Walkable Area with good schools

[Ecoastgal]

Thanks everyone for your input. It is stressful to think about moving to a completely new city with kids in school. I don't want to have to worry about lotteries etc. The first priority to me is a great school inside 1604 in an established neighborhood. Walking to restaurants and stores isn't as important (but very nice), but it would be great if the kids could walk/bike to their friend's houses and not be driven around town by me.

My kids are in a terrific community oriented school system here. The move is a good career opportunity, but in order to make a move, I need to know my kids will be in a good learning environment that allows them to thrive academically (what can I say, my parents were from India, and instilled in me the importance of a good education). I just don't want to have to live too far out in a car dependent gated community. AH/ Terrell Heights and Oak Park/Northwood are looking good at this point. Anything in the next rung between 1604 and 410 i should be considering? I'm headed down this weekend on a scouting trip.

[Chaka]

But, the OP is not likely to find a 3-4 bedroom house in Southtown for less than 400K (3-4 bedrooms would be huge by Southtown Standards). Most houses are well under 2000 SF. Some of the grand old houses in King William are large, but they're going to be more than 400K even if they need restoration. In Lavaca there are a few large houses, and they might go for less than 400K un-restored (requiring, usually, complete strip down to studs), but I haven't noticed any for sale lately. Lone Star area is a better bet, but then you're out of the immediate Bonham zone. It's a fabulous place for families and is very walkable, but I'm not sure it'll suit if you require that much space.

AH is more likely, but again, not so sure you'd find a house that large for 400K, but I know that area less well.

[ashbeeigh]

For schools inside 410 you might also want to consider Kipp. I don't know if they allow kids to come in during the middle of the year but their boundaries are anywhere inside 410 except for 78209 (Alamo Heights).

[LongLiveCassettes]

Have you tried Regency Place? The neighborhood behind Regency Elementary School?
It's NEISD, walking distance to MacArthur H.S., has a swimming club, and is within your price range.

There is also North East Park, which is the neighborhood across the street from Regency Elementary School, also walkable. Also walkable to NEISD central office which is on Tesoro right next to the Taco Cabana Corporate Headquarters.

[TXsurburbanmom]

A good way to check schools, since that's important to you, is to check out the greatschools site. They just updated the STAAR tests and they also have parent reviews so you can see more than just grades. You can check a specific school or just put in all of SA (or Alamo Heights, etc) and see how each school rates.