Best Places to Buy a Home in San Antonio

Looking for the best place to buy a home in San Antonio? Whether you’re already living in Alamo City or are moving to Texas from out of state, you’ll be glad to hear that the San Antonio real estate market is one the best in the nation! Here are the five best neighborhoods in San Antonio for buying a house!

• Alamo Heights
• Helotes
• Northwest Crossing
• Stone Oak
• Windcrest

Alamo Heights

Photo via @papermoonpainting

• Home Price: $513,900 median purchase price
• Crime Rate: Safer than 66% of Texas cities
• Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

With its scenic tree-lined streets, fascinating historic sites, and gorgeous properties in styles ranging from Renaissance Revival to Art Deco and more, Alamo Heights is definitely among the best places to buy a home in San Antonio. This older neighborhood is currently experiencing a strong buyers market and is a great choice for families, as well as singles and young professionals. In addition to good walkability, abundant green spaces and things to do, and some of San Antonio’s best restaurants, Alamo Heights boasts practical amenities like a top-notch school district. Parents can feel confident sending their children to excellent schools like Cambridge Elementary and Alamo Heights High School. To top it all off, Alamo Heights is centrally located and within 15 minutes of the city center!

Things to Do in Alamo Heights

Marvel at the impressive McNay collection—which includes more than 22,000 paintings, sculptures, and installations—at Texas’ first museum of modern art, McNay Art Museum. Hike, birdwatch, or enjoy a bike ride through the scenic Jack Judson Nature Trails. Visit the historic Blue Hole and see other natural wonders at the 53-acre nature preserve Headwaters at Incarnate Word. Let four-legged pals run free and make new friends at Bark Park of Alamo Heights. Get dressed up and enjoy a fine dining experience with entrees like Wild Isles Salmon or Mustang Chicken at Cappy’s Restaurant. Fulfill your sushi cravings with signature rolls like the Crunchy Tuna Roll and the Lobster Roll at Piranha Killer Sushi. Share a San Antonio Fiesta Pizza or get a plate of Manicotti for yourself at Sorrento’s Italiano Ristorante. Or dig in to Mexican fare like Grilled Fish Tacos (voted the best fish tacos in San Antonio) at the Guy Fieri-approved Beto’s Alt-Mex.

Helotes

Photo via @danbender.cb

• Home Price: $273,000 median purchase price
• Crime Rate: Safer than 92% of Texas cities
• Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Located on the edge of San Antonio just on the cusp of Texas’ beautiful Hill Country, the suburb of Helotes offers a balance of nature and activity that’s ideal for everyone from seasoned city dwellers to former small-town folks. Helotes is one of the best suburbs of San Antonio to raise a family, start a career, or enjoy your retirement, thanks to its exceedingly low crime rate and lower-than-average unemployment rate. Modern Colonial and Tudor-style homes are some of the most common architectural styles in the suburb, but there are a number of other aesthetics on the market, too. Of course, Helotes has much more than just these great amenities—this attractive San Antonio suburb has great schools like Helotes Elementary School and Sandra Day O’Connor High School, as well as a variety of annual festivals like Cornyval.

Things to Do in Helotes

See 110-million year old dinosaur footprints, participate in ranger-led programs, or simply go for a hike on the more than 40 miles of trails at Government Canyon State Natural Area. Go ziplining through the stunning Texas landscape at Helotes Hill Country Ziplines. Admire beautiful art in a cozy, low-key setting or take some art classes and learn how to make your own masterpieces at Helotes Gallery. Cut a rug and listen to live music from country to rock at John T Floore’s Country Store. Wake up right with a breakfast of Homemade Biscuits & Gravy or a Waffle Plate at The Cracked Mug. Order a tray of BBQ favorites like Sweet Tea Glazed Ribs or Jalapeno Sausage Links and beyond at B-Daddy’s Barbeque. Treat your tastebuds to Hamburgers, Chili Cheeseburgers, Hand Cut Fries, and other American classics at Babe’s Old Fashioned Food. Or savor some Italian favorites like Chicken Piccata and Fettuccine Alfredo with Bruschetta at Casa Pasta.

Northwest Crossing

Photo via @rob_lenza_real_estate

• Home Price: $127,582 median purchase price
• Crime Rate: Safer than 44% of Texas cities
• Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families, retirees

Northwest Crossing is another top neighborhood in San Antonio for home buyers! With affordable real estate, spacious residential areas, a number of local parks, and housing options ranging from ranch-style homes to large Craftsman houses, Northwest Crossing is an ideal spot for San Antonio residents of all lifestyles who are looking to settle down. Loop 1604 is located on the neighborhood’s western border, providing quick access to prominent area employers like Valero and the San Antonio Medical Center, as well as easy commutes into the city center. Not to mention, families will be happy to know that the neighborhood provides excellent schools like Northwest Crossing Elementary School and John B Connally Middle School.

Things to Do in Northwest Crossing

Play a round of tennis, go swimming in the pool, or enroll your kids in youth soccer at Northwest Crossing Association Sportsplex. Stretch your legs and take in the scenery on a hike, jog, or bike ride on Terra Oak Trailhead. See blockbuster hits laser-projected on the big screen, compete in some laser tag, go bowling, or play in the arcade at Santikos Casa Blanca. Get cozy with a Cappuccino, a freshly baked pastry, and a good book at Coffee Me Crazy. Dig into weekly specials like Anaheim Chile Relleno Burritos or Caldo de Camaron at El Buen Gusto Mexican Cafe. Cheer on your favorite team while you enjoy a Veggie Calzone, Chicken Wings, or a plate of Mozzarella Sticks at Halftime Pizza. Or snag a table at Lee’s Kitchen, where they serve delicious Chinese entrees like Chicken Lo Mein and Egg Foo Young.

Stone Oak

Photo via @crutchfieldrosario

• Home Price: $293,240 median purchase price
• Crime Rate: Safer than 27% of Texas cities
• Perfect For: Singles, young professionals, families

Shopping destinations, green spaces, quick access to Downtown San Antonio, and a bounty of other excellent amenities await in Stone Oak! As one of the fastest-growing and best San Antonio neighborhoods to buy a home, Stone Oak is a popular choice among singles, young professionals, and families. Employment opportunities in healthcare and finance are available in this bustling San Antonio neighborhood with employers like Methodist Hospital Stone Oak and JPMorgan Chase & Co. There are also great schools in Stone Oak like Stone Oak Middle School and Barbara Bush Middle School. As for the area’s housing, properties are large and consist of both contemporary and traditional multi-story brick homes.

Things to Do in Stone Oak

Test your problem-solving skills with one of the games at Extreme Escape Stone Oak. Take Fido to Panther Springs Dog Park to frolic, run, and play. Exercise at the fitness stations, enjoy the views, or just unwind at Stone Oak Park. Shop for one-of-a-kind, homemade crafts and refurbished furniture including vintage decor, collectibles, and more at Homestead Handcrafts. Savor a delicious Trilogy Triple Burger or get your vegetarian burger fix with a Black Bean Veggie Burger at Trilogy Burger Bistro. Try Korean favorites like Beef Bulgogi or Japanese fare like Yellow Tail Sashimi at Sushi Express. Dine on comfort foods like BBQ Chicken Pizza or Parmesan Shrimp Pasta at Embers Wood Fire Kitchen & Tap. Get authentic Mexican plates like Picadillo and Carnita En Salsa Verde at Gorditas Doña Tota. Or check out the local nightlife while sipping on a City Orchard Silver Tip Cider at The Happy Monk.

Windcrest

Photo via @brightandearlyproductions

• Home Price: $171,800 median purchase price
• Crime Rate: Safer than 25% of Texas cities
• Perfect For: Families, retirees

Windcrest—another of the best places to buy a house in San Antonio—is perhaps best known for its beloved annual Windcrest Light Up festival. But events like this aren’t the only thing this great San Antonio suburb has to its name! Restaurants, parks, and other amenities can be found within its borders, too. There are plenty of all-ages activities to enjoy in Windcrest, as well as practical benefits like a strong job market and high-quality schools like Windcrest Elementary School or nearby Theodore Roosevelt High School. In addition, you can find a variety of real estate options in this suburb, including ranch-style and Colonial properties.

Things to Do in Windcrest

Play pick-up basketball, hang out and play cards in the gazebo, or just enjoy the sunshine at the 12-acre Takas Park. Book a time to tee off on the unique nine-hole Windcrest Golf Club. Cool off in the summertime and splash around at Windcrest Pool. Take some laps while a DJ spins tracks around Skateland East skating rink. Eat your fill of Baked Ribs and Cornbread or get an Oxtail Plate and other rib-sticking dishes at Mrs. Kitchen Soul Food Restaurant. Spice things up with Caribbean flavors with an order of Jerk Chicken or Curry Goat from Little Jamaica Foods. Grab a casual yet mouthwatering meal of Jalisco-style Mexican food like Carne Guisada Tortas or Barbacoa Tacos at Taqueria Garibaldi. Or try incredible Vietnamese dishes like Bahn Mi and Spring Rolls at Pho Hai An—and take a fresh baguette home with you!

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Neighborhood & suburb statistics from AreaVibes