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Community spotlight: Alamo Heights

The McNay Museum, Alamo Heights / Flickr user Jeff Eaton

Alamo Heights, located in north central Bexar County, is an appealing area for homeowners seeking sense of community and a mounting real estate market. Both hilly and developed, Alamo Heights presents highly rated schools and a budding local business scene intertwined in the peaceful Texas landscape.

Although technically considered a suburban town, Alamo Heights is just over 5 miles from the city center of San Antonio, meaning professionals working downtown can sprawl out in a single-family home without suffering heavy commutes.

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The quaint area off of Highway 281 began as public land in the early 1800s. Substantial expansion didn’t commence until the 1920s, and in 1922 it was voted an independent municipality from San Antonio.

How much does it cost to move to Alamo Heights?

Alamo Heights is well-known for its heavy inventory of homes with character, but that might not appeal to homebuyers looking for ultra-sleek, modern interiors. However, older homes in need of a little love provide the opportunity for a lower list price comparative to the area with wiggle room to upgrade after closing.

Alamo Heights Market Conditions / SABOR

As of June 2016, the median sold price of six properties in Alamo Heights was $369,975 with a year-to-date median sold price of $430,000 from 27 closings, according to the San Antonio Board of Realtors (SABOR).

Average time on the market reached 119 days in June, a 28 percent increase year-over-year. In June 2015, the list-to-close average was 93 days.

There were six closed sales this June, a significant increase from last June’s two closings. Looking at the year-to-date comparison between last year and this year, SABOR shows a 12.5 percent increase, from 24 to 27 homes sold.

Strong family focus, but far from boring

Just over 8,000 residents calls Alamo Heights home, according to the July 2015 population estimate via the U.S. Census Bureau. Almost 80 percent of households are owner-occupied.

Residents are in close distance to numerous San Antonio must-sees, including the McNay Art Museum, Witte Museum, San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium, San Antonio Botanical Garden, Quarry Golf Club and Alamo Quarry Market, in addition to numerous small businesses in the town center.

Japanese Tea Garden / Flickr user Karen

Brackenridge Park, where the zoo and aquarium are located, is 343 acres filled with picnic pavilions, playing fields and various cultural attractions, including the Japanese Tea Garden.

Education holds strong value in Alamo Heights. Over 98 percent of residents over 25 years old have a high school diploma, and over 70 percent hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. The area’s public high school, Alamo Heights High School, holds a little over 1,500 students and has an 8/10 GreatSchools rating.

Alamo Heights Independent School District is one of the most sought after districts in the area, according to Keller Williams San Antonio. Schools within the district are acclaimed for an outstanding curriculum, national rankings for test scores and championship titles from after school sports and clubs.

According to Census data, the median household income is $110,086 – mimicking similar wage levels as nearby Olmos Park. Both towns are considered upscale neighborhoods, attracting well-to-do families and individuals established or retired from a successful career.

Email Jennifer Riner