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.
When my wife, Sasha, and I decided to move in 2016, we were looking for something simple: a neighborhood that would bring us closer to downtown San Antonio. At the time, we were living near the 1604 and 281 corridor, and while we enjoyed that part of the city, we wanted to be closer to the places where we spent most of our time.
What we found in Riverside was much more than convenience. We found a neighborhood with character, history, and a strong sense of community. Today, we share our home with three dogs, and they have become enthusiastic companions on our explorations of Riverside’s parks, streets, and river trails. They also serve as our self-appointed fitness coaches, regardless of weather conditions or our willingness to participate.
One of the things I love most about Riverside is that it feels connected to the city’s history. Many of the neighborhood’s homes were built in the early and mid-20th century, giving the area an architectural character that can be difficult to find elsewhere in San Antonio. The neighborhood sits just a few miles south of downtown and is closely tied to the river, the historic missions, and the South Side’s heritage.
Since moving here, we’ve watched Riverside change in remarkable ways. The revitalization of the San Antonio River’s Mission Reach, improvements to trails and parks, and growing interest in South Side neighborhoods have brought new energy to the area. What once felt overlooked has become a destination for cyclists, runners, families, and people discovering the neighborhood’s unique location between downtown and the historic missions. The River Walk trail system has made it easier than ever to connect Riverside to the rest of the city.
Yet despite the changes, Riverside hasn’t lost what made us fall in love with it. Neighbors still know one another. Community organizations remain active. There is a pride here that comes from people who have lived in the area for generations, alongside newer residents who recognize the neighborhood’s potential.
One thing that surprised us when we first moved to Riverside was how many lifelong residents we met. We quickly learned that many families had lived here for generations, with children, parents, and grandparents all sharing deep roots in the neighborhood. Coming from a part of the city where people seemed to move more frequently, it was refreshing to find a community where so many residents had such a strong connection to the place and its history. Some neighbors can tell you exactly what stood on a particular corner 50 years ago, and occasionally they can tell you what color it was painted, too.
Some of our favorite moments are also the simplest: evening strolls under the canopy of mature trees, impromptu conversations with neighbors, and weekends along the river. Living here has taught us that a neighborhood is more than its houses or its location. It’s the collection of people, stories, and routines that make a place feel like home.
After nearly a decade in Riverside, I can say that moving here was one of the best decisions Sasha and I have made. We came looking for a shorter drive to downtown, but we found something far more meaningful. We found a neighborhood that is proud of its past, optimistic about its future, and filled with the kinds of everyday connections that turn a place into a home.
As Riverside continues to evolve alongside transformative projects like the Lone Star Brewery redevelopment and the Green Line, I’m eager to see how the neighborhood grows while maintaining the sense of community that makes it such a special place to live. And if our dogs have any say in the matter, there should probably be a few more places to stop for treats along the way.
