Choosing among the best neighborhoods in San Antonio starts with how you want to live: your commute, your school district, the kind of home you want and the feel of the streets around it. As a San Antonio native, here are the areas my clients ask about most.
Historic trolley stop shelter in Alamo Heights, Texas. Photo: Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and optimized for display.Alamo HeightsIts own city about 5 miles north of downtown; verify schools by address.
Tree-covered hills and a building beneath a bright sky, viewed toward the west. Photo: stexas09er, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and optimized for display.Stone OakMaster-planned north San Antonio, north of Loop 1604 between Blanco Road and US 281.
The historic Pearl Brewery building lit up at dusk in San Antonio's Pearl district. Photo: Bilestone, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and optimized for display.Downtown, King William & PearlCompare King William historic homes, Pearl and downtown urban living.
Thomas H. Franklin House, a Victorian home on East French Place in San Antonio's Monte Vista Historic District. Photo: Julian Bravo, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and optimized for display.Monte Vista, Olmos Park & Terrell HillsHistoric districts and established small cities just north of downtown.
Shops and historic storefronts along Main Street in downtown Boerne, Texas. Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and optimized for display.BoerneHill Country living and the Kendall County seat, up I-10 northwest.
John T. Floore Country Store, the historic dance hall and café in Helotes, Texas. Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and optimized for display.HelotesNorthwest Bexar County city on SH 16 at the edge of the Hill Country.
Gruene Hall and the Gruene water tower in the historic Gruene district of New Braunfels, Texas. Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and optimized for display.New BraunfelsComal and Guadalupe rivers, Gruene and Landa Park, up I-35 northeast.
Historic storefronts on Main Street in Schertz, Texas. Photo: Jonmallard, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and optimized for display.Schertz & CiboloSeparate cities in the northeast San Antonio area near JBSA-Randolph.
Aerial view of the circular roadway at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. Photo: U.S. Department of Agriculture, public domain via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and optimized for display.Live Oak & Universal CityCities in the northeast San Antonio area near JBSA-Randolph.How to choose where to live in San Antonio
- Commute first. Drive the route at the time you’ll actually be on the road. San Antonio’s main highways include I-35, I-10, I-37, Loop 410, Loop 1604 and US 281.
- Check schools by address. School district lines do not necessarily match city lines, so confirm the assignment for each home with the district.
- City or San Antonio? Several areas are their own incorporated cities with their own city services, such as Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, Terrell Hills, Schertz, Cibolo, Live Oak, Universal City, Helotes, Boerne and New Braunfels. Stone Oak, Monte Vista, King William and Pearl are part of the City of San Antonio.
- HOA and historic-district rules. Master-planned areas like Stone Oak have property owners’ associations, and historic districts like King William and Monte Vista have their own rules. Ask before you plan changes to a home.
Living in San Antonio
San Antonio is known as “Military City USA,” and the city calls Joint Base San Antonio the largest and most diverse joint base in the Department of Defense. Beyond the bases, you’ll find the River Walk, the Alamo, Brackenridge Park and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. The park’s four missions and the Alamo form the San Antonio Missions UNESCO World Heritage Site, designated in 2015.
Moving here with the military?
Read my JBSA military relocation guide and VA home loan guide, or browse rentals while you decide.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best neighborhoods in San Antonio?
It depends on your commute, your school district and the kind of home you want. Clients often ask me about Alamo Heights, Stone Oak, King William and Pearl near downtown, Monte Vista, and nearby cities like Boerne, Helotes, New Braunfels, Schertz, Cibolo, Live Oak and Universal City.
Where should I live if I’m stationed at Joint Base San Antonio?
Start with the JBSA location you report to. JBSA-Randolph is on the northeast side near Universal City, Schertz and Cibolo; JBSA-Fort Sam Houston is just northeast of downtown; JBSA-Lackland is on the west side; Camp Bullis is in northwestern Bexar County, northwest of San Antonio. Test the drive at your real reporting time.
Are Alamo Heights and Schertz part of San Antonio?
No. Alamo Heights, Olmos Park, Terrell Hills, Schertz, Cibolo, Live Oak, Universal City, Helotes, Boerne and New Braunfels are their own incorporated cities. Stone Oak, Monte Vista, King William and Pearl are part of the City of San Antonio.
Sources
- City of San Antonio, Military Installations: https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/MVAD/Military-Installations
- Military OneSource, Joint Base San Antonio: https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/in-depth-overview/joint-base-san-antonio-lackland-randolph-sam-houston
- San Antonio (Wikipedia): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Antonio
Ask Cathy About San Antonio Neighborhoods
Questions about streets, schools, commutes or homes here? Ask away.