The 7 Best Family Friendly Neighborhoods In San Antonio

Heather Robbins
by Heather Robbins

Everything is bigger in Texas; however, Texas is the second-largest state in the United States. There are some large iconic places in Texas that a lot of people would consider visiting and even moving to. The lone star state is well known for cities like Houston and Dallas. Next to these cities is one of the fastest-growing and second-largest in the state, San Antonio.

The most family-friendly neighborhoods in San Antonio are:

  • Olmo Park
  • Terrell Hills
  • Alamo Heights
  • Timberwood Park
  • Hollywood Park
  • Fair Oaks Ranch
  • Garden Ranch 

If you are considering relocating your household, San Antonio is regarded as a very family-friendly area. If you are in the military and are being relocated to the area, you have very little to worry about. Living here is probably the most ideal place to move your family to. There are a lot of neighborhoods that have maintained a small-town charm with enormous city benefits.

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Why Do People Move To San Antonio?

There are many reasons to consider San Antonio as your new home. It is an enchanting place to live with unique ethnicity. It is even considered a “melting pot” for the cultures there, but it is also a very historic city and provides a lot of scenery. Furthermore, it has a richness of sunshine, which lasts for over half of the year.

Relaxation

If you are one to enjoy the outdoors and breathe in the fresh air, there are many opportunities to do this in San Antonio. Apart from the amusement parks and the zoo, there are many gorgeous green parks to choose from.

For instance, Brackenridge Park is about 350-acres of greenery, and The River Walk, which is 30-miles of boat rides, outdoor activities, and fine dining.

Affordable Housing

The average cost of real estate in San Antonio is around $176,000, 29% lower than that of the national average. However, with more families realizing the advantages of the San Antonio area, the housing market has been steadily rising over the years.

Regardless of this, you can still find very affordable housing under $200,000 in most areas. Of course, if you wish to have a more grandeur home, there are some areas that can be more expensive.

Job Opportunities

There are many jobs available in the San Antonio area that include healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Within a year, from 2016 to 2017, San Antonio added almost 30,000 jobs to the community, which was a 3% growth rate for jobs.

San Antonio maintains an unemployment rate below the national average. Many looking to start with their families have the utmost advantage with affordable housing and available jobs.

Lower Income Taxes

Everyone wants to save money on taxes, and living in San Antonio can help you with that. Texas does not have a state income tax and lower real estate costs. The cost of living in San Antonio though 13.3% less than in other areas like Dallas.

Unfortunately, some of these taxes are made up with higher sales tax, around 8%, but this is still significantly lower than other states.

Things to Do

San Antonio is a very historic area, and there are a lot of places to explore to learn about different cultures and experience history. One key place to visit, and is one of the most visited landmarks, is The Alamo. It was a battle that was in 1836, which was a turning point in the Texas Revolution.

In addition to history, there are a lot of sporting events to enjoy in San Antonio. Even though the second-largest city in Texas does not have an NFL team, there are many other sports to enjoy. There are the NBA champions, San Antonio Spurs, and a Minor League Baseball team, San Antonio Missions. If you are feeling a little rowdy, you can always join the millions of fans at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo.

7 Best Family Neighborhoods In San Antonio, Texas

If you’ve decided that the San Antonio area is for you and your family, then here are the seven most family-friendly neighborhoods within the beautiful state.

1. Olmos Park

  • Population: 1,832
  • Crime Rate (per 100,000 people): 1,291
  • Livability: 88/100

Olmos Park is considered one of the finest communities to live within the San Antonio, Texas, area. It is a suburban neighborhood that offers a plethora of businesses, including coffee shops and restaurants, most of which provide ethnic specialties and gourmet meals.

In addition, it even has four major park areas that hold social events throughout the year, which includes a fourth of July parade. Olmos Park has a highly rated school system, which is part of the Alamo Heights School District. There is no doubt that this community is well sought after by many families.

Additional Benefits:

  • School Rating: A+
  • Graduation Rating: 97%
  • Amenities Rating: A+

2. Terrell Hills

  • Population: 5,371
  • Crime Rate (per 100,000 people): 1,547
  • Livability: 87/100

Terrell Hills was named after Fredrick Terrell, who was a citizen during the 1920s that inspired residential growth in the area. Back in the 1930s, the community was much smaller than it was today, only have one business and a population of 1,236.

Located approximately five miles northeast of downtown, Terrel Hills is considered part of a Tri-City area along with Alamo Heights and Olmos Park. It is very prominent and well known for its historical residents and gallant estates. It is an attractive part of town and has fantastic curb appeal and unparalleled amenities.

Additional Benefits:

  • School Rating: A+
  • Graduation Rating: 99%
  • Amenities Rating: A

3. Alamo Heights

  • Population: 8,614
  • Crime Rate (per 100,000 people): 1,862
  • Livability: 86/100

Found in central San Antonio, Alamo Heights is a top-notch neighborhood that goes above and beyond to meet a higher standard for its residents. It is within five miles of downtown San Antonio and has fantastic restaurants and a top-rated school district, who take pride in their athletic department.

With this neighborhood being so close to the downtown area, it has appealed to homeowners for years. It provides easy access to business centers as well as museums and airports. These necessary amenities and the excellent atmosphere provided to residents make this a neighbor people want to raise their families.

Additional Benefits:

  • School Rating: A+
  • Graduation Rating: 97%
  • Amenities Rating: A+

4. Timberwood Park

  • Population: 24,978
  • Crime Rate (per 100,000 people): 1,214
  • Livability: 81/100

Timberwood Park is located north of San Antonio above Alamo City. It is one of the largest neighborhoods not only in population but it spans over 2,200 acres. This neighborhood provides an oasis away from the busy streets of the city. It boasts in the beauty of its oak trees and has a lot of pleasant wildlife.

It is a custom-built neighborhood that is highly regarded. It offers incredible amenities such as a clubhouse with a swimming pool, picnic areas, a 30-acre park, and a 7-acre lake for fishing. The school district, both private and public systems, receive “exemplary” rates and the test scores exceed other schools in the state.

Additional Benefits:

  • School Rating: A+
  • Graduation Rating: 93%
  • -Amenities Rating: D

5. Hollywood Park

  • Population: 3,342
  • Crime Rate (per 100,000 people): 1,028
  • Livability: 81/100

Incorporated in 1955, this tiny neighborhood grew from a population of 783 in the 1960s to over 2,000 in ten years. The neighborhood has over 3,000 people, which only shows the type of prestigious community it has to offer to families.

Located just twelve miles from downtown San Antonio in Bexar County, there is a lot of opportunities for families to grow here. It is part of the Greater San Antonio area, which includes major shopping districts and restaurants. There is also a park available to families, as well as a clubhouse that has a pool.

Additional Benefits:

  • School Rating: A
  • Graduation Rating: 93.5%
  • Amenities Rating: A+

6. Fair Oaks Ranch

  • Population: 10,042
  • Crime Rate (per 100,000 people): 335
  • Livability: 78/100

Fair Oaks Ranch is a suburb found in Bexar County, northwest of San Antonio, Texas. It is a community that a lot of homeowners are looking for with its elegant homes and breathtaking atmosphere. Over the past ten years, the area has seen extraordinary growth, primarily due to Dale Pearson.

Dale Pearson is the owner of NWSA Reality in Fair Oaks, and he has taken note of the neighborhood’s diversity and the sense of community it offers. The neighborhood offers beautiful trails and parks and provides a resourcefully ran city government that maintains a peaceful and welcoming neighborhood.

Additional Benefits:

  • School Rating: A+
  • Graduation Rating: 95.4%
  • Amenities Rating: F

7. Garden Ridge

  • Population: 4,130
  • Crime Rate (per 100,000 people): 873
  • Livability: 70/100

Founded in 1972, Garden Ridge is a tight-knit community that started with only 230 residents. It was the first town to be incorporated in the county since 1845. Due to its location and high-end estates, the population quickly grew over the years.

Garden Ridge is considered a haven and is found on the northeast point of San Antonio. It is a bit of a “hidden gem” for many residents. It is located on the Bexar and Guadalupe county lines. This peaceful gated community offers a highly rated school district and is a perfect place for families, especially military families, with it being so close to Randolf AFB.

Additional Benefits:

  • School Rating: A+
  • Graduation Rating: 96%
  • Amenities Rating: D+

Where Should I Not Live in San Antonio?

When moving to San Antonio with your family, it’s important that you know which areas of the city should be avoided. Although the crime rates are high, this is very common with major cities and does not mean that all of San Antonio is a crime-infested wasteland. Like most major metropolitan areas that have issues with high crime rates, the crime tends to exist in pockets.

So long as you know which areas to avoid, you will ensure the safety of yourself, your property, and your family. Though, with more than 30 neighborhoods and suburb areas in San Antonio, it can be difficult to weed out the bad eggs. So, here’s our list of the top 10 most dangerous neighborhoods in San Antonio for 2022, based on FBI crime statistics:

  • Wheatley Heights – total crime is 373% higher than the city average.
  • Villa de San Antonio – total crime is 366% higher than the city average.
  • Eastwood Village – total crime is 365% higher than the city average.
  • Denver Heights – total crime is 331% higher than the city average.
  • Nevada Street – total crime is 326% higher than the city average.
  • East Terrell Hills – total crime is 317% higher than the city average.
  • Mission San Jose – total crime is 299% higher than the city average.
  • Thompson Community – total crime is 273% higher than the city average.
  • Cable-Westwood – total crime is 272% higher than the city average.
  • Pecan Valley – total crime is 254% higher than the city average.

With crime rates this high, it’s easy to see why these areas should be avoided and certainly enough evidence to warrant not settling any of these places with your family.

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Is San Antonio A Good Place for Families?

Based on a ranking by Homes.com in 2018, San Antonio was considered the 5th best city in the nation to raise a family. It received such a stellar rating because of its cost of living, parks, and schools.

San Antonio is a beautiful city, and like any other, it has both good and bad places. By choosing one of the neighborhoods that we have set out for you above, you can ensure that your family is safe in a nice, family-friendly neighborhood.

There are excellent schools and amenities as well in these neighborhoods. Of course, the one you choose will ultimately depend on you and your family’s needs and personal tastes. We hope this article helped!

Heather Robbins
Heather Robbins

Heather is a passionate writer who loves anything DIY. Growing up, she learned everything from home repairs to design, and wants to share her tips with you. When she's not writing, she's usually hiking or searching for her next DIY project.

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