Historically, San Antonio's South Side has been the site of industry. The area was known for being the home of many blue-collar workers who worked in the nearby oil fields. As one of the few places where San Antonio real estate was cheap, many of the families who live in the South Side made the choice to purchase housing they could afford to own rather than go into debt living in a part of the city where real estate rates are as high as the tallest skyscrapers.
Of course, the downside of living on the city's fringes was the lack of amenities. The nearest grocery stores were a few miles away, the public school districts were notoriously bad, and to top it all off, the south end has two of the city's three sewage treatment facilities, giving all that clean rural air a distinctly less clean odor.
However, in the past few years, this neighborhood has been turning itself around. With the population in San Antonio rising, the demand for new, affordable housing has increased, providing neighborhoods like the ones in South San Antonio with an opportunity to shape up.
Freshly Developed South Side Real Estate
One prime example is the community of Mission del Lagos. For those who might be unfamiliar, Mission del Lago is a master-planned community built around the Mission del Lago golf course. In 2014, the construction company SouthStar bought Mission del Lago. Since then, they have built 300 homes and plan on adding an additional 1,500 over the next eight years. That's more than two dozen single-family neighborhoods.
Family-oriented, the community has its own on-site elementary school, freshly minted sidewalks, and fenced backyards perfect for children to play. Furthermore, the community borders a natural wonderland, the 1,200-acre Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. The bird conservation center has an impressive lake and an informative educational facility.
In an interview with the San Antonio Express-News, Mission del Lago resident Yvonne Brinkley noted that though the neighborhood is new, it already has a strong sense of community. She also mentioned how much she appreciated the balance the area strikes between urban and rural. Only ten minutes from basic amenities, the subdivision is surrounded by fields full of bobbing heads of grass and endless blue skies.
Recent Construction
Despite this, Mission del Lago is far from the only site of recent development. In addition to the Mission del Lagos subdivision, SouthStar has helped develop eight master-planned communities throughout Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas. They are just one of many contracting companies jumping on this opportunity.
Verano Land Group is currently expanding into Texas A&M University and the surrounding region. KB Homes recently developed The Reserve at Southton Ranch, an upscale residential community located just off the IH-37. Pearsall Park, located in the southwest, recently acquired an additional 268 acres and transformed what used to be a landfill into a 505-acre park that has an impressive range of things to do, including playgrounds, adult fitness equipment areas, and a splash park.
So, discard that notion that southern San Antonio isn't worth investing your time and money in. Explore the developing neighborhoods and see how your lifestyle as a working professional, a busy parent, or a first-time homebuyer might fit into this exciting new area. Weigh the benefits of buying a recently constructed home against the risks of buying an old house rife with unreliable wiring, worn-out appliances, and tired interiors. Consider that if you've been searching for a quiet residence that pays daily homage to Texas' rural roots, perhaps a home in the south end is for you.
A region transformed, South Side real estate has a lot to offer.
To get expert advice and to view the finest in Southern San Antonio homes for sale, contact JB Goodwin REALTORS® today.
