The Where I Live series aims to showcase our diverse city and region by spotlighting its many vibrant neighborhoods. Each week a local resident invites us over and lets us in on what makes their neighborhood special. Have we been to your neighborhood yet? Get in touch to share your story. If your story is selected and published, you will receive a $250 stipend.
Moving to New Braunfels was never on my list.
I was born and raised in South San Antonio, where my family lived with my grandfather until I was in third grade. That’s when my parents bought our first house — a new construction — and I remember how exciting it was to check on its progress.
As the oldest of my siblings, I got the second-biggest room with a great view of open land when we finally moved in. The view from my window changed drastically as the years went by and San Antonio kept growing. Soon, new houses filled up the open land, and the view was no longer something I enjoyed.
Though I have many fond memories — of my childhood friend who helped translate for me at school when I was learning English, going out to eat with family and friends at places like Taco’s El Taconazo and El Valle Fruiteria (where they have some bomb elotes enteros, champurrados y aguas frescas!), seeing people proudly sport decals of their Latino last names on their SUVs, graduating from South San High School as a licensed cosmetologist and landing my first job at Supercuts — I didn’t truly appreciate my hometown until more recently.
After some time living on my own in Alamo Heights, I decided to look into buying a home outside of San Antonio. Living here my whole life, I never felt the need to explore the city like a tourist would. But realizing there was a possibility I would soon no longer be living here, I started looking for all the gems within San Antonio. I started spending time at a lot of local businesses and sharing my finds with people online so that they, too, can learn about the many things San Antonio has to offer.
Last month, my wife and I moved into our new neighborhood in New Braunfels, and we already love it. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful with a lot of open land, much like the neighborhood my family moved into when I was a kid. My neighbors are quiet and welcoming. Though we hardly see anyone out, when we do, they make conversation with us.
I recently stopped by Two Rivers Coffee and really liked the old-school vibe. There were plants and the menus were magazines with old-school cars. They even had an old-school TV as part of their decor. There’s also the Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre and so many historic places that give New Braunfels a small-town feel.
I also enjoy the easy access to the Comal and Guadalupe rivers and being close to Gruene, San Antonio and San Marcos. I feel like I have so many options as to how I want to spend my days off.
As I settle into my new life in New Braunfels, I’m excited to continue exploring the area and finding gems just like I found in my hometown. San Antonio will always have a special place in my heart. It will always be where home is. It is deep within my roots.
