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.
A little more than 11 years ago, my family moved to the Woods of Deerfield neighborhood. It was a typical sweltering August day. Our new neighbors across the street not only introduced themselves but brought over some delicious barbecue.
The meal was devoured in a matter of minutes by our hungry family. It served another more important purpose too — I knew instantly we had chosen an extremely friendly place to live.
What had been a house immediately felt like a home.
Although our well-established neighborhood does not have a large amount of turnover, we have kept up the tradition by welcoming several recent newcomers with a plate of cookies or a cake.
Neighbors doubling as friends is a great way to build a community of people who can lend a hand when needed.
A perfect example occurred during Winter Storm Uri when not one but two neighbors helped out after the pipe to the water heater in our attic froze, then exploded, turning our garage into a virtual car wash. Unsure how to shut off the water, neighbors not only came to our rescue, but also provided bathroom and shower services for the two days when our power and water were out of commission.
As a recent semi-retiree, I also was invited to join the local Woods of Deerfield ROMEO group. (ROMEO stands for Retired Old Men Eating Out). Each Monday morning, our group of eight convenes at the nearby Panera in the Vineyard Shopping Center. We catch up on neighborhood doings, trash each other’s favorite sports teams, and solve the world’s problems, all in a couple of hours.
The ROMEOs are also a great resource for household assistance. With all of the homes at least 30 years old, everyone has contact information to share for a reputable electrician, plumber, roofer or handyman.
Our active neighborhood association not only plans regular community get togethers that allow homeowners to network and kids to play, but also maintains standards for the community, helping preserve the quality of life and pride of ownership we all value.
With a little over 90 homes in the Woods, it is also a terrific neighborhood for an evening stroll or bike ride around our three-block subdivision. Located just inside Loop 1604 off of Huebner Road, we are about half a mile from several excellent restaurants; Ezio Bistro, and Naples to the south; Eddie V’s, J Prime, Blu Prime, Aldino, El Mirasol and dj’s Bar and Grill (formerly Cover 3), to the north.
One of my favorite places to hang out on Sunday afternoons when my hometown Kansas City Chiefs are not on national TV is Stone Street Pub. Sporting multiple TVs, it is a great spot to join fellow Patrick Mahomes supporters as we cheer on the Chiefs to yet another Super Bowl. The NFL-friendly establishment opens early for noon kickoffs in the fall, letting patrons chow down on fresh popcorn and cold beer.
I am also just a mile from my gym — LA Fitness — where twice-weekly spin classes have been a mainstay for me since 2015. For outdoor cycling, the Salado Creek Greenway trail is just a few minutes away.
With nearby construction on Loop 1604 between I-10 and U.S. 281 nearly complete, it has become much easier to get around far north San Antonio, even during rush hour. The recently finished Blanco Road diverging diamond interchange has made it easier to get to my favorite place to check out a good book — Parman Branch Library in Stone Oak.
Another wonderful amenity is being just 10 minutes away from San Antonio International Airport. When visitors arrive, I can wait until they land before leaving my home to pick them up. When catching a flight, it’s an inexpensive Uber or Lyft ride from my front door to the terminal.
Also just 10 minutes to the west are the Rim, Fiesta Texas and the Rock at La Cantera, with all of the dining and entertainment options those areas provide.
With friendly neighbors and abundant food and entertainment options nearby, the Woods of Deerfield is the kind of place where everyone from toddlers to teens to senior citizens feels comfortable, safe and valued.
