I'd have to agree housing on the NW/west side is going up in $$$ relatively - it's where most of the residential growth is occurring, altho SA in general is growing decently. Housing is *still* relatively cheap for a major metropolitan area.
Traffic east of Lackland, especially at the I-10/410 (northwest side) exchange is a beech and not expected to improve anytime soon, so if you're at lackland, go (north-ish)west-ish young man.
Traffic really isn't all that bad compared to say, Wash DC or Dallas. As far as big cities go SA is very easy to get around in, but there are areas of major highway construction, dealing with and adding to the growing pains.
If you like to play golf... doesn't get much better than SA. SA is a great place to live and work, tho' very family orientated with lots of amusement parks within a decent drive (1 hr or so). And the mexican food to be found doesn't get any better.
You'd be aprrox 90 mins from Austin, and 3-4 from Houston, Dallas and Corpus Christi.
Welcome to SA, you'll like it.