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.
We were both born and raised on the South Side of San Antonio and in 1980, we built our dream home in Helotes, where we lived for 21 years. Once our daughters went off to college, we decided to move back to town to be closer to our elderly parents.
Our home in Helotes sold quickly, and we decided to lease for at least two years before buying a new home to allow us time to decide what neighborhood we wanted to be in. We found a townhouse in Mockingbird Hill and fell in love with the neighborhood. It’s so peaceful and serene — as close to the atmosphere of Helotes as you can get in the city.
The location was convenient for visiting our parents and getting to the airport when our daughters visited. And the neighbors were so welcoming. We particularly remember Robert, who came to our door to introduce himself and invite us to a Halloween party. He was the gatherer of the neighborhood, organizing various get-togethers where we were able to get to know the neighbors.
When we found a home for sale in the neighborhood, we knew we were staying. Not only was the neighborhood the right fit, but the home had no yard to keep up, which coming from an acre and a half in Helotes, was a welcome change. It’s also nice to be near a wide selection of restaurants on Fredericksburg Road, including Blanco Cafe, Mencius Gourmet and Las Palapas.
We got involved in the neighborhood association, which was another way to get to know folks in the neighborhood and keep up with what’s happening. We’ve hosted several elected officials and candidates for office over the years to give neighbors the chance to connect and ask questions.
When the city was planning improvements to the pond in Denman Estate Park that would involve draining the pond, the neighbors were, of course, concerned about what would happen to the fish and wildlife. We were especially attached to three ducks that we named Huey, Dewey and Louie, and wanted to make sure they would be back safely. The neighborhood association president at the time arranged for city staff to come explain what was happening in detail and answer any questions we might have.
Our neighbors all care deeply about where they live, so whether it’s a proposal by a city council member or a plan by a developer, we want to know how it will affect our neighborhood. The association has been able to stop construction by out-of-town developers who don’t have the best interests of residents in mind.
We take care of our neighborhood and of each other. We have keys to our neighbors’ homes in case of emergencies and take care of their houses when they’re out of town — and they do the same for us. We’ve recommended a handyman who is a friend of ours and now does work for several of the neighbors. One of our neighbors brings over delicious homemade empanadas and never asks for anything in return. And our lifelong best friends even moved into the neighborhood. What more can one want than great friends down the street from where you live?
We’re so grateful to be in a community where everyone is so connected to one another and invested in the well-being of everyone who lives here.
