Is Valley Hi safe?
San Antonio, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Valley Hi as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Valley Hi
“Go with care. Valley Hi is a working-class residential and commercial enclave near JBSA-Lackland with moderate property crime rates typical of outer Southwest San Antonio. Visitors visiting family or military personnel will find the area manageable during daylight hours, provided standard vehicle security precautions are maintained.”
About the area
Situated just south of Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Valley Hi is an established suburban neighborhood with mid-to-late 20th-century ranch homes and bustling strip plazas along Valley Hi Drive. The community has deep connections to military servicemembers, veterans, and long-term local residents.
- Military-Adjacent
- Car-Dependent
- Working-Class
- Suburban
Walking and biking in Valley Hi
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 35/100
Cycling infrastructure is minimal with few dedicated bike lanes on major arterials, and there is no direct connection to the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail system.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Strong veteran and military community presence linked to adjacent JBSA-Lackland.
- Generally quiet and established residential interior side streets.
- Convenient access to major regional thoroughfares like Loop 410 and US Highway 90.
Cons
- Elevated incidence of property crime and auto theft around commercial parking lots.
- Lower median household income and modest municipal infrastructure reinvestment.
- Sparse sidewalk coverage and poor street lighting across older residential blocks.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low to moderate, with occasional individuals near major highway intersections and underpasses along Loop 410, but large encampments are not prevalent.
What Valley Hi is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are calm and active with school traffic, local commuters, and base personnel heading into JBSA-Lackland.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons are busy around strip mall centers and major intersections, feeling relatively safe for normal errands.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings quiet down rapidly in the interior subdivisions, though retail parking lots warrant watchful awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights feature minimal foot traffic and dim street lighting, increasing safety risks for unaccompanied pedestrians.
Transit, parking and getting around
VIA Metropolitan Transit services the corridor via routes such as Route 614 and Route 618 along Valley Hi Drive, connecting directly to the Kel-Lac Transit Center.
Parking is completely free and easy to find, with wide residential streets and large surface parking lots at all commercial plazas.
Things to do in Valley Hi
- Sample authentic local Tex-Mex cuisine and breakfast tacos along Valley Hi Drive.
- Visit the nearby Airman Heritage Museum just north at JBSA-Lackland.
- Enjoy outdoor walking trails and sports facilities at nearby Pearsall Park.
Local favorites
- Taqueria Chapala Jalisco · Mexican Restaurant · 4.2★ (1150)Popular local diner serving generous portions of breakfast tacos, sizzling fajitas, and homemade salsas.
- Brenda's Burgers · Burger Restaurant · 4.5★ (1450)Longtime neighborhood counter-serve staple renowned for old-fashioned hamburgers and crinkle-cut fries.
- El Rodeo Mexican Grill · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (850)Casual strip-mall eatery offering classic Tex-Mex combo plates, parrilladas, and quick service.
Neighborhoods near Valley Hi
Common questions about Valley Hi
Is Valley Hi safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Valley Hi a good place to live?
On safety, Valley Hi scores 62/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Valley Hi?
Walk score 38/100 and bike score 35/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Valley Hi are safer?
Lackland AFB (84), Stablewood Farms (75), Hunt Crossing (74) score higher nearby.
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