There are so many great places to live in San Antonio that it helps to have an expert on your side. The Neighborhood Guide presented by Kuper Sotheby's International Realty gives you insider access from the agents who live and work there, providing in-the-know info about your possible new community.
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With a combined 30 years of experience in the industry, real estate agents Mallory Baird and Nicholas Kjos are deeply familiar with the San Antonio luxury market.
While it’s difficult for them to play neighborhood favorites, if you were to ask them about one of their top picks, it would definitely be the historic district of Monte Vista.
“With its walkable, eclectic vibe, Monte Vista truly caters to everyone, from politicians to artists,” they say.
Mallory and Nicholas love the beautiful architecture and the preservation of historic homes in the area, not to mention its incredible location. The area is close to downtown and San Antonio's best amenities, including Brackenridge Park, San Antonio Zoo, the Pearl, Trinity University, and so much more.
If you meet Mallory and Nicholas, make sure to ask them to sing for you — they have a deep affinity for show tunes. Not only that, these best friends are also avid travelers, so they can offer up plenty of travel advice to go along with their real estate acumen.
Closer to home, though, Mallory and Nicholas have shared some of their personal favorites about life in Monte Vista. Here's their guide to the area:
Where to eat & drink
A mainstay since 1932, La Fonda on Main is the oldest Mexican restaurant in the city, and it’s at the top of the list for both Mallory and Nicholas.
For creative twists on pizza, it has to be Barbaro; get the Hashbrown pie with taleggio cheese, kale, and honey.
Extra Fine is a local bakery and café where you can always pick up a delicious muffin, cookie, kolache, or other sweet treat. But don’t miss weekend brunch with a variety of sweet and savory options like fried green tomato Benedict and five-spice pancakes with macerated peaches.
For a caffeine kick, Mallory and Nicholas head to Graves Coffee. Or grab your latte with a healthy acai bowl at Rise Up café and coffee shop.
Where to play
“The Landa Public Library building and the surrounding grounds of the Landa Gardens are stunning,” says the pair. “It’s five acres of lush green space, right in the middle of the Monte Vista neighborhood.”
They also love walking to the historic Pearl Brewery.
For families with kids, the Kiddie Park is a must. It’s the oldest children’s amusement park in the country, first established in 1925. While it has been renovated since then, all the nostalgia of the original rides remains fully intact.
What to see
The nearby San Antonio Museum of Art features 5,000 years of art. Mallory and Nicholas also recommend The Witte Museum, featuring a convergence of nature, science, and culture.
Kids will love The DoSeum, an interactive destination for hands-on learning and fun.
Where to live
“Monte Vista excels at preservation, and the architectural styles of homes range from Victorian to Craftsman, Colonial, Spanish Mediterranean, and Italian Renaissance,” say Mallory and Nicholas.
An exquisite example of a home in the neighborhood is 127 E. Lynwood Avenue. It’s known as the Gunter and Elizabeth Hardie House and was originally built in 1928.
Thoughtfully updated while still maintaining its original architectural features and character, it’s truly one-of-a-kind. “The estate sold in April 2024 for the highest dollar per square foot in all of Monte Vista in the history of the MLS,” they add.
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Nicholas Kjos and Mallory Baird work and play in Monte Vista. For more information on buying and selling a home in the area, click here, email contact@thekjosbairdteam.com, or call 210-219-1998.
Photo by Onward Group
Agents Nicholas Kjos and Mallory Baird.
