Areas To Live In San Antonio - Will Work At USAA

[manfre]

My plans are to spend a few days to a week in San Antonio and look to buy, but, if I don't find anything that feels right I will rent short term to gain a better understanding of the areas and try to buy within 3-6 months.

[bigthirsty]

I live in 78259 and love it..

[Drzy]

I work at USAA and live in the 78250 zip code... it's about a 12-20 minute drive, depending on the season and time you leave. But, don't be fooled... the 78250 zip code covers a lot of ground, and I live on the north side of it off Bandera Road and Guilbeau.

There's some great deals to be had in that zip code. I think realtors tend to think of 78250 as more of a Culebra zip code, so they don't include in their searches when looking for areas around USAA. Homes there compared to those in other areas (for example, Sonoma Ranch) are nicer and larger, but for the same price.

[manfre]

Any zipcodes that are more desirable than others regarding schools. Also, if you live in the school boundaries, are you automatically in or is there additional qualifiers to have enrollment rights? I would hate to buy somewhere and then not be able to have my children unable to go to the nearby school for whatever reason.

[Coldplay1144]

Whats your budget?

[manfre]

I plan to spend no more than 225k.

[RENinja]

USAA is (obviously) one of the largest employers in the city, so you're going to find their employees living just about everywhere. It seems like the schools are very important to you. My recommendation would be to find the schools that you are comfortable with (you can read online reviews at greatschools.net) and then start searching in those areas. Homes are generally more affordable here than in Phoenix, so there are lots of homes under $225K, and thus a bunch of options.

In the area highlighted below (alone) there are 587 homes that are less than 10 years old and cost less than $225K (USAA is the star).




So you see there are lots of options--and everyone is partial to their neighborhoods (mine's the best too!) I recommend finding the criteria that are most important to you (whether it is a short commute, good schools, proximity to shopping, etc), and then search for homes in those areas. I think it will make your home search a little smoother and there will be less information overload. Good luck!

[manfre]

Just curious if anyone does the commute out in the 78260, 78259, or 78247 zips to somewhere remotely close to USAA? Or, just has relevant comments regarding the areas.

[martinez4]

We live north 78260 ... Between Stone Oak and Bulverde. The schools are great (we have two high schoolers) and the neighborhoods are nice to very nice. There would be quite a commute to USAA.....281 gets pretty backed up until you hit the 1604. Blanco Rd is a one lane road that gets backed up pretty much anytime of the day. Amnman Rd (sp) is another option....it is a back road that can take you to the 10 but it will add the mileage.

The homes out here can run from the 200's to the 500's+ if you are looking at tract to semi-custom. There is a nice apt complex, Estates at Lookout Canyon, that you could rent and do some research on areas. One caveat.....I think the elementary school right beside the apts is capped so your chilldren may have to attend Rahe Bulverde elementary (about 5 miles away).

Good Luck and I hope this helps:-)