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Old 03-30-2007, 08:02 PM
 
1 posts, read 3,388 times
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My husband and I are relocating to San Antonio. We're looking for new construction homes, and none of them seem to have basements. Is it typical of SA homes to not have basements?
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Old 03-30-2007, 08:12 PM
 
Location: Alamo Heights
22 posts, read 109,185 times
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In high school I had some friends in Olmos Park (an older area of SA) who had basements. Other than that I think you will be hard pressed to find any homes with basements. We have a hard rocky soil here and really no need for them! You will love SA though! Great city.
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Old 03-30-2007, 08:27 PM
 
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The only basement around here are probably built in slope with some sort of limited ground access (ground floor). You won't find them in residential homes.

One house in Castle Hills (central northside) was rebuilt a few years ago and a basement was built underneath it. All I know is that it must have cost a fortune to do so.
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Old 03-31-2007, 08:59 AM
 
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The others are right. I remember this was sort of odd when I was little and we moved here. We always had a basement. They are definitely few and far between. I do know a few people with basements, but as Ozzy said, it's generally a splitlevel or hillside lot.

We have such rocky soil, and some developments are on pure limestone beds!
Blasting out a basement would be a huge construction expense.

Another interesting thing is that 100-150 years ago, when a lot of the really old houses and building were built, there were a LOT more natural springs right under homes. Water wells on lots were hard to drill, but they didn't have to go far to find a source of fresh water. The old pier and beam construction was really very practical. In 98 and 02, I remember some dry springs coming to life as the aquifer levels reached all time highs! Nothing like a natural spring fountain in your rec room in the basement!
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Old 03-31-2007, 09:52 AM
 
Location: San Antonio, Texas
3,503 posts, read 19,880,155 times
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I live in Machnke Park and have a basement. The house next door has one too. It's the only ones I know of. A friend in Olmos Park has a basement that was built more as the maid's quarter's. It's like a small apartment with it's own bathroom and kitchenette. I don't know what year the house was built.
There are basements...but few and far between.

Last edited by ShaneSA; 03-31-2007 at 10:02 AM..
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Old 03-31-2007, 04:19 PM
 
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Basebements are not common in Texas. Very few homes are built with them. Someone once explained it to me, but have since forgotten. Most new homes will not have them.
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Old 03-31-2007, 05:05 PM
 
Location: In God
3,073 posts, read 11,572,485 times
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Some of post quarter residential homes on Ft. Sam have basements, but that's all I've ever seen in SA.
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Old 03-31-2007, 06:50 PM
 
Location: 78218
1,155 posts, read 3,332,593 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wCat View Post
The others are right. I remember this was sort of odd when I was little and we moved here. We always had a basement. They are definitely few and far between. I do know a few people with basements, but as Ozzy said, it's generally a splitlevel or hillside lot.

We have such rocky soil, and some developments are on pure limestone beds!
Blasting out a basement would be a huge construction expense.

Another interesting thing is that 100-150 years ago, when a lot of the really old houses and building were built, there were a LOT more natural springs right under homes. Water wells on lots were hard to drill, but they didn't have to go far to find a source of fresh water. The old pier and beam construction was really very practical. In 98 and 02, I remember some dry springs coming to life as the aquifer levels reached all time highs! Nothing like a natural spring fountain in your rec room in the basement!
You are just a wealth of information, wCat. What's your vocation, if you don't mind me asking?
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Old 03-31-2007, 08:48 PM
 
4,796 posts, read 15,361,371 times
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Originally Posted by PrettyHateMachine View Post
You are just a wealth of information, wCat. What's your vocation, if you don't mind me asking?
LOL!!!!! I have my degree in Interior Design. And yes....currently a designer. I just have weird hobbies!
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Old 03-31-2007, 09:01 PM
 
Location: 78218
1,155 posts, read 3,332,593 times
Reputation: 664
Quote:
Originally Posted by wCat View Post
LOL!!!!! I have my degree in Interior Design. And yes....currently a designer. I just have weird hobbies!
Interior Design... I do see that creative and insightful mind of yours going to work on some of these SA threads. Someone like you would be very welcomed on the Politics and Other Controversies subforum .

Think about it.:

I apologize to the OP for the hijack.... continue....
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