Farmland to the west, downtown Altoona to the north
Altoona has long been hailed as a transportation hub. The world-famous Horseshoe Curve, which revolutionized railroad construction and created a path through the perceived impenetrable Allegheny Mountains, sits just outside the city’s limits, and the town itself was a pit stop for railroad maintenance and supplies in the 19th and 20th centuries. Its 6th Avenue to 58th Street line, completed in 1906, took it farther outside the city than ever: to the Eldorado neighborhood 4 miles south. Eldorado is closer to rural Pennsylvania farmland than it is to downtown Altoona, and though the streetcars have stopped operating, residents today can reach the city with a short drive, as trolley lines have been paved, turning into major thoroughfares. Still, Eldorado maintains a sense of country seclusion. Just outside the neighborhood to the west, two-lane roads stretch past scenic ravines made from Lake Altoona’s water, trains chug in the distance and hunters or hikers traverse the dense wilderness. “There are a lot of single-family properties in that neighborhood,” says Brenden Goldizen, real estate investor with Goldizen Real Estate LLC, who lives in Blair County. “It’s good for younger couples who are looking to put down some roots.”
The world-famous Horseshoe Curve sits just outside the Eldorado neighborhood.
Eldorado is closer to rural Pennsylvania farmland than it is to downtown Altoona.
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Hiking trails near the World Famous Horseshoe Curve
Eldorado sits about 4 miles east of the world-famous Horseshoe Curve. One of the eight engineering marvels of the world, the tightly curved railway was built in the mid-19th century by Irish immigrants without modern equipment, using tools like picks, shovels and horses. During World War II, the Horseshoe Curve was so integral to transporting troops, materials and natural resources that it was one of the targets of the Nazis’ failed Operation Pastorius, which was aimed at major American economic targets. Today, trains still ride along this rail line, and visitors can watch from a viewing platform or online live stream. There’s also a visitor’s center, where folks can learn about Pennsylvania’s railroad history. “In the fall it’s beautiful,” Goldizen says. “My wife and I do a lot of hiking in that area, which is centrally located around the visitor’s center.” Unpaved hiking trails wind around the Horseshoe Curve, including the Horseshoe Curve Mountain Trail, with rocks, roots and creeks along the way. Surrounding the trails is a lot of game land. “You’re going to find a lot of city folk in Altoona, but we’re surrounded by the mountains of central Pennsylvania. During hunting season Walmart, Sam’s Club or local game shops are ridiculously busy,” Goldizen says. “Everyone in Blair County hunts or knows someone who hunts.” For a smaller outdoor experience, Leopold Park is just north of Eldorado. Here, there are paved walking trails that lead to a playground and a bridge that crosses a creek with a rocky shoreline. Visitors can use the park’s baseball, basketball and soccer facilities, while those looking for something less strenuous can head to the picnic pavilions.
Trains still ride along Horseshoe Curve where visitors can watch from the viewing platform.
Unpaved hiking trails wind around the Horseshoe Curve, including Horseshoe Curve Mountain Trail.
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Altoona Area School District develops trade skills
Students are zoned for the Altoona Area School District. They can attend Mowrie A. Ebner Elementary School, which gets a C grade from Niche, before attending Altoona Area Junior High School and Altoona Area High School, both of which receive C-pluses. The high school has two buildings – Building A and Building B – connected via a glass pedestrian bridge over 6th Avenue. Building B houses the Greater Altoona Career and Technology Center, a vocational school educating high schoolers on various trades, including construction and informational technology. “If students do that, they can graduate high school with some sort of degree that they can start earning money with,” Goldizen says. The center also serves adults on different schedules, offering diploma programs in wielding, dental assistance, practical nursing and more.
Eldorado students attend Mowrie A. Ebner Elementary School, which gets a C grade from Niche.
Eldorado kids attend Altoona Area Junior High School and High School.
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Homes on large, scenic lots just outside Altoona
Homes in Eldorado have large grassy yards with plenty of room for an outdoor party. Expanses of open land where brush and wildflowers sway in the Allegheny Mountains’ breeze sit between lots and tall pine and oak trees line the neighborhood’s two-lane roads. 1964 is the median year homes in Eldorado were built, and this is evident in the neighborhood’s architectural styes – ranch-style, split-level and Cape Cod homes. There are also a few co-ops in the neighborhood. Potential homebuyers can find a property here for between $100,000 and $460,000, with $180,000 being the median single-family price. There are also a few properties available for under $100,000; however, they typically require many renovations.
Homes in Eldorado have large grassy yards with plenty of room for an outdoor party.
Expanses of open land with tall pine and oak trees line the neighborhood's roads.
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Getting around Eldorado
Eldorado is a pretty insular neighborhood; there isn’t a reason for people to drive through unless they live there or are visiting someone who lives there. Many streets lack curbs or sidewalks. But since the neighborhood is not heavily trafficked, residents can go for walks or ride their bikes without much concern. Eldorado is about 4 miles south of downtown Altoona, and locals can get there using Broad Avenue. U.S. Interstate 99, the main interstate leading throughout central Pennsylvania, is about 5 miles from the neighborhood. In case of emergency, UPMC Altoona is about 4 miles north. And when it’s time to fly, the Altoona-Blair County Airport is about 20 miles south.
Eldorado is 4 miles south of downtown Altoona, and locals can get there using Broad Avenue.
In case of emergency, UPMC Altoona is about 4 miles north.
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Dining and shopping near 5th and 6th avenues
Outside the neighborhood, on the corner of 5th and 6th avenues, there’s a cluster of commercial amenities, from conveniences like Sheetz and Dollar General to restaurants like Old Carolina Barbecue and Zach’s Sports and Spirits. The Logan Valley Mall, an indoor shopping facility housing retailers such as Old Navy, H&M and Macy’s, is about 2 miles east of the neighborhood. Surrounding the mall, there are various retailers. A Martin's grocery store gives locals a place to grab ingredients for dinner, while spots like Harbor Freight Tools, Big Lots and Burlington make running errands quick.
Outside the neighborhood, there’s a cluster of commercial amenities like Sheetz.
Dollar General to restaurants like Old Carolina BBQ are a short drive for Eldorado residents.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Eldorado, Logan sell after 10 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Eldorado, Logan over the last 12 months is $169,950, down 23% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$169,950
Median Sale Price
$169,950
Median Single Family Sale Price
$169,950
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-23%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$124
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
81
Median Year Built
1964
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,888
On par with the national average
1,933
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
21,780
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
749
Median Age
50
Population under 18
19.8%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
27.5%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$43,749
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$55,596
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.5%
College Graduates
10.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
6.2%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
58.1%
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
1/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
4/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
