Established two-story homes line the streets of a Schertz neighborhood minutes from Randolph AFB. Photo: Pexels.

You have a report date to Joint Base San Antonio, one house-hunting trip on the calendar, and a short list of Schertz neighborhoods you have only ever seen on a map. Living in Fairway Ridge keeps coming up in your searches because it sits close to Randolph, feeds a strong school district, and still has homes with real yards, but you cannot tell from a listing photo whether the street fits your family or your budget.

I am Anthony Sharp, a U.S. Air Force veteran and REALTOR® with Sharp Realty Group here in Cibolo, and Fairway Ridge is a Schertz neighborhood I know from both sides of the closing table. I list and sell here, and I own and manage rentals a few minutes away, so I can tell you how the streets really live rather than how a brochure describes them. Before you narrow down a street, it helps to see the wider pool of Schertz homes for sale, since Fairway Ridge is one pocket within a city that spans several price tiers and home ages.

What follows is the honest layout of the neighborhood: where it sits, what homes run in 2026, how the JBSA commute really shakes out, which schools serve the streets, and what the tax bill and homeowners association add to your payment. My goal is to get you to your one house-hunting trip already knowing whether Fairway Ridge belongs on your tour.

Key Takeaways

• Fairway Ridge is an established Schertz neighborhood of mostly 2000s and early 2010s homes, minutes from Randolph AFB and I-35.
• Homes here generally sit in the $300,000s to mid $400,000s in 2026, with larger two-story floor plans reaching higher.
• The neighborhood is zoned to Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, which earned a B accountability rating for 2024-2025.
• A modest homeowners association, a low-maintenance resale profile, and steady demand make it a practical fit for military and long-term buyers.

Home values, rates, and figures in this guide are a general estimate for 2026 and change over time. Confirm current numbers with the appraisal district, a licensed lender, and your agent before you rely on them.

What Living in Fairway Ridge Schertz Is Really Like

People hear Schertz and picture one giant subdivision, but the city is a patchwork of neighborhoods with different ages, lot sizes, and price tiers. Fairway Ridge is a settled pocket on the Cibolo side of Schertz, and here is what defines it:

The Age and Style of the Homes

Most of Fairway Ridge went up in the 2000s and early 2010s, so you are looking at brick-front one and two-story homes with open floor plans, attached two-car garages, and the kind of layouts families were buying a decade ago. That means higher ceilings, dedicated dining rooms, upstairs game rooms, and primary suites that are often downstairs. The homes are newer than the 1990s stock closer to central Schertz but older than the tight-lot construction going up on the edges of town, which tends to land them in a middle price tier.

The Lots and the Streets

Lot sizes here generally run in the 7,000 to 8,000 square foot range, which gives you a usable backyard without a full acre to maintain. The trees have had 15 or 20 years to fill in, so many streets have real shade, which matters more than buyers expect until they stand in a bare new-build backyard in July. The streets are quiet and residential, built for families rather than through-traffic, and that stability is a big part of why homes here tend to hold interest when they come up for sale.

The Everyday Conveniences Nearby

Daily life leans practical. Grocery, retail, and restaurants line I-35 and FM 3009 a short drive away, and you are close to the shops and services along the corridor without living on top of them. Before you settle on a street, it is worth checking what sits within walking distance, and the City of Schertz parks map covers more than 30 parks, trails, pools, and athletic fields across town. New Braunfels and the Hill Country are an easy weekend run for tubing, wineries, and state parks.

Fairway Ridge Home Prices and Market in 2026

The Schertz market in 2026 looks nothing like the frenzy of a few years ago. Inventory is up across the metro, homes are taking longer to sell, and sellers are offering credits that were unheard of in 2022. That shift favors patient buyers, and it shapes what you can expect to pay and to negotiate in this neighborhood:

Typical Price Ranges in the Neighborhood

Citywide, Schertz home values in 2026 have generally sat in the $300,000s depending on the source and the age of the neighborhood, with a wide spread between older sections and newer product. Fairway Ridge tends to land in the middle to upper part of that band because of its home sizes and floor plans. Smaller three-bedroom homes here can start in the low to mid $300,000s, while larger two-story homes with four or five bedrooms and 3,000 or more square feet can reach into the mid $400,000s and occasionally higher. Any single median hides that range, so treat published numbers as a snapshot and lean on recent comparable sales for a specific home.

The Negotiating Room in a Slower Market

With more homes sitting longer, buyers in Schertz have leverage they did not have a couple of years back. Recent third-party data has shown homes in the city taking well over three months to sell on average and most sales closing below list price, which hands you room to ask for repairs, a price adjustment, or help with closing costs. A few things I watch when I price or evaluate a Fairway Ridge home for a client:

• How long the home has been on the market and whether the price has already dropped.
• The age of the roof, heating and cooling, and water heater, since those drive your first-year costs.
• Whether comparable homes nearby have closed with seller concessions.
• The floor plan itself, because a downstairs primary and a true fifth bedroom command more interest.
• The condition of the yard and fence, which many listing photos flatter.

Market conditions and price ranges shift month to month and vary by source. Use these figures as a general guide, not a guarantee, and confirm current data with your agent.

The Financing Behind Your Budget

Rates move the payment more than almost anything else. The Freddie Mac 30-year fixed average was 6.67% as of August 13, 2026, easing slightly from earlier in the summer. For the service members I work with, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan is usually the sharpest tool at this price point, since it allows a purchase with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance, subject to what your lender approves. In a slower market, some sellers will help buy down your rate or cover part of your closing costs, so the sticker price is only half the conversation. Confirm your exact numbers with a licensed lender before you set a budget.

A Real Fairway Ridge Home for Reference

The front of 3113 Cameron Riv in the Fairway Ridge neighborhood of Schertz. Photo: Sharp Realty Group.

Ranges are useful, but a single home makes them concrete. To see how the larger two-story floor plans in this neighborhood come together, this 5-bedroom Fairway Ridge home at 3113 Cameron Riv is a good yardstick for size, layout, and price:

Treat those figures as a starting point rather than the ceiling or floor for the whole neighborhood, since a smaller three-bedroom on an interior lot will price well below this and a larger home on a premium lot can price above it. When you find a home you like, I can pull recent comparable sales so the number in front of you is grounded in what has closed nearby.

Listing details are deemed reliable but not warranted, and a home can change price or sell at any time. Confirm current price, status, and measurements before you rely on them.

Commuting to JBSA and Getting Around From Fairway Ridge

Quick access to I-35 keeps the JBSA gates and San Antonio within a manageable drive from Schertz. Photo: Pexels.

For a military family, the commute is usually the tiebreaker, because you will drive it hundreds of times over a tour. Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) is not one location, and Fairway Ridge is not equally close to all of it, so here is the honest breakdown by destination:

The Run to Randolph AFB

Randolph is the commute that makes Fairway Ridge attractive. From this side of Schertz, the drive to a Randolph gate is short, often well under 15 minutes depending on the gate and the time you leave. I spent years in uniform, and the difference between a 12-minute and a 40-minute run to the gate shows up in your quality of life fast. If Randolph is your duty station, you are in the right part of the corridor.

The Drive to Fort Sam Houston and Lackland

Fort Sam Houston, including Brooke Army Medical Center, typically runs about 20 to 25 minutes from the neighborhood by way of I-35, which most families find livable even with some rush-hour drag. Lackland AFB and the Camp Bullis training area sit on the far side of San Antonio, so plan on roughly 30 to 45 minutes without traffic and more at peak. If either is your primary duty location, I usually walk buyers through the trade-off between this corridor and communities closer to those gates before they settle on a house.

The Access to Highways and Retail

Beyond the base, the neighborhood ties quickly into I-35 and FM 3009, the two roads that carry most corridor traffic toward San Antonio, New Braunfels, and the retail in between. That access is what keeps the everyday errands short, and it is worth driving your real routes, to the gate and to the grocery store, at the times you would really travel them before you commit.

Commute times are estimates that swing with traffic, weather, and your exact address. Drive your real route at your real report time before you decide.

Schools, Taxes, and Costs of Living in Fairway Ridge

Fairway Ridge sits within the Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD attendance area. Photo: Pexels.

Beyond price and commute, the two factors that shape neighborhood life the most are the school zone and the total monthly cost. Both are knowable before you move, and both are worth an hour of homework:

The School District and Zoned Campuses

Fairway Ridge falls within Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District (SCUC ISD), which earned a B accountability rating with 81 out of 100 points from the Texas Education Agency for 2024-2025 and posts a four-year graduation rate around 96%. Homes in this neighborhood are zoned to Garden Ridge Elementary, Danville Middle School, and Davenport High School, though attendance boundaries shift as the area grows. Ratings also vary campus to campus, so verify the current zoned schools for any specific address before you write an offer rather than assuming from the neighborhood name.

The Property Tax Picture

Texas has no state income tax, and the trade-off is higher property taxes. Your total bill combines city, county, school district, and any special-district rates, which can push the effective rate into the higher end of the range for the area. Fairway Ridge sits in Comal County, so your appraisal and exemptions run through that county. As an example of scale, one recent Fairway Ridge home carried an annual tax figure in the range of $7,800, though your number depends on the assessed value, your exemptions, and the tax year. File your homestead exemption, review your appraisal each year, and budget the full escrow figure rather than principal and interest alone. Talk with a tax professional about your specific situation.

The Homeowners Association and Upkeep

Fairway Ridge carries a modest homeowners association, often a few hundred dollars a year, which is light compared with many newer master-planned communities. That keeps a baseline of neighborhood standards without a heavy monthly fee. Because these homes have some age on them, budget for the ordinary midlife repairs, a roof, a water heater, or a heating and cooling system, and lean on the inspection to tell you which of those clocks is already ticking on a specific home.

Who Fits Well Living in This Schertz Neighborhood

No neighborhood fits everyone, and the right call depends on your gate, your budget, and how long you plan to stay. Here is who tends to be happiest in Fairway Ridge and why:

Military and PCS Buyers

For a family reporting to Randolph, the short gate commute, the school zone, and the VA-friendly price point make this an easy neighborhood to shortlist. A move-in-ready resale here also tends to clear the VA appraisal with fewer snags than a home that needs work, which keeps a tight permanent change of station (PCS) timeline on track. When the next set of orders comes, a well-kept home on an established street near the base tends to draw the next military family, whether you sell or hold it as a rental.

Growing Families and Space Seekers

If your priority is room to grow inside a strong school zone, the larger floor plans here deliver both. Two-story homes with a downstairs primary, an upstairs game room, and a fenced backyard give a growing family separate living zones without stepping up to a luxury price. The mature trees and quiet streets are the kind of setting families settle into for years, not just a single tour.

Investors and Long-Term Owners

As someone who self-manages rentals across these ZIP codes, I look at Fairway Ridge differently when the goal is holding rather than living. Steady military demand near Randolph recycles every PCS season, and homes in this age range tend to keep maintenance manageable in the early years of ownership. The flip side is Texas property taxes, which get reassessed and can climb as the assessed value rises, so run the full numbers on a specific home before you count on a return. Talk with a tax professional about your situation before you buy to hold.

Deciding on Fairway Ridge With Confidence

The worry that brought you here, not knowing whether a neighborhood you have only seen online is right for your family, should feel a lot smaller now. You can size up a Fairway Ridge home by the numbers that matter, the commute, the school zone, the payment, and know before you fly in whether it deserves a spot on your tour. That is the position I want every buyer in this corridor to be in before their one house-hunting trip.

You do not have to sort it out alone or from another state. I live in this corridor, I list and sell in Fairway Ridge, and I manage rentals a few minutes away, so I can tell you which streets and floor plans fit what you need and which ones to skip. As a U.S. Air Force veteran and military relocation specialist, I can walk the neighborhood with you in person or by video and line up the right showings so your trip counts. When you are ready, Fairway Ridge is a strong place to land.

Ready to Tour Fairway Ridge in Schertz?

I am Anthony Sharp with Sharp Realty Group, a U.S. Air Force veteran who helps buyers and military families find the right neighborhood across Schertz, Cibolo, and the JBSA corridor. If you want a second set of eyes on a Fairway Ridge home or a plan for your PCS timeline, let's talk.

Call or text: 210-997-0763

Schedule a time: book a consultation

Email: anthony@sharprealtygrouptx.com

Office: 213 Terramar, Cibolo, TX 78108

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Fairway Ridge a good neighborhood for a Randolph AFB commute?

For a Randolph commute, it is one of the more convenient Schertz neighborhoods. The drive to a Randolph gate from this side of the city is short, often under 15 minutes depending on the gate and the hour, and I-35 keeps Fort Sam Houston within about 20 to 25 minutes. Commute times swing with traffic and your exact address, so drive your real route at your report time before you decide.

How much do homes cost in Fairway Ridge in 2026?

Prices generally range from the low to mid $300,000s for smaller three-bedroom homes up to the mid $400,000s and occasionally higher for larger two-story floor plans with four or five bedrooms. Citywide medians move month to month and vary by source, so use any figure as a snapshot and rely on recent comparable sales for a specific home. With more inventory this year, buyers often have room to negotiate.

What school district serves Fairway Ridge?

Fairway Ridge is served by Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD, which earned a B accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency for 2024-2025. Homes in the neighborhood are zoned to Garden Ridge Elementary, Danville Middle School, and Davenport High School. Attendance boundaries can change as the area grows, so verify the current zoned campuses for any specific address before you commit.

Can I use a VA loan to buy in Fairway Ridge?

Yes. Homes in the neighborhood are generally VA-friendly, and with full entitlement you can buy with zero down and no private mortgage insurance, subject to what your lender approves based on your income and credit. A move-in-ready resale also tends to clear the VA appraisal with fewer surprises, which helps a tight PCS timeline. Confirm your exact numbers with a licensed lender who knows VA files.

Does Fairway Ridge have a homeowners association?

Yes, and it is a light one, usually a few hundred dollars a year rather than the heavier monthly dues you see in newer master-planned communities. It sets a baseline for how the neighborhood looks without much cost to you. Ask for the current dues and any rules in writing before you write an offer, since amounts and terms can change.

Is Fairway Ridge better for buying or renting near JBSA?

It depends on your timeline and finances, but for a family on a multiyear tour, buying here can build equity while your housing allowance goes toward a mortgage instead of a landlord. The steady military demand near Randolph also makes homes here reasonable to rent out later if you PCS and choose to hold. Whether to buy or rent is a personal financial decision, so weigh it with a lender and, if it touches taxes, a tax professional.

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Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not consider your individual financial, tax, or legal circumstances. Market data, mortgage rates, tax figures, and program terms change and are provided as a general guide, not a guarantee. Property and neighborhood details are deemed reliable but not warranted; confirm schools, taxes, boundaries, and measurements independently. Nothing here guarantees financing, approval, appreciation, or resale value. Before making a decision, speak with a qualified professional such as a REALTOR®, a licensed lender, or an attorney about your specific situation.