Early 30's Married but still kicking moving to San Antonio (Spring: middle-class, for rent)

[The Horne Ultimatum]

My wife and I are moving to San Antonio in September. We are early 30's and have no kids or even plans for them in the near future. Looking for a neighborhood were we can rent/buy a house but still be close to some restaurants, bars and some semblance of action. I will be working North of the city right off the outer beltway. Can anyone weigh in on where to land? Thanks, all. T

[elmariachi]

Price range might help to narrow it down for you.

[Penquin927]

I like Canyon Springs which is where I live. Love the community I am in. My husband and I are a bit older but also do not have children but of course there are plenty of young families in our neighborhood. We are very close to grocery store, shopping (Target, White House/Black Market, etc.), movies and lots of great restaurants/bars (Wild Fish, Roaring Fork, BJs, Copa Wine Bar, Trilogy Pizza, etc.). It is a great community area if you like to get out and be active. You will always see people running in the neighborhood. If you are looking for a great fitness center we have Lifetime Fitness and Spectrum. I go to Lifetime and love it and have heard great things about Spectrum also.

[TXsurburbanmom]

I agree the Canyon Springs/Stone Oak/Encino Park (281/1604) area is a great area especially if you plan on kids. The public schools are great, private schools are easy to get to, and it's got lots of preschools. Shopping and restraunts are everywhere. Of course alot depends on where exactly outside LOOP 1604 (we don't call them beltways here) you will be working. If you are out toward 35 or 10 you will have to consider your commute to those areas. It depends on what is important for your lifestyle. We have neighbors that drive way over to Lackland because they want to live out here but there are nice areas all along the northside.

As to pricing, it is not as expensive to live in parts of this area as many believe. My friend just put their 2000 sq ft house on the market for $169K. I've seen smaller houses in the $150K range. Rent is fairly high for San Antonio. We rented when we moved back and are paying just over $1400 but we're getting what we paid for in a house that wasn't cleaned, painted or repaired before we moved in and a mangement company that apparently doesn't think A/C is important. I do not think that is the norm out here though so I wouldn't worry. There is a really nice house up the street from us for rent by owner at $1550--I'd guess 2200-2400 sq ft with a decent size treed lot. Rents probably range around $1600-2500. Depending on where you moved from the quality of the homes in SA may surprise you. We spent $50K more on a house in NC without a speck of brick/rock/stucco where here it is unusual to see a house without it.

I should note--if you WANT to spend $500k-$1 mil out here you certainly can find it, housing ranges from solidly middle-class to one that looks like a 5 Star Resort overlooking Canyon Gulf Rd, at least I think it's a house.

[The Horne Ultimatum]

I will be working near the 1604 loop and 10 so needs to be within about 15-20 drive from there at most. If we rent we can pay up to $2k per month. Canyon Springs still seem like the popular opinion?

[The Horne Ultimatum]

is there a big price / traffic distance between living inside the loop as opposed to ouside the loop?

[Penquin927]

If you will be working at 1604/I-10 your traffic will be on 1604 for the most part depending on the hours you will be working. Also if you decide on Canyon Springs community that commute to get to 1604 is longer then say if you live in Stone Oak communities or even better yet would be Rogers Ranch Community since that is right off of 1604 but still close to all the great shopping, restaurants, etc.

As I stated before I live in Canyon Springs and I work at USAA so my commute is like 19 miles. I come to work early so really don't have traffic then and get here in about 25 minutes (have some lights). Going home from work at about 4 PM the commute can be about 45 minutes at times due to traffic. I don't consider it too bad but then again I am from the MD/DC area so commuting was a part of life and this doesn't even compare. My husband also works down at Lackland AFB and makes the longer commute but we would rather live where we like to play. All a personal preference.

[dvlpr]

First, welcome to SA. We're in the same boat: 30s, married, like to have fun (independent restaurants/bars, live music, galleries/museums, urban parks, cultural events, etc.)

Canyon Springs or anything outside 1604 is going to be pure suburbia. If you're into that sort of thing, that ought to suit you fine. But it's no better or worse than the suburban areas in every sunbelt city.

We live in Monte Vista, 1.5 miles north of downtown. Beautiful historic architecture, close to everything that I mentioned above (but including the Farmer's Market and Central Market, the best grocer in Texas). And virtually no traffic. Other similar great neighborhoods near the city center to explore: King William, Lavaca (they're sometimes referred to collectively as "Southtown"), Mahncke Park, Tobin Hill, Alta Vista, Alamo Heights, Olmos Park.

If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer. Either way, welcome!

[flourpower]

I should note--if you WANT to spend $500k-$1 mil out here you certainly can find it, housing ranges from solidly middle-class to one that looks like a 5 Star Resort overlooking Canyon Gulf Rd, at least I think it's a house.[/quote]


Yes, It is a house.

[The Horne Ultimatum]

Originally Posted by dvlpr

First, welcome to SA. We're in the same boat: 30s, married, like to have fun (independent restaurants/bars, live music, galleries/museums, urban parks, cultural events, etc.)

Canyon Springs or anything outside 1604 is going to be pure suburbia. If you're into that sort of thing, that ought to suit you fine. But it's no better or worse than the suburban areas in every sunbelt city.

We live in Monte Vista, 1.5 miles north of downtown. Beautiful historic architecture, close to everything that I mentioned above (but including the Farmer's Market and Central Market, the best grocer in Texas). And virtually no traffic. Other similar great neighborhoods near the city center to explore: King William, Lavaca (they're sometimes referred to collectively as "Southtown"), Mahncke Park, Tobin Hill, Alta Vista, Alamo Heights, Olmos Park.

If you have any questions, I'm happy to answer. Either way, welcome!

That sounds exactly like what we are looking for. I will be working at the Rim near the 10 / 1604, is that going to be too much of a hike from Monte Vista / other areas you listed? I was thinking i would probably have to be further out between to two loops. Thoughts on any area's between the loops or can is the commute not toooooo bad?