Military family Moving to SA, looking for info on neighborhoods and schools NEISD (Alamo: real estate, rentals)

[515girl]

Hi! We are a military family of 4 moving this summer to SA. We have visited SA before and are interested in the north side of town. I've checked into NESID for schools and have found them to meet our standards.

Are there any large rental companies that are the go to for a single family home. Rent between 1700-2000/mo. Would prefer a subdivision with community ammenities such as a pool, bike trails etc. Safe neighborhoods...... anything more desireable than others. Anything I should specifically look at?

We will be in SA for 2 years if we chose to purchase is the neisd enough of a desireable area to resell in 2 years easily?

Any insight would be helpful. My husband will be working at Fort Sam - his commute is secondary to great schools and a safe home environment for us.

[iliveinsa]

For single family homes, there are lots of different firms that rent them.

The only real estate company I know that focuses on rentals is Davidson Properties, Inc. but this is a handful of houses out of what I'm sure are hundreds.

I would start on www.realtor.com or www.zillow.com in the neighborhoods you are interested in. There may be a company that specializes in that area that I don't know about.

[Cuero]

Originally Posted by 515girl

We will be in SA for 2 years if we chose to purchase is the neisd enough of a desireable area to resell in 2 years easily?

No, you will lose your shirt reselling that quickly. Home prices here are very stable so while you can probably resell for about what you paid for the house, by the time you factor in realtor commission and closing costs you will be in a big hole.

[Readerfeeder]

Most military people are renting now...too risky to sell after a few years. Ironically, many of the rentals around us are owned by military folks who had to move away.

[515girl]

Thanks for the information and replies!! What time frame would you say is the best to resell? Meaning what is the minimum amount of time to hold on to a home and not be upside down?

And I know military members have to move and if they rent out their home who do they list it with? That is what I'm looking for - whoever rents to the military people. I can't seem to find a large number of them anywhere. I know military by owner but there are only maybe 2 listings.

[starbucks_5]

You wrote this in January of this year.....what gives?


"Moving from TX to Tampa Bay area. Husband will work at MacDill AFB, we are unable to live on base due to length of wait list. Looking for areas to search in for housing for rent / buy."

[kevinm334]

I live in the Oak Park/Northwood neighborhood that is partially in Alamo Heights and North East ISDs. This is a well built community that formed in the 1960's. it consists of very nice homes and you may be able to rent one for about $1,900-$2,100 a month, especially if you rent in North East ISD. You won't find any poorly made, cookie cutter homes through here--just had to throw that in there because I despise cookie cutter homes..lol!! Some homes are 60's-modern others are somewhat traditional. We don't have a pool or bike trail in the neighborhood, but it's a very safe area, crime is virtually unheard of, and the schools are great. Elementary would either be Ridgeview or Northwood (NEISD), middle would either be Alamo Heights or Garner (NEISD), and high school would either be MacArthur (NEISD) or Alamo Heights.

I think you would be happy here!!

[TXsurburbanmom]

There is a realtor who specializes in military rentals. The people who bought our last house in SA used him when they were transferred sooner than expected. I don't know what company but they were stationed at Ft Sam so perhaps you could get his name through the base. I heard that house might be available as the tenants were transferring. It's out in 78258 and I know other military on that street although they are way out at Lackland. You can check for rentals on Lightstone Dr. Great schools in this zip code but some major roadwork. 78259 has excellent schools as well. Both would be considered cookie cutter by those who prefer older homes. Depends on what you prefer. Several neighborhoods in those zip codes have pools or nearby pools you could join.

Another option with newer and slightly older houses is 78232. It's a big area though so school quality may vary and I can't give you firsthand knowledge as we moved from there before our son was in school. I noticed on realtor.com there seem to be more rentals in your price range than usual so it may be a good time to find something.

[515girl]

Originally Posted by starbucks_5

You wrote this in January of this year.....what gives?


"Moving from TX to Tampa Bay area. Husband will work at MacDill AFB, we are unable to live on base due to length of wait list. Looking for areas to search in for housing for rent / buy."

Starbucks_5 ----- we had written orders to PCS move to Tampa and in true army fashion they were recinded 3 weeks after we had received them. Our new location is Ft. Sam. We visited the last two weekends and enjoy your city. We currently don't reside far away so it was much easier for the Army to consider moving us here. Budget constraints were the reasons they said the above the line job was not funded after orders were received.

[CA Alan]

515girl,
I know the feeling. I was supposed to PCS to Ft. Sam back in Feburary as a civilian. Civilian PCS funds have been cut, and I am still trying to get through the red tape to allow me to move without PCS orders (it is a promotion for me). You may want to contact Family services, or the Housing office at Ft. Sam. They should be able to point you to some resources that will help you find local housing.