50's empty nesters neighborhood questions... (San Antonio, Austin: house, neighborhoods, to buy)

[Satbound18]

Hi:

I have spent a little bit of time on the forums and have a few questions that only people who really know San Antonio can answer!

We are empty nesters and are planning to move to San Antonio sometime in mid/late calendar 2018.

We are coming from the Chicago area. We have identified some things we would like to finding a neighborhood but have no idea how to narrow it down (before getting in touch with a Realtor).

We want to buy a home. Our budget will max out at 825K.

-Gated community
-Ideally somewhat quiet neighborhood but obviously that can't be guaranteed anywhere
-Near(ish) drive to shopping/restaurants (could be a mall)

I'll just note because it might help that we are not cool, foodies or hip. Lol. We love to get out on occasion to museums or concerts but that is not a huge priority for us to be near: a nice house with privacy, safety and near to regular shopping for errands are our priorities.

The Dominion, Stone Oak and Alamo Heights are neighborhoods I listed based on my search.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[pobre]

Your budget will carry you extremely far in San Antonio. Likely, you will find that you spend much less than that.

Keep in mind that we do not have an income tax here, but rather depend upon substantial property taxes. Dependent upon the school district, and whether you are in or out of the San Antonio city limits, a house assessed at about 375,000 will pay about $9000 in annual property taxes.

The shopping part is pretty easy...About every 2-3 miles, or so, there is usually a large pocket of retail. Gated communities are common in areas built in the last 20-30 years.

[WilGar]

Budget will go a long way. Alamo Heights and the '09 area is not gated, but have their own police departments that are quite reliable.

The AH area is quite convenient to museums, art and newer areas of redevelopment. Traffic is not a problem since your loop exposure is limited.

Would stay away from Stone Oak(traffic and road construction) or Dominion(I-10 Boerne traffic).

[ashbeeigh]

I'd look in Oakwell Farm, 78218. It's just outside of Alamo Heights, right near the airport, the Quarry and easy to get downtown if you're hosting guests and need to do the tourist thing. It is also gated. FWIW, 410 traffic can be nearly as bad during rush hour as the Boerne traffic. Nothing compares to 281 traffic unless you're going to head up to Austin. Since moving to Austin and coming home to see family I will hit 410 at rush hour on occasion and think to myself "Well, I should have waited until 8 to get home...."

[Azure110]

Originally Posted by WilGar

Would stay away from Stone Oak(traffic and road construction) or Dominion(I-10 Boerne traffic).

X2

And although your budget is way over what Alamo Ranch prices are...I would throw in AR on the list of places with traffic woes.

It seems Alamo Heights is your best bet.

[Roader]

AR does have deal Webb, 55+ gated community. May be what they are looking for?

[Azure110]

Originally Posted by Roader

AR does have deal Webb, 55+ gated community. May be what they are looking for?

Good point. Del Webb would be an good option but only if they are not going to do a lot of driving in the area.

[prim8]

Traffic in AR is not that bad, compared to Stone Oak and especially compared to like DC, Austin or LA traffic.
Alamo Ranch traffic is pretty limited to the rush hour, is easy to avoid and even during that time, on the main roads, it still isn't what I would call bad being from the DC area.

[Penquin927]

Shavano Park area may be an option. There is an area that my run group run through all the time. It isn't gated but the homes are on nice lots and spread out. One of the streets is Wagon Trail Road. This area you can't even tell you are in the city. Feels like you are miles away. Shopping is super close also.

Canyon Springs is just past Stone Oak and is outside City Limits. Your price point would allow you to look at homes in the Estate/Trails/Reserve. These homes are on the golf course..well not all but some. Canyon Springs school district is divided into two parts. NEISD and Comal ISD. Comal is much cheaper school district but still a good one. Yes there is traffic to deal with during peak times but shopping and restaurants are convenient.



Link to Shavano Area
https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;...v_COIN_2_A00SN

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by Penquin927

Shavano Park area may be an option. There is an area that my run group run through all the time. It isn't gated but the homes are on nice lots and spread out. One of the streets is Wagon Trail Road. This area you can't even tell you are in the city. Feels like you are miles away. Shopping is super close also.

Canyon Springs is just past Stone Oak and is outside City Limits. Your price point would allow you to look at homes in the Estate/Trails/Reserve. These homes are on the golf course..well not all but some. Canyon Springs school district is divided into two parts. NEISD and Comal ISD. Comal is much cheaper school district but still a good one. Yes there is traffic to deal with during peak times but shopping and restaurants are convenient.



Link to Shavano Area
https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search;...v_COIN_2_A00SN

Shavano park traffic leads right into the 10/1604 traffic. That's the only drawback I would see.