Downtown Fort Worth & Aledo

The plan for our first day in Fort Worth is to meet with our appointed local expert, Inge, and a realtor, Ann, and visit an area called Aledo which lies about 20 miles west of Fort Worth. But the jet-lag wakes us up early so we have time to pop into downtown Fort Worth before we meet them. Fort Worth is like a lot of US city downtowns: clean, neat and almost eerily quiet. UK town centers are a hub for retail, but in the US shopping goes on at the mall.

Can we get one of these Dad?

Sundance Square, Fort Worth

After a coffee and a wander, we head out to Aledo with Inge & Ann to visit a rental property and schools. Aledo is quite rural and on the drive there I'm thinking it's probably a bit too out in the sticks for me, but I can't help but like the undulating landscape, trees and green fields, it has an essence of home. Our first look at a Texas house results in a lot of gasps at the size and space, but the schools were on another level. Like most schools in the UK, the primary school our children go to is short on space. These schools were amazing, with huge classrooms to accommodate classes of 18-22 children, wide corridors, libraries the size of our UK school hall, gymnasiums and music rooms in addition to the main school hall. The staff were friendly and there was a clear focus on academic attainment.  Granted we have selected areas in and around Fort Worth with the best schools, but we are very impressed.

We get back to the hotel with enough time for a quick dip...

...before heading to the Pancake House for tea. That's the kids sold on the move then!