Opendoor
  • Sell
  • Buy
  • Buy & Sell
Sign In

Monte Vista, TX homebuyer’s guide

This small neighborhood north of San Antonio has a rich history and tons of character.

MV

Michael Valverde

Author

GH

Garrett Heath

Reviewer

6 min read

Curious what your home is worth?

Get an offer in minutes, sell in a matter of days.

Find out

Spotlight

What does under contract mean?

Chelsea Levinson, JD

San Antonio is an established area that’s attracted a lot of attention in recent years. Families and young professionals are drawn to neighborhoods north of the city. One of them, Monte Vista, offers some of the most appealing properties for wealthier homebuyers and residents. Competitive schools, trendy restaurants, and numerous outdoor attractions make Monte Vista an increasingly popular area for those looking to move to San Antonio. A tight-knit community in a quiet and picturesque location, Monte Vista is rich in culture and well worth exploring. 

Latest homes for sale in Monte Vista, TX

  • Listing main image

    $295,000

    • 2 br
    • 1 ba
    • 646 sqft
    106 Ewald St, San Antonio, TX 78212
  • Listing main image
  • Listing main image

    $1,250,000

    • 3 br
    • 3 ba
    • 3318 sqft
    329 W Agarita Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212
  • Listing main image
  • Listing main image

    $775,000

    • 4 br
    • 3 ba
    • 3102 sqft
    127 E Ashby Pl, San Antonio, TX 78212
  • Listing main image

    $305,000

    • 2 br
    • 1 ba
    • 828 sqft
    108 Ewald St, San Antonio, TX 78212
  • Listing main image

    $1,225,000

    • 4 br
    • 2.5 ba
    • 4050 sqft
    323 W Woodlawn Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212
  • Listing main image

    $999,999

    • 5 br
    • 3.5 ba
    • 4697 sqft
    415 W Ashby Pl, San Antonio, TX 78212
  • Listing main image

Look & feel of Monte Vista

The housing market

$620k

37%

Median Home Price

$313

19%

Median Price per Sq. Ft

6

-21%

Average Monthly Home Sales

A city with a rich visual history

Monte Vista has a rich history that’s on full display. Many of the residential and commercial buildings in the Monte Vista Historic District are well over a century old. Even the suburbs showcase a dazzling variety of properties in Tudor, Classical, and Spanish architecture styles.

There aren’t many houses to go around

This small community has a lot to offer. Unfortunately, that means there aren’t many houses on the market—and those that are listed tend to sell quickly. It’s smart to jump on an interesting listing as soon as possible, since there’s no guarantee it’ll stay on the market for long.

Who lives in Monte Vista?

4,985

Population

36.9

Median Age

176,519

Family Median Income

It’s a great location for Spanish speakers

Spending any time in this historic San Antonio neighborhood will expose you to a rich Hispanic cultural presence. Roughly one-third of its inhabitants speak Spanish and there are numerous Mexican eateries around. The local arts and activities have a strong south-of-the-border flavor as well.

Few San Antonio citizens live in this neighborhood

According to demographic data from multiple sources, less than 5,000 people live in Monte Vista. While there are well over a million people living in the greater San Antonio area, less than 1% of them can be found in this quiet neighborhood.

Walking & biking

🚴‍♀️

Bike score 69; walk score 64 

Clear skies, clean paths, and beautiful scenery

Although it can be overcast during winter months, summers in Monte Vista are a sight to behold. Flowers and trees can be found in virtually every yard and around every corner. And with lots of street art and beautiful architecture, you can expect stunning scenery when taking a neighborhood stroll.

Hot and humid summers are the norm

Although Monte Vista is beautiful during the summer, the heat and humidity can get ugly. It’s not uncommon for temperatures to rise above 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the afternoon in June and July, and the humidity can make it feel even warmer. For these reasons, walking in the early morning or evening will be much more comfortable.

Public transportation

Services offered in Monte Vista

Biking is more reliable than public transit

With relatively short distances between stores, restaurants, and midtown San Antonio, it’s possible to get around Monte Vista with a good bicycle. But if it’s an especially hot day, or if you want to explore the rest of the city, it’s better to drive than to rely on public transit. Most bus routes require transfers in downtown San Antonio, which can add an hour to get in and out of the neighborhood.

All roads lead downtown

It’s not difficult to call a cab or rideshare in and out of Monte Vista, but most forms of transportation and related amenities are downtown on the other side of I-35. This is also where most of the nearby EV charging stations are located.

Animals & pets 

A welcoming community for pets 

With clean and walkable suburbs, Monte Vista is a welcoming forever home for cats and dogs alike. However, it’s recommended to limit any summer dog walking to the early morning or evening, since the ground can get too hot for their paws in the middle of the day.

3 things to know before buying a home in Monte Vista, according to locals

1. It’s more affluent than other San Antonio neighborhoods

With over a century of historical architecture, a small population, and a tiny real estate market, Monte Vista has more expensive properties than other neighborhoods. The average Monte Vista household income is over $80,000 a year, and its inhabitants are typically college educated.

2. Prepare for humid summers

For the most part, Monte Vista has pleasant weather with limited rain and warm temperatures. However, summers can be very hot and humid. On those hot summer days, air conditioning can be a lifesaver—but a nice agua fresca from a local TexMex spot doesn’t hurt, either.

3. Enjoy Mexican culture and cuisine

San Antonio is one of the Mexican food capitals of the world, and Monte Vista has plenty of delicious restaurants to satisfy a Tex-Mex craving. When you want to take in some culture, Monte Vista is a registered historic district, so there’s an abundance of culture on display, including street art from local artists.

The top 4 things to do in Monte Vista

1. Take a morning tour

Among many other annual and seasonal events, the Monte Vista Historical Association regularly schedules walking tours. You will learn more about what this neighborhood has to offer and explore the fascinating architecture behind some of the city’s most visually distinctive structures.

2. Visit the Alamo

The famous Spanish fort is just a few miles south of Monte Vista, which makes for a convenient day trip by bus or car. Learn about the military exploits of Davy Crockett at the Alamo Exhibit and walk through the Living History Encampment to see what life was like in 1800s Texas.

3. Explore the Botanical Gardens

Our local expert Garrett suggests that Monte Vista residents and visitors alike explore the San Antonio Botanical Garden. As both a living classroom and a tranquil escape in the midst of the big city, the Garden offers unique natural exhibitions along with monthly events for childrena and adults alike. For more information on hours and current exhibits, visit their website

4. Enjoy the nightlife

On those hot summer days, residents prefer to do their partying at night. Night owls have a lot of choices in Monte Vista. You can take in a show at the Sunken Garden Theater, grab a bite and a drink at the Bombay Bicycle Club, or go dancing at the Wax Club Lounge. The Pearl Brewery complex is another exceedingly popular local attraction, with a variety of eateries and shops available on site.

Continue exploring the San Antonio area

MV

Michael Valverde Author

Michael Valverde is a freelance writer and editor. He is the creator of VA Nutshell, an educational blog for voice actors. Michael lives in northern California with his wife Nicole and their pets, Meatloaf and Meatball.

GH

Garrett HeathReviewer

Garrett Heath loves San Antonio, cheese enchiladas and Fiesta. He is the personality behind SA Flavor and loves exploring all that the Alamo City has to offer.