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.
In Selma, one of Texas’ hidden gems, residents enjoy its small-town charm and the tranquility of a close-knit community. And with San Antonio nearby, we don’t lose the perks of the big city. I work in downtown San Antonio and I am able to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Neighbors in Selma often become like family, and it boasts a strong sense of community and a welcoming atmosphere with its local events and gatherings. When my son, Oliver, and I moved into our home, our neighbors Zach and Elissa stopped by to introduce themselves and bring us a holiday mix of goodies during Christmas. Elissa invited me to join the monthly neighborhood Ladies Bunco Night when she hosted, an excellent opportunity to meet other women from our neighborhood while learning a new game. It was so much fun!
Our homeowners association and the City of Selma foster a great sense of community with events. Our neighborhood, Kensington Ranch, recently participated in National Night Out, a campaign that promotes police-community relationships and allows us to get to know our neighbors while fostering a safer place to live. Selma Tom Daly Perkins and members of the Selma police and fire departments were out visiting neighborhoods and there were food trucks, bounce houses and vendors for everyone to enjoy.
The Selma Historical & Parks Commission hosts Christmas at the Harrison House, and the Easter Egg Hunt at Stage Stop Park is always a fun family event. All of these events bring life to the community, help us build connections with neighbors and local businesses, and all strive to reach the goal of stewardship of where we live.
The town’s commitment to safety and quality of life makes it an ideal place to raise a family. I moved to Selma shorty after finding out I was pregnant with my son. I was looking for a welcoming community and home to settle into. Oliver and I often enjoy strolls in our neighborhood or in the numerous parks and recreational spaces.
Selma Stage Stop Park is our favorite because of its versatility. It has all the standard park activities and a splash pad, which has been great during the hot summers. We love the Little Free Library on site, which we often contribute to and partake in. We also frequent Kensington Ranch Park, conveniently located on the corner of our block. This smaller play area is perfect for a quick outdoor activity close to home. And right down the street is Selma FM 1518 Park, which provides another great place to play. Our neighborhood is very conveniently nestled between many parks that we can visit.
Including our neighboring communities, Schertz and Cibolo, the area offers a diverse culinary scene with great restaurants like Mia Marco’s Pizza, Kindling Texas Kitchen, Gather Brewing and Mama Mill’s Jamaican Kitchen. Our favorite is Mia Marco’s, sitting out on their picnic tables and enjoying some great pizza. Gather Brewing has been a great addition because it offers many family-friendly events, including fall markets, a run group gathering and trivia nights.
This area continues to see growth with new businesses and neighborhood developments, which brings more traffic. As we grow, there also needs to be a focus on the streets that connect these developments and whether they can handle the growth in traffic. I want us to continue to grow and see economic growth that improves the community for residents, but it must be in a way that’s mindful of the needs of current and future residents.
