vettech2112

Are there any folks in the medical field from the San Antonio area on this board?

I'm trying to get a take on the hospitals in the San Antonio metro area as I'm considering moving that direction after grad (Fall '05).

I've been in Houston most of my life and I've got a major case of wanderlust. I've been debating leaving here for a long time. I have a friend currently living in Boerne who is from Houston and he has almost nothing negative to say about SA area (more than either of us can say about Houston!) and, being a hiker, I recognize that SA area gives me a better "jumping off point" than Houston. Not to mention that I've fallen in love with the Hill Country. I love the canyons and high places. I love the smell of sagebrush. There's something almost comfortable about it for some reason - like the smell of "home".

I'd also like to hear from you locals what you like/dislike about your city.

Shannon

I've lived here since my early childhoood; Justin's lived here all his life. We have travelled all over Texas, as well as Arkansas, Colorado, Tennessee and North Carolina. While there might be other places we'd love to settle, San Antonio is home to us. Like you, the primary appeal is S.A.'s proximity to the Hill Country, as well as its reasonable distance from the coast (close enough to visit for a weekend, far enough away as to not worry *too* much if a hurricane parks along the Texas Gulf Coast.

Weather in the summer I have never gotten used to, but there are hotter and more humid places to live (Houston's more humid, by far.) The city itself is rich with history and beautiful places and structures: the beautiful Spanish missions (San Juan, San Jose, the Alamo), the Riverwalk, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens and McNay Art Institute, the parks within an hour's drive or less, and the wonderful Hill Country towns: Bandera, Kerrville, Fredericksburg, and many more.

My only negative impressions of the city are its traffic and roadway issues (poor planning, poor maintenance on many non-highway streets), which to be honest a Houstonian may find inconsequential. (Houston traffic terrifies me... and I did spend 6 years in California! Granted, I was a child, but I remember the endless views of highway lanes, the traffic-jams to go to a park or shopping...)

We have a wealth of restaurants, movie theatres, more shopping centers (large and small) than seems possible, good schools particularly on the Northeast side of town (I'm a product of the Northside school district, and Justin's a product of Harlandale ISD, so we personally feel their schools aren't half bad, either... ) There are city, community and county parks interspersed throughout the city, many of which you won't find on WildTexas.com since they're so small and don't have much information online for them (yet).

We have hazy/smoggy days ocassionally, but nothing like the pall you'll see over Dallas/Fort. Worth or even Houston. I had childhood asthma, and San Antono's air didn't kill me (the pollen and molds sure tried to, though!) I have allergies, but I've found I'm allergic to green & growing things no matter where I live or travel. I'm just built that way.

Economically, we're not as prosperous or as "advanced" as I would like, but there are some high tech and large corporations here, as well as a large U.S. military presence thanks to our many military bases. I've worked at USAA and at Randolph Air Force Base here in San Antonio. The medical sector is, perhaps second only to the military, the backbone of our economy. We have a state-of-the art medical center and some new hospitals (like the one nearest me, Northeast Baptist Hospital). We have cancer care hospitals, the State Hospital on the Southside of town, the Brooke-Army Medical Center burn unit... and much more. For veterinarians, we have the state's best Feline Only veterinary clinic (Alamo Feline Clinic).

We have a wonderful and diverse culture and, for the most part, a very safe city. I've never been robbed, attacked or victimized. Theft happens everywhere, so I don't need to look far to have examples -- Justin had a tire stolen, his parents had their old house burglarized, vehicles get stolen or vandalized in some areas of town more than others, and so forth. Happens everywhere across the USA, but I wouldn't say it happens more here than any other city our size.

Gotta run, but that's it for starters....

__________________
- Shannon Moore
Your Host @ WildTexas.com

vettech2112

Actually, the SA traffic was a selling point according to my friend. From what he says, traffic problems in SA are nothing compared to Houston. Of all the negatives to living in a big city, sitting in traffic is my #1 pet peeve. This is a city where a person changing a tire on the shoulder (and not blocking even 1" of a lane) can cause a backup for 5 miles. I've often thought of creating the "Rubbernecker Channel" for these idiots.

Nice! One thing Houston lacks is green spaces. The city planners seem to think our bayous double as parks. And there are very few places to cycle. The city claims to have X miles of bike paths but 90% of them are in the form of dedicated bike lanes along major thoroughfares. That's a cyclist death just waiting to happen.

We have more restaurants per capita than any other major city but my friend, who is a waiter (and student at UTSA), says SA chow is as good as anywhere. I'd be willing to bet y'all have better Mexican food.

On air quality, very few places are worse than Houston. I'm very near the refinery/chemical areas. There are mornings, when there's an east wind, when I walk outside and the smell is so strong you'd swear there'd been an accident.

Hehehe, I know a feline practitioner or two that might argue that with you. From a veterinary viewpoint, I know that SA only lacks in the specialty clinics (Oncology, Diagnostic Imaging, etc). I used to work for a veterinary oncologist and his practice travels to SA a few days a month as SA has no full-time vet oncologist. But I'm sure that will change soon. Heck, this big ol' metropolis only has 4-5. I only have exotics but I'm sure my exotics vet will be able to make a reccomendation.

I've looked up the hospitals in the area but I don't know much about them aside from what I read from their own press. I originally posted this thread to get the feel from the insiders. Thus far in my clinicals I've found quite a contrast. I've been in hospitals with great reputations that you couldn't beg me to work for and others that seem, on the surface, to be a "lesser" hospital that I'd work at in a heartbeat.

Can't be worse than Houston. I've had my car broken into twice in the past 2 years and I drive a '92 Mazda. Not exactly a high value target.

Ultimately there are several variables that can fall in place to get me out of Houston or keep me home. As I said, I've been wanting to leave this city for a long time. There was something about driving through the area west of SA that just grabbed me. I've always loved the stretch between SA and Austin but that trip in May really got the wheels spinning. Honestly, I'd be content in Boerne, New Braunfels or any other smaller communities but I recognize the economics - a New Braunfels hospital will likely not be able to afford to pay me the wage that a SA hospital would.

Eh, its still over a year away. I'm just kinda testing the waters... I really do appreciate your input.

Shannon

Any reason why Austin's not on your radar? It's a "greener" city than San Antonio and a far more cycling-friendly city (home of Lance Armstrong), and only an hour north.

Traffic is probably worse than San Antonio, though that's primarily just on the major thoroughfares, versus here in S.A. where even a two-lane roadway like Blanco Road just outside our neighboorhood's front gate is incredibly busy (but highly trafficked by cyclists and motorcyclists, not just cars -- probably because we don't have constant big rig/truck traffic).

Austin's job market has tanked in recent years, but I'd still rank it as slightly better than San Antonio. Housing market, I'm not sure of current trends, but it will be more expensive to find housing there.

Austin has a more active arts and music segment. The arts (symphony, etc.) struggle often here in San Antonio for funding and support.

But San Antonio has the Fiesta!

Not talking you out of it, just addressing a few of your specific replied points.

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- Shannon Moore
Your Host @ WildTexas.com

vettech2112

Austin's cost of living is the highest in the state yet the salaries in nursing are comparable to the other major cities in TX. Houston's CoL index is 95.4%, San Antonio's is 84.4%, compared with Austin at 103.5% Quite a jump. And, you are correct, one of the biggest reasons for the difference is housing costs.

Lacking the "arts" really isn't an issue for me, much to the chagrin of two of my best friends who are art students at UH. I've been to the symphony & to the opera several times and enjoyed it but, its not something I'd do on a regular basis. If I desire it, I can come back to Houston for that. I'll be doing that regularly anyways. I don't recall ever setting foot in any of Houston's art museums, although I do enjoy our Museum of Natural Science and associated entities (the George Observatory, the Cockerel Butterfly Center, etc.)

The major selling point of Austin, as you pointed out, is the live music scene. I'm not one who goes to the clubs regularly but, when my life allows, I try to get out so catch a live band every few months. I prefer the smaller clubs and a good rockabilly, roadhouse/Texas blues, or garage metal band but I've been known to do celtic, alternative or even folk on occasion (esp Trout Fishing in America). I'm sure SA would be sufficent to fulfill that need. If not, as you said, Austin is only an hour away. We Houstonians routinely spend 30-45 minutes to get to a given destination so an hour really isn't a big deal.

For me, the big selling points for a city are - decent transit, tolerable weather (the only reason I'd leave Texas is the summers), green spaces, a decent zoo, access to state/national parks, outdoor festivals (this is a recent facination for me, and one I rarely get to indulge between school and work), and be on, or near, the major concert circuit. Oh, and an annual airshow is *almost* a necessity. I'm a nut for WWII "warbirds".

As far as major league sports, I'm a baseball fan but no others. SA may not have a MLB team but I can think of 3 teams I can see within 2 hour's drive - AA San Antonio Missions, AA Corpus Christi Hooks, AAA RoundRock Express.

SA in many ways makes me think of it as New Orleans, Mexican Style - lots of stuff for the tourists, lots of festivals, throw a party for no apparent reason. Houston has none of those, although the new Downtown Club District is trying really hard to give us a place like y'all's River Walk or NO's French Quarter. Most people I know in Houston will tell you they hate it here but, in the same breath, will tell you they never want to leave. Its quite odd! OTOH, everyone I've known from SA truly loves that city. My friend described it as "a big city with a small town feel". I like the sound of that.

ploddinTod

Well, Ed, there you have it! After analyzing your balance sheet of pros and cons, I believe you'll see that SA won out. You're still young, mobile and flexible enough to make the move. If it doesn't work out, you still have time to try another option. Just my opinion, of course. :cool:

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PloddinTod

kai

If you've got wanderlust... have you considered moving out of texas? I know thats kind of a sacriligeous thing to say in texas... but there is a whole country, heck- a whole world out there. there are cities with good public tranportation (think trains/subways), more open spaces... cities that aren't catering to developers to the point where its out of control. i think that at some point, the economy in s.a. is just going to take a face plant... and its likely to be when the developers finally build more houses (that are built like crap) than they can find people to buy them. then the developers leave, and poof- the economy is gone.

out of respect, i'm not going to pursue that any further - but this might be one of the few times in your life where you can relocate with minimal consequences (or less responsibility)- why not broaden your horizons a bit? just food for thought.

if i had to pick a city to live in in texas, though, it'd be austin. austin has individuality- not just chain stores and chain restaurants. its a little funkier. its got a life of its own. the whole city just seems more open, more tolerant, and more adaptable to new ideas and progress. its still next to hill country, as well. i like it- its different.

vettech2112

Hmmm, young? Depends on your perspective. I'll be 37 by graduation.

As far as "mobile and flexable", yeah, I'd day that fits. My only real worry is that I'm not the most social person in the world. I'm not one who makes friends easily. Leaving those few close friends I have is really the only reason not to leave. My family is scattered all over - New Orleans, Port Arthur, Melbourne (FL).

The real advantage of an RN, aside from the fact that while being a difficult and stressful job, the nursing shortage enables one to pretty much pick a hospital anywhere in the US and get hired.

I'd considered leaving TX alltogether but I'm not ready for quite that big a leap just yet. Besides, a move any farther than a day's drive would be prohibitively expensive.

vettech2112

As I said previously, the economy of a city isn't as important when you're in the medical field, especially a career as in-demand as nursing. When the economy takes a downturn, people can put off buying the new TV or the new house. One cannot put off an illness because "its just not a good time". If so, I would have delayed my knee injury a bit.

Austin, as I said to Shannon, has a lot of appeal but its has the highest cost of living in in TX and the nursing pay there doesn't compensate... its on par with most TX major cities. Believe me, as much as I enjoy a good live band, being a quick hop from 6th Street has a huge appeal but, I'mn not one who needs it often. Being an hour away is fine with me. New Braunfels would put me even closer, although I doubt NB can afford the nursing salary that a SA hospital is willing to pay.

[sopabox mode: on] As far as individuality, yeah, Austin has more than most cities but it'll go that route before long. I read a really good article about 6 months ago with that same complaint - that all the corporate chains make every city in America look the same. There's no real flavor. How long before we start seeing Runza and White Castle here in TX? How long before you are able to buy good kolaches in Ohio? Sad... I'm a big fan of Shiner Bock and I think a lot of it is my Texan loyalty but who knows how long it'll be before its sold in NY? [soapbox mode: off]

As I just said to Tod, I've considered a move elsewhere but there are several factors keeping me here in TX. For one, I'm not one who makes friends easily. If I have just ONE thing keeping me local, that's it. I like that I'd only be 3-4 hours from a visit with the crowd and could do 4th of July with them, etc.

For another, its the expense of the move, not to mention the inital job search and search for a place to live. Spokane, Albuquerque, Medford (OR), Las Vegas (or one of the outlying cities like Pahrump), Reno are all on my radar. I live pretty tight so just coming up with a spare $1,000 or so in the next year to cover moving expenses is going to be a challenge. Staying local would enable me to job and apt search in person. I'd never take a job or an apartment sight unseen.

Lastly, the hassle of transferring my RN (once I get it) to the new state. There is a nursing licensure compact that allows an RN from one compact state to work in another as a full RN while their license is being transferred (which can take several months). However, only 17 states are currently signed on to the compact (AZ, AR, DE, ID, IA, ME, MD, MS, NE, NM, NC, ND, SD, TN, TX, UT and WI. VA will be in the compact Jan 1, 2005). So, taht also limits my possibles unless I want to deal with the hoops the non-compact states will have me jump through.

My best friend suggested an interresting idea. Send out feelers to every hospital I can find in a compact state and see what they send back. Filter out the ones who won't give me the specialty I want and comapre CoL to the salary offer. Then go spend 2 years in whatever city wins the prize. Its IS a tempting idea but my luck would have me in some arctic land like Fargo. However, a TX version of that isn't that bad of an idea. I figure the worst weather I could get would be a Brownsville summer or an Amarillo winter. I've heard that Brownsville is so hard up for nurses that signing bonuses, even for newgrads, are in the $10k range for a 2-year committment.

Kai, you seem to be hinting that you are not a fan of SA. I know our gracious hosts are SA locals but I don't think they'd be offended if you spoke your mind about the area. If you are concerned about that, PM me your concerns (or I'll give you my email addy). When I get closer to grad, I plan on jumping on a nursing forum I frequent to get their take. I just figured that since Shannon & Justin are locals, perhaps there would be a lot of SA natives as regular readers of this board.

Shannon

I hope that other (present or former) San Antonians will chime in to provide a more diverse "pool" for your decision-making. And you're right, opinions are respected here, particularly when it comes to something as personal as where one lives.

There are things that irk me about San Antonio, but I alluded to them in my post -- namely our economy and the primary cause of it, some of the decisions our city leaders make regarding growth. The quote I heard on the radio awhile back hit it on the head, "Dallas is a little New York, and San Antonio is a big Poteet." Meaning: We behave like a small town in some of the most important decisions, yet want all the amenities that other cities our size have. Problem is, we (as a whole) haven't quite learned what it takes to pull those off. But I think we're learning...

I love the people here, especially in the Hill Country. I love that folks wave at you on the country roads (at least, if you're in a pick-up -- I miss the waves when I'm hauling around in my Toyota). I like the diversity of people, and the proximity to recreational opportunities I enjoy. I like that I don't have the shovel snow, ever, and that my garden plants for the most part survive year-round, even if they're not "supposed to". Even though I prefer trees to strip malls, I like the fact that I found a reasonably priced two-story home (our first house) several years ago that's near conveniences (gas station, supermarket, etc.) yet doesn't feel claustrophobic. [Avoid the heart of the Stone Oak area, if possible. Your back and front yards will look directly into someone else's home or a highway. Every city has an over-developed area like this, I'm sure.] I love that Justin can rent an aircraft most weekends and fly, even as we grouse at how relatively few flight schools & aircraft rental opportunities are in this city (as compared to Dallas or elsewhere).

In short, I've found more to love than dislike, and have never had a reason to leave. I should note that all of our immediate family -- Justin's and mine -- resides in San Antonio, except for Justin's brother who's in Dallas (used to be in Las Vegas, NV & Little Rock, AR). We've all found a comfortable footing here. Most of my extended family resides in California and Colorado, beautiful states both.

__________________
- Shannon Moore
Your Host @ WildTexas.com

kai

Well, like I said, I didn't want to offend anyone. I know Texans tend to like their state- just a bit - and I don't want to get in the way of that. If people like where they are living, then that is wonderful! I, however, have found that I don't like it very much, and thought I would share a little bit of my point of view is all...

it sounds like you have considered options other than Texas... that is good. When I went to school, I never had any intention of living somewhere were there hadn't been glaciers... so a lot of my studies focused on glaciers and their effects on environmental science. which is fine, but I wasn't fully prepared for what life had in store for me, and I wish I had had a little more foresight to realize that I might leave the northeast someday and still want to work So I am a big fan of trying to explore other options. Now, anyway.

I too am a person who doesn't make friends easily. Or I wasn't. I'd consider myself a partially reformed non-social person. One thing I learned while living here is that when you have to learn how to do something, you learn how to do it. For a while I just sat around and felt sorry for myself. But then I got fed up with myself, and met some good people, and I am so glad I did. I've grown as a person. to the point where I am faced with the fact that when we move back to Boston in October, our old friends aren't really on the same page as us anymore because they haven't had the experience of leaving their safety zone and starting over again socially. I'm not sure how much time we'll be spending with them- we've developed this whole new lifestyle where we have different goals and values than our old friends, and I'm not sure the two are all that compatable. There is a process there of learning about yourself that is important, and I am really glad I went through that, even if it wasn't fun, and even if I don't particularily like where I landed. It was a good experience, and I shudder to think how I would have turned out had I not learned how to start over.

Listen to me- i talk like an old woman. I'm sorry if that sounded lecture-ish. But change is good. Big scary moves are good. I can completely understand the factors that weigh into your decision, and I respect them. But just be careful of clinging too closely to your friends. If they are truely such good friends, they will be there for all time, any holiday, any year. and if they aren't, and you loose contact with them over time, then it sounds like you probably aren't missing much anyway.

And yes, I know, the social group issue is not the main problem with moving far, far, away. Financial/licensing issues are probably more important. everyone enjoys having a place to live, a place to work, and having something to eat No one can argue with that. I was just trying to help others get more out of life by seeing beyond the obvious answers. You, obviously, had already looked around that corner

for a my final 2 cents (I swear): i like your friends idea of the 2 year plan.

vettech2112

These decisions couldn't be any wose than those of our esteemed leadership here in Houston. One of the biggest problems in this city is the traffic and some of the solutions are just silly and a waste of time.

First, we get the Light Rail. Interresting idea in theory. However, where they chose to run it makes it near useless. A lot of people ride it (I rode it 4 days a week for 8 weeks during the spring semster, in fact). However, their choice has virtually NO impact on traffic. I rode it only because parking in the Med Center is so expensive ($10/day!) it was cheaper to ride the train. However, to run the train, they took an existing lane from the main artery through the Med Center to run it. How does this solve traffic problems?

The accident rate for MetroRail is FAR higher than the national average, lending our train such dubious nicknames as "The Wham-Bam Tram" & "A Streetcar Named Disaster". For a light rail track of 7.5 miles, the national average for accidents is 4 per year. The current average for MetroRail is one accident per 4.2 DAYS. Metro claims this is due to driver error. However, the studies I've read (and the experiences of myself and those I know who have driven in the Med Center since MetroRail has opened) is that the poor design lends itself to creating these accidents.

The remainder of their ideas seem to be bigger freeways. They widen them rather than building elevated portions like SA and Austin have. Anyone who knows the layout of the city would realize that an elevated set of lanes around the Loop that are "express" lanes that simple connect the major freeways would be of enourmous benefit.

The latest idea seems to be just to make toll roads, even turning existing roads into toll roads. I guess they figure people won't drive on them so, voila, no traffic problem! And those who do, hey, new income! Its a win-win from government's persepective.

These traffic ideas are silly. I read a really good article last year (and the related studies) that suggested creating more "express streets" like Allen Parkway is the best idea. When I saw the maps of where they planned these "express streets", it was brilliant. They combine that with using existing rail lines for commuter trains. Instead, they've torn up an existing rail line along I-10 West (Katy Freeway) to provide room for new lanes. Ugh!

And don't get me started on our willingness to build multi-million dollar playgrounds for the sports teams and court an Olympics. We've built a new stadium for the Rockets, the Astros and the Texans recently. We even helped finance a big hotel right near the new basketball arena. That last one still has me puzzled since we've just handed over the keys to Hilton. They claim it gives us more chance to draw big conventions. Not likely. Conventions would rather go to New Orleans or San Antonio because there's actually something for the conventioneers to do when they're not at the convention hall. This is NOT a tourist city and should accept that.

I'm a Libertarian so its not hard to get me upset about how government spends my money. Sorry for the rant. Better blow the smoke off the keyboard! But you see why this city infuriates me so.

So, Shannon, what specific problems are getting to you right now? You are pushing a lot about the SA economy & some local government decisions that relate. Care to elaborate?

kai

I just thought of something RELEVANT, for once

San Antonio is going to one huge traffic nightmare pretty soon- within the next year, I'd guess. I-10, 281 (widening), and 1604 (widening) are all going to be underconstruction. 410 is already/still underconstruction. They've just started work on the San Pedro exit off of 410, and they are going to start finishing Wurzbach parkway where it will cross 281. the whole northwest/north/west side of san antonio is going to become very congested. (I don't know if this is common knowledge or not- hope i'm not giving away secrets here). San Antonio has also just created their own toll booth "solution" at the 281/1604 interchange- which, from what I hear goes like this: at the interchange, you can pay a toll, and just continue on through the interchange as one would generally expect to in a normal situation. or, if you choose not to pay the toll, you have to go through a series of stoplights to change highways. can you imagine the traffic nightmare?

If you choose to live on the southside, you might be Ok. New braunfels area might be ok (37/I-10/1604 interchanges might be ok). but to get anywhere on the north, west, or northwest sides, you are going to be sitting in traffic a lot. and this is where a lot of new development is currently going on- so that means more people using a currently not-efficient and soon to be under-construction system.

then there is the tree oridance issue: in theory, developers are supposed to be preserving trees when they build new areas. if they don't save the trees, they pay a fine. However, the fine is more or less inconsequential and is frequently over looked. it ends up being cheaper to wipe out all the trees and pay the fine than to build developments around large trees. These trees have been proven to improve air qualtiy (reduce pollution), and lower the heat-island effect. also, the trees reduce individual home cooling costs, nevermind the simple aesthetic value. In theory, before developers start any site work, they are supposed to have a tree survey done, to count the trees that are endagered (or rare, or whatever) or very large (and thus very useful). If a developer doesn't do the tree survey, and starts site work, they are supposed to be fined, and site work is supposed to cease immediately. however, this rarely happens. when they are fined, it is frequently overlooked by bureacrats that cater to developers, and work continues. <-- the point of that is that while some regulations may be in place to try and control the negative aspects of development, the regulations are undermined by corruption. This type of thing tends to happen city wide, at all levels, in all areas, i think. Which kind of tells you what kind of decision making is going on at the city gorvernment level.

I'll shut up now.

ploddinTod

Well, it all boils down to this. A city is a city wherever you go. The whole urban pie is going to have crime, traffic, pollution, shady politicians, etc. But it's not all bad because the city is where you make your living. The key is to, if you have the option, put yourself close to your playground. Ed, you like nature photography and hiking. So why not make it convienent for yourself on your off-time to be close to areas that you want to explore? That Hwy 16 northwest of SA has to be one of the prettiest drives in Tx. On top of that, SA is only 3.5 to 4 hrs from your friends and family in H-town. I'll stop my ranting now.

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PloddinTod

ploddinTod

Kai, I understand completely: Home is where the heart is. I'm not originally from Tx either. I was born in the Land of Lincoln, not far from Camp Wood, the staging area for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. I didn't realize the historical significance of the area until a few years ago because I was just a kid back then. Anyway back to Texas... It sounds like this was your first move and in the military, you move alot. It was all a learning and growing experience, I'm sure. :cool: Even though you'll be leaving the state in a few months, we hope that you'll continue to check in with us here via the internet. Are you still going to able to get that bike ride in?

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PloddinTod