Construction Boom Begins at Fort Sam; Includes 300-Million Shops at La Cantera-like shopping center (Houston: condos, how much)

[Insomniac]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/images/cover/0105ftsam.jpg (broken link)
John Bann (left) and Michael Hartman, who are central figures in the transformation of Fort Sam Houston, discuss the construction projects.

FULL ARTICLE
http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/met...C.295fccf.html

[Hyun-Soo]

So will the "La Cantera" styled shopping center be on the Fort?

[Insomniac]

I would think so, though I am not 100% sure.

[traveler guy]

is there any other sorce that we can read to get more info

[Paka]

I am hoping that some of the building gets delayed a little...when they move my unit to Ft Sam (all except outpatient services are suppose to be moved from WHMC) I will retire. Just can not invision myself doing that drive daily...with the current traffic issues. Just think how much more fun it will be with all that additional traffic!! Sad because I love my job and intend to stay as long as possible.

[hadleyzoo]

Hey Paka. I drive to Fort Sam daily from 151/Potranco. It's really not ALL that bad...at least as not as bad as I had envisioned when I was hired out there (as long as there are no accidents---which lately hasn't been any). I don't like driving half an hour to work, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm also a bit spoiled...we've always lived on base and I always worked on base so my commute was super easy. But we decided to buy here so I knew it was going to be a bit of a trade-off.

You'd be surprised (at least I was surprised) at the number of people who live in this area (around the Sea World area) who drive to Fort Sam.

[smuboy86]

Is the area around ft. sam that bad that you wouldn't move to be closer to your job? I mean really, most of it's NEISD, and moderately priced, to upscale housing.

[cooter1869]

Will this be like La Cantera in the fact that it will have upscale stores? Or does that mean that it will be an open air shopping center?

[amygirl]

I just got hired to a job at Sam Houston and looking to buy a house in the SA area (Currently do not live in SA). Is the area around there that bad? What are good areas to live with a decent commute?

Currently, I am in Washington and my commute at 630am is about 45 on a good day and lets not get start about the bad days on 495. UGH!!! A good commute is large need in a house.

[CelesteDF]

If you're moving from the DC area and are used to Beltway commutes, you're going to love the traffic in SA. There are many established residential neighborhoods representing a range of price levels within a 15-minute commute to Ft. Sam including: Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, Olmos Park, Monte Vista (these would be SA's equivalent to Georgetown/Cap Hill - old, pretty and pricey); Windcrest, Mahncke Park, Northwood, Terrell Heights, Alta Vista (close-in middle class areas like Takoma Park & Arlington). Government Hill and Tobin Hill are neighborhoods immediately surrounding Ft. Sam, considered "transitional" and are in various stages of redevelopment so you may want to look at those if you're interested in being in an area that is on the way up (think Columbia Heights before they built all the condos and put in the Target). If you like more urban living you may also want to consider downtown living - Southtown, Lavaca, SoFlo, King William - as it's only a few exits down I-35 from Ft. Sam. These neighborhoods remind me of Takoma Park & Mount Pleasant.

The far north (Stone Oak), far west (Westover Hills), northwest (Helotes, GNW, etc.) and far northeast (Schertz, Cibolo, New Braunfels) areas of San Antonio are booming with new construction, are similar in look and feel to the outer DC suburbs and typically will have significantly longer commute times (except maybe from Schertz/Cibolo) as Ft. Sam is on the Central/East/Northeast side of SA.

If you're selling anything in the DC area, you'll find housing to be quite a bargain in SA, regardless of the area. Definitely search this forum as it's chock full of threads regarding the various neighborhoods mentioned above, as well as topics like schools, nightlife, shopping, adjusting after relocation, etc. Best of luck and welcome to SA!