Californians relocating to San Antonio - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

llovato · 02-26-2006, 05:11 PM

Hello Everyone!

My family and I are looking to relocate to San Antonio in the summer. The cost of living here in California is ridiculous! My parents are native Texans. My husband's family isn't too keen on our move but when we last visited SA we just fell in love with the city. Are there any Californians that have relocated to Texas? What was your experience like?

Thanks!

Shannon · 02-26-2006, 07:23 PM

I was born in San Diego, CA and spent all the way up to 4th grade there. I had the typical "cowboys, Texan drawl, tumbleweeds and oil wells" type view of Texas and the whole reason WildTexas.com exists is to share the beauty, diversity and opportunities of our Lone Star State.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to let us know and we'll be happy to assist you!

llovato · 02-26-2006, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannon

I was born in San Diego, CA and spent all the way up to 4th grade there. I had the typical "cowboys, Texan drawl, tumbleweeds and oil wells" type view of Texas and the whole reason WildTexas.com exists is to share the beauty, diversity and opportunities of our Lone Star State.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to let us know and we'll be happy to assist you!

Hello Shannon,
Thank you! I think a big adjustment would be the heat during the summer. The weather here in Northern California is pretty mild compared to the summer Texas heat. Growing up my family and I went to visit my cousins in Del Rio and El Paso every summer.
Also another question. What are the best part of SA to live? We're looking at middle class to upper middleclass neighborhoods as well as a higher non-flood area. Any suggestions? Thanks Shannon. You're site is wonderful and very informative!

Shannon · 02-27-2006, 09:09 AM

It's generally hotter in Del Rio and El Paso than here in San Antonio, but we do occasionally break the century mark in the summer (usually; I don't think we did last year, but it was an unseasonably mild summer AND winter.)

San Antonio has many nice areas and neighborhoods. I grew up on the northwest side of town, on the "outskirts" of the city, near Helotes off Hwy 16 (Bandera Road) and Hwy 1604. That area hasn't been the "outskirts" for 5-10 years now, but it's still nice and is reasonably close to major employers like USAA, Valero, University of Texas @ San Antonio, the new La Cantera upscale shopping mall, etc. They're in the Northside Independent School District, which is where I spent all my public schooling (and I didn't turn out half bad!

)

My husband and I live about 15 minutes away, still in the northwest quadrant of the city but in the Northeast Independent School District. The area we are located in is called Stone Oak and it is one of, if not the, fastest growing areas of town -- with all the associated high taxes and traffic nightmares that come with that. Still, it's our first home and we fell in love with it over 5 years ago; unlike much of the Stone Oak housing options (homes, apartments, townhomes), we are reasonably shielded from being boxed in by other developments due to living right on one of the borders of Camp Bullis, off Blanco Road and 1604. We also have a growing "second" medical center developing near us, and due to having knee surgery early last last year, we've put those services to use already.

My sister and brother in law also live in the area, further down Blanco road in a newer housing development. A new school has gone in near them to support the growing population of youngsters in the area. (The same is true for my parents' neighborhood, which also has a new school going in nearby.)

My mother and father in law owned a home on the southside right by Stinson Municipal Airport off Roosevelt Avenue, which they sold about 5 years ago after raising all of their kids there. That area is seeing a bit of a revitalization, of sorts, due to the development of the Toyota assembly plant in that part of town. But it will be a long drive to many of the major employers, other than Brooks City Base, the State Hospital, etc. They now live in a wooded community with sprawling lots and mostly older homes, Hollywood Park, located off Hwy 281. We live about 5 minutes away from them.

For awhile, I worked at Randolph Air Force Base and recently I was in that area again, and it too has seen a huge growth and development boom. There are now theatres, eating establishments and major shopping centers, in addition to the now-longstanding Rolling Oaks Mall.

There are many other areas of town that you should consider, these are just the ones I am familiar with. I have lived here for something like 27 or so years, ever since my family relocated from San Diego when I was a child.

CyberCelt · 03-01-2006, 11:46 AM

Welcome to Texas. Look north and northwest of the city. Schools in San Antonio Northside ISD are good. Get the information here from Chamber of Commerce.

Towns nearby: Boerne, New Braunfels, Seguin

04-09-2006, 02:07 AM

I moved to San Antonio from California. It has been a great decision, everything I expected and more. This city is booming and will be for the next 10-15 years so there is unlimited opportunity in all areas of the economy. San Antonio, Texas, is a great place to start a business, start a new career, or settle in with your current one. With the new law on property taxes coming into effect in June 2006 (reduced) I think this will change the dynamics of the real estate market, so there is not much time left I believe before all of the investors raid SA. Get in while you can is what I tell people.

I have a daughter 9 and son 7, we live in the Northwest side of San Antonio falling under the Northside Independent School District otherwise known as NISD (www.nisd.net), and they are great. The schools in this area look like miniature junior high's compared to elementary schools in California. My daughter has been on the A Honor roll since we got here but of course each student has their own special situation.

I've done ten times more things here in the last two years compared to say the last ten years in California. The locals are nice but I must say about 60% of my neighbors are from California or other states as this is a military town which makes it fun. I tell people to get away from Cali and come breath in SA.

I would stay away from the Southside and Eastside. To get an idea of where you should be looking just stick with the big sites. Six Flags, Sea World, La Cantera, Medical center, Natural Bridge Caverns, Alamo Quarry Market, and many others.

Middle to upscale neighborhoods take a look at Stone Oak, Dominion, Alamo Heights, Castle Hills, Shavano (City), Westover Hills, Culebra Rd and Bandera Rd Lopp 1604 areas, Garden Ridge, Briggs Ranch,
Helotes (City), Cibolo (City), Converse (City), Terrel Hills, just to many to list.

loucat · 06-10-2006, 08:32 PM

Just what I wanted to hear , I will be moving from San Diego,CA to SAn Antonio, Can you give me anymore information?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I moved to San Antonio from California. It has been a great decision, everything I expected and more. This city is booming and will be for the next 10-15 years so there is unlimited opportunity in all areas of the economy. San Antonio, Texas, is a great place to start a business, start a new career, or settle in with your current one. With the new law on property taxes coming into effect in June 2006 (reduced) I think this will change the dynamics of the real estate market, so there is not much time left I believe before all of the investors raid SA. Get in while you can is what I tell people.

I have a daughter 9 and son 7, we live in the Northwest side of San Antonio falling under the Northside Independent School District otherwise known as NISD (www.nisd.net), and they are great. The schools in this area look like miniature junior high's compared to elementary schools in California. My daughter has been on the A Honor roll since we got here but of course each student has their own special situation.

I've done ten times more things here in the last two years compared to say the last ten years in California. The locals are nice but I must say about 60% of my neighbors are from California or other states as this is a military town which makes it fun. I tell people to get away from Cali and come breath in SA.

I would stay away from the Southside and Eastside. To get an idea of where you should be looking just stick with the big sites. Six Flags, Sea World, La Cantera, Medical center, Natural Bridge Caverns, Alamo Quarry Market, and many others.

Middle to upscale neighborhoods take a look at Stone Oak, Dominion, Alamo Heights, Castle Hills, Shavano (City), Westover Hills, Culebra Rd and Bandera Rd Lopp 1604 areas, Garden Ridge, Briggs Ranch,
Helotes (City), Cibolo (City), Converse (City), Terrel Hills, just to many to list.

loucat · 06-10-2006, 09:01 PM

I am moving from San Diego, CA to San Antonio, since you also lived in SAn Diego, can you compare these two cities for me, for example the weather, the neighbors, etc. I'd really appreciate it, thank you so much.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannon

I was born in San Diego, CA and spent all the way up to 4th grade there. I had the typical "cowboys, Texan drawl, tumbleweeds and oil wells" type view of Texas and the whole reason WildTexas.com exists is to share the beauty, diversity and opportunities of our Lone Star State.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to let us know and we'll be happy to assist you!

Shannon · 06-11-2006, 10:46 AM

I was a child when I lived in California. I've done the best I can at describing San Antonio, but if a comparison is what you want you'll have to find someone who's lived in both San Antonio and San Diego in the past 15 years.

As for weather, the short answer is San Antonio is hotter and slightly less humid. We get less rain, but more flooding (go figure) though we don't get mud slides and such which Californians rightly think of right after hearing the world "flood".

Neighbors? That's more a factor of where you choose to settle down than city. If you pick a nice, established neighborhood you're likely to have neighbors who are willing to water your lawn and move your garbage cans to the curb when you're on vacation, if not also mow your lawn and house-sit. If you have children, look for a neighborhood that also has children, to increase the opportunities for both your kiddos and the adults to "connect" with new friends.

FamilyMove · 06-11-2006, 05:53 PM

Hello, I just registered to this forum, you will discover through my following message, I have not figured out how to post a new thread, however, I have tried to go to the dropdown menu and selected "post new thread", this leads me to never land. Hence, my reply to your post with my original intent message for new post. Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you, Steve

(My original message)

Our family is seriously considering a major re-location move to San Antonio from Orange County, Southern California. Primary motivation is to lower lifestyle pace and live a simpler life. Our son is 11 years old, and a good school is vital. I am looking to transit from a technical account management position in the aviation industry, into any job market I can transfer my many skills into.
We do know about the heat, we made it a point to visit last August for evaluation. The people all treated us with a warm demeanor, our neighbors here in So. Ca don't really want to take the time (or maybe have the time) to get to know one another.

Any real advise would be appreciated.

Thank you

CyberCelt · 06-11-2006, 07:41 PM

Welcome to Texas! You may find this website useful. There is lots of information and you can order a relocation guide.

DALEoutside · 06-12-2006, 10:46 PM

Unfortunately I don't know much about SA as I am a transplanted Californian to Austin. But, I can tell you there is no place I'd rather live! Been here for 10 years now and am raising two little native-Texans. We have made the best friends of our lives here and consider this home.

The weather can be rough, but everyplace you live has some downside, right? When it's really hot we go to the movies or stay in the water and it's fine!

I've lived in 4 different states and Texas is the BEST place to live! It's got a culture all it's own. Find yourself a good realtor to help with the "parts of town" quandry and sit back and enjoy. What a great adventure!

07-08-2006, 12:18 PM

Hi,

Thanks for this site. I have yet to browse completely through it, but it seems like a great resource.

I am looking for the following:

(1) A description of the housing market in SA over the last 10 years (i.e. growth rate, areas or localities of growth, property taxes, etc.)

(2) Large pictures (800x600 or higher) showing all aspects of SA: lifestyle, business, traffic, lakes and rivers, parks, government, etc.

(3) A description of the job market. What areas are growing? What do different industries generally pay? (i.e. Technical, Management, Administrative, Health, etc.)

(4) Cost of living comparisons. (What does a gallon of milk cost in SA? How much is health care in SA? What does a gallon of gas cost? And so on...)

(5) What is crime like in SA? What are the rates of violent vs. non-violent crime per 100,000? Is there much gang activity? How many homicides within the city? Downtown?

(6) All about Education. What schools, colleges and universities are there? How does SA stack up next to other areas of the country for elementary, middle and high school. What are the costs for private education?

If anyone knows of a site that has all of this information or various demographics I would greatly appreciate knowing of it! I have been doing research so far, and have found some of the information above, but I can use all the help I can get.

I am considering a move with my wife and four sons to SA from West Palm Beach, FL. (By the way we are previously natives of California (SF Bay Area), Oregon and Arizona...). We would like to come to SA and open a mortgage brokering business early next year. That's the dream anyway.

Thanks for any help and information you can provide!

BB

Shannon · 07-09-2006, 09:53 AM

"BB" --

You are asking us to do market research for you. That's a little beyond the scope of this forum and this website.

There are already some terrific posts comparing climate, cost of living, recreation opportunities, crime and schooling in San Antonio to elsewhere. None of us can compare it to "everywhere else in the country" and I'm at a loss as to why you'd need a particular resolution of photos from San Antonio to make a determination about its suitability as a place to live and work.

Have you done any in depth research yourself yet? If so, surely you've read and poured through the links included in the San Antonio, Texas article on Wikipedia (free online encyclopedia). It addresses aspects of most of your many questions without us having to reinvent the wheel here.

Here's the San Antonio Crime Stats.

As for gas prices, you can get those anywhere in the country via GasBuddy.com. Just select USA, Texas, San Antonio and voila -- daily gas prices (highest and lowest) and what area of the city they're located in.

RELATED SAN ANTONIO POSTS on WildTexas.com:

07-09-2006, 10:41 AM

You can go to this websit for comparisons on cost of living and more
www.bestplaces.net