Relocating for Trader Joe's (Houston, San Antonio: rental, how much, houses)

[Willsatx]

Originally Posted by jk81230

Hi, my family and I will be moving to San Antonio from CA at the end of August. My husband will be working at the Trader Joe's on E. Basse Rd. I am having a hard time getting a good idea of an area to rent. Alamo Heights doesn't have much in our price range and I really haven't been able to find anything on areas that are close enough to his work. Most areas I hear about are too far such as Sea World area or Helotes. Is Stone Oak a reasonable commute? He doesn't mind a 20-30 minute commute. We are looking for a three bedroom house. We have two young children, so good schools are important. We don't want to spend more than $1450. Thank you!

Check the Alamo Heights area might find something in that range, welcome to Texas and dont mind some dumb comments on here.

[jk81230]

Thank you for all the responses...and Trader Joe's support! As far as the Stone Oak traffic is it mostly during rush hour or is it at all times? What about the area on the other side of the 281? Bulverde/Encino? Not sure what it referred to exactly.

[Bo]

Originally Posted by jk81230

Thank you for all the responses...and Trader Joe's support! As far as the Stone Oak traffic is it mostly during rush hour or is it at all times?

Traffic's not bad there on weekdays outside of rush hour. Weekends are a high traffic time there, as the many families living there go out and about to shop, dine and take kids to sports, etc.

Originally Posted by jk81230

What about the area on the other side of the 281? Bulverde/Encino? Not sure what it referred to exactly.

That area isn't a master-planned community like Stone Oak. I guess it's informally called the TPC Resort area, since that's the centerpiece of development there. It has good schools, too. They feed into Johnson High School, which has been open for less than 5 years and although well-regarded, doesn't have a long track record with test scores.

[Lauren0319]

Check out zip 78232. Nice established neighborhoods with great schools and an easy location.

[chud]

Originally Posted by jk81230

Thank you for all the responses...and Trader Joe's support! As far as the Stone Oak traffic is it mostly during rush hour or is it at all times? What about the area on the other side of the 281? Bulverde/Encino? Not sure what it referred to exactly.

Commuting from Stone Oak would not be a problem at all. If you want, you can just go straight down Blanco Road to Basse, you never even have to get on highway 281.

Also, the suggestion to look in 78232 is a good one. My in-laws live in Hidden Forest, that is a nice neighborhood, near 281 and also near Blanco Road (so again you could just shoot down Blanco, to Basse).

[Lauren0319]

Ooo- Hidden Forest is a lovely neighborhood- zip is 78248 (I think

I grew up in 78232 and really think the location is ideal. I now live in 78248 and love it as well!!!! Both are very family friendly.

[pobre]

Both 78232 and 78216 span 281, so they cover Hill Country Village and Hollywood Park, as well as areas east of 281. Link to a zip code map: http://www.city-data.com/zipmaps/San-Antonio-Texas.html

[jk81230]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! I have found some neighborhoods that look great...just not much available to rent. Any opinions about 78240 zip? The realtor that has been helping us has sent a lot of properties in that area. Also 78247? Steubing Ranch area?

[makiten]

I live in 78240--I wouldn't recommend it. I came from 78248 last year which was much better.

Until I moved out of SA for 5 years I lived in 78247. Steubing Ranch is a bit far. The neighborhoods are nice and family-oriented but probably not comparable to 78232 or 78248. But it's way better than 78240. The only good thing about this zip code is public transportation options.

[SAnorsk]

The Stone Oak area really isn't that bad. We live up there (just across 281 in the Encino Park area), and I work downtown. It's a 25-40 minute commute for me depending on traffic and when I leave for work/head home. My husband works near Basse and 281 (right by the new TJ location), and I believe it only takes him 15-20 minutes. The Stone Oak/Encino Park area has great schools. You would be able to get something there in that price range, and if your finances allow for it, you could definitely get a 3-bedroom house with a mortgage payment at or below that amount.

I do also second looking more in the Northwood area. It would be a 15 minute non-highway commute and no traffic. We looked at that area as well but could get way more for our money up north.

If you keep looking in Alamo Heights, the schools are great (I graduated from the high school), but you are not going to get nearly the amount of sq footage you would be able to get elsewhere in the city.