Beacon Hill (San Antonio, West, Anton: rent, houses, neighborhoods)

[lucy8180]

I am moving to San Antonio in about a month or two, and have begun to look online at houses. I don't know much about the area and what neighborhoods are safe and which are not particularly safe. I found a house I just love (at least looking at it online) and it is located in Beacon Hill. What can you tell me about that neighborhood? What kind of folks live there? Is there a lot of crime? Is the neighborhood friendly? Thanks.

[westendwero]

I grew up close to the area and although I believe there are some people who are renovating the old houses in the area it is still inner city. As a life long resident of the Westside, I have realized that it is not so much an entire neighborhood that is bad but rather individuals. So I would advise you to drive by the area and see for yourself.

[hello13685]

Some blocks are okay, and some are not. A lot of the area inside loop 410 is like that. You really do need to visit first. I would also suggest that you rent first and regularly drive through these neighborhoods you are interested in. Walk down the street. Talk to people in the neighborhood. This could save you a lot of grief that you would experience if you buy and then realize shortly thereafter that the cute house is really in a slummy area (that did not look so slummy as your adrenaline was pumping at the excitement of how cute the house was). Also very important to consider is where you are moving from. You need to talk to others who have moved to SA from that place, as I have found that most local people do not see their world the same way I do (as a former Californian). Good luck!

[tgannaway89]

Look at areas in North and Northwest San Antonio (outside 410).