How would you compare these two places? Is there a big difference or the two pretty much intersect into 1 community?

I am from Alamo heights, so my knowledge on this part of town is pretty lacking tbh. Is it mostly people who have moved to there from San Antonio and got tired of the city or is it lots of people from other parts of Texas (or states?)

Bulverde has city government and some of the obnoxious things that come with that. There are reasons why development has happened the way it has. Day to day is just one area running into another as SA sprawls further out. I live on the East side of 311 so I am Canyon lake address and have to drive 25 min when post office won't deliver something. I am zoned for Smithson Valley schools though. My office is on Hwy 46-Spring Branch address (post office), but we had to pull City of Bulverde permits bc of their annexation. It's all meshed together.

There is also the area to the east of these areas, near canyon lake. Both north and south of the lake are two almost communities that seem kind of separate. Will be interesting how this area grows in the future.

The place I was staying is "spring branch" city, or at least close enough to use the address, but the schools seem to be canyon lake, which is interesting. This is right on the edge of an acceptable commute into town IMO. It's 25 minutes from the HEB which is technically also in spring branch (i guess that is the real spring branch?) Brookshire is 15 minutes away although more expensive I think

There is a bookstore there yes? Pretty nice book store, gas station, with a hippie looking guy permanently selling some kind of wooden art pieces he makes. Can't recall what they are

I'm originally from San Antonio, moved out of state for a bit, and then moved back in 2020. When we came back, the city had changed a fair amount, so we decided to move out of town for more space. We live in Bulverde (Bulverde Hills subdivision) and have enjoyed it. The city is catching up, but it's nice not having your neighbors right on you. As for city governance, other posters have hit it on that topic.

It's pretty easy to get into town off 281. And if you want to run up to Chick-fil-A or Academy, etc., then they're right here. Just hoping the construction on 46 hurries up.

https://www.co.comal.tx.us/Historical/Markers/Knibbe_House/HERMAN_AND_ADA_HOME.pdf

Here's probably more than OP wanted to know about the history of Spring Branch. There was certainly a greater distinction between Bulverde and Spring Branch in the founding days of Specht's Store on Cibolo Creek and the Knibbe Ranch on Spring Creek. When I got here 23 years ago we already had the small HEB that is now Planet Fitness right in between the two communities. Development around the 281/46 intersection has made them basically one. My address is in Bulverde but I still have to drive damn near to Blanco to get my packages USPS won't deliver.

Gunny456 probably has a lot to say on the topic. I believe he is close to Rattler on the Guadalupe.

Dubya99 said:

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https://www.co.comal.tx.us/Historical/Markers/Knibbe_House/HERMAN_AND_ADA_HOME.pdf

Here's probably more than OP wanted to know about the history of Spring Branch. There was certainly a greater distinction between Bulverde and Spring Branch in the founding days of Specht's Store on Cibolo Creek and the Knibbe Ranch on Spring Creek. When I got here 23 years ago we already had the small HEB that is now Planet Fitness right in between the two communities. Development around the 281/46 intersection has made them basically one. My address is in Bulverde but I still have to drive damn near to Blanco to get my packages USPS won't deliver.

Gunny456 probably has a lot to say on the topic. I believe he is close to Rattler on the Guadalupe.

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When we moved out here that HEB wasn't there. The elementary and middle schools, Ginn's store, The Antler restaurant, an auto mechanic shop and a couple of gas stations was about it at 281 and 46

Was Ginn's NE of 281/46 between Antlers and the Exxon?

Dubya99 said:

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Was Ginn's NE of 281/46 between Antlers and the Exxon?

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Yes

I live there, it's basically the same place.

Rattler12 said:

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When we moved out here that HEB wasn't there. The elementary and middle schools, Ginn's store, The Antler restaurant, an auto mechanic shop and a couple of gas stations was about it at 281 and 46

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I remember those days. My grandfather had 3/4 of an acre off of Rainbow and 46 where we would hunt whitetail deer until all the housing, and the 10 acre law, put an end to that. On the way back we'd stop at that little mom and pop gas station to get me a Dr. Pepper. Fun memories.

Moved from Timberwood Park to a subdivision off 1863 a few years back (we have about 7 acres). Now that the construction is done on 281, it's pretty easy to get into "town" (SA) for all of our goings on. Decent schools (if necessary). They used to only have "local" restaurants at 46 & 281, but now you have Chili's, Chipotle, Chic-Fil-A, Jimmy John's, Jersey Mikes, amongst others. SuperCuts (and another one if you are okay w/ chain), Discount Tire, Academy, Advance Auto Parts, etc

Some of these have just popped up since this summer. It's growing, and all the construction on 46 shows it. I do my best not to mess with it if I don't have to.

We moved to Smithson Valley (311) in Jan '15. Told friends from where we'd moved from, that I had everything I needed… H-E-B, Home Depot, and Tractor Supply. Didn't need anything else. Then they built the **** Walmart. That was a magnet for a slew of fast food restaurants and other businesses which was another magnet for unbelievable traffic (compared to previously). Perhaps whenever they complete the 46 project it may get better but I fear not.