Relocating for Trader Joe's (San Antonio, Spring: neighborhoods, elementary school, gated)

[niembre]

I live in Steubing Ranch subdivision, and with your rent requirements, you could buy a house. The houses were build in 2004 and the neighborhood is really friendly and safe. I have left my garage door open by accident several times overnight and have never had anything stolen.
The commute from steubing ranch to the Quary is about 20 minutes. With traffic, it can take up to 30 minutes.

[jk81230]

Thanks for the insight on Steubing Ranch...I really like the neighborhood but seeing how much was available made me question why. Are there a lot of families in the neighborhood? We are plan on renting so we can get a feel of where we want to end up buying.

[TexasRedneck]

Absolutely rent for a while first - get to know the city, the traffic patterns, schools - all of that. What WE might like, you might hate - and that's a recipe for disaster!

[mamatotex97]

you may see neighborhoods with alot of rental homes. This is a military city and people come and go ALL the time. So not necessarily a reflection on the neighborhood itself. I agree with others, rent first and see what you like/don't like for yourself over time.

[niembre]

Steubing ranch is a good family neighborhood. The community pool here is very nice and everyone there is really friendly.

[johnts71]

Originally Posted by jk81230

Hi, my family and I will be moving to San Antonio from CA at the end of August. My husband will be working at the Trader Joe's on E. Basse Rd. I am having a hard time getting a good idea of an area to rent. Alamo Heights doesn't have much in our price range and I really haven't been able to find anything on areas that are close enough to his work. Most areas I hear about are too far such as Sea World area or Helotes. Is Stone Oak a reasonable commute? He doesn't mind a 20-30 minute commute. We are looking for a three bedroom house. We have two young children, so good schools are important. We don't want to spend more than $1450. Thank you!

You probably wont get that low of a mortgage payment in Stone Oak...I would still look though

[TXsurburbanmom]

When I checked realtor.com not long ago I saw a few homes renting for that amount in SO but I saw more options over in Encino Park just across 281. Excellent schools over there and probably a little faster since you can get on 281 without driving though all the businesses on SO Pkwy. Only issue is the construction at 281/1604 going on right now but you wouldn't have to go to the light unless 281 is actually closed-- and they seem to reserve that for nonrush hour times. We almost bought in Encino and have friends that live there and LOVE the schools. The same stores, etc. SO area enjoys are right by Encino.

[chud]

My brother and his family live in the Encino Park area and like it.
I don't care for the traffic on that stretch of 281, but my brother says it is not real traffic compared to Houston where he is from.

[jk81230]

Thanks for the insight on the Encino Park area. I wasn't sure about it just because from what I have looked at online it seems like I have found things that say to stay to the west side of the 281. Not sure why and maybe I'm not remembering that correctly but I have seen a lot of homes I like in that area and the schools look like they are rated high as well.

[perticusrex]

A friend of mine moved to Encino Park because his wife insists the schools in the area are the best in the city.....per her. My friend says his kids have done very well, the only "downside" is most of the student population come from wealthy backgrounds, there seems to be a lot of competition when it comes to who has what.