Please help with opinions on: North/Northeast SA-Anaqua Springs/Dominion/Olmos Park (Canyon Lake: homes, best)

[TXEX06]

Originally Posted by JTL IV

Keep an open mind and San Antonio can be all you want it to be.

Best post in this thread.

[mpd33]

Originally Posted by TXEX06

Best post in this thread.

I agree. And be weary of the "doom and gloom" posts. It tends to be a lone voice that is superficially amplified.

[Bowie]

While "old money" vs. "new money" may be a very interesting discussion for some and on topic for the forum, it is not on topic for this thread. That's why some posts discussing the tangent were moved to their own thread. Please resume addressing the OP's questions in this thread.

[decisions2009]

Thank you all for helping. I still haven't come to a decision but I'm getting there...your opinions have helped a whole lot.

Does anyone know anything about New Braunfels or Canyon Lake? How are those areas? Bad or Good? are they really small/rural cities? any decent shopping/grocery stores?

Thanks!

[kevcrawford]

They are nothing like what you were talking about in The Dominion, OP, Anaqua, etc. New Braunfels has some nice little areas. Canyon is hit or miss. There are a few nice areas, surrounded by a bunch of run down areas.

[wCat]

You haven't mentioned anything about work location or asked about any commuting information. I'm assuming that you won't be working? or don't know where yet?
All these places you've mentioned are fairly spread out from the downtown area with the exception of Olmos Park. Is commute distance/time not on your list of priorities?

Canyon Lake - about 43 miles to downtown SA
New Braunfels - abt 31 miles
Anaqua Springs Ranch - abt 28 miles
The Dominion - about 23 miles
Olmos Park/Terrell Hills/Alamo Heights - 6-7 miles

These distances are measured from the geographical center of downtown, which is Main Plaza/Bexar County Courthouse downtown.

[datacity]

Originally Posted by L3XVS

Yes, if one MUST live in San Antonio, you need to live Olmos Park. I do think it's the best this city has to offer. Otherwise, I think Austin is much more in tune with the qualities that you mention.

I have lived in the Austin area and I think you are confusing Austin with "the" Austin area. No doubt that a good portion of the city of Austin and some of the towns right next to it are a great place to live and raise children. There are wonderful natural areas and an eclectic urban experience. I love it. Comparing this to the core area of San Antonio... yes Austin is IMHO much more liveable and cosmopolitan, for Texas. Part of this is that Austin has been "smaller" for a longer time, and grown exponentially only in the recent decades.

However, go beyond the core area of Austin and you are in a 'burb' no different than the suburbs of DFW, Houston or San Antonio. In some cases, you can live in the northeast area of the San Antonio area and depending on the time of day, get to downtown Austin faster than living in parts of the far north or west Austin area. If you think San Antonio roads are underfunded, the capital city has historically been even more underfunded.

San Antonio is a great place to live as well! The freeways (281 notwithstanding) may be busy, but there are many of them. There are plenty of natural areas (parks, lakes not too far away) and artificial places (Sea World, Fiesta Texas, zoo, museums) for the kids and a growing number of upper class shops and restaurants.

In the end, as I have said in other threads, San Antonio and Austin together are close enough to each other and together have much going for them. Anyway, I think many of the previous posts have pretty much answered the OP's questions and that the areas being considered should be fine. Keep an open mind; most people in San Antonio do and while the area may be conservative compared to the coasts, there is for the most part a good balance in that people live and let live.

[decisions2009]

Thanks again. You guys have been of great help.
datacity-that was very imformative
wcat- I don't know where work will be located, but yes, from what I hear about traffic we'll def. take that into consideratoin. Thank you for all the detailed info on travel time.

Both Austin and SA seem like great places, each with their advantages and disavantages. I'm really excited about making a move to that region.


I will let you all know when I make a decision!

[kevcrawford]

Travel times are definitely something to take into consideration, but keep in mind that we're incredibly spoiled here. Our travel times, even in horrible traffic, are not bad. Unless you're talking up 281. That's still horrible.

I can make it from one of my homes in Anaqua Springs to my house at 1604/281 in 25 minutes. Max. From my house to Canyon Lake, which is a much more direct shot, it's an hour, with half of that being spent getting past Encino Park.

You sound like you've done your homework though. Best bet is just driving them a few times when you're here.

[heimerswt]

Originally Posted by Dube665

If you can afford to live in any of the 3 areas you mentioned you really dont have anything to worry about. I agree with the 2 posts above. You would only need to be concerned if you couldnt afford to live in those areas.

Huh??

I can't afford to live in anything near those areas, and have zero "concerns".