Military Family Guide to Joint Base San Antonio
A publication of Table of Contents
1. Welcome to JBSA!
2. San Antonio Installations
3. What to Expect
4. Weather & Climate
5. Area Attractions
6. Neighborhoods
7. Schools & Education
8. Military Spouse Information
9. Helpful Links
Is your latest military move taking you to sunny San Antonio?
Home to multiple military installations, the Air Force’s Basic Training, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force’s Medical Education and Training Campus, the city Welcome commonly known as “Military City” is the seventh to… largest metropolitan area in the country, and it’s only Joint Base growing.
San Antonio! Though now considered a combined base, and the largest one in the DOD at that, the installations of Joint Base San Antonio are quite spread out across the city. Most residents continue to call them by their individual names: Fort Sam Houston, Randolph AFB, and Lackland AFB. San Antonio Military Installations
The San Antonio area is home to the three installations comprising JBSA: Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, and Fort Sam Houston. The bases are in different sections of the city, which is the second largest city in Texas.
Within just a few hours’ drive lie several other military bases, including Fort Hood and NAS Corpus Christi. Getting Around San Antonio
Map viaTexas Maps.
Downtown San Antonio is navigable by foot and also has a streetcar system that runs on several different routes. Public transportation is available via bus, the VIA Metropolitan Transit System. However, most area commuters travel by POV.
The area is crisscrossed by highways I-35, I-37, US Hwy 281 and I-10. As well, concentric highways that circle the city are often referred to a the “inner loop” I-410 and “outer loop” state highway 1604. Expect frequent construction as the city continues to spread outward as well as typical rush hour traffic.
The South Texas area is a vibrant location combining Old West, Hispanic, and modern day cultures.
Known as the home of the Alamo, San Antonio is also a destination city featuring attractions like SeaWorld and Fiesta Texas.
With big city amenities like What to Expect fine dining, museums, and professional sports merged at JBSA with the laid back lifestyle of the southern U.S., you may come to embrace the area and understand why San Antonio is one of the top areas in the nation that military retirees choose to settle.
With the famous Hill Country north of the city and beaches just a few hours Randolph AFB away, there truly is something for everyone.
San Antonio is ideal for fans of warm weather. With its semitropical climate, the “hot months” are typically May through September, with the wetter season from April to October.
The area’s weather is affected by the Edwards Plateau to the northwest and the Gulf Coastal Plains to the southeast. Sunshine is the San Antonio norm, with more than 60% of Weather & days clear or partly cloudy.
Climate Bluebonnet season in the spring--when the state flower dots the sides of roadways and fields--turns all the outdoors into a portrait studio.
Thunderstorms are not uncommon in the late spring and summer, and the area has been known to have a rare sleet or ice storm during Bluebonnets are a South Texas the winter months. Spring sight!
Walk through history with a tour of the four area Spanish missions. Those, along with the Alamo, have been named a World Heritage Site.
Foodies can embrace cuisine from Tex-Mex to BBQ, as well as the local food truck scene. Attend productions at Area the Majestic Theater, view art at the Briscoe and McNay Attractions Art Museums, and cheer on local fan favorite NBA team, the Spurs. Things to Do & Whether your idea of a good What the time is a stroll along the Locals Know iconic Riverwalk with a stop for margaritas and tacos or a hike in the Hill Country, activities abound year-round.
Spring’s famous Fiesta, a 10-day salute to Spanish heritage, is a city signature event, with schools closing Mission Concepción so students can participate.
The Air Force is the lead service for military housing. With several installations across the area, housing availability and types differ, so be sure to check in with your assigned base. Many military families choose to live in the suburban neighborhoods An Overview of about 15 to 20 minutes away from each of the military installations. Neighborhoods Even with the woes of freeway traffic, life in the near JBSA suburbs may offer more home for less money.
With no state income tax (and no tax placed on a military pension), investing in a home in the Lone Star state may be an idea worth considering, but one fact to note is that property taxes can be hefty. Neighborhoods Near JBSA Popular with Military Families
Military Town Advisor features reviews from military families who’ve lived and worked where you’re headed!
With such a vast area, we’re just hitting a few of the most popular areas. Be sure to view more San Antonio neighborhood reviews on Military Town Advisor for even more information.
Cibolo “Developing community.”
“Cibolo is a developing community 25 minutes north of San Antonio and 50 minutes south of Austin. We have the best of both worlds because we live outside the city which gives us less hustle and bustle, but close enough that we can go in and get what we need without much hassle. The nearby town of New Braunfels is BOOMING and we head that way more often than towards San Antonio recently. There are several outdoor activities, family friendly things, close proximity to Randolph AFB for military related things..” -allbluezoo
Springwood Subdivision, Universal City “Private gated community.”
“This neighborhood is an undiscovered quiet gem! The location provides 3 various routes to reach Randolph AFB, all taking 5-10 minutes. It is especially convenient for those who are involved in Randolph High School and Middle School. The other perk is the easy 15-20 minute commute to Ft. Sam (SAMMC) without having to access IH-35, a thorn in every local's side.” -MTA Reviewer
Garden Ridge “Woods and deer.”
“Quiet and very safe. Lots of woods, big lots, deer and other wildlife” -MTA Reviewer
View Homes in Cibolo
Harvest Hills, Marion Alamo Ranch, San Antonio "Rural, but close to civilization.” “Hill Country feel.”
“10 min from Randolph AFB and 25 min from “As soon as you arrive at Alamo Ranch in Fort Sam Houston. Shertz and New Braunfels northwest San Antonio, you will feel the are the same distance approx 8 miles. Ideal tranquility of the Texas Hill Country. Children for someone who works in either San Antonio can walk to the onsite middle school, part of or Austin.” -MTA Reviewer the acclaimed Northside Independent School District. It's easy to enjoy time with family Helotes and friends with so many amenities within Alamo Ranch. Enjoy quality time in the great “Small town with big city access.” outdoors with your family, whether swimming at the aquatic center or playing at “Helotes is an amazing suburb of San Antonio. the park. With easy access to Loop 1604, A lot of people from Lackland AFB live in this you're just minutes from San Antonio area. It's a wonderful small town vibe with attractions like Six Flags Fiesta Texas or the local restaurants and shops with access to the Riverwalk.” -Kelly Cameron big city of San Antonio.
Everyone is very nice and there are tons of Stone Oak, San Antonio community events that the whole town “Newer planned community.” attends. We have a carnival every year that is a lot of fun. This is a great place to raise a family near Lackland. The only downside is “We absolutely love living in Stone Oak traffic can get congested on the small streets neighborhood. It's a great area with lots to at times.” -JMoody offer. It's a master community with lots of little neighborhoods within the actual Stone Sierra Springs, San Antonio Oak neighborhood. It has great schools, lots of amenities, pool, club house, country club. “Quiet, nice neighborhood.” some inside neighborhoods are gated. There is so much to offer in this area. Since it's “Quiet neighborhood, very nice location to master planned, there is an HOA and POA for wonderful schools and close to shopping and the neighborhood. I highly recommend this SeaWorld. Elementary school right in the neighborhood and there are lots of military subdivision along with pool. Great neighborhood for families.” -MTA Reviewer here mixed with civilians since San Antonio is such a large city.” -JMoody
View San Antonio View Helotes Homes for Rent or Sale Homes for Rent or Sale The city of San Antonio is vast and diverse, and schooling choices in the area reflect that.
The city’s public schools are administered by various San Antonio-area Independent School Districts (next page). View neighboring county/city school districts at the Bexar County website. JBSA Area Private school tuition is lower than the national average at about $5,429 for Schools & elementary schools and Education $8,501 for high schools. Find private school ratings at Niche.com and Private School Review.
Homeschoolers in Texas must comply with state law and provide instruction in prescribed areas. See specifics at the Texas Education Agency. San Antonio School Districts
via Texas Education Agency
From the San Antonio ISD:
The San Antonio-area Independent School Districts serve 340,238 students. Extracurricular clubs for all skill levels and interests, Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, Magnets, Trades, Special Needs, Fine Arts and STEM are among the 173 academic and developmental choices that exist within the districts.
View more info at San Antonio Go Public. Education in the JBSA Area
Military families have numerous schooling choices while stationed in Texas. It’s recommended to register early for private schools, so check in with your school of choice for required dates before arriving. Following are some helpful links with more information, no matter where your kids are educated.
Joint Base San Antonio School Liaison Officer
San Antonio ISD
Texas Private School Review
San Antonio Charter School Reviews
Texas Homeschool Legal Requirements
Family Educators’ Alliance of South Texas (FEAST)
Before and After School Care
Great Schools Reviews
School Digger (school ratings)
Military Child Education Coalition
Whether you’re stationed at Lackland, Randolph, or Fort Sam Houston, opportunities abound for connecting with the military spouse community, whether through each base’s spouses’ clubs or Military volunteering.
For job seekers, area Spouses employment is strong in the industries of construction, oil Employers, and gas production, and Volunteering, healthcare, with the San Antonio unemployment rate Higher Education in 2017 dropping to just & Childcare 3.8%.
Your time at JBSA might prove to be a chance to network with other military spouses at a Military Spouse Symposium or other area events.
Photo via JBSA News
Enjoy San Antonio!
We wish your military family all the best during your time at Joint Base San Antonio. Of course, there’s nothing like connecting with others in the area. Check out some of the following organizations and groups.
JBSA Military Family Readiness
Fort Sam Houston Spouses’ Club
Lackland AFB Spouses’ Club
Randolph AFB Spouses’ Club
Operation Homefront
Soldiers’ Angels
Newcomers’ Information
All links are for informational purposes only and do not constitute endorsement.
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