looking to move to San Antonio - questions on schools, etc. (Canyon: HOA, high crime)

[colverm]

My husband and I may relocate to San Antonio from New Hampshire. We are looking to spend around 250k and 275k (based on the high property taxes that I found).

1. What is the difference between the far north neighborhoods and the north west suburbs?
2. Why are some homes in the far north in the North East ISD and some in the Comal ISD?
3. What is the difference between the North East ISD school district and the Comal ISD district?
4. Am I looking in the correct areas? We will have three children and need a 4 bedroom home. I need the best schools in the area and want a family friendly neighborhood where we can meet people. We are in our mid/late 30s.
5. My husband would be working just north of the airport. What is the commute?

Thanks!!!

[ashbeeigh]

Try this thread to get you started: http://www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...index-san.html it should help a lot.

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by colverm

My husband and I may relocate to San Antonio from New Hampshire. We are looking to spend around 250k and 275k (based on the high property taxes that I found).

1. What is the difference between the far north neighborhoods and the north west suburbs?
2. Why are some homes in the far north in the North East ISD and some in the Comal ISD?
3. What is the difference between the North East ISD school district and the Comal ISD district?
4. Am I looking in the correct areas? We will have three children and need a 4 bedroom home. I need the best schools in the area and want a family friendly neighborhood where we can meet people. We are in our mid/late 30s.
5. My husband would be working just north of the airport. What is the commute?

Thanks!!!

Good luck with the move. Try the relocation sticky that was posted. Most people ask the same questions and require the best schools etc. No one ever asks for high crime area or bad schools.

Do you speak Spanish?

[RGJ]

Do you speak Spanish?

Getting a little tiring

[lemonfresh]

Please ignore firstclassflyer and his "Spanish" question. It's not necessary at all to know Spanish and Firstclass always asks that when someone starts a thread about moving here. He always asks it as if to imply to the thread maker that speaking Spanish is a must but when responded by the thread maker he simply says "it's good to know other languages." Almost all the regular posters here are ever so tired and annoyed with the "Spanish" question. Honestly we won't have to put up with it for much longer.

Originally Posted by colverm

My husband and I may relocate to San Antonio from New Hampshire. We are looking to spend around 250k and 275k (based on the high property taxes that I found).

1. What is the difference between the far north neighborhoods and the north west suburbs?
2. Why are some homes in the far north in the North East ISD and some in the Comal ISD?
3. What is the difference between the North East ISD school district and the Comal ISD district?
4. Am I looking in the correct areas? We will have three children and need a 4 bedroom home. I need the best schools in the area and want a family friendly neighborhood where we can meet people. We are in our mid/late 30s.
5. My husband would be working just north of the airport. What is the commute?

Thanks!!!

As for your questions:

1) The difference is probably the years they were built. Far North side homes are much newer than NW side homes.

2) Just the boundaries we have here. However, nothing in the Comal ISD would be considered "Far North side."

3) Different schools. Both are quality districts.

4) Yes you are.

5) Depending on where you buy either very short or very long. Let's say you bought on the North Side (Deerfield, Indwood, etc) you'd have 10 minute and under commute. If you bought on the Far North side (Stone Oak, Cibolo Canyon, etc) you're looking at a 10-20 minute commute depneing on your route and time of commute. If you buy further North then the commute time will go up. If you buy on the NW side, that's going to be a 15-25 minute commute.

[autiger92]

Not sure if you are still planning to move but.... You might consider Hollywood Park. It is an older neighborhood in an excellent school district-- ( Hidden Forest Elementary Bradley Middle Churchhill High). Hollywood Park is super family friendly with plenty of opportunities to meet people. The HOA hosts several events throughout the year. There is an annual event specifically to welcome newcomers to the neighborhood, Christmas events w/ opportunities to meet Santa (I hear he will even come to your house if you arrange it ahead of time), 4th of July parade/picnic, fabulous Halloween carnival, annual fun run/walk, etc. The HOA fee is paid yearly and ridiculously cheap--much less than most new subdivisions charge per MONTH. The fee for a family membership to the pool is only $100 and there is a great swim team for the kids.

The other big perk of living in "the Park" is large lots and mature trees.

Prices here range from less than $200K to over $700K. Price depends on size, of course, and how much updating a home has.

My husband used to work on Isom Road (near airport). I think it was less than 7 miles--He could come home for lunch. It was nice. Sadly, he has changed jobs, and we will have to move soon. We have really enjoyed living here and will have wonderful memories to take with us. Good luck to you!

[TX HERE WE COME]

I found greatschools.org very helpful. I actually looked at the schools rated 9 or 10 and chose my housing based on those schools. It might be a little harder for you if you have several children at different schools but maybe you can choose a central location to all schools.

[giz2000]

Originally Posted by TX HERE WE COME

I found greatschools.org very helpful. I actually looked at the schools rated 9 or 10 and chose my housing based on those schools. It might be a little harder for you if you have several children at different schools but maybe you can choose a central location to all schools.

I've been doing a ton of research on greatschools as well...don't discount a school just because it isn't a 9 or 10...thre are several really good schools with a 7 or 8 as well...the numbers given to the schools on greatschools are related to state testing...and having been involved in the public school system forever (my youngest starts high school in the fall), I can tell you that there is much more to a school than test scores. I look for high parental involvement, security, teacher qualifications and overall student culture. I have found the parental reviews to be more helpful than the ratings...just some food for thought!