10 Things to Know Before Moving to San Antonio, Texas
Published by Chris Townsend
When moving to a new place there is excitement. You can get excited when moving to a new apartment in the same building. Imagine the excitement when moving to another city.
There are so many things you will want to explore in a new city. You will see it as an opportunity to expand your knowledge of the world and different cultures. You will see it as a clean slate to start all over again.
On the other hand, going in blind with no knowledge of what to expect or what to prepare for can turn that excitement into anxiety and turn the anxiety into fear. This is why many people want to know what they are getting into by moving into a new city.
The city of San Antonio is no different. If you are looking to make this city your new habitat, you will want to know certain things that will help you settle in quickly.
San Antonio
The city of San Antonio was founded as a Spanish outpost in 1718. In 1731 it became a chartered civil settlement. It was the first of its kind then. It is the oldest municipality in the state. It turned 300 years old in 2018.
The city was named in 1691 by a priest named Saint Anthony of Padua.
At the dawn of the new millennia, San Antonio was the fastest-growing city among the ten biggest cities in the country. It currently has a population of about 1.5 million people. This makes it the seventh-largest city in the United States.
The city is between South and Central Texas. The Metropolitan area of San Antonia-New Braunfels forms part of the great Texas Triangle. It is a triangle of popular and powerful cities.
The city spans over an area of 1300km2. It is a sprawling city, rich in culture and traditions. The city also has a rich colonial heritage.
It is considered one of the best places to live in Texas. The public schools are considered above average making education a good attraction for newcomers.
10 Things You Should Know Before Moving to San Antonio
The distinct culture and possibly the size of the city of San Antonio might be very intimidating for newcomers. This is why it would be a good idea to know certain things before showing up in the seventh biggest city in the United States.
1. The Basketball Team is a Big Deal
If you aren’t much of a basketball fan, get ready for conversation and puns that you have no idea about. The local team, the San Antonio Spurs, is a big deal.
The whole city pays close attention to the activities of the team. The NBA is a vital part of the city’s activities. The team also rewards their city with great performances.
Even if you don’t watch the sport, you should watch the Spurs play a few times. You won’t be left out of the sports conversations and you might catch the supporters’ club fever.
2. Tax Laws Might Surprise You
If you are moving to San Antonio from another state, the tax laws of the state might surprise you. The laws aren’t better or worse than in most states. They are just different.
For a start, if you are used to paying income tax, then your surprise will be a pleasant one. There is no income tax in the state and cities like San Antonio do not enforce income tax either.
On the other hand, the combined property tax averages over 2%, and the sales tax for both city and state are about 8.25%. Both are higher than the average. Still, the absence of income tax will make a lot of people breathe easier.
3. The Food is Amazing
The food in San Antonio is reason enough to move to the city. The food scene of the city has a life of its own. It has given the city a great reputation among foodies.
It might seem like Taco is all there is in the city but that isn’t the case in reality. While the famous San Antonio Taco is the star of the food show, there are other exquisite meals to have.
From food trucks to restaurants, the food is made with intention.
4. There is a Huge Military Presence
The city boasts one of the largest populations of retired and active military personnel. Thousands of people graduate annually from military training in San Antonio.
The Joint Base San Antonio is quite a presence in the city. There is the Air force Base (Randolph Air Force base) and there is also a U.S. Army Base (Fort Sam Houston).
Many officers return to the city after serving, as veterans. They settle in there for the military atmosphere among other service-related reasons.
5. There Are Hot Summers
The city is a part of South-Central Texas so hot summers won’t be much of a surprise. Although each year is different, San Antonio hits triple-digit temperatures between July and September.
Summer is usually the most difficult time of the year for residents of San Antonio, however, the pleasant nature of the other three seasons makes up for it.
So, if you are moving to this great city, from a more temperate area, consider moving in the Spring or Autumn. That will give you enough time to prepare for the sweltering heat.
6. Small Town Vibe
Although San Antonio is considered to be one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, you will be surprised by the ‘small town’ characteristic it has.
There is a neighborly behavior of the residents. They are friendly and know their close neighbors. If you are coming from a city like New York, you might be surprised by how many of your neighbors genuinely want to get to know you.
They aren’t being intrusive. To them, in most cases, they are just being friendly. There are a lot of community events in the city like outdoor barbeque parties in neighborhoods.
7. Be Prepared for ‘Cedar Fever
As the fall gives way to winter, the cedar trees which are drought-tolerant and hardy by nature, let their pollen grains loose.
These grains are known to cause an allergic reaction in people who normally don’t have seasonal allergic reactions. The reactions include upper respiratory tract distress (sneezing) and a general feeling of unwellness.
Allergists all over the world know about pollen grains and their effects. So, take precautions like using a mask or having anti-allergy meds when experiencing your first fall and winter season in the city.
8. The Cost of Living Might Surprise You
If you are coming to the city from another city with a high cost of living, for example, Los Angeles, you will be surprised by the cost of living.
For a city so big, the cost of living is 11% lower than the national average. This cost of living is even more surprising when you take into account the average salary which is $63,000.
The cost of living also affects the cost of renting a place of residence. A one-bedroom flat averages $800 a month as rent. There are big cities where such a budget won’t get you a full apartment in the lower part of the scale.
9. There is One Grocery Store for Everyone
Big city migrants will be surprised by how people decide to patronize the same chain of stores without exploring other options.
It will be good to observe the trend rather than question it. The reason why everyone seems to patronize H-E-B chains of stores is that it began in 1905 as a local store that the people supported into a big corporation.
The store was started in Kerrville by Florence Butt and now has its headquarters in San Antonio. The chain of stores acts like part of the big San Antonio family.
10. San Antonio Is a Haven for Tourists
There is so much to see in the city of San Antonio. Most people know it if for its tourist attraction sites. Few know it for anything else.
The River Walk, a pedestrian-only street parallel to a river is an amazing thing to see and a much more amazing thing to experience.
The Alamo is a vital part of history and is in San Antonio. It is such a public image of the city that San Antonio is nicknamed Alamo City.
There are many more places to visit. You will be a residential tourist for the first months after your arrival.
The Next Step
Knowing a few things about the city might help you finalize your decision to move to the city. However, know that this list doesn’t cover the whole experience. You will have to live in San Antonio to know San Antonio.
If you have made up your mind to move, there is no need to navigate over 1000 km2 of city space by yourself. Hire a moving company.
If you hire Three Movers to handle your move to San Antonio, you will have more time to fall in love with the city you are about to call home.
