West Side Revitalization (Dallas, San Antonio, Jefferson: low income, for sale, crime)

[raisins99]

I've just come to this town after having done almost no research. Personal and family emergency brought me here. Outside the state, the city is touted as a very affordable one. Upon arriving here I realized quickly that it's not quite true. There are some affordable pockets, though they appear to be shrinking.

I have noticed a lot of new builds on zill0w for the West side area, 78228 zip code. It seems there is a massive revitalization project going on over there, with new businesses as well as new energy efficient homes going up with income restrictions. I'm a disabled vet so I obviously have low income, which makes affordable homes attractive to me.

What's the west side like? It seems like the numbers suggest crime has sharply decreased. I'm unconcerned about schools beyond them being harmful to future property prices. Someone can talk about crime or gangs in the area all they want, but what I really want to know is if this area is actually increasing in value and if the revitalization project is actually working. I hate city living, but for various reasons this might be the area where I'm stuck for several years and I'm looking to buy late this year. I want to buy something that would actually be likely to increase in value rather than be stagnant.

[huckster]

Yes the 78228 zip code area is not a real nice area. It is not so bad but in my opinion that area
has needed a revitalization for a long time.
I would not advise it. Buying that is. I used to live in the area nearby Loop 410 and it was not bad a long time ago and but still- there were some people of questionable character from that zip code even bad then.
Buy elsewhere is my opinion. Good Luck.

[raisins99]

But what is it like now that the revitalization has started? There are tons of brand new homes for sale in that area, for sub $150k. I'm not sure if they've built on empty lots or tore down neighborhoods to start anew. I'm more concerned with whether or not the revitalization efforts will make it a good investment area. Maybe it's too soon to tell? It almost seems like this is the very first stage.

[ashbeeigh]

Maybe the most northern part right at the border of 78240, but not too much further south. I had a co-worker who lived in 78228 and even up until she deleted her facebook about a month ago she commented about gun violence and gang violence in the area regularly.

[supfromthesite]

It will be decades

[raisins99]

I've been reading more and you might be right. Apparently these revitalization efforts are brand spanking new. The first of the houses haven't even been finished yet. Plus, San Antonio doesn't seem like a city that is interested in gentrification. I wonder if as housing gets more unaffordable, people will begin moving back inside the perimeter or loop or whatever it's called, working on infill, revitalizing downtown, returning to more urban living.

[raisins99]

I'm sure this is frequently discussed, but it's simply unbelievable to me that San Antonio doesn't have even light rail. The Via system is a joke. The near complete lack of a good public transportation system will probably damage any revitalization efforts. What's the point of affordable housing when the jobs are increasingly moving to the environmentally devastated areas north of the city? (I saw an entire hill recently removed today. I'm still heartbroken thiking about how devastated that ecosystem has been).

[TXsurburbanmom]

Revitalization and gentrification are taking place but it’s been more in the downtown area and south of downtown. Older neighborhoods that had declined but were once more affluent areas are probably going to have more appeal than the west side for quite awhile. The Jefferson HS area was a really nice area and I’ve heard of some gentrification but it seems to be hit or miss at this point. For reference, the Woodlawn Lake area is near Jefferson HS. Urban living is consistently gaining popularity and most of the downtown area would already be considered unaffordable to many.

[rynetwo]

Originally Posted by raisins99

I'm sure this is frequently discussed, but it's simply unbelievable to me that San Antonio doesn't have even light rail. The Via system is a joke. The near complete lack of a good public transportation system will probably damage any revitalization efforts. What's the point of affordable housing when the jobs are increasingly moving to the environmentally devastated areas north of the city? (I saw an entire hill recently removed today. I'm still heartbroken thiking about how devastated that ecosystem has been).

Jobs have been moving downtown in droves. Also gentrification will be slow in San Antonio because the city will not let you tear down anything in a historical neighborhood. Look at a map of historical areas and you will find plenty.

[supfromthesite]

Originally Posted by raisins99

I'm sure this is frequently discussed, but it's simply unbelievable to me that San Antonio doesn't have even light rail. The Via system is a joke. The near complete lack of a good public transportation system will probably damage any revitalization efforts. What's the point of affordable housing when the jobs are increasingly moving to the environmentally devastated areas north of the city? (I saw an entire hill recently removed today. I'm still heartbroken thiking about how devastated that ecosystem has been).

We are not Dallas and we do not want to be. I, for one, hope it never happens.