Planning on living in San Antonio? The seventh-largest city in the U.S. is perfect for families, thanks to its affordable cost of living and kid-friendly activities. Unsure where in Alamo City your family should settle down? Check out this list of the five best family-friendly neighborhoods in San Antonio!
Alamo Heights
- Home Price: $513,900 median purchase price; $1,307 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 44% of Texas cities
Although it’s a little more expensive than surrounding neighborhoods, amenities in Alamo Heights more than make up for the cost. In addition to being one of the best places to buy a home in San Antonio, local schools such as Cambridge Elementary School and Alamo Heights High School are highly regarded and a major draw to the area. This neighborhood is also chock-full of family-friendly activities and restaurants to keep you busy. With close proximity to both Downtown San Antonio and Joint Base San Antonio – Fort Sam Houston, Alamo Heights is a great San Antonio neighborhood for military families and working parents!
Things to Do in Alamo Heights
Go behind the scenes with rhinos, hippos, and kangaroos, check out the 4D theater, and attend fun events like Zen Zoo at the San Antonio Zoo. Practice your backstroke, throw a party for the kids, or sign them up for swimming lessons at Heights Pool. Plan a picnic in the gazebo, play softball, or ride your bike at Olmos Basin Park. Explore the American and European art collections and traveling exhibits like Collection Focus: Matisse’s Jazz and Dreamland: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas at McNay Art Museum. Start your day with fresh-baked Monkey Bread, Sausage Kolaches, or Sticky Buns at Broadway Daily Bread. Try new American dishes like the Heights Burger or Out Of The Blue with Key Lime Pie for dessert at Cappy’s Restaurant. Snag a spot on the patio to enjoy Pozole, Pollo En Crema Poblana, or Enchiladas De Mole at Paloma Blanca Mexican Cuisine. Or try the Spaghetti Al Pomodoro or grab a slice of authentic Margherita or Vegetarian Pizza at Sorrento Pizza & Restaurant.
Great Northwest
- Home Price: $119,009 median purchase price; $1,081 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 42% of Texas cities
Want a neighborhood that offers an escape from the big city? Great Northwest is affordable, one of the largest neighborhoods in San Antonio, and excellent for families. Not only can you find affordable three-bedroom Ranch houses with spacious yards, but Great Northwest is also home to top-notch schools like Knowlton Elementary School and Timberwilde Elementary School. Great Northwest residents are neighborly and build up their community through involvement in their homeowner’s association (the second-largest HOA in Texas!) and annual events like the Memorial Day BBQ and Halloween House Contest.
Things to Do in Great Northwest
Volunteer, play tennis, or attend regular events like book clubs and line dancing classes at the Great Northwest Community Improvement Association. Check out books, read in the outdoor Freedom of Expression Area, and attend fun crafting programs and events like Teen Time at the Great Northwest Library. Splash in the pool, bring your kids to the playground and enjoy all the peaceful shade trees at Kuwamura Park. Let your dog play in the dog park, practice your skills at the skate park, or take a walk at Perez Park. Wake up to Donut Holes, Cinnamon Rolls, or a Breakfast Croissant Sandwich at ST Donuts.—or grab a snack of Muffin Tops and a Shake or Latte from Brevity Coffee Co. Enjoy African meals with a Caribbean twist in dishes like Meat Pie, Chicken Pepper Soup, or Grilled Tilapia Peri-Peri at Kobams Grill. Or enjoy a night away from the little ones with Spinach Artichoke Dip and a beer brewed on site like The Ripper or Whirlwind Thru Citra at Mad Pecker Brewing Co.
Oak Park-Northwood
- Home Price: $278,430 median purchase price; $431 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 45% of Texas cities
Conveniently located off I-410 and within ten minutes of San Antonio International Airport, Oak Park-Northwood is an ideal place to settle down if you take frequent business trips or weekend family getaways. However, location isn’t this excellent neighborhood’s only appeal for local families—it’s also one of the most affordable, safest neighborhoods in San Antonio! Oak Park-Northwood boasts plenty of ranches and single-family homes in Mid-Century Modern and Contemporary styles, and quite a few residents have even extended their houses with additions. Great schools like Northwood Elementary School and Alamo Heights Junior School, family-friendly activities, restaurants, and fun events like holiday celebrations—organized by the Oak Park-Northwood Neighborhood Association—are also major draws to the area.
Things to Do in Oak Park-Northwood
Attend an Open House or volunteer to explore the fascinating underground world of Robber Baron Cave. Enjoy the sunshine, play softball, and throw a party in the pavilion at Northridge Park. Read, check out books from the large art and Spanish collections, and catch cool events like Robots at Tobin and Read to a Dog at Tobin Library at Oakwell. Bowl, join a league, and munch on pizza or burgers at Astro Super Bowl. Order up the Half Rack Ribs, Fried Fantail Shrimp, or Pizzazz Apple Cobbler for dessert by costumed “pop culture icons of the past, present, and future” at Magic Time Machine. Sit down to Tex-Mex dishes like Guero Guapo Especial or the Taco Plate with a Frozen Margarita at La Fonda Alamo Heights. Order the Sausage Plate, a Brisket Sandwich, or Chicken Leg in a casual, fixed-up old filling station at The Barbecue Station. Or admire Western-style decor while indulging in Bacon Wrapped Chicken Poppers, a Rib Eye, or Mesquite Grilled Salmon at The Barn Door Restaurant.
Stone Oak
- Home Price: $293,240 median purchase price; $1,368 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 31% of Texas cities
If you want to live in an area that feels luxurious without the hefty price tag, Stone Oak may be for you! This San Antonio neighborhood is well-landscaped, with large yards and many beautiful oak trees. Stone Oak is a charming planned community with distinct houses, including garden homes, single-family residences, and golf properties that were mostly built in the 1990s. Families love this neighborhood for its green spaces, public art, great schools like Stone Oak Elementary School and Reagan High School, and easy access to quality healthcare at Methodist Hospital Stone Oak and North Central Baptist Hospital.
Things to Do in Stone Oak
Explore the indoor playground, play games, and attend movie nights at Maui Maui Kids Play Island. Check out books, utilize the childrens area and teen center, and attend Spanish Story Time and Family Story Time at Parman Library. Hike the trails, see public art, and throw a frisbee at Stone Oak Park. Dive into the pool, take golf lessons, and grab brunch or dinner at The Club At Sonterra. Grab a Cafe de Olla, Concha Latte, or a Turkey Pesto Sandwich for lunch at Pan & Coffee. Try a traditional Mexican dish of Papa Ranchera Tacos or Caldo de Pollo with In-House Fresh Squeezed Lemonade at Camila’s Mexican Restaurant. Get the Deluxe A.Y.C.E., Tako-Yaki, or Jap Chae at Hon Machi Korean BBQ. Or sample a blend of traditional and modern Japanese flavors with Fried Soft Shell Crab, a Colorful Roll, or Yaki Udon at Toroko Sushi.
Terrell Hills
- Home Price: $635,100 median purchase price; $1,542 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 69% of Texas cities
If safety is at the top of your neighborhood must-have list, look no further than Terrell Hills—one of the safest neighborhoods in San Antonio! Here, it’s common to see residents taking walks, riding bikes, and spending time outdoors with their families. Though Terrell Hills comes with higher prices, the area is desirable for families—thanks to its friendly, suburban feel, highly-rated schools like St. David’s Episcopal School and Southwest Preparatory School, and convenient location just 15 minutes from downtown. And just ten minutes away is the Culinary Institute of America-Texas Campus and Trinity University for growing and established professionals, as well as the San Antonio Zoo!
Things to Do in Terrell Hills
Enjoy the fresh air, playground, and events like the Easter Egg Hunt and Pictures with Santa Claus at neighborhood parks like Esplanade on Geneseo and Crestwood Park. Swim, play a round of golf, or hit the tennis courts at San Antonio Country Club, which has been operating since 1904. Walk among fresh blooms in the Kumamoto En Japanese Garden, do some bird-watching, and learn from the Living Classroom at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Explore South Texas Heritage and history in permanent galleries and rotating exhibits like the San Jose Tiles and Fiesta: A World of Inspiration at the Witte Museum. Refuel with an Italian Shaken Espresso or Cappuccino and a snack from the weekly rotating menu like a Honey Dripper Cheesecake Jar at Laika Cheesecake & Espresso. Try homey Puerto Rican dishes like a Pernil Sandwich, Grilled Chicken Mofongo, or Pork Chop Duofongo at El Pilon Sabor Boricua. Order Thai favorites like Pan Fried Dumplings, Crab Corn Soup, or Honey Pecan Shrimp at Tong’s Thai Restaurant. Or enjoy traditional Korean meals like Seafood Pancakes, Beef Bulgogi, or Jjamppong at Koreana Restaurant.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
