Living in Helotes, TX

Helotes is a small city in northwest Bexar County, about 20 miles northwest of downtown San Antonio, where the city starts to give way to the Hill Country. It had about 9,000 people at the 2020 census and is known for its revitalized Old Town, a legendary dance hall and its annual Cornyval festival.

Getting around

SH 16 (Bandera Road) runs through Helotes, heading southeast into San Antonio and northwest about 30 miles to Bandera. Loop 1604 is about 2 miles southeast of the center of town, which makes it easy to reach the rest of north and west San Antonio. FM 1560 runs along the city's eastern side, and San Antonio International Airport is about 20 miles away.

Things to do

John T. Floore Country Store, opened in 1946 and now a Texas Historic Landmark, a legendary dance hall that has hosted Willie Nelson and many other country stars
Cornyval, held each year in late April or early May at the Helotes Festival Grounds on Leslie Road, with a PRCA rodeo and live music
Old Town Helotes, the revitalized downtown, completed in 2011, with local shops and restaurants
Government Canyon State Natural Area, about 8 miles southwest, with more than 13,000 acres, about 40 miles of trails and dinosaur tracks

Schools

Helotes is served by Northside ISD, and Sandra Day O'Connor High School serves the Helotes area. Homes outside the city limits can fall in other districts, so I always confirm the school assignment for a specific address.

Homes and neighborhoods

Helotes stayed largely rural until a housing boom in the late 20th century, so you'll find established neighborhoods with mature oaks, newer subdivisions, and homes on larger Hill Country lots with views. Outside the city limits there's acreage along the hills and creeks. With larger-lot and rural homes, I also check septic, wells where they apply, easements and tax rates.

A little history

Helotes was settled in the 1850s by immigrants mainly from Germany and Mexico, and its name likely comes from elote, Spanish for corn on the cob. Dr. George Marnoch bought the land that became Old Town in 1858, and Helotes incorporated in 1981.