Living in Somerset, Texas

Somerset at a Glance

Location: Southwest Bexar County, near Loop 1604
City Status: Independent incorporated city
County: Bexar County; some Somerset-address properties are in Atascosa County
Main Roads: Loop 1604, Somerset Road (FM 2790), FM 476 and nearby Highway 16
Housing: Established homes, rural properties, larger residential lots, acreage and custom homes
Schools: Somerset ISD; verify district eligibility by property address
New Construction: Individual custom homes and smaller residential developments
Utilities: SAWS water and city wastewater services in designated areas; rural arrangements vary
Nearby Areas: Von Ormy, Lytle, Poteet and Southwest San Antonio
Transportation: Primarily car-dependent

Where Is Somerset, Texas?

Somerset is located southwest of San Antonio, near the intersection of Somerset Road and Loop 1604. Somerset Road, also known as FM 2790, connects the community with Southwest San Antonio and Loop 410. Loop 1604 provides access toward Highway 16 and I-35, while FM 2790 continues west toward Lytle.

Somerset is an incorporated city in Bexar County, but the surrounding housing market reaches farther south into Atascosa County. Some properties with Somerset mailing addresses are several miles outside the city limits.

If you’re comparing smaller communities around San Antonio, my Small Towns Guide covers other locations with rural housing and larger properties.

What Is Everyday Life Like in Somerset?

Somerset is a small community with established residential streets, local schools, churches and a limited number of businesses. It doesn’t have the extensive shopping and commercial development found in San Antonio’s larger suburbs.

Most residents travel into Southwest San Antonio or nearby communities for grocery shopping, medical appointments and other services.

Outside the older part of town, the landscape is largely rural. You’ll find open fields, wooded properties, ranch-style homes and country roads connecting scattered residential areas.

Somerset also has a history tied to farming, railroads and oil production, although today it’s primarily a small residential community surrounded by agricultural and rural land.

For buyers accustomed to living near shopping centers and major highways, the amount of driving can take some adjustment. Homes farther outside town may require several miles of travel before reaching Loop 1604 or another major road.

Somerset City Limits + Surrounding Rural Properties

Somerset’s incorporated city limits cover a much smaller area than the properties you’ll see when searching for homes with Somerset addresses.

Some homes are located within the city, while others are in unincorporated Bexar County or farther south in Atascosa County.

City services, property taxes, utility providers and development regulations can change depending on where the property is located. For example, a home within Somerset may have access to municipal wastewater service, while a rural property outside town may depend on a private septic system.

Properties outside city limits may also fall under different county development requirements. Private deed restrictions can apply regardless of whether the land is inside or outside an incorporated city.

When searching for acreage, I would confirm the county, city-limit status and applicable restrictions for each property.

Schools in Somerset

Somerset ISD serves Somerset and surrounding areas of southwest Bexar County and northern Atascosa County. The district operates several campuses, including Somerset Elementary, Somerset Junior High, Somerset High School and additional elementary and intermediate schools.

Because the district covers a large rural area, not every campus is located within Somerset’s city limits. Some schools are in the surrounding area near Loop 1604 and Von Ormy.

I recommend verifying district eligibility and current campus assignments using the property’s exact address, particularly when looking at homes outside town.

You can find current school information through Somerset ISD.

Water, Septic + Rural Property Considerations

Utility arrangements are an important part of buying a home in Somerset. Within the city, water service is provided by the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), and Somerset operates its own wastewater collection and treatment system for properties connected to municipal sewer.

The City of Somerset’s Utility Information page provides current service details. Outside the city, properties may have different water providers, private wells or septic systems.

For a home with a septic system, I’d want to know its age, permit history, location and condition. Private wells also need to be checked for water quality, production and equipment maintenance.

My Well and Septic Guide covers the inspections and responsibilities that come with these systems.

Drainage, Access + Land Use

Larger properties can have additional issues that aren’t common in traditional subdivisions. I’d look at drainage patterns, floodplain information, easements, fencing and whether the road serving the property is publicly or privately maintained.

If you’re planning to have animals, build a workshop or add another structure, the property’s restrictions and local permitting requirements should be reviewed before purchasing.

The City of Somerset has its own zoning and building regulations within city limits, while properties outside the city may be subject to county requirements.

Building a Custom Home in Somerset

Somerset and the surrounding countryside have residential lots and acreage where custom construction may be possible. Some properties already have a home or existing improvements, while others are undeveloped land.

Before buying a lot, I would want to confirm water availability, septic requirements, electrical service and whether the property can accommodate the type of home you’re planning. Clearing, driveway construction, drainage work and utility connections can add considerable expense when building on rural land.

I’d also check zoning, deed restrictions and any applicable permitting requirements before committing to a property.

My Custom Home + Build-on-Your-Lot Guide covers evaluating land, choosing a builder and preparing for construction.

Home Prices + Property Taxes in Somerset

Somerset includes smaller established homes, custom properties, newer construction and acreage, so home prices depend heavily on the type of property.

An older home near the town center will usually be compared with different properties than a newer custom house on several acres. Land size, improvements, condition and access to utilities can all affect the price.

Property taxes also depend on the location. Homes inside Somerset may have different taxing jurisdictions from properties in unincorporated Bexar County or neighboring Atascosa County.

Some rural properties have agricultural or other special-use land valuations. Buyers should verify the current valuation and any requirements for maintaining it after purchasing.

My Property Tax Guide explains Texas property taxes and exemptions.

Getting Around From Somerset

Somerset Road and Loop 1604 provide the main connections between Somerset and Southwest San Antonio. Somerset Road runs northeast toward Loop 410, while Loop 1604 connects with Highway 16 and provides access west toward I-35 near Von Ormy.

The road network is different from many of San Antonio’s suburban communities. Several of the main routes are surface roads rather than interstate highways, and rural homes can be some distance from those connections.

For someone working in Southwest San Antonio, Somerset may be worth considering depending on the specific destination. A daily commute to the Medical Center, Northwest San Antonio or the Far West side involves considerably more driving.

Commuting to JBSA-Lackland

Somerset is southwest of JBSA-Lackland, and some military households consider the area when searching for homes with larger lots or rural acreage. The route to the installation depends on the property’s location and which gate you need to use. A home closer to Loop 1604 may have different access than one farther south or west along rural roads.

If you’re assigned to Lackland, my PCS to Lackland Guide covers additional housing areas and commuting considerations.

For the larger PCS process, VA financing and buying from another duty station, my Military Relocation Guide brings those resources together.