Checking out San Antonio in May (Schertz, Alamo: low crime, new house, middle school)

[JNA]

My wife and I are planning on visiting in May and taking a look at communities for a potential new house to purchase. Areas we are considering include:

1)Stone Oak (only problem I see with this area is that it may be a little out of our price range)
2)Helotes and areas around it (outside loop 1604 going south and going north approaching I-10)
3)area on other side of 281 from Stone Oak
4)Hyatt Regency Country Club area by Hunt Lane and near Culebra in this area
5)Other areas outside 1604 (north of Culebra and also areas by Potranco)
6)Alamo Golf Club area near Bandera and Prue
7)Schertz/Cibolo area

Major considerations are having lots of potential employers within a reasonable commute (45 min or less each way), nearby shopping and restaurants, homes in our price range (150-200K for 4bd, 2500 sq ft), low crime rate, and good schools. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[AnthonySA]

All of the above fit your criteria. You also might want to consider Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, and Olmos Park which are all located just to the north of Downtown.

[JNA]

Originally Posted by AnthonySA

All of the above fit your criteria. You also might want to consider Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills, and Olmos Park which are all located just to the north of Downtown.

I forgot to ask previously. How is the crime rate in the areas I mentioned and you added?

[AnthonySA]

Violent crimes in these areas are around the National Average, maybe slightly less. Property crimes are slightly above the national average. If you narrow it down by zip code, any realtor search engine should include a Crime Index.

I live in the Alamo Heights area for the past 5 years and I have never experienced any crime and have never felt threatened or in any danger.

[smuboy86]

Their is no crime in Alamo Heights, Terrell Hills or Olmos Park to speak of. You won't find a new home their though and not one for 150-200K. You may want to check out the area just north of Windcrest. A new home like this is available for 140 K
http://www.meritagehomestexas.com/imgcache/img_data_36478_250_150.png (broken link)
It's in a community called Cheyenne Valley. It goes to the new royal ridge elementary school in NEISD. The thing about moving into stone oak is that all the schools their are capped due to overcrowding, your child will most likely be bussed to other schools.

[Steel Man]

You might try High Point in Westcreek, outside Loop 1604 and near Potranco Road and Talley Road. They have Lennar ($170's and up) and Armadillo ($150's and up) homes there. Another place is Monticello Ranch on Talley Road and Potranco that has Centex homes in your price range (you can get up to 3,000 SF for about $170,000). You will be in Northside ISD with new elementary, middle school, and high schools.

[JNA]

Originally Posted by Steel Man

You might try High Point in Westcreek, outside Loop 1604 and near Potranco Road and Talley Road. They have Lennar ($170's and up) and Armadillo ($150's and up) homes there. Another place is Monticello Ranch on Talley Road and Potranco that has Centex homes in your price range (you can get up to 3,000 SF for about $170,000). You will be in Northside ISD with new elementary, middle school, and high schools.

Monticello Ranch is actually one of the places I saw online. Is the area nicely developed commercially? I'm looking for places where I don't have to drive far for the day-to-day things (groceries, gas, etc).

[JNA]

Originally Posted by smuboy86

It's in a community called Cheyenne Valley. It goes to the new royal ridge elementary school in NEISD. The thing about moving into stone oak is that all the schools their are capped due to overcrowding, your child will most likely be bussed to other schools.

I hadn't thought about the possibility of busing at stone oaks. About Cheyenne Valley, is it nearby the basics (groceries, gas, restaurants)?

[smuboy86]

It's about 5 miles to the Forum Shopping center. 10 minutes to North Star Mall. A circuit city is maybe a mile away and two HEB grocery stores are within a 5 minute drive. Gas Stations are numerous. There is an Olive Garden, applebee's, Red Lobster and marie callander's just to the south.

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by JNA

Monticello Ranch is actually one of the places I saw online. Is the area nicely developed commercially? I'm looking for places where I don't have to drive far for the day-to-day things (groceries, gas, etc).

About 4 miles to Potranco and Loop 1604 that is currently being developed rapidly. A HEB Plus is done and Walmart Supercenter will be done in April. See the Potranco and Loop 1604 thread for more details. Also, Culebra and Loop 1604 (about 6 miles) is in for large development (100 stores) at Alamo Ranch Market. There are also many homes being built there at Alamo Ranch ($130-$300's).