Looking for Advice from San Antonio Moms

Braundera YMCA
Sea World - membership
SA Zoo - membership
Dr. Craig Kuebker ###-###-#### (or the Muellers - same office)

281/1604 is a great area but horrible traffic. I live passed I10/1604 - same thing but bad traffic (not as horrible as 281). I would move over to 281 area though. Very nice.

I don't know where you're moving from. But, I love San Antonio! Welcome.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Brackenridge park, where the zoo is located. The river runs through it, lots of hike and bike trails, a playground, sports facilities, the beautiful and FREE Japanese sunken gardens, and of course the kiddie train.

Also the kiddie park on Broadway, a little south of the Witte museum. It's the oldest amusement park in San Antonio. The rides are geriatric, but little kids love it.

M.,

1.We use Northeast Pediatric Assoc. in Stone Oak. Dr. Pauli is our doctor, but Dr. Dooley saw my daughter when she was born. Both are men, have a good bedside manner, and are fairly conservative in their practice.
2. McAllister Park is home to baseball and soccer fields as well as a dog park and playgrounds. You might look at the boundaries if your daughter is interested in sports. I am pretty sure Stone Oak is included.
3. I agree with most that housing is an issue because of the congestion. We live in Hidden Forest. It is off of 281 in between Bitters and Blanco. Houses range from 150's to 250's. It is an older neighborhood that backs up to Hollywood Park and Hill Country Village. The houses are older, but the neighborhood is worth it. The elementary school is in the neighborhood itself with only about 4 classes per grade level. There are usually several rent houses available.
4. I guess the others don't do sports. We have a local YMCA called Mays Family YMCA. They offer sports, a gym and lots of other activities. You can look it up on the web. It is on Blanco Rd. outside of 1604. Traffic does get bad out there, but is is doable.
5. I am a kinder teacher and both my boys went to Coker Methodist Mother's Day Out and Day School. However, there are several local churches that offer these. Also, Rainbow Station in Stone Oak and the Jewish Community Center offer wonderful programs.
6. Avoid 281 and 1604. The roads are going to be tolled and they population overgrowth is crazy. In the 13 years we have been here, we have seen it go from country to mass development. We like our little hidden treasure. I hope you find yours.

J. Gearhart

M.,
I own an indoor playroom called Party Station. The website is www.mypartystation.com. If your daughter is of the good age here, I would love for you to come out and take a look around.
Good luck

1) NW Pediatric Associates ###-###-####
2) Hiking in eisenhower park, SA Zoo, SA Children's Museum, dinosaur tracks in Boerne. see texastrails.org
3)There are nice apartments at 1604 and Military and Military and Huebner, behind HEB
4)The JCC is the best deal in town. Awesome pool, hiking trails, very open and welcoming. $25/month swim team is dreamy.
jccsanantonio.org
5) see early childhood development at jccsanantonio.org or call ###-###-####. My kids love it.
6) UTHSC Dental School Faculty Practice is great for adults and kids. WNBA games are fun. Minor league baseball games are fun. Seaworld, trips to the children's museum and Landa Park in New Braunfels for the train rides and German food...

Welcome to the area. We moved here 3 years ago, and have found San Antonio to be very family-friendly and welcoming of newcomers.

1. I'm also still looking, however Tejas Peds are right next door, I'll probably look into that. There is also Grey Family Med next to that. They are a conseirge office. (They make house and office calls, as well as walk-ins and appointments. I'm torn)
2. We love Inflatable Wonderland in Rolling Oaks mall. Tue and Thur are half price($5). Sea World season passes are worth every dime! We spend much of our time there and if you buy a pass now they are good now through Dec 09/parking included! We also love the children's museum downtown. THe River Walk is beautiful and family friendly, but not stroller friendly, as there are a lot of stairs. The boat tours are fun too. We also love tubing in New Braunfels and boating on Canyon Lake. We have also hooked up with a great SAHM's group. They have something to do nearly every day, and they are such a great group of gals. I am also thinking of starting a play group at our apartments.
http://playgroup.meetup.com/1089/pages/About_this_Meetup/
3. We are in the Estates at Canyon Ridge apartment homes.
http://www.estatesatcanyonridge.com/index.php
They are running all kinds of specials and have a fantastic pool for all ages. Every apartment has a garage and they are almost all brand new. They are also right next door to Canyon Ridge Elementary and within walking distance to Stone Oak Park which has a playscape and walking trails. Walk in the other direction and you have just about any shop that you could need. It is just north of 1604/281 junction. We looked around a lot and did not want the hassel of a whole house situation, but these apartments are as big as a house and they do all of the work for you. We just sold our house and I will never go back. Do not, DO NOT rent from the Retreat at Canyon Ridge. We just moved from there and they do not maintain the place at all. Most people don't want to live in Stone Oak because of the traffic, but it is no better through the rest of the city. Their are a couple of stop lights that slow traffic a bit, but not like everyone says, maybe 10min max and the traffic on 1604 is always much worse. I don't mind it for the aminities, beauty and safety of the area.
4. I'm not familiar with YMCA, but there are tons of classes of every kind availible for preschoolers in the Stone Oak area
5. I'm a SAHM, so little one isn't in preschool this year. Sorry, no clue on this one. I had a daycare before moving here, so we have just continued that.
6. I'm still finding my way around the place. We just moved here from Indiana in Feb for my husband's new job. We had a 2week notice also, so I feel your pain. How old is your daughter? Mine is 3 yrs. Feel free to contact me with any other questions, or if you would like a partner to explore the city. We just love it here. There is always something to do, everyone is so nice and helpful too. Especailly the gals on this board. Welcome to SA!

I think most everyone else has answered most of your questions. I don't know about the Stone Oak area but there is a new YMCA on the NW side. It's off of Bandera and Braun Oaks. It just opened the pool and splash park last month. My family loves going-kids for the childwatch and me for the classes.

Morning M.;

I have only one suggestion>>>stay away from 1604 and 281!
That is going to be the worse traffic nightmare for the next
5 years.
Since you are renting, why not look in the Alamo Heights
area, I've seen some signs for house rentals there and it
is a good school district, also close to the Quarry and
a lot of other things, the zoo, the park ect.!
Good Luck,
And Welcome to San Antonio,
B. C

Hi! I'd say check out Windcrest. It's a little city with its own fire dept and police station. It has that small town feel right in the middle os San Antonio. It is very centrally located for family activities like the zoo and the botanical gardens, plus newer places like Jump and Bounce. A HUGE YMCA is being built on Walzem that should open next month I think. I grew up in Alamo Heights and live here as an adult. I could go on forever about the things I love about Windcrest but a few are: all streets are 20 mph which makes them perfect for walks and bike rides, we have two duck ponds and a community park, a golf coarse and a community pool, and every year the entire city has a Christmas decorating contest in which almost everyone participates! There is such a sense of community here. I hope you'll check Windcrest ut, it's quite a hidden gem. Also, I use NE ped. Dr. Ornes and I love it as much as everyone has said.

I absolutely would stay away from Stone Ranch at Westover. I hadn't moved here yet and my husband was in the hospital with H1N1 and with his high fever he was deathly ill. He was admitted to the hospital through the ER and called and left a message with the Property Manager as soon as he was admitted that day which was two days prior to the 1st of the month and wanted to let them know he was quarantined (could have no visitors) and couldn't speak on the phone because his speech was so slurred but he did leave the message before they began the antibiotics and morphine to let them know his rent would be a few days late. He had lived there 6 months and never late with rent. They called him on the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th of the month wanting him to pay rent. He said he was not allowed to leave the room and I wasn't working so I couldn't pay it for him and I wasn't on his account in Texas. He told them he would be getting out soon and would pay the late fee but he couldn't hardly stand up and because he couldn't have visitors there was no one from church he could write give his debit card to to get the money out for him. Where we live they give you a ten day grace period and don't evict people because they are late one time. We were in good standing....no noise complaints very quiet people. When he got home on the 8th there was an eviction notice on the front door and so luckily he sought legal counsel to contest the eviction notice but the court mandates you sent notification certified mail. The mail carrier brought the letters into the office and because the return address was on them THEY REFUSED TO ACCEPT THEM. Totally unprofessional. They always talk openly about their tenants so even prospective tenants can overhear and the mock and make fun of people. Well if you do rent from them, read the fine print, even when your lease is up and you are to give your 30 day notice it says in fine print you have to send your notice via Certified Mail and the Master said they never accept any certified mail. When my husband asked them if their intention was to proceed with evicition even though we didn't owe them anything, the Property Manager said she would not discuss it as it was with their lawyer and when asked what lawyer or firm represents Stone Ranch at Westover Hills she said she didn't have to disclose that. The Better Business Bureau and State's Attorney should get involved. Unfortunately Texas law doesn't protect tenants here with any legimate problems. I own property and I don't want dead beats either but once in a while my tenants have emergencies and if they make me aware immediately their payment will be late I don't have a problem giving them ten days as long as they pay their late payment and it is not a trend. They rent primarily to military personnel who receive a well deserved discount and they have a transfer clause but if you look into the ratings amongst all rental communities around the area, Stone Ranch only as 1 1/2 stars! BEWARE, once you sign on the dotted line, they don't want to deal with you. My husband could never get them to get the ice maker or dishwasher in working condition from the time we moved in. It is sad because the maintenance personnel do an excellent job of taking care of the exterior of the property but the staff is rude and unprofessional. Definitely go elsewhere.

Hi M.. I was born and raised here so you are picking a good place to live. One of the nicer areas of town. As far as traffic, yes it is bad but it is bad everywhere and where it is not it probably is not a desirable place to live at. So please don't let that discourage you. The schools over there are great. People rent apartments over there just so there kid can go to school there.

1. I used to take my kids to the Stone Oak area for a doctor but we moved over to Schertz so I transferred them. There a some good doctors over there.
2. There are a plethura of fun places to go with your daughter, my suggestion would be to join the meetup group and they will take it from there. They schedule playdates all over the area with fun things to do.
4. YMCA's are normally in the more unfortunate sides of town. Maybe they will move into the nicer areas and people will go but right now we have tg pay for activities that ymca offers unless you want to make the drive to a ymca.
5. Preschools at the churchs are great. I attend Community Bible Church on Gold Canyon and 1604. They have a curriculum there you might like.
You'll love San Antonio and the HEB grocery store. Congratulations.

1. We take our little one to Dr. Gunsberg at Stone Oak Pediatrics and are very happy with her. There are a couple of other Pediatricians in the office and when we had an illness and our Dr. was out of town, we got to visit with them and were very happy with them as well. They are also great about working with insurance and refiling when necessary etc.
2. The public libraries have lots of activities. The McNay and San Antonio Art Museum have 1 afternoon/evening a week that they do not charge admission and are pretty family friendly too. There are also plenty of Mommy&Me type activities around town: Little Gym, Kindermusik, Gymboree, etc. etc.
3. STAY INSIDE 1604!!! The traffic on 281 N of 1604 is AWFUL. From 1604 to Stone Oak (the 3rd stoplight N on 281) is basically rush hour traffic from 2:45-6:45 every day. It can take up to 30 minutes just to get from 1604 to Encino Rio (the first stoplight). There are only 2 or 3 back roads that you can take: Stone Oak on the west (with a million stop signs. ick), Bulverde on the east (which backs up worse than 281 since they opened Johnson H.S. this year without finishing road construction), and Green Mountain even further east(almost all the way to Nacodoches/Rolling Oaks mall...so an extra 5 or 6 miles) We just moved to O'Conner inside 1604 to get away from the traffic and now get home as much as 45 minutes quicker, especially during rush hour, even though I take no highways on the way home anymore. We really like our neighborhood too. It's pretty quiet, the elementary and middle schools have good reputations, the neighbors are nice, there's a library and park nearby, etc. So, I would encourage you to check out the Stuebing Ranch, Longs Creek, and Redland Oaks areas.
4. I had heard that a YMCA was supposed to open in the Stone Oak area, but haven't been myself yet.
5. There are several church affiliated preschools in the area: St Thomas Episcopal, Harvest Fellowship, and Trinity Christian all have preschool/grade school programs that are accredited. All three are on 1604 between Stone Oak and O'Conner.
Welcome to San Antonio!!!

Welcome to San Antonio! We moved here last August; however, my husband went to high school here so he is very familiar with the area.

Personally, for us, my husband HATES traffic so he refused to live in Stone Oak or 281/1604 area. I thought it was hopeless to find a house that I liked without living in that area; however, we did find several neighborhoods inside the 1604 loop that we like--Churchill Estates, Deerfield area, Vista Del Norte, Summerfield. We live in Summerfield and LOVE it--it is located at NW Military and Wurzbach. My husband doesn't even get on the highway to go to work! Many people don't consider the above neighborhoods that I mentioned b/c they just moved here and aren't familiar with the area. If I had to live outside the loop I would look in Rogers Park.

As for the YMCA, I have to disagree with that most are in the "unfortunate" parts of town. My son is playing 3 year old soccer at the Mays YMCA in the Stone Oak area. You may look it up on the internet.

My children attend preschool/Mother's Day Out at Cornerstone Church at 1604 and Stone Oak Parkway. They have FABULOUS teachers and they follow a curriculum--numbers, letters, bible stories, ten commandments, writing names, arts, music, etc. My 2 year old already knows her ABCs!! My kids love it there and it is affordable--only $260/month for BOTH of my kids!

Good luch in San Antonio and let me know if you have any other questions--I love to help newbies to the area out!

I agree with Jenn G. We live not far from her and also use NE Pediatrics (Dr. Dooley is our pediatrician). As the other posts stated, if you want to avoid traffic, stay inside 1604. A seven mile drive can take 30 minutes anywhere in the time from 4pm to 7pm. The growth out there is just crazy. Our children also attend Hidden Forest Elementary and it is truly a gem. Jennifer's a teach at another school but knows Hidden Forest inside and out. I trust her judgment.

M.,

I think your question regarding "recommended" areas for housing hinges largely on where your husband will work. There are wonderful "pocket" neighborhoods ALL OVER north San Antonio that might be attractive to you, especially if your husband wants to minimize his commute in light of gas prices.

I am familiar with many neighborhoods inside Loop 1604, because my husband and I searched all of them (LOL) when we were looking to buy. In almost every area, even the very stable, mostly-owned areas, we would run across a few homes for lease. Perhaps you are already familiar with the city? Your Mamasource profile says you are located in San Antonio (?) but I am guessing that is because you are "planning" a move here. Email me if you want to share where your husband will be working (generally) and I might be able to be more specific in terms of areas to check-out.

We live near the Medical Center area, in Oak Hills. GREAT! We love living closer in than 1604 and 281 - and we still have terrific access to freeways that get us ANYWHERE on the north side in 15 to 20 minutes. Like another responder, I used to live in Summerfield and can recommend it. The Jewish Community Center that someone else recommended is virtually next door to Summerfield. One reason that I asked about your familiarity with the city is because there are MORE "gated neighborhoods" here than in any city that I have ever lived. It makes for many small, intimate communities, just spread about everywhere. That is one of the charming aspects of housing, here.

Although not gated, there are many older, architecturally appealing houses and streets in Castle Hills, a township within San Antonio. It is in the Loop 410 & NW Military Hwy area (both north and south of the loop.)

As many responders have suggested, traffic is awful in far north-central SA. We would personally never choose housing at or north of Loop 1604 on either side of Hwy 281. I suggest getting a realtor to show you some lease homes inside the Loop. There are so MANY areas that offer great amenities and all of your other needs will be easily met in almost any of these areas.

Welcome to San Antonio!
K.

I live in the 281 and 1604 area....traffic is horrible...from 1604 North on 281....it takes so much time to get thru that traffic....I would never move into this area again. We have grandchildren and when they have come to visit we have gone to seaworld, the zoo, the witt museum and the SA Botanical garden...and yes they loved the garden...lots of area to move around and a lake to walk around. The last two if you buy a yrly membership you can get in for free the rest of the time. Talk of a toll road on 281 will probably happen in the next couple of yrs....can you imagine the traffic and congestion then? Diane