Southwest Side - San Antonio, TX

The Outer Southwest neighborhood successfully maintains its rural nature against the backdrop of the ever-growing San Antonio Metropolitan area. The neighborhood's original occupation by Paleo-Indians bears evident through uncountable archaeological sites. Through the centuries, various other Native American groups consistently made a living both hunting and farming the area. Through the Spanish Mission era, the extensive network of meandering waterways through rich soil continued to support farms for the residents of the four Missions nearby. As post-civil war San Antonio developed into a major center for the cattle industry and the railroads made their way through by the century's end, the Outer Southwest area increasingly mixed local industries with the agriculture. Since each generation has accepted the past while adding the new, that blend continues today.

Although big chain food establishments are plentiful, local authentic cuisine can be harder to come by in the Outer Southwest neighborhood. However, hidden along a tree-lined road and surrounded by fields, Benjamin's Kitchen hits the spot with fresh Mexican food in a converted ranch-style home. Locals love the fluffy tortillas, and $5 burritos make the drive to Fischer Road worth the trip.

Dos Hermanos, another local favorite, can't be missed along State Highway 16 with two huge and lively colored statues of Mariachi musicians on its roof. Once inside, full wall murals of the Old Southwest accompany your Tex-Mex feast. Try the hearty barbacoa taco with creamy avocado for breakfast and be fueled through your day.

For fun and entertainment any night of the week, travel into downtown to the number one tourist attraction in San Antonio, The River Walk. This historic, 5-mile stretch of bars, restaurants and shops lines the San Antonio River bank and always has plenty of action. Once there, check out "the pub that thinks it's a club" at Mad Dog's. The line-up of imported beers, exotic cocktails and domestic brews provides something for everybody along with entertainment seven days a week. Aside from the live bands, karaoke and themed parties, the bar affords patrons the opportunity to play pool or step out onto the terrace for riverside tranquility. Sixteen HD flat screens please the sports fans, while classic British pub grub, including bangers and mash and cottage pie, satisfies all types of hunger.

As the neighborhood sits surrounded by highways, driving constitutes the best way to get around the area. For those who would rather, a public bus route extends down State Highway 16. The city also maintains an express commuter route along the same line. If you don't want a bus experience, sign up for the city's van pool system through which groups share the expense of van rental fees and gas. When you need a more personal mode of transportation, Uber service is available throughout the area. Although many biking paths and trails can be found, the streets don't consistently include bike lanes. Service roads may allow enough median space to travel on, but bikers must remain vigilant about safety.

Residents of the Outer Southwest neighborhood can satisfy their need to play at the Palo Alto Terrace Park near the SW Loop 410 and Highway 16 interchange. Picnic at the pavilion, and let the children exhaust themselves on the playground. Bring friends to shoot hoops or play tennis. Get a larger group together for a softball game, or rest under the shade trees after walking the quarter mile of trail.

To experience a more serene habitat, residents go to the "jewel of the southside" at the Medina River Natural Area. A short drive south on Highway 16 takes you to 511 acres of outdoor bliss. Biking and jogging with the wildlife along 7 miles of paved and 3 miles of unpaved trails sets the soul at ease. Make a full day out of it by picnicking at the pavilion or fishing at one of many designated spots. Even stay over night at the group campground, and lavish in the peacefulness of the private trail to the river.

San Antonio lights up the radar for low cost of living, and the Outer Southwest neighborhood shines even brighter. An average rent of $532 per month for a one-bedroom apartment makes housing expenses the largest driver of a cost of living about five percent lower than the overall San Antonio metropolitan area. Although locals don't get any breaks on the price of their brews at $8 a pop, gas prices that sit around 13 percent below the national average compensate for that. Even the express commuter bus line running straight into the city center only takes $2.50, and the city's reduced rate program lowers that expense for qualifying residents.

You don't have to travel far from the Outer Southwest neighborhood to find a variety of shopping experiences. Head over to South Park Mall near Interstate 35 and SW Military Drive to meet all your shopping needs with stores including Macy's, Sears, Foot Locker and Game Stop. In a mall equipped with plenty of restaurants, shoppers can grab lunch while exploring the Mission Art Guild Craft Fair. Held over four days each month, this fair features handmade jewelry, art and textiles. It also attracts an eclectic blend of vendors from all over the greater San Antonio area.

For shopping and fun closer to home, take the family to the weekend bazaar at the Flea Mart on State Highway 16. With a conglomerate of merchandise, you can stroll around 50 acres of covered, outdoor shopping. After letting the kids ride the roosters and pigs on the farm animal Merry-Go-Round, snack on a hot dog or ice cream, and listen to the live Conjunto music.

Accessing many boutiques and specialty stores requires a trip towards central San Antonio or at least downtown, but trendy and edgy fashion sold at Dirt Cheap Distro brings unique options to the local scene. Their multitude of punk rock gear, horror items, retro clothing and locally crafted jewelry provides more than your run-of-the-mill merchandise options.

If groceries and common household items are all you need, jet over to the Walmart Super Center on Interstate 35 access road. Although attending the local Farmer's Markets constitutes a lengthy trip north, fresh produce can also be found at the HEB on South Zarzamora Street. After over 100 years of servicing Texas and Mexico, HEB Foods stays current with society's needs through clear shelf labeling to indicate dietary restrictions or lifestyle choices, such as gluten-free and non-GMO products. This nationally recognized company also focuses on energy efficiency and sustainable seafood.