The city where the name says it all
In Devine, Texas, “the name says it all,” according to the city’s slogan. Believed by its residents to be a divine place to live, Devine was first founded in 1881 after the International-Great Northern Railroad was extended from San Antonio to Laredo. It attracted residents who wanted to live near San Antonio while still enjoying the serenity of a rural country community, and to this day, that’s why most people live there. “What I love most about Devine is the sense of support. When there’s a crisis in Devine or a family needs help with something, the whole community comes together to make that family feel supported,” says Realtor Misty Houston, who’s lived in Devine since she was nine and has sold real estate in the area for 18 years. “I encourage anyone looking in the San Antonio area to consider Devine. They can reach out to anyone in the community or the city offices to learn more. We love answering questions about Devine and we’re always happy to help.”
Ranch- and traditional-style homes
Single-story ranch-style homes are the predominant architectural style in Devine, but others are available, like new traditional-style homes, Spanish-influenced estates and small country bungalows. “A lot of families have been here for generations, but we’ve seen some new families move in as San Antonio continues to grow,” Houston says. “We haven’t had as much development as nearby communities yet, so we still have that small-town feel, but we’re very welcoming of our new neighbors.” The median list price here is $250,000, and list prices vary greatly. Offerings start around $100,000 for a manufactured home and get as high as $675,000 for a recently renovated home with a pool. Listings for most two- to five-bedroom single-family homes tend to fall between $200,000 and $500,000.
Tex-Mex, steak and Devine Café
Serving some of the best steaks in this part of Texas, Triple C Steakhouse is the most popular restaurant in town, with an old-school country vibe that makes all patrons feel right at home. Other popular picks are Billy Bob’s Hamburgers, which has locations across the San Antonio metro area, and Las Palmas Mexican Restaurant, which serves the best Tex-Mex in town. For a meal on the go, locals swing by the fast-casual Juan’s Tacos, and for a sit-down brunch, they head to Devine Café, which has a menu of breakfast tacos alongside staples like omelets and pancakes. Most get their groceries at Walmart or Food King, and the selection of stores in town includes Ace Hardware, Dollar Tree, Tractor Supply Co. and Christian’s Furniture, a locally owned furniture store.
Devine Independent School District
Devine students attend schools in the Devine Independent School District, starting with John J. Ciavarra Elementary School, which received a B on the educational review site Niche. Then, they continue to Devine Intermediate School, which received a B-plus, and Devine Middle School, which received a B, before graduating from Devine High School, which received a B-minus. In December 2023, the Devine Education Foundation awarded $61,000 to the Devine High School Shop to enhance its career preparation program. “We see a lot of community support for our school system,” Houston says. “During the playoffs in school sports, everyone comes out and cheers them on. It really brings the community together.”
Spending time outside at Devine City Park
Devine has a few small parks in town, the largest and most popular of which is Devine City Park, which has a playground, walking track, picnic pavilion and has recently added a sand volleyball court. On weekends, kids play baseball and softball at Devine Little League Complex, and kids enjoy the swing set and merry-go-round at John Curcio Park, which also has shaded picnic tables. On the north end of town, the Devine Golf Course is a public-access golf course with oak-lined fairways and a pro shop, food truck and full bar and lounge on site.
The Annual Devine Cactus Fall Festival
The biggest event in Devine is its Annual Devine Cactus Fall Festival, which kicks off with a parade and is followed by a carnival with food, games and live music. It’s an event that brings the entire town together, and between its carnival rides, art and history exhibits and craft and plant sales, there’s a little something for everyone at this annual festival. Throughout the year, the Driscoll Public Library fosters community by offering ongoing programming like story times, art clubs and nutrition education.
Take Interstate 35 to San Antonio
Devine sits along Interstate 35, which residents can take 34 miles northeast to get to San Antonio. “We’re about 30 minutes outside San Antonio, and we have oil fields to the south, so it’s a good location for families where one spouse works in the city and the other works in oil,” Houston says. The closest hospital to Devine is the Frio Regional Hospital in Pearsall, 22 miles south, and the nearest airport is the San Antonio International Airport, 42 miles northeast. Devine does not have a bus system, but Alamo Regional Transit allows Medina Country residents to book curb-to-curb transportation service at least 24 hours in advance.
Photography Contributed By
Adam Michaud
