Stone Oak - San Antonio, TX

One of the newer neighborhoods in San Antonio, Stone Oak sprang from the mind of developers in the mid 1980s who wanted to re-purpose ranch land into multi-purpose community land. Starting from a golf course, several developments were built to front it. After a brief slow-down in building, Stone Oaks took off again at the beginning of the 21st century.

Now known for its pristinely manicured subdivisions and burgeoning young population, Stone Oak also features shopping centers as well as rich dining and nightlife opportunities for its affluent population. The Texas Transportation museum delights people of all ages, with exhibits on fire trucks, railroads, model railroads and even horse carriages. Stone Oak, known for its school-age population, reflects this fact in its entertainment options as well. Check out Artistic Mural Works, which brings a child's imagination to life with custom murals by a local artist.

From steakhouses to Thai cuisine to sushi bars, Stone Oak has an eclectic variety of food offerings. Nightlife ranges from sedate bars with craft cocktails served at the Green Lantern to salsa nights at the dance club Grand Agave. Nightclubs situate throughout the neighborhood and its surroundings. To meet and greet the locals, visit the Social House on Stone Oak Parkway where friends gather for handcrafted cocktails and dance to a blend of music genres.

Brazilian steakhouse Chama Gaucha presents a variety of meats, with picanha, a choice cut of sirloin, being its house specialty. Locals rave about the lamb as well. For a more casual setting, try the offerings at Trilogy Pizza. Known as one of the best pizza places in the city, Trilogy Pizza presents a small but affordable wine list and highly-rated deep-dish crust and wood-fired pies. Thai Chili brings both traditional and innovative Thai dishes to the neighborhood, with flavorful Pad Thai and a variety of curries, including pumpkin.

For nightlife, locals choose the Green Lantern whenever they've got drinking on their minds. With its speakeasy vibe and drinks that range from hand-crafted cucumber martinis to a traditional Old Fashioned, it's easy to see how this establishment came to fame.

If you want to kick up your heels, choose from one of the many dance clubs in Stone Oak. Cowboys Dancehall features a mechanical bull and live band that plays country music. If country music doesn't thrill you, check out the Brass Monkey, a dive bar featuring a deejay and music from the 1980s and 1990s as well as special events, such as BeyDay when Beyonce's tunes blare in honor of her birthday.

Driving is your best bet in Stone Oak, though the public bus system of San Antonio will get you close to the community. While you can utilize Yellow Cab or other taxi services, limousine services are just as plentiful, a true testament to the affluent clientele the neighborhood serves. Amtrak and Greyhound do service the area, offering a way in and out while connecting the neighborhood to the outside world.

Stone Oak Park has nearly three miles of trails as well as a playground for kids, covered shelters and exercise stations. This gem, located right in the middle of an otherwise suburban, private landscape, offers a welcome, green respite for families, gatherings and kids of all ages.

Private parks such as the Gardens of Sonterra offer green space to their gated communities as well. In fact, the manicured landscapes of each individually gated community of Stone Oak make the entire neighborhood seem like one park after the next.

The cost of living in Stone Oaks is roughly 23 percent higher than San Antonio. Median rent for a one-bedroom apartment hovers just over $1,300 per month, which is nearly 64 percent higher than the San Antonio average. The neighborhood gas average sits at 11 percent higher than the national average.

Whether you want high-end cigars, unique toys or running gear to inspire your exercise regime, you can find plenty of places to shop around Stone Oak.

If want fresh fruits and vegetables, check out the Legacy Farmers' Market, located in the Legacy Shopping Center on U.S. Highway 281 North. Open every Saturday and Sunday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., the market features locally grown produce, spices, baked goods and more.

In addition to shopping at small galleries such as the Inverarte Art Gallery, which features a fabulous display of Mexican Art, you can sift through the antiques at Homestead Handcrafts for unique home decor. With an extraordinarily knowledgeable and eager staff, iRun Texas can give you all the gear you need to get in shape, providing everything you need to get a successful fitness regime started.

Get something for the little ones in your life at Toy Werks, with its friendly staff and dizzying display of toys. If a wedding looms in your near future, check out the bridal fairs that take place occasionally at the Marriott Hotel. Larger outlets like the Village at Stone Oak house chain stores such as Eddie Bauer and Petco in addition to local establishments such as Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

A few shops offer items for those with limited budgets, such as Too Good To Be Threw, a thrift store that sells gently used items. Due to the affluence of the community, even the used furniture is quite upscale and thoroughly pleasing to the eye.