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.
The winding road that led to Remington Heights in 2001 was aptly named Wilderness Oak. In the far northern reaches of San Antonio, there were no streetlights that illuminated the way to our neighborhood. There were no businesses and few houses.
Deer wandered among Texas red oaks. Crickets chirped at night and stars sparkled like diamonds in a black velvet sky.
Twenty three years ago, we lived in a rural-like setting. Today, we live in a quiet but densely populated community. Located near Stone Oak, Remington Heights has transformed from a wedge of country to a pocket of suburbia but with distinct beauty and neighborly charm.
One Saturday morning, as my wife and I reclined on chairs in our front yard to greet passing neighbors, my sister-in-law surprised us with a DoorDash delivery. As we sipped our coffee and opened breakfast sandwiches, our next-door neighbor brought us donuts.
“If we sit here long enough,” I told Judy, “someone will bring us dinner.”
Remington Heights holds warm memories and friendly benefits. It’s where one neighbor built shelving for Judy’s closet, another feeds our dog when we travel and a third knocks when we forget to close our garage door. It’s where people stop and chat as I work on the front yard.
And it’s where kids who used to play with our kids return as adults to say, “Hi Mr. Rodriguez, it’s been a long time!”
Ours is a neighborhood of oaks, shade trees and striking crepe myrtles. During my early morning runs, I’ll spot an occasional raccoon on a curving street or a deer galloping through a greenbelt. I’ll hear the cooing of doves and the whistling of northern cardinals.
At dawn, the sights and sounds of wildlife are magical.
The first rule of real estate is location, location, location. Ours could not be better. We are a short drive from our church and close to the hospital where our daughter was born. When I woke up with shortness of breath in 2023, Judy took me to North Central Baptist, minutes away. I survived pneumonia, septic shock and kidney and lung failure. Doctors said I arrived just in time.
When our middle child was in eighth grade, he’d walk down the street, cut through a friend’s backyard, climb through some brush and arrive at Lopez Middle School. Thanks to the accommodating neighbor, we avoided long lines of traffic for drop-off and pickup.
The big surprise of Remington Heights is what has developed around us. A dog park opened across the street from our neighborhood. Miles of hiking trails wind through a wooded area behind the park. Two miles west of the park, the Parman Branch Library opened in 2011. About three-quarters of a mile to the east, an H-E-B opened 10 years ago. Judy and I sometimes walk over for a bag or two of groceries, or stop at a CVS on the way and pick up a prescription.
For fun, vigorous workouts, we head to Epoch Pickleball, a five-minute drive from home.
The recently opened club features three air-conditioned, tournament-sized courts and a fine instructor who offers clinics for players of all levels. Court fees are reasonable. As non-members, we pay $6.77 each for 30 minutes, or $13.53 each for one hour. On a scale of 1-10, our enjoyment factor is a 12.
A favorite place to unwind is just three miles from Remington Heights: the Copa Wine Bar & Tasting Room. Our go-to selections are flatbread pizzas, fire-roasted feta and charcuterie and cheese plates. A side benefit: We always run into someone we know.
“Copa is a warm hug,” Judy says. “It’s our ‘Cheers,’ where everybody knows your name.”
A short distance from Copa is Reagan High School, home of acclaimed choral and theater programs. Though our kids have graduated, we still attend musicals. The Christmas concert and Pop Show in the spring are can’t-miss and always sell out.
Convenience to cool is a neighborhood hallmark. Next door to our H-E-B is True Texas BBQ, which features good brisket, TVs tuned to sports, an outdoor patio and live music on weekends. Yes, live music is two minutes away. Very cool. Yet it’s easy to get distracted before reaching True Texas BBQ because on the way, literally down the street from Remington Heights, is a Whataburger and an Andy’s Frozen Custard, which calls my name at least once a week.
Neighborhoods grow. Communities evolve. When we moved into Remington Heights, we knew the empty lots around us would fill up. We knew business would arrive and starry skies would fade. But we had no idea how the elements of growth would fit so beautifully together.
When our daughter was 7 years old, she made a plea: “Please don’t move until I finish high school.” Well, she’s now a senior in college and we’re more than happy to stay.
