Live Oak, TX homebuyer’s guide
This South Texas “hidden gem” offers a wide range of housing for residents of any income level.
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Dan Kobialka
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9 min read
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Live Oak is a South Texas city located northeast of San Antonio within the I-35 and 1604 corridor. As of 2021, Live Oak has an estimated population of 15,840. About half of the city’s residents are women, and a quarter of Live Oak’s residents are under 18.
Residents find many reasons to stay, play, and enjoy their time in Live Oak. The city offers almost 150 acres of parks and amenities. It's not too far from Randolph Air Force Base, The Alamo,San Antonio River Walk, and other top local attractions and landmarks.
Latest homes for sale in Live Oak, TX
Look & feel of Live Oak
The Live Oak housing market
$294k
Median Home Price
$162
Median Price per Sq. Ft
31
Average Monthly Home Sales
The value of homes is increasing in the area
The median value of owner-occupied homes in Live Oak is $171,800. As of May 2022, the median value of homes in Texas was $354,000. Meanwhile, Texas’ economy is growing. There’s been record housing prices and record employment in the Lone Star State to date in 2022. These trends may continue, which could further increase the median value of homes in Live Oak and other Texas cities and towns.
Several home construction projects are underway
Single-family homes and mixed-use developments are being developed across Live Oak. These developments will allow residents to enjoy living and shopping in one location. There's also multi-family housing in the works. These units provide residents with easy access to quality apartment homes.
Cost of living in Live Oak
56.4%
Rent Affordability Index
Healthcare costs are more affordable in Live Oak
The overall cost of living in Live Oak is less than the national average, particularly when it comes to healthcare. Adults who live on their own in Live Oak pay an average of $3,743 annually in healthcare costs. On the other hand, a single adult living in Texas pays an average of $3,948 in healthcare costs each year. In the United States, a single adult pays an average of $4,266 for doctor’s appointments and other healthcare expenses
Food costs tend to be less than $8 per day
The average single adult living in Live Oak spends $2,765 on food. For a family of four in Live Oak, the average cost of food is $7,984 annually. In either of these instances, the average cost of food in Live Oak works out to less than $8 per person, per day.
The job market
2.3%
Unemployment Rate
$79k
Average Salary per Year
Live Oak's principal employers include Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union, Methodist Hospital Northeast, and Northeast Lakeview College. Nearly two-thirds of Live Oak's population aged 16 and up is part of the local workforce. Residents tend to work in Live Oak or San Antonio. On average, it takes about 25 minutes for residents to commute to work.
Child care providers and teachers are in demand
Approximately 25% of Live Oak’s population is under 18, and about 9% is under 5. By comparison, roughly 22% of the U.S. population is under 18, and nearly 6% is under 5. Live Oak offers many job opportunities for child care providers and teachers. Some of the top-rated child care centers in and around Live Oak include The Little Engine Learning Center and Toepperwein Road KinderCare. There are also highly rated schools close to Live Oak, like Great Oaks and Judson Early College Academy.
Public transportation
Services offered in Live Oak
🚊
Train: Union Pacific Railroad
🚍
🔋
EV charging: ChargeHub
Bus service is a few miles away
The closest bus stop to Live Oak is about 3 miles away in Converse. This provides transportation on the 21 and 640 bus lines.
There’s only a handful of electric vehicle charging stations
Seven EV charging stations are located in Live Oak. All of these stations provide level 2 charging. Most of them are available free of charge.
Demographics
15,451
Population
38.8
Median Age
90,509
Family Median Income
The Live Oak population is diverse and growing
More than one-third of Live Oak residents identify as Hispanic, nearly 19% identify as Black, and 14% identify as multiracial. Between 2017 and 2022, the Live Oak population increased 10.4%.
Crime & safety
Live Oak has a crime rate that’s slightly lower than the national average. Over the last five years, there has been a decline in violent crime in Live Oak. The Live Oak Police Department includes 35 sworn and 16 civilian employees. It also has 40 citizen volunteers.
Neighborhood guide
Live Oak’s neighborhoods have a suburban feel. Residents often describe the city’s neighborhoods as clean and secure. The neighborhoods are close to I-35 and Loop 1604, ensuring residents can easily travel by car to different parts of San Antonio.
Bridlewood Park - Moderately priced
Bridlewood Park is located close to the northeast side of San Antonio. The neighborhood features 450 housing units with an average price of $250,000. Many of Bridlewood Park’s homes were built in the mid-2000s. Bridlewood Park is just minutes from Rolling Meadows Elementary School, Kitty Hawk Middle School, and Judson High School. It also offers a community playground, basketball court, and park.
Auburn Hills at Woodcrest - Commuter friendly
Auburn Hills at Woodcrest is located at the intersection of I-35 and Loop 1604. The neighborhood features a private park, swimming pool, and basketball court. Residents can enjoy seamless access to Woodcrest Nature Park. Auburn Hills at Woodcrest has over 750 housing units with an average price of $225,000.
Vista Ridge - Centrally located
Vista Ridge is a single-family home development located at 12511 Vista Rim, just off I-35. It is scheduled to open in 2022. In total, 202 Vista Ridge homes are being constructed. Vista Ridge homes have prices approaching $400,000. These houses have anywhere from two to five bedrooms. The largest homes offer nearly 3,000 square feet of space. Smaller units are also being built that provide around 1,300 square feet of space.
Skybrooke - Luxurious and environmentally focused
Skybrooke is a single-family home development at 7305 Walkers Loop. It's within walking distance of Woodcrest Nature Park. Skybrooke homes feature luxury interiors, clay-fired brick exteriors, and energy-efficient elements. Each of these homes has two to four bedrooms. Homes are priced under $500,000 and offer up to about 2,500 square feet of space.
Live Oak Village - Charming and eclectic
The first homes in Live Oak Village were built in 1967. The newest Live Oak Village houses were built as recently as 2019. Live Oak Village features a mix of single-family residences and two-story houses. The average home price in Live Oak Village is less than $300,000. Live Oak Village is also about a 25-minute drive from San Antonio.
Toepperwein Road - Peaceful and pleasant
Toepperwein Road is right off I-35. Some residents describe the neighborhood as a safe, quiet place to live. They also point out that the neighborhood has lots of trees and is dog friendly. Toepperwein Road is also conveniently located near Chester’s Hamburgers, one of the top local burger joints.
3 things to know before buying a home in Live Oak, according to locals
1. Live Oak has a comfortable climate
The weather in Live Oak goes back and forth between dry and humid. Weather conditions typically depend on the winds. Temperatures in Live Oak get hot in the summer, mild and cool in the winter, and warm and rainy in the spring and the fall. There's usually only a few freezes each year, and while the occasional snowstorm has been known to occur, it rarely snows in Live Oak.
2. The Live Oak educational system is "highly regarded"
Many parents love the school system in Live Oak. The Judson Independent School District (JISD) is committed to "producing excellence." As part of its efforts to achieve this goal, JISD provides its teachers with ongoing training and support. That way, JISD teachers are well equipped to help students learn, grow, and thrive. Just outside Live Oak is the North East Independent School District (NEISD), which is the second-largest school district in San Antonio. NEISD serves over 60,000 students across 70 campuses.
3. There's plenty of places to shop not too far from Live Oak
Live Oak residents don't have to travel far to shop 'til they drop. The Forum at Olympia Parkway in Selma is only about a 5-minute drive from Live Oak. It has over 40 stores, including Best Buy and Target. San Antonio’s IKEA is also located in Live Oak.
The top 4 things to do in Live Oak
1. Spend the day at Woodcrest Nature Park
Woodcrest Nature Park is located at 11021 Forest Pass Court, off Forest Bluff from Toepperwein Road. The park consists of 32 acres of land and many natural wooded areas. Visitors can access walking and jogging trails that are "thoughtfully looped" to prevent people from getting lost. There are picnic tables — many of which are located in the shade — so guests can enjoy nature while they picnic. The park also has a playground that features a large climbing rock, swings, two monster slides, and sit-and-spin rides.
2. Play a round of disc golf or go fishing at Main City Park
The Live Oak Lake Course is a championship-level disc golf course. It starts near the sports fields at Main City Park. The course is heavily wooded and has many hills. It features 18 holes that range from par 3 to par 5. The course is a top choice for some of the best disc golfers in San Antonio. It is accessible year round and has hosted several national disc golf tournaments. Our local expert also recommends Lakeside at Main City Park. The lake is stocked twice a year for those seeking to fish, and paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing are also permitted on the lake.
3. Go for a swim at the municipal pool
The Live Oak City Pool is the perfect place to cool off on a hot Texas day. Guests can access a six-lane pool and a baby wading pool. Shade canopies keep the sun’s rays from beating down on different sections of the pool. There’s lawn chairs where guests can sit, relax, and soak up the sun. Guests can even bring food and beverages and enjoy them at tables surrounding the pool.
4. Enjoy the “Ultra-Accessible” attractions at Morgan’s Wonderland
Morgan’s Wonderland in San Antonio is about a 10-minute drive from Live Oak. It offers 25 “Ultra-Accessible” attractions for guests of all ages. These attractions are designed for guests with and without disabilities and include rides and playscapes with interactive elements. Morgan’s is home to an Ultra-Accessible splash park. It also hosts the Eggstra Special Easter Festival and other family events throughout the year.
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