Moving to SA, next to Sea World - HELP! (San Antonio: 2009, rentals)

[jkmjuarez]

I am moving back to San Antonio, I only left 1 year ago! We love it there. My husband will be working at the new Vale Middle School next to Sea World. We are looking to rent a home for 1 year to make sure we are in the right area first. In the area, what are the best elementary schools? My daughter will be starting kindergarden in 2009. Also, we found a couple of rentals online - is Westover Place a good neighborhood, home is 5 years old? Murnin Elementary good?

Thanks - I am lost. We used to live in schertz, so this is new to me

[jules07]

Welcome (back) to SA!! And especially welcome to the neighborhood! 2 of my children will be attending Vale next year!! I don't know anything about Murnin ES, but my 2 youngest attend Lewis ES and we/they LOVE it!!! My daughter is in Kinder and she absolutely loves, loves, loves her teacher!!!

Galm ES in the Westcreek neighborhood is TEA Recognized and I've heard good things about it and Ott ES, also in Westcreek.

This whole area has really grown like crazy lately, and it's becoming quite convenient, kind of it's own little community. (Check out the Potranco/1604 threads on here for more insight.)

[jkmjuarez]

Thanks so much! Good to know. Are there specific areas of Westover I should stick to? Are there any ammenities there?

PS - Vale MS is supposed to be great. My husband will be teaching and coaching there. Great principal!

[jules07]

Honestly, I'm not as familiar with the Westover areas as I am with the neighborhoods that feed in to Lewis (Spring Vistas, Sierra Springs, Oak Creek, and some others), but *most* of the Westover areas are real nice.

And I've only heard very good things about the principal for Vale. Everyone (adults and kids alike) has been very impressed with her. Both my kids are very excited about the new school, and especially the fact that they can bring laptops!! My daughter is going to try to work (babysit, odd jobs, etc.) this summer to earn enough to buy a new Mac. She's jazzed!

[GIAcakes]

I just looked up that school today. I hope I can post this, go to greatschools.net. The schools are rated, shows test scores, and other info. It's very helpful.

[jkmjuarez]

I have a MAC and love it! Tell her good buy!

Vale will be an exceptional place for kids to attend MS in that area. The type of teachers the principal is hiring are awesome. Don't forget to attend the May 14th meeting at Luna MS. It is a PTA meeting, but more of a getting to know the staff thing also.

I am also working on getting a teaching job w NISD this coming Fall. Not knowing where in NISD I will find something, where do you sugest I look for a place to live with my husband working at Vale. I know the traffic is horrible all over?!?

[jules07]

Mac lovers unite!!! (I have one, too!!! )

There are a lot of opinions about all the different areas of NISD! If you and your husband would both like to be close to the schools you will be at, I'd for sure look in to a neighborhood that feeds into Vale (the NIDS website lists the various subs). I'm biased, as I really like Lewis as far as the elementary schools go. But ya might also wanna check into Trophy Ridge, as the new elementary school ~ Forester ~ is in that neighborhood and opens this fall.

I kid you not, if you both work at one of the schools just inside 1604 and right around the Potranco/Military area, the traffic won't be as bad. You'll have HEB+ right there, Kohls, several food places, many banks. It's getting pretty darned convenient.

And yep, will be at the meeting in May! Was just talking about this on Thurs at the elementary school with some of the other parents of soon to be Vale students!!

[raven69david]

Originally Posted by jkmjuarez

I am moving back to San Antonio, I only left 1 year ago! We love it there. My husband will be working at the new Vale Middle School next to Sea World. We are looking to rent a home for 1 year to make sure we are in the right area first. In the area, what are the best elementary schools? My daughter will be starting kindergarden in 2009. Also, we found a couple of rentals online - is Westover Place a good neighborhood, home is 5 years old? Murnin Elementary good?

Thanks - I am lost. We used to live in schertz, so this is new to me

We live in the Spring Vistas subdivision right across from the Sea World employee parking lot and we absolutely love the area. We purchased our house new 10 years ago when there was basically nothing else around. Since then, every builder has whored out the area and it's basically overcrowded now and still growing but we love it nonetheless. We only have a 3 year old so schools and other recommendations for such cannot be made by us. Westover place is a great place to rent a home so you will be happy there IMO.

[shoosh1958]

We'll also be at Vale--with a 6th grader and possibly a part-time 7th grader. I was SO impressed with the principal, and my daughter was, too. I have talked with many people (parents and NISD employees) and everyone says we're lucky to have her! We'll be at the May 14 meeting.
As far as NISD elementary schools, we've dealt with a few and are currently at Raba. We've been VERY happy there. If you're considering a subdivision that feeds into the new Forester ES, that principal is good. I know some Murnin staff and they really like it there.

[hadleyzoo]

My son attends Murnin and has been for two years. I have no complaints at all. We've been very happy about the consistency of the teachers and the staff, the communication, etc.