Living in Castroville, Texas — The Closest Small Town to San Antonio’s Far West Side

What Castroville Is

Castroville is a one of a kind Texas town. Known as the Little Alsace of Texas, it was settled in 1844 by Alsatian immigrants under the leadership of Henri Castro, and the town has held onto that heritage in a way that most small Texas towns haven’t managed to hold onto anything. The architecture reflects it. The community character reflects it. The fact that there’s a historical society that actually does things reflects it.

It sits on the Medina River about 25 miles west of San Antonio on US-90 — the closest small town to my own neighborhood on the Potranco corridor, and one I know well from years of driving through it and working with clients in the area.

Here’s the real picture: Castroville is tiny. We’re talking a few thousand people, a small downtown, and the kind of place where you will know most of your neighbors and they will know you. If you move here from a city or a large suburb, that takes some adjustment. For some buyers it’s an adjustment they welcome with open arms.

The town is growing — slowly, but in a way that hasn’t changed its character. New homes have come to the surrounding area, bringing some options that didn’t exist a decade ago. But Castroville itself still feels like the small Texas town it is, and the people who move here tend to be the ones who specifically wanted that.

The Commute Reality

US-90 west is Castroville’s primary connection to San Antonio, and it’s a reasonable drive under most conditions. From Castroville to San Antonio’s far west side (my neighborhood, the Alamo Ranch area, Westover Hills) runs about 20 to 25 minutes. To downtown San Antonio, budget 35 to 45 minutes. To the south Texas Medical Center, 35 to 45 minutes.

Castroville’s position west of San Antonio on US-90 also gives it reasonable Lackland AFB access. The PCS to Lackland guide covers commute times from the southwest corridor including the US-90 route.

US-90 itself is a surface highway rather than an expressway for much of the Castroville stretch, which means the drive is not the same experience as an interstate commute. It’s manageable and most residents accept it easily, but worth driving before committing.

What Home Prices Look Like

Castroville and the surrounding Medina County area offer meaningful value compared to San Antonio’s suburbs. Land and larger lots are accessible at prices that just don’t exist in the Alamo Ranch or Helotes markets.

$220K–$350K — Entry level. Mix of established homes in town and some newer construction in surrounding areas. Lot sizes are generally more generous than comparable San Antonio suburban pricing.

$350K–$550K — Move-up range. Custom and semi-custom builds on larger lots, acreage properties in the surrounding area. The Hill Country and Medina River vicinity contribute to the appeal of properties in this range.

$550K+ — Larger acreage properties and custom builds. Buyers who want significant land alongside the Castroville location find real options in Medina County at this price point.

Who Lives in Castroville

The buyers who land in Castroville and love it tend to be people who made a conscious, deliberate choice. They didn’t end up here because it was the most convenient option — they chose it because they wanted a specific kind of life. Small community, people who know each other, a pace that doesn’t feel driven by the city’s rhythm.

I also see Lackland-area buyers here, particularly those who want to be outside the suburban corridor while maintaining a manageable gate commute. The western positioning of Castroville relative to Lackland makes it one of the more practical small-town options for that specific situation.

Schools in Castroville

Castroville is served by Medina Valley ISD: a smaller, community-oriented district that reflects the character of the area. Research specific campuses on the TEA website and verify campus assignment by address before purchasing.

Buyers who want stronger school district options than Medina Valley ISD can offer may find the closer-in far west San Antonio communities, like Helotes and Alamo Ranch, worth comparing before committing to Castroville’s commute and school picture together.