Make Your List

The best San Antonio neighborhoods for first-time homebuyers

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We've been told over and over that it's impossible to buy right now, but that's not necessarily the case. If you're a first-timer looking for your new home, there are several San Antonio neighborhoods you should keep in mind while searching.

Keep in mind that you’ll have the most success as a first-time homebuyer if you work with an experienced agent to keep up with the competition. You’ll also want to keep an open mind and stay flexible with some of your priorities.

These are some great neighborhoods to consider, complete with recommendations from Realty San Antonio agents.

Redbird Ranch
Median sales price: $290,000
Distance from downtown San Antonio: 25 miles
School district: Medina Valley

At the far-west edge of San Antonio is the new-build community of Redbird Ranch, which has proven very popular with families. Homes start at $289,000 and spacious floorplans range from three to five bedrooms.

Neighborhood amenities include a park, playground, pool, walking trails, and more. It’s also a popular choice for military families because it is just 20 minutes from Lackland Air Force Base.

Wolf Creek
Median sales price: $260,000
Distance from downtown San Antonio: 13.2 miles
School district: Southwest ISD

Homes tend to sell quickly here, as the area blends the peaceful atmosphere of the suburbs with quick access to the ever-increasing amenities along 410 and Highway 151. Many of the houses were built in the '90s, and new construction is happening here as well.

For families with children, the area has two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. This is another neighborhood popular with military personnel because of the nearby Lackland Air Force Base. Compared to other neighborhoods and San Antonio’s sister city of Austin, the area is reasonably priced for mid-size homes.

Leon Valley
Median sales price: $250,000
Distance from downtown San Antonio: 12.2 miles
School district: Northside ISD

This neighborhood is interesting because it is an independent municipality surrounded by San Antonio. Technically its own city, Leon Valley has its own public safety departments and even its own mayor.

Leon Valley is a gateway to many of San Antonio’s main attractions, like SeaWorld and Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Residents can easily access the Medical District that’s just three miles away and the San Antonio Airport eight miles away. Buyers will also find that they can get to jobs in the northwest sector via Bandera Road and Loop 410.

Lafayette Place
Median sales price: $179,950
Distance from downtown San Antonio: 8.8 miles
School district: Northeast ISD

This is one of the neighborhoods in San Antonio that has everything a buyer wants, according to a study from Redfin, which looked at the prominence of affordable homes, levels of inventory, an easy commute, and more. The area has two elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools.

Buyers looking at homes in Lafayette Place will find they are in close proximity to the South Texas Medical Center, the University Health System, the USAA Corporate Office, a variety of employers in downtown San Antonio, and the convenience of being next to I-10 and Loop 410. For all your shopping needs, La Cantera is less than 10 minutes away.

El Dorado
Median sales price: $260,000
Distance from downtown San Antonio: 13.6 miles
School district: North East ISD

For buyers looking for the convenience of easy neighborhood parking and close proximity to plenty of eateries, consider the El Dorado neighborhood. Houses here tend to sell for less than the median price in San Antonio, making it a good option for first-time homebuyers looking to spend less than other areas.

There's a variety of single-family homes and newer condos, ranging from 859 square feet to 3,073 square feet. This North San Antonio neighborhood has amenities like a pool, a park, and a playground.

Stillwater Ranch
Median sales price: $353,500
Distance from downtown San Antonio: 23 miles
School district: Northside ISD

Though the price point here is higher than others on this list, Stillwater Ranch still offers luxury homes at a lower price than other areas. This master-planned community features the open and sprawling beauty of the countryside without compromising on amenities.

Residents can enjoy parkland, hike and bike trails, and nature trails, and the neighborhood also backs up to the Government Canyon State Natural Area. Additionally, there’s a tennis court, basketball courts, swimming facility, and the onsite Scarborough Elementary school.

Tobin Hill
Median sales price: $394,000
Distance from downtown San Antonio: 1.5 miles
School district: San Antonio ISD

Located conveniently close to downtown San Antonio, this is a great neighborhood for young professionals looking for a walkable, urban area. From Tobin Hill, residents can walk to Pearl, a revitalized brewery with eclectic shops and incredible restaurants that will soon feature a marketplace.

Buyers here may end up with less space than in other neighborhoods, but they will be right next to world-class shopping, amenities, and the San Antonio River. The continuing development of Tobin Hill has increased the desirability of the area for both residents and businesses.

Great Northwest
Median sales price: $232,250
Distance from downtown San Antonio: 15 miles
School district: Northside ISD

This Far West San Antonio neighborhood consists of older, more established homes at a reasonable price point that are located near I-410, Highway 151, Loop 1604, and Highway 16.

Families are attracted by the schools, pools, playgrounds, and sports facilities. For shopping, residents can enjoy a quick trip to the Ingram Park Mall and the newly constructed Alamo Ranch Shopping Center. The area is also rapidly developing, making it a great choice for first-time homebuyers looking to purchase a home now. Buyers looking in this area may also want to consider the nearby Northwest Crossing for many of the same reasons.

Bridgewood
Median sales price: $270,000
Distance from downtown San Antonio: 25 miles
School district: Northside ISD

If the Great Northwest neighborhood appealed to you but you’re looking for newer homes, check out Bridgewood. This neighborhood in Northwest San Antonio calls itself the largest community in Bexar County, and new homes are being added consistently.

Buyers who love nature should take advantage of the neighborhood’s location near Government Canyon State Park. There is a wide variety of floorplans and home sizes from which to choose, and an active homeowners association — which could be a plus or a minus, depending on your wants and needs.

Hills of Shaenfield
Median sales price: $242,000
Distance from downtown San Antonio: 22.5 miles
School district: Northside ISD

This small neighborhood in West San Antonio has a peaceful feel, with houses that vary in size and style and typically aren’t much older than 10 years.

The neighborhood has what many people look for in suburbs: a close community, a park, a playground, trails, and nearby restaurants and shopping. Additionally, the neighborhood is close to the Alamo Ranch Shopping Center.

Wildhorse
Median sales price: $286,000
Distance from downtown San Antonio: 8.7 miles
School district: Northside ISD

The Wildhorse neighborhood is a good middle ground for many first-time homebuyers. It is close to downtown San Antonio without feeling too busy, a large number of the homes tend to be newer builds, and there’s plenty to do, including a theme park. There’s also a new pool and a nearby H-E-B.

Wildhorse blends the beauty of the Hill Country with the convenience of city life. The neighborhood is also close to Highway 151 and Interstate-10, so residents can easily access the rest of Central Texas. The neighborhood boasts schools as well as nearby employers like the Medical Center, USAA, and Lackland Air Force Base.

The Arbor at Sonoma Ranch
Median sales price: $320,100
Distance from downtown San Antonio: 19 miles
School district: Northside ISD

This neighborhood near The University of Texas at San Antonio has several schools for students of all ages. It sits among gated communities, and is close to shopping and dining opportunities.

The Arbor is right near 1604, so residents can quickly access attractions like Six Flags Fiesta Texas. This neighborhood is in Helotes, which is where the Floore Country Store is located. Willie Nelson fans might recognize this as the place where he got his start, and you’ll still find live music and dancing here.

When you make your list of potential neighborhoods, use Realty San Antonio's free search option at realtysanantonio.com.

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Take A Walk

New multifamily community opens near Stone Oak restaurants and shopping

Rendering courtesy of Greyson Luxury Living

The new community offers 291 units.

A new multifamily community is now open to prospective residents in San Antonio. Greyson Luxury Living comprises 291 units at 1734 N. Loop 1604 West, with a focus on lifestyle amenities. But the location will be the main draw for many.

Apartment floor plans range from one to three bedrooms, starting at $1,317 for one bedroom and one bathroom, and working up to a base price of $2,611 for three bedrooms and two baths. The community's pet policy according to the website is: "We welcome all your furry friends at Greyson."

Residents will get reserved parking and a garage with EV charging stations, but it might not always be necessary to hop in the car. The apartments are directly adjacent to restaurants like Cover 3, Eddie V's Prime Seafood, and Blü Prime Steakhouse — not exactly everyday eats, but there's tons more at the Vineyard Shopping Center and the Stone Oak neighborhood's Blanco Market Shopping Center across the highway.

In addition to restaurants, the community is less than a five-minute drive from H-E-B Plus, Whole Foods Market, Target, fashion and furniture stores, and multiple fitness studios like StretchLab and LA Fitness.

A press release promises wood-style flooring, quartz and granite countertops, and ceramic tile backsplash. On the more utilitarian side, it offers single-basin sinks, kitchen islands, "spacious" pantries, a stainless-steel Energy Star appliance package, and washer and dryer connections. (Images shared by the complex so far appear to be more illustrative of the desired vibe than the actual space.)

Every floor plan also shows a private patio or balcony. The most expensive floor plan — the three-by-two — has a wraparound outdoor space.

For shared spaces, a resort-style pool with a tanning shelf (a very shallow area for placing lounge chairs) and bike storage encourage residents to get outside, and a dog wash station makes it easy to leave dirt and hair outside of apartments. There's also a fitness center, a clubhouse with wi-fi, elevators, and concierge services.

“We developed Greyson as a luxury multifamily community aimed to fit any type of lifestyle, and we are grateful for all of our partners that helped bring this project to life,” says Ed Garahan, partner and CEO at Carbon Companies, the development firm heading the project.

Carbon Companies also sold the Addison Medical Center Apartments, Ventura Ridge, Triomphe Apartments, and Pecan Springs Luxury Apartment Homes, with more in the works in San Antonio.

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