Shearer Hills/Ridgeview - San Antonio, TX

As military bases became key training and administrative centers during the Cold War era, San Antonio’s population grew with an influx of personnel and veterans. In 1945, Howard Shearer, a residential developer, sought to develop the land just outside of city limits, known today as Shearer Hills-Ridgeway. From the late 1940s to mid-1960s, the rural landscape became dotted with modest one-story ranch-style homes. Commercial and recreational activities developed around the neighborhood in the 1960s, and with the construction of San Antonio’s major corridors, San Antonio’s metropolitan sprawl reached Shearer Hills-Ridgeview.

The neighborhood itself doesn’t house museums, so residents travel south on Highway 281 to McNay Art Museum. Visitors have the choice of browsing the historic paintings on display or relaxing among the sculptures in the gardens.

Neighbors gather each year for barbecue and fellowship during National Neighborhood Night Out and share in the holiday spirit during the annual Holiday Party.

Along Loop 410, Shearer Hills-Ridgeview residents have access to a wide range of dining spots, from familiar chain restaurants such as Pappadeaux’s to small locally-owned eateries. For an authentic Chicago-style hot dog, locals head to Wrigleyville Grill. Owned by a friendly husband-and-wife team, menu favorites include the Italian Beef and the hand-cut fries. Be sure to save room for the sweet homemade Baklava.

Locals favor Picnikins Patio Cafe on Blanco Road near Highway 281 for upscale food in a casual dining atmosphere. The counter-service lunch menu features lighter fare such as salads and sandwiches, while dinner switches to full service and heartier entrees. Patrons regularly return for the rich and creamy Roasted Poblano Soup. For dessert, savor the Malva Pudding - a traditional South African Treat made of a spongy cake soaked with warm custard.

Though residents typically travel outside the neighborhood for nightlife and entertainment, Shearer Hills-Ridgeview’s central location means plenty of hip spots within a short drive. Head across Highway 281 to Broadway Street, where Big Hops Growler Station serves custom flights of Texas beers and specialty pints. Explore their impressive selection of pale ales and stouts, and let the knowledgeable bartenders guide your tastebuds with expert suggestions and complimentary samples. Once you find a beer you love, fill up a growler to take home and enjoy it again later.

For a laid-back, uncrowded atmosphere, locals go to Cootey’s Tavern & Kitchen for drinks. Koozies wrap each beer served, so your drink stays cold, and generous seating ensures plenty of elbow room. Weekends feature karaoke, while pool tables and shuffleboard provide other entertainment possibilities.

Situated in the corner of Loop 410 and Highway 281 - two major thoroughfares in San Antonio - Shearer Hills-Ridgeview residents enjoy easy access to downtown, shopping and entertainment destinations. The San Antonio International Airport sits just two miles to the northeast for easy air travel, and personal vehicles are the preferred method of transport around town. Some bike infrastructure exists, but most locals only bike leisurely throughout the neighborhood, as opposed to relying on a bike for errands. Cabs don’t frequent the neighborhood, so if you find yourself without wheels, call Yellow Cab to request a ride, or schedule a ride with Uber on a smartphone. The city metro bus provides a 30-minute ride to downtown San Antonio and roughly a dozen bus lines run through the neighborhood.

Just outside of the Shearer Hills-Ridgeview neighborhood sits Olmos Basin Park. Locals head over to this free, dog-friendly park to run along the trails or picnic under the mature oak trees. The park buzzes with soccer games and flag football on sunny weekends.

South of Olmos Basin Park lies one of San Antonio residents’ favorite recreation spots, Brackenridge Park. Drawing a crowd on sunny days and holiday weekends, Brackenridge Park houses special features such as the San Antonio Zoo and Japanese Tea Garden. Take a leisurely ride through the park on the kiddie train or roast some marshmallows on one of the charcoal grills. The dog-friendly park provides plenty of green space for your pup to run around and kids enjoy the playground and duck pond.

The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Association holds a variety of events throughout the park system each year, including the nature-centric Holidays in Bloom festival in the winter and a spring plant sale in March.

Though living in San Antonio is generally cheaper than most large cities across the country, Shearer Hills-Ridgeview residents pay slightly more, with a cost of living about 4 percent higher than San Antonio’s. A one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood costs about $540 per month, and housing prices average about $145,000. Casual bars in the area allow residents to enjoy budget-friendly entertainment and patrons pay about $3 for a domestic beer. Gas prices sit about 21 percent lower than the national average, so traveling around by car proves economical, but so does a trip downtown on the city metro bus at just $1.35 per ride.

While Shearer Hills-Ridgeview’s location makes for quick travel to major shopping centers around town, residents enjoy a wide range of shopping opportunities in one stop at nearby North Star Mall, anchored with familiar store chains such as Macys and Gap. For upscale shopping, head about 12 miles northeast to the Shops at La Cantera on Loop 1604. The open-air shopping center houses high-end retail stores such as Neiman Marcus and Tiffany & Co.

Closer to home and south on Highway 281, lies The Alamo Quarry Market hosts a range of stores from Pottery Barn to Old Navy. Constructed around the original smokestacks of the Alamo Cement Plant, the market provides a unique scenic view to add to your shopping experience.

Though chain stores fill most of the shopping centers surrounding Shearer Hills-Ridgeview, locals head to nearby neighborhoods for boutique shopping. Aquarius Boutique, located on New Braunfels Road in Alamo Heights, carries unique clothing and quality jewelry. The owner carefully sources the whole of the store's beautiful inventory, giving shoppers a unique "unchain" shopping experience.

With a variety of women’s clothing, jewelry, and accessories, Bless Your Heart Giftique in nearby Alamo Heights provides a unique selection of gifts for yourself or a friend. Pick up a few trinkets to add a little sparkle to your outfit and top it off with a pair of their cute cowboy boots.

Residents have a wide selection of grocery stores available within many of these shopping centers. For everyday grocery shopping at affordable prices, residents frequent HEB, while Whole Foods provides an organic, health-oriented selection.

San Antonio's Pearl Farmers Market is a producers-only farmers market, with all vendors located within a 150-mile radius of the city. This market is held in front of the historic Brewhouse, extending along Pearl Parkway. Shop here on Saturday or Sunday for locally-grown produce, dairy products, gourmet items, and more.