Almost each week in 2025, The place I Stay contributors invited us into their houses and neighborhoods. They shared with us their recollections, traditions and favourite native spots. And so they instructed us their tales — their challenges, triumphs and the routines of their on a regular basis lives.
From residing downtown on the River Stroll and Museum Attain to the bustling Medical Middle, to suburbs outdoors of city like Leon Springs, Scenic Oaks and Cinco Lakes, contributors shared the individuals, locations and moments that form what it means to name San Antonio dwelling.
As we ring within the new yr, we glance again on the neighborhoods we acquired to know in 2025.
We began the yr off in The Reserve at Schertz, the place Sharon Denson wrote in regards to the bonds that come from shared navy backgrounds.
“Whether or not swapping tales about previous deployments or lending an empathetic ear to 1 one other, we’ve discovered a circle of people that really ‘get’ us,” Denson wrote.
To Denson, what makes her neighborhood distinctive is the emphasis on connection and neighborhood. She described neighborhood gatherings like vacation potlucks and driveway film nights stuffed with laughter that create a “heat and welcoming ambiance.”
Marcia Holliman and her husband Bruce reside in Military Residence Neighborhood, the place she says life is “full and rewarding.”
As retired Air Pressure, the couple hadn’t thought-about ARC as a spot to reside, however had been shocked to find the neighborhood has extra former Air Pressure residents than Military. Retired civilian authorities workers, Coast Guard, and Navy residents additionally name ARC dwelling.
ARC gives over 200 actions each month. Bruce likes to hop on his bike and trip throughout campus to the three lakes, the place he enjoys fishing. Marcia’s favourite exercise is being a part of the Sassy Senior Sisters, “a gaggle of twelve full of life girls who placed on 4 packages a yr.”
On the Decrease Southeast Facet, Amber DeLeon shared how her neighborhood turned a part of her id and the way her neighborhood helped her household after their dwelling burned down.
“It taught me how rapidly life can change and the way robust we might be when we have now no selection however to rebuild,” DeLeon wrote. Her story was one of many most-read The place I Stay essays this yr.
In Lavaca, Penelope Boyer shared a long time of witnessing her neighborhood change. She famous how the realm’s title — Spanish for “the cow” — remembers its previous as grazing land linked to early missions.
In King William, Justine Scott says of her neighborhood, “there’s at all times one thing occurring.” Dwelling simply steps from the River Stroll and surrounded by arts and actions, she says it’s arduous to get bored.
“What I really like most about King William is its historic structure,” Scott wrote. “The neighborhood is filled with lovely, previous houses, every with its personal distinctive character. Each constructing appears to inform a narrative, and it’s inspiring to reside surrounded by a lot historical past.”
On the border of Monte Vista and Tobin Hill, Alberto Bisi and his spouse, Valentina, opened San Antone Books after shifting from Bologna, Italy. He says he’s residing the dream, spending most days speaking to clients about books.
“It’s not one thing I had thought-about earlier than, however I’m noticing that we’re making a neighborhood, and it feels superb,” he wrote.
In Fox Grove, Jovin De Jesus described his neighborhood as “the sort of place I might see myself sticking round for some time.” He calls Fox Grove a “hidden gem” the place he enjoys tree-lined streets, pleasant neighbors, native meals spots, and a neighborhood basketball courtroom.
Mason Subject talks about life as a first-time renter residing on UTSA Boulevard, writing that the neighborhood “seems like the suitable place to start out this subsequent chapter of my life.”
“The small, quiet joys make this place really feel like dwelling,” Subject wrote. “On heat evenings, I’ll jog the greenway and catch deer nosing alongside the comb. On Sunday mornings, I’ll take a stroll for tea and pastries, then make amends for the most recent chapters of my favourite reads.”
In Crownridge, Trey Ponce — who moved right here from New Orleans — discovered neighborhood by way of sports activities by becoming a member of a wrestling membership and enjoying golf. He spends his evenings placing the ball “whereas watching the sundown on San Antonio’s lovely hill nation.”
Browse extra neighborhood tales utilizing our The place I Stay map and, in the event you’re feeling impressed, get in contact to share your individual story.
