Moving to San Antonio - Gardens at Urban Crest? Other areas? (Houston: apartment complexes, rent)

[giggs5019]

Hi! My husband and I are moving to San Antonio in October, and we'd like to purchase our first home. We're both young professionals in our 30s with no kids (but plan on starting a family in the next 3 years). We will be working downtown. Everyone suggested Alamo Heights to us, so we looked at townhouses in that area - The Gardens at Urban Crest. We'd appreciate your opinions on those townhouses and that specific area. It looks like its zoned to NISD and the elementary school seems to be good. Any other neighborhoods we should be looking at? Ideally, we'd like to stay inside 1604. Looking for 3 bedrooms in a safe area. We'd prefer a newer home and would like a home that was built after 2000. Our budget is $300K to $350K. Thanks!

[WilGar]

If the townhomes are where I think they are, yes, they are in NEISD. Northwood is a very good elementary school. My children went to AH, but I have a granddaughter going to Northwood. I am very pleased with the education, activities and involvement of the school. Most of the parents are professional, both degreed and involved in their child's education.


In your price range, AH may be out of reach.


The drive to downtown is in the 10-15 minute range.

[NeedCoffee]

My home purchasing biases will show through here, but since you're planning to start a family I'd consider AHISD. The downside is that you'll find it difficult (impossible?) to locate a 3 bedroom home that was built in the last 15 years in that area for 350k. If you're flexible on any of your criteria you'll have some choices.

There are some new-ish townhomes in Southtown that might meet your requirements, and I've heard good things about the Bonham Academy (elementary school). Middle school and high schools for that area aren't as highly regarded.

The other alternative would be to move outside 410 and deal with a longer commute. Lots of options if that's an acceptable compromise. What is the character of your current area? Urban, suburban, rural? If you're used to long commutes in Washington DC, then 1604 to downtown would seem like a breeze. Maybe you can help us narrow it down a bit further?

[smuboy86]

Honestly it's harder to find a better school in San Antonio than northwood. As you will probably find out that area is super convenient to downtown and most if not all of San Antonio's cultural offerings too.

[giggs5019]

Hi. Thanks everyone for your responses. So it looks like the Gardens at Urban Crest is a good possibility


As to your questions, NeedCoffee, we'd like to stay within 1604 but we're okay with moving outside of 410. Right now, we rent an apartment in Houston, Texas. It's by homes but definitely more urban. It takes us 15-20 minutes to get to work but we have to take a highway to get there. We both grew up in the suburbs of our respective hometowns so we wouldn't mind something like that BUT we'd like to keep our commute to 20-30 minutes if possible.

[flashfearless]

Make sure that if you choose Alamo Heights you get in a gated community. Lots and lots of property crimes and break ins in ungated parts of AH. Check the stats on spotcrime.

There are other very livable parts of town that aren't as expensive. Depends what you're looking for. Search the older threads on here. At least 5 threads a week on people moving in.

[TXEX06]

Originally Posted by flashfearless

Make sure that if you choose Alamo Heights you get in a gated community. Lots and lots of property crimes and break ins in ungated parts of AH. Check the stats on spotcrime.

Lol! No real gated communities in AH, unless you're taking about the few condos/mid-rise buildings that have gates.

[ged_782]

Originally Posted by TXEX06

Lol! No real gated communities in AH, unless you're taking about the few condos/mid-rise building that have gates.

Correct. No subdivisions at all within AHISD that are gated, just a few high-end condos/apartments, and maybe a couple of small "villas" on a short private street.


I would take issue with the assertion that property crime is unusually high in AH, if you are talking about the City Of Alamo Heights. They have their own municipal government, which includes their own police force, and residents there consider the police presence and response to be superior to San Antonio, and unincorporated Bexar County. Sure, there are going to be incidents, and in AH, areas along Broadway and Austin Highway (the two main thoroughfares through the city) are where you are likely to see most of this activity.


When you live in a community like AH, residents tend to let their guard down, and sometimes leave doors unlocked, valuables in unlocked vehicles parked on the street, etc.

[giggs5019]

These townhouses are gated, which is good. Are townhouses or condos common in Alamo Heights or the nearby areas, or is the area mainly filled with homes? Please note that these are freestanding townhouses.

[smuboy86]

Originally Posted by giggs5019

These townhouses are gated, which is good. Are townhouses or condos common in Alamo Heights or the nearby areas, or is the area mainly filled with homes? Please note that these are freestanding townhouses.

I would say it's 90% single family
Homes in the immediate area with a few small scattered condo complexs and a few newer larger apartment complexes. Btw the crime in the area is negligible at best, it's very rare to hear of any crime in the area.