Many San Antonians would agree that consistent traffic can negatively affect one’s quality of life. Some consider it a primary factor when choosing a new home, but could a slew of other pros make a busy area worth it?
Local realtor John Fatheringham of the Neal & Neal Team at eXp Realty tells MySA that traffic and commute times are becoming more important to buyers, especially among those looking farther west of Loop 1604.
“There’s been a tremendous amount of residential and commercial growth along areas like Potranco and Highway 211, and the roads and infrastructure don’t always seem to grow at the same pace,” Fatheringham said.
Social media users on a local Reddit page asked a similar question, particularly about a notoriously congested highway.
Given how bad traffic is getting on the outskirts of San Antonio (areas outside Loop 1604), is it a better deal to live within the city and inside the loop? The creator asked, and nearly 200 people shared their truth in the comments.
“Outside (Loop) 1604 has always been about lower cost of living, though,” one user said, adding that today, though, they don’t think that’s the case and would still opt for a spot in one of the more crowded corridors.
Of course, it will largely depend on whether you’re buying an old or new property. Real estate agencies say Northside neighborhoods command higher prices per square foot. Outside of that, a blog post on the Phylis Browning Co. Real Estate page states that there’s often more interior space and a larger yard for a similar or slightly lower price.
Meanwhile, another Reddit user wrote, “There was never a time when living near (Loop) 1604 was preferable. It’s always been a suburban hellscape.” They added, “Living outside of (Loop) 410 is awful.”
There have been ongoing closures along Loop 1604 because the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT’s) North Expansion Project is underway. Some closures last days. Others last months. Crews also kicked off work on a $156 million overhaul of Loop 410 earlier this week. It’s part of a larger initiative expected to last three years.
But Fatheringham, a retired Air Force veteran who has been a realtor for two years, doesn’t believe the traffic issue automatically makes living inside Loop 1604 the better choice. Rather, it depends on the full picture of a homebuyer’s preferences.
“Farther out, buyers may find newer homes, newer communities, more new construction, and sometimes more house or land for their money. The tradeoff can be a longer commute and dealing with traffic as these areas continue to grow,” the realtor said. “Closer in, someone may have a shorter commute and easier access to established parts of San Antonio, but the homes may be older, and they may give up some of the space or newer features they could get farther out.”
Overall, Fatheringham recommends that people thinking of relocating focus on the mileage from home to work. Is that 15-mile drive manageable, or does it make you late unless you leave about an hour early?
“I’d also look at what’s planned for the area, not just what’s there today,” he concluded. “If you’re buying a home and expect to stay for several years, the empty land and two-lane road you see today may look completely different five years from now.”