Joint Base San Antonio
About San Antonio
Time to invest in some new footwear because if you’re San Antonio-bound, you’d better show up in boots! The Alamo City is one of the military’s most envied postings and is often referred to as “Military City USA.” Low cost of living, affordable homes, and the lack of state tax on retirement income are a few financial perks to living and retiring in this Texas city. A robust job market that seems partial to government and defense/security contracting ensures employment opportunities for spouses or service members transitioning out of the military. San Antonio is the country’s seventh fastest growing city, yet has somehow managed to retain a small-town feel. Quality schools and friendly locals (most with military ties) are additional perks to living in San Antonio.
There are some things you should know before you get here: Trucks are the norm (the bigger, the better), love for the Spurs (NBA) runs deep, the H-E-B obsession is real (it’s a grocery store), rodeos are life, and don’t call it “San Antone”—that’s just wrong. The community boasts a vibrant Hispanic population, which enhances everything from the food, to the music, to community events. You don’t necessarily need to speak Spanish to get around, but you’d better know how to say barbacoa, tamales, and cascarones.
Name-brand shopping (IKEA is the latest arrival of note), restaurants, and a variety of entertainment add to San Antonio’s quality of life. SeaWorld, the San Antonio Zoo, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, and downtown museums are all fun outings for kids and families. Tube or kayak down a river, play or fish in the lakes, or relax by San Antonio’s famous downtown River Walk. Museums, art galleries, and historical landmarks (remember the Alamo?) round out San Antonio’s cultural offerings. Tex-Mex cuisine arguably originated here, and some up-and-coming culinary trendsetters are making a name for themselves in the Pearl District downtown, alongside several notable breweries.
You’ve probably heard that Texas is hot. It’s true. Texas is hot, and San Antonio is sweltering in the summer. With over 300 days of sunshine and good ole’ southern humidity, you might need to prepare yourself for that summer PCS date. The good news is that San Antonio enjoys mild winters and pleasant spring and fall seasons.
San Antonio is in Bexar County (it’s pronounced “BEAR”) in south central Texas and is just south of the gorgeous Hill Country. It’s only about two hours from Austin, the beach, or the desert.
About Joint Base San Antonio
Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) is the nation’s largest joint base and consists of JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland, and JBSA-Randolph. JBSA units mainly focus on training, flying, medical, cyber security, and intelligence. Each of the JBSA installations boasts desirable housing and sought-after schools on base (not DODEA); however, there is often a long waiting list for housing that deters newcomers from living on base. Being stationed at one of the JBSA installations could also open up opportunities for a follow-on assignment at another area base. It would be wise to have an idea of potential career trajectory and choose where to live based on future commutes as well.
The first step in choosing where to live is to determine your priorities. There are three main values, if you will, to consider: Home Size and Price, Commute, and Schools. On each area page, we’ll break down some of the more popular communities for military families and give you an overview of the trade-offs for each.
Pro Tip: If you come armed with this info before chatting with a real estate agent, they’ll have an enormous leg up in helping you find a home quickly. Efficiency and knowledge are crucial in this competitive real estate market.
Homes
Houses in San Antonio are some of the most affordable in the country! While you can easily find homes within BAH ranges, it is common to see city-wide Homeowner’s Associations (HOAs) that can be stacked on top of subdivision HOAs. You’ll want to know about those fees when determining your budget. The market is booming with new construction, particularly in the suburbs of this sprawling city. A knowledgeable real estate agent can be a huge help in San Antonio!
Commute
San Antonio is a big circle with interstates crisscrossing through it and two “loops” that circle it. There is an inner loop, Interstate 410, and an outer loop, Highway 1604 or Loop 1604. Inside the inner loop is downtown San Antonio and the urban core of the city. Between Loop 410 and Loop 1604 is considered “inside the loop.” Locations inside the loop offer a more established suburban environment, yet still keep you pretty close to the action. Homes and neighborhoods tend to be older and more historic—this is where the urban sprawl was happening decades ago. Outside the loop (1604) are the modern, “proper” suburbs. This is where you’ll find big, gated communities in all their master-planned glory. Families love the communities outside the loop for the top-notch schools and are willing to sacrifice a short commute to live in the sprawling edges of suburbia.
Schools
Most service members without children seek to be as close to downtown as possible for the nightlife and younger vibe. Those with children often broaden their search criteria to include communities with well-liked schools in affordable neighborhoods. Compare data from different websites, but recognize that the measurements don’t always show the entire picture. Look at the school or district’s report card from the Texas Education Agency. Interview potential schools. Talk to the base or regional School Liaison Officer. Take into account all of the factors that could influence test scores but aren’t necessarily reflective of the quality of education (i.e., a high percentage of students whose primary language isn’t English).
There are three independent school districts in the San Antonio area that have shared boundaries with military installations. Fort Sam Houston ISD, Lackland ISD, and Randolph Field ISD operate under the jurisdiction of the Texas Education Agency. Students who live on the respective JBSA installations may attend these schools, but if you live off base, you have to apply for a waiver for transfer acceptance. These schools are not DoDEA schools, but public schools. Off base, there are 23 independent school districts that serve military-connected students in the San Antonio area. We recommend contacting the JBSA School Liaison Office to help learn more about education options for your child.
KEY CONTACTS
Joint Base San Antonio Housing
3171 Zinn Rd., Bldg. 1161
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
PH: (210) 221-0881
Lincoln Military Housing
2739 Dickman Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78234
PH: (210) 270-7638
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center
3060 Stanley Rd., Bldg. 2797
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
PH: (210) 221-2705 or (210) 221-2418
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston SLO
2380 Stanley Road, Bldg. 124
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
PH: (210) 221-2214 or (210) 221-2256
Most installation services will be available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. As always, call first to confirm hours and availability of services.
Helpful hint: Contact these offices early in the week during the morning time
About Brooke Army Medical Center
Located on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Brooke Army Medical Center is a jewel in the Army medical crown. In true Texas style, BAMC (commonly referred to as “BAM-see”) is one of the largest hospitals operated by and servicing the military. Not always so big, BAMC started as a modest post hospital at Fort Sam Houston in 1879 and occupied a single floor in a small, wooden building. In 1886, the first hospital was constructed, and the facility has exploded in size in the decades since.
Ten separate organizations fall under BAMC command, and at the center of it all is a sprawling hospital—San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC). This impressive facility is not only home to Department of Defense’s only level-1 trauma center but is also its largest health-care organization. Five satellite clinics provide specialty and primary care to the outer reaches of San Antonio. Some of medicine’s most innovative rehabilitative care is taking place at the impressive, four-story Center for the Intrepid located on the BAMC campus. The top three organizations that call BAMC home are the 959th Medical Group, the Warrior Transition Battalion, and Troop Command.
Those stationed at BAMC can seek housing at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston or can look for a home in the surrounding communities in San Antonio Proper or Northeast San Antonio. There is no base housing at BAMC, but there are several Wounded Warrior barracks, extended-stay type hotels, and four Fisher Houses.
KEY CONTACTS
Joint Base San Antonio Housing
3171 Zinn Rd., Bldg. 1161
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
PH: (210) 221-0881
Lincoln Military Housing
2739 Dickman Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78234
PH: (210) 270-7638
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Military & Family Readiness Center
3060 Stanley Rd., Bldg. 2797
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
PH: (210) 221-2705 or (210) 221-2418
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston SLO
2380 Stanley Road, Bldg. 124
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234
PH: (210) 221-2214 or (210) 221-2256
Most installation services will be available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. As always, call first to confirm hours and availability of services.
Helpful hint: Contact these offices early in the week during the morning time
About Fort Sam Houston
Located smack in the middle of San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston is the oldest of the three installations that make up Joint Base San Antonio. Its central location in “Military City USA” and Bexar County (pronounced “bear”) makes Fort Sam the prime spot for overseeing support for the entire joint base, which falls to the 502d Air Base Wing.
In 1876, the Army built a Quartermaster supply depot here and over the next few years added a few homes and buildings. This modest depot became known simply as the Post at San Antonio. Consistent expansion and the arrival of new units earned the Post the permanent designation of Fort Sam Houston in 1890. Fort Sam Houston is home to the largest collection of historic buildings in the Department of Defense and is a National Historic Landmark. The base is adorned with beautiful, historic buildings and the New Post was built in the Spanish colonial architectural style of the 1930s.
Today, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston is also known as the Home of Military Medicine—and with good reason. Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC), the largest military health-care organization, and the San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC), the only level-1 trauma center in the DoD, are here. The base’s primary mission is medical training, and the Army Medical Department Center and School (AMEDDC&S—how’s that for a military acronym?) and the Academy of Health Sciences are two standout units you’ll hear about.
On-base housing is available, and quite unique, but you’d better be willing to wait it out. Rather than enduring months of waiting—and temporary lodging—many families choose to live in the surrounding communities. Working at the centrally located Fort Sam allows easy access to many of the downtown communities and the outlying suburbs of San Antonio.
San Antonio is a bustling city but retains a small-town feel. Friendly and fiercely patriotic locals are welcoming to military families, and homes are priced below the national average. The job market is great for spouses and veterans, making San Antonio a top pick for retirement.
KEY CONTACTS
JBSA-Lackland Housing Office
2525 Fairchild St.
Bldg. 1524
JBSA-Lackland, TX 78236
PH: (210) 671-1840
Lackland Family Homes
2254 Brian McElroy Dr.
San Antonio, Texas 78236
PH: (210) 674-9366
JBSA-Lackland Military & Family Readiness Center
2160 Kenly Ave., Bldg. 1249
JBSA-Lackland, TX 78236
PH: (210) 671-3722
JBSA-Lackland SLO
2160 Kenly Avenue
Bldg #1249
JBSA-Lackland, TX 78236
PH: (210) 671-8388
Most installation services will be available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. As always, call first to confirm hours and availability of services.
Helpful hint: Contact these offices early in the week during the morning time
About Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland serves as the “Gateway” for many Air Force careers. Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) is the main reason for the moniker, and the installation’s primary mission is training. In 1941, Lackland AFB began as a small parcel of land carved out of Kelly Field, a nearby Army airfield. Kelly Field (later Kelly Air Force Base) has since closed, and the Kelly Field Annex now belongs to JBSA-Lackland. In 2010, the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission combined Lackland AFB, Randolph AFB, and Fort Sam Houston, forming Joint Base San Antonio. The 802nd Mission Support Group calls Lackland home and aligns with the 502d Air Base Wing at Fort Sam Houston. Language and technical training are other principal missions at JBSA-Lackland.
Located in southwest San Antonio, JBSA-Lackland is roughly a 20-minute drive to downtown. Base housing is available and in pretty high demand. Because of the well-rated Lackland Independent School District and relatively new housing, you’ll likely encounter a waitlist for base housing. Don’t start booking temporary lodging for months on end just yet! There are many great (affordable) communities to choose from off base. The base and its training areas straddle the southwestern quarter of the I-410 loop,
KEY CONTACTS
JBSA-Lackland Housing Office
2525 Fairchild St.
Bldg. 1524
JBSA-Lackland, TX 78236
PH: (210) 671-1840
Lackland Family Homes
2254 Brian McElroy Dr.
San Antonio, Texas 78236
PH: (210) 674-9366
JBSA-Lackland Military & Family Readiness Center
2160 Kenly Ave., Bldg. 1249
JBSA-Lackland, TX 78236
PH: (210) 671-3722
JBSA-Lackland SLO
2160 Kenly Avenue
Bldg #1249
JBSA-Lackland, TX 78236
PH: (210) 671-8388
Most installation services will be available Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. As always, call first to confirm hours and availability of services.
Helpful hint: Contact these offices early in the week during the morning time
About Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph
Nestled in the northeast corner of San Antonio lies Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph or the “Showplace of the Air Force.” The breathtaking Spanish colonial architecture on display could be one reason for the flashy nickname, or it could be the almost constant displays of air superiority occurring overhead. JBSA-Randolph is the Air Force’s premier base for pilot instructor training and combat systems officer training. It’s also one of their busiest airports— JBSA-Randolph sees almost 15 times more take-offs and landings than nearby San Antonio International Airport.
As with JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Lackland, the other components of the Joint Base San Antonio conglomerate, training takes center stage for JBSA-Randolph’s mission. Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and the 12th Flying Training Wing call JBSA-Randolph home. Pilots train on the T-6A Texan II, the T-38C Talon, and the T-1A Jayhawk at Randolph, and the skies are buzzing with drone training as well.
Base housing is available at JBSA-Randolph, but inventory is limited, and you’ll likely encounter a lengthy wait for an open home. There are several communities near the base that offer easy commutes and affordable homes. The base is adjacent to Universal City, but the areas of Converse, Schertz/Cibolo, and the rest of Northeast San Antonio are also popular areas for military families.
Those used to the aviation life will know to consider the “sound of freedom” overhead when living near a runway, but there are other factors to consider near JBSA-Randolph. The city is pressing ever closer to the boundaries of JBSA-Randolph with commercial and residential development. While living nearer to the base may be appealing, the Air Force is urging caution. Accidents are thankfully rare, but this is a training base, and a crash is something to always take into account. Not only are aircraft crashes near the runways on the radar, so to speak, but urban encroachment has also driven birds from their habitats and onto the base—hazardously close to the aircraft. Use caution when considering property on either end of the two parallel runways.
Looking at relocating?
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7 Reasons You Should Consider Buying a Home
1. TAX ADVANTAGES
To encourage homeownership, the IRS has provided many tax breaks for owning a home. Credits may be available for specific home improvements, such as using clean energy or for qualified first-time home buyers. The way most homeowners see those advantages is through income tax itemization and deductions like mortgage interest and real estate taxes.
2. STABALIZE MONTHLY HOME COSTS
Owning your own house is one of the safest bets on stabilizing your monthly home costs. There’s no worry of rent getting increased significantly after each year of living in someone else’s home. Additionally, when you answer to yourself, there is no worry of landlord changes or unexpected lease termination.
3. HOUSE HACKING
Generally speaking, house hacking is a smart strategy that involves renting out a portion of your primary residence as a means of generating income to offset your own living expenses. Think turning your finished basement or mother-in-law quarters into an AirBnB! Or consider purchasing a multi-unit duplex or triplex: live on one side and rent out the other! If your home making money while you’re living in it doesn’t sound like your thing, there’s always renting it out after you PCS as an income generating investment property.
4. Increased Privacy
Generally speaking, house hacking is a smart strategy that involves renting out a portion of your primary residence as a means of generating income to offset your own living expenses. Think turning your finished basement or mother-in-law quarters into an AirBnB! Or consider purchasing a multi-unit duplex or triplex: live on one side and rent out the other! If your home making money while you’re living in it doesn’t sound like your thing, there’s always renting it out after you PCS as an income generating investment property.
5. Pets Are Welcome!
For those who choose to rent instead of buying, it can be extremely difficult to find rentals who allow for your
four-legged, furry friends. Landlords often require hefty pet deposits or place heavy restrictions on the number of pets and breeds they allow—if they will even allow pets. When considering quality of life, including beloved pets and the indoor and outdoor space available to them matters. Having the flexibility to include ALL members of your family as a homeowner is priceless!
6. Pride of Ownership
One of the greatest benefits of owning your own home is the pride of ownership that comes along with it. Not only are homeowners more inclined to take good care of their investment with routine maintenance and cleaning, but also they are free to make design choices ranging from hanging artwork on the walls, to paint colors, to customization of closets, electronics, and more. As military families who relocate frequently, having your home reflect who you really are feels important.
7. Safe and Stable Long Term Investment + Forced Savings
Owning a home has historically been one of the safest, lowest risk financial investments that tends to have long-term stability and success. As your home value appreciates and your mortgage balance decreases, what’s left is growing equity with an eventual paid off home. Making a monthly house payment is akin to setting aside a specific amount each month into a savings account—it’s a little difficult to access in the moment, but over time it can build into something significant in the form of equity.
FIVE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU IN YOUR RELOCATION PROCESS
Your PCS is underway!
The home buying and moving transition process has begun. Now what? If it feels like there are a million things to do, don’t fret because you don’t have to do them all yourself. During the relocation process, there are many service providers that can assist you in making your move a smooth one.
Consider these five resources to help you in the process
1. MOVING COMPANIES
Sure, the military offers transportation and relocation services, but many service members decide to coordinate the transfer of household goods themselves. Not only can you often earn money on the difference between moving costs and weight allowances, but you can be assured that you have more control over your belongings. Services that moving companies offer can range from delivery of boxes and pods for the “you-pack” model all the way to full-service logistics companies that will do all of the packing, loading, driving, and unpacking for you.
2. STORAGE
Whether you need to store your household goods for a few weeks until you close on your home or you decide that you have more stuff than square footage, storage companies abound. Sizes, conditions, and contracts vary widely so be sure to do your homework before you commit. Particularly in climates with extreme cold, heat, or humidity, it is important to consider using only climate-controlled storage to ensure the protection of your furniture and temporarily unused items.
3. TEMPORARY HOUSING
It is not uncommon for there to be a short gap of time during a military move between when you arrive at your new duty station and your new home being available to inhabit. No longer are hotels the only option for sticking out a few days or weeks during the wait. Vacation Rentals by Owner (VRBO) and Airbnb are great options to make you feel more at home while you wait for your home. In fact, why not take advantage of seeing your new city through the eyes of a tourist? Find a location near new local attractions and dining and enjoy a few days of getting to know the lay of the land.
4. USPS/IRS
Once you get settled in at your new home, it’s important that you alert agencies that will make sure your current and up-to-date address is on file. The United States Postal Service (USPS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are two of the most important and by doing so, any important mail or documents in your name should be forwarded or sent along to your new address. It’s also a good idea to notify banks, credit card companies, and other debt collectors of a change of address. These days nearly all of these transactions can be handled online.
5. DISCARD & DONATE SERVICES
No matter how much you purge, toss, organize, minimize, or donate before you pack up the moving truck, it never fails that after you get unpacked on the other side there seems to be more stuff to declutter. Discard and donate services can help with this. Many are a phone call away and will happily come to your residence for a pickup. Others are structured where you simply drop off at a store. A lot of these services are charitable organizations and will offer you documentation for your own taxes based on your donation. It’s a win-win: you downsize by donating, and someone else benefits from your use of your items.
