Best Neighborhood for 200k?

[JuneOf48]

Originally Posted by Chaka

In addition to the neighborhoods TXEX06 mentioned, the Southtown neighbors are potentials for rentals, though buying may be out of range for you unless you get lucky. Nearby, more affordable neighborhoods, are Lone Star and Highland Park. Not quite as walkable but near the downtown area.

*Note, houses can be had for less than $200K, but expect to do a lot of work. These are historic districts that were inner city ghetto not long ago, and now well on the path to gentrification. Highland Park is more lower-middle class, mostly owner occupied houses. Smaller, well kept, family oriented so never really went through the inner city blight phase.

I echo all of these bits of advice. You can find three-bedroom houses in these areas for less than $200,000, but they often need work, and they usually only have one bathroom. There are neighborhoods a bit further away from the culture/nightlife/restaurant scenes of Tobin Hill/Pearl and Southtown/King William, and they're much more affordable. A friend of mine just bought a cute corner house in Highland Park for about $80,000. It needs a lot of work, but it's livable as is, and there are plenty of cute houses nearby.

Really, though, the best thing is to rent first, perhaps month-to-month if you can find it, and then to begin your house hunting without a real sense of urgency, as that can lead to mistakes. I rented in Monte Vista when I first moved here, and then I bought a house about seven months later.

And, as you've probably heard, it's even better to get a hotel for the first few days (or weeks) before you choose a spot to rent. Often, the best rental properties don't advertise online, and you have to drive through neighborhoods looking for "for rent" signs out front. I live in Tobin Hill, and there are a number of those in the blocks immediately around me.

SA has a lot of gay people, but there aren't a ton of bars that make up a really vibrant "scene" as you might find in a city like Chicago or LA. But, there's plenty to keep a lot of folks happy. Once again, look to Tobin Hill or King William as the neighborhoods with the most gay residents. Good luck!

[TrapperL]

Your best bet is to chat with a realtor that knows the area. You'd need to have a list of your wants and what is high on the list and what is not as important. I know a real good one that knows this area extremely well. You'd like him. If you like, I can PM you his phone number or email if you want it.

[Paka]

Just a question, do any of the school districts have restrictions that you must LIVE within that district to be an administrator??? Have NO idea if any do, but that might be a player if it is a requirement.

[austindoxie1972]

Highland Park -- is that ZIP Code 78218? 78210? Like in the Gevers/Drexel area?

[smuboy86]

Originally Posted by austindoxie1972

Highland Park -- is that ZIP Code 78218? 78210? Like in the Gevers/Drexel area?

It's not 78218, that's the near northeast side

[austindoxie1972]

Thanks smuboy86. I think it is the 78210 ZIP code. Wow...that area must have severely changed since I left San Antonio. Glad to see things have picked up and improved. There are some gorgeous old houses over there.

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by austindoxie1972

Thanks smuboy86. I think it is the 78210 ZIP code. Wow...that area must have severely changed since I left San Antonio. Glad to see things have picked up and improved. There are some gorgeous old houses over there.

It's still hit or miss, though. You really need to drive around to make sure that the area you are looking in has picked up. It changes block to block, just like many other areas in the city.

[AutumndraytonRLTR]

There's a lot of great areas here and it really all depends on what you're looking for. Cibolo Schertz area is nice also overby sea world.