester and is home to the Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium.
Martin High School is part of the Laredo Independent School District In Laredo, Tx.
Alexander High is a great public school option.
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Green spaces along with Lake Casa Blanca International State Park
There are 61 parks, 12 recreation centers and over 20 public spaces with pools or splash pads. “The city has invested pretty aggressively in public access,” Baeza says. They include the Roberto De Llano Track in the Flynn neighborhood, which is fully ADA compliant, and North Central Park, home to a water park and dog park. Phase one of South Laredo’s Buena Vista Sports Complex will be completed in early 2025 and features baseball and multipurpose sports fields. On the edge of the city is Lake Casa Blanca International State Park, with a lake for fishing, boating and water sports.
Laredo is home to the Laredo Heat Soccer Club, part of the National Premier Soccer League, which plays at PEG Energy Stadium. The Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos (translated as the Two Laredos Owls) are a Mexican League and Minor League baseball team that plays in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and at Laredo’s Uni-Trade Stadium.
Lake Casa Blanca is a popular area for jet ski water-sports and more near La X.
Slaughter Park has 6 basketball courts, walking trails and a baseball field in south Laredo.
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Local dining and shopping throughout Laredo
Much of Laredo’s local restaurant scene is rooted in Hispanic, Tex-Mex and South Texas culture. There are also national chains, most of which are found along major thoroughfares like Interstate 35, which runs through the city.
Family-owned businesses in neighborhoods like El Trece and La Guadalupe sell freshly made tortillas and meat, and the city also has major grocery stores like H-E-B. Downtown Laredo, or the CBD, is home to a variety of local boutiques and restaurants. Just a few blocks west of downtown are The Outlet Shoppes at Laredo with outlet brands and chain eateries. The Mall del Norte is in the north of the city and has over 100 stores, plus a movie theater.
Taquitos Ravi serves Mexican grub such as tacos & chicken fajitas in central Heights.
Paez Fruit Stand located nearby Las Polkas has a variety of fresh produce available daily.
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A city-wide celebration of George Washington
Washington's Birthday Celebration takes place across the city for six weeks, starting from mid-January. First held in 1898, the celebration has only been canceled once in its 127-year history—in 2021 over health concerns due to COVID-19. “It’s kind of like ‘why?,’ but it’s been that way for as long as we can remember,” says Baeza. “Unless you’re from here, it’s kind of hard to understand where it came from.” Festivities include a fireworks display, parade, an air show at the Laredo International Airport and a two-day Jalapeño Festival. “It’s a painful experience to watch. The looks on their faces say it all when they finish,” Baeza says.
Other major events celebrate Laredo’s Hispanic heritage, including the Laredo International Sister Cities Festival in July.
Beginning and end of Interstate 35, and international airport
Interstate 35 ends in Laredo, turning into the Juarez-Lincoln International Bridge, which crosses into Mexico. The Bob Bullock Loop begins at the World Trade International Bridge, located on the city's northwest end, and circles around Laredo. Laredo International Airport is on the northeast side of the city and is serviced by American Airlines, United Airlines and Allegiant. El Metro Transit runs 23 bus routes through the city.
Lower crime than the state average in Laredo
According to FBI data, the reported violent crime rate in Laredo is higher than the national rate, but property crime rates generally fall below state and national figures. From 2022 to 2023, there was a 7% increase in violent crime and a 5% increase in property crime. “We’re one of the safer cities along the border,” says Baeza. “A lot of people who don’t know the area well, they think [of] Nuevo Laredo. Wires get mixed; it’s two different places and things. It’s a whole different universe over here.”
Kerissa Vela is a distinguished real estate professional hailing from Laredo, Texas. Since joining RE/MAX Real Estate Services in 2018, she has established a robust clientele in Laredo and its neighboring areas. With a profound understanding of the market and a wealth of sales expertise, Kerissa offers invaluable insights and meticulous attention to detail in the real estate realm.
Committed to surpassing her clients' expectations, Kerissa diligently endeavors to discover properties that perfectly align with their preferences and lifestyles, while adeptly handling the sale of residential and commercial real estate. Her unwavering dedication and hard work have garnered her numerous accolades and recognitions. In 2018, she was honored as Freshman of the Year, followed by achieving Executive Club status at her RE/MAX office the subsequent year. In 2020, Laredo Real Producers Magazine acknowledged her as a Rising Star. The year 2021 saw Kerissa receiving multiple prestigious awards, including Top Producer, Platinum Club, and Million Dollars Club recognition every quarter at the Laredo RE/MAX office. She has consistently maintained her position as the top producer for the Laredo office in both 2022 and 2023.
Kerissa boasts several distinguished designations that underscore her expertise in the real estate industry, including being a Texas Accredited Commercial Specialist (TACS), a Short Sale & Foreclosure Resource (SFR), and a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist (CLHMS).
Beyond her thriving real estate career, Kerissa actively engages in various boards and organizations. She serves as a Pillar Board Member as Vice Chair, is a member of the Laredo Board of Realtors, and contributes to the Chamber of Commerce Real Estate Committee. She also supports multiple booster Clubs and is a member of Grace Bible Church.
Inspired by her beautiful family and friends, Kerissa derives her motivation and drive. She is deeply appreciative of the trust bestowed upon her by individuals for their real estate needs and investments. For Kerissa, real estate is not merely a profession but a passion-fueled dream career.
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