Thinking of buying in 78250 & 78254 Linbrooke & Boutry Heights respectively to be specific (San Antonio: realty)

[Russ_Shawna]

Hi all

My family and I, myself, my wife, 3 children (15,13,12) and a newborn due in November, (almost forgot my puppy who's 4 months old) are thinking of buying a home in one of the areas mentioned in the title and would like to get a general feel for the neighborhoods, their schools, home/land value trends, HOA and so on. I work 90% from home so daily traffic is not a problem. We have very short notice on the move so I am doing as much as I can via the net and ya'll could be a great help from what I've seen in most of the postings.

Primarily interested in the one in Northwest Crossing (Linbrooke)

Things I know about it:
Traffic can be horrible
The kids schools, as per the realty listing, would be Taft HS and Connally Middle school (would love to learn more about them.. Ratings seemmed "ok" when I checked around)
Overall it seems like the area isn't too bad but I did read a post in some other forum about graffitti and gang problems though. Is this the case?
Not much more

Any info would be great.

As a close second choice also looking at a place in Braun Heights (78254) and the street is Boutry Heights - i dont know anything about the area there so any info there would be great as well.

Thanks so much in advance

Whoa - post edit - Forgot to mention we're moving from Virginia (Hampton Roads) if it makes any difference or if anyone has any comparisons..

[sapphire]

For crime info, I always suggest checking here:
MySA.com: Crimebase

We live in 78250 and haven't had any problems, other than Tezel Road's construction driving us completely insane. We moved from 78216, over by Churchill, and had no problems over there, either. We must be lucky!

You will hear mixed reviews about Taft HS, but I think overall it's decent. It seems to be back on an upswing--there for a few years it was pretty gang-ridden and was getting a bad reputation. We're zoned for Connally and Warren in our neighborhood, so next year when my baby goes to middle school I will have more feedback on Connally! Sorry I couldn't be more help!

[Russ_Shawna]

Any info is great info The link you provided is def gonna be of help..

Thanks

[940]

Originally Posted by Russ_Shawna

As a close second choice also looking at a place in Braun Heights (78254) and the street is Boutry Heights - i dont know anything about the area there so any info there would be great as well.

Thanks so much in advance

Braun Heights is in the Stevenson Middle School and Marshall High School zones..both very good schools. The Braun Station/Braun Heights areas are more established with mature trees and well kept larger homes (usually). You can't go wrong with this choice either. Gang problems and graffiti haven't been an issue at Marshall and I think they're waning at Taft due to all the new areas.

[Russ_Shawna]

Anyone else? I am planning on flying down next week for a look (first visit ever to San Antonio ) and would like as much info as possible. Houses look decent, areas seem ok, LARGE difference in price and wondering if the extra money for Braun is worth it (on top of that the Braun place is 400sqf smaller)....

Thanks all

[Drzy]

Originally Posted by Russ_Shawna

Houses look decent, areas seem ok, LARGE difference in price and wondering if the extra money for Braun is worth it (on top of that the Braun place is 400sqf smaller)....

I live in 78250 and occasionally jog through 78254. The difference will be apparent when you visit. Braun Heights has a lot classier of a feel... like someone already mentioned, there are a LOT of mature trees, and the homes look fantastic and well-kept. While 78250 certainly has some nice homes as well, there's just not as many as there are in Braun Heights. 78250 looks a little dilapidated, comparatively. That's not to say it's bad, it's just.... not quite as good, visually.

I think you'd get more bang for your buck house-wise in 78250, but you get more bang for your buck area/neighborhood-wise in 78254. It all depends on what you value more.

[Russ_Shawna]

Thanks to 940 and Drzy

3 kids at home and 1 on the way.... Of definite import is the neighborhoods. Child friendly? Safe? Things to do? Am I gonna have to keep them in the home and take em to places or can I let em go out and walk around, make some friends, are there enough people in their age groups, etc etc..

[sapphire]

I think those neighborhoods are safe and friendly, and you won't have to sit in the rooms at the back of your house to avoid the drive-by shootings. I've noticed an upturn in how people seem to be caring for their yards and homes in 78250. There are some trouble zones, but for the most part, I think people are trying to take care of their investments. Your kids should do really well--there are lots of other kids in these neighborhoods, and they go to school usually within blocks of their homes. I don't know if there are a lot of SAHM's, but I suppose if I were one, I'd know! All in all, the Northwest side is family-friendly. Our neighborhood HOA has a pool and year-round activities for all ages. We've been happy here, and our neighbors seem to be also.

[Russ_Shawna]

Well thank you again Sapphire

Ya'll have definitely shone some light in a dark area and I appreciate it. So many things going on in our lives right now that everything seems to jumble. New job, wife's last day in the Army was today (not retired just ETS after 8 years), new baby on the way, 1st home purchase ever, etc etc... I appreciate the info and look forward to my trip next week. Hopefully all goes well and we can start calling ya'll "neighbors" You've definitely been neighborly so far....

Russ