7 Things to Know Before Moving to San Antonio
Table of Contents
If you’re looking at San Antonio apartments for rent or homes for sale, you may have some questions about what it’ll be like to settle in this new area. This popular tourist destination is also home to over a million residents and over 2.5 million residents spread across the entire metropolitan area. Clearly, San Antonio brings more to the table than just tourism.
Popular destinations such as the Alamo, Spanish missions, and some really incredible amusement parks are certainly perks of living in the area, but San Antonio has so much more to offer than that. It’s the culture, history, safety, and overall welcoming, communal feeling of the area that makes it one of the best places to live in the state of Texas. In fact, San Antonio is in the top ten of the country’s safest large cities, making it ideal for families and single individuals moving to the area for new opportunities.
Before you decide to sign on the dotted line and make San Antonio your home, here are a few things any potential resident needs to know.
Learn About the Culture
When moving to San Antonio, or anywhere for that matter, it’s important to learn about the history and culture of the area. What makes San Antonio unique is the important role it played as a major military center in both World War I and World War II. Part of San Antonio culture is also Hispanic culture, as the city has the largest percentage of Hispanic residents in the country—over 60%. Learn more about Mexican American culture through talking to locals, visiting historical sites, and reading about what makes San Antonio one of the most unique, interesting, and historic cities in the country. Through that, you will learn to better appreciate all this area has to offer.
Take Advantage of Local Attractions
Along with the Alamo and the Spanish missions that played such a pivotal role in our country’s history, there are also plenty of museums and historical sites to check out in the San Antonio area. If you’re going to live in one of the country’s top tourist destinations, it would be a disservice not to enjoy all the area has to offer. In addition to those famous sites, you can also visit attractions such as Natural Bridge Caverns, a stunning natural wonder 180 feet below the surface, and the McNay Museum, the first modern art museum in Texas.
A Great Place for Veterans
If you’re a veteran, there’s no better place in the country to live than San Antonio. Not only is this area affordable and jobs for veterans are plentiful, but there are also over a dozen VA hospitals within driving distance of the downtown area, meaning you have the best care right at your fingertips at all times. San Antonio is also home to one of the largest concentrations of military bases in the country, leading to the nickname “Military City.” And to live in a city that played such a role in our country’s military history, there truly is no better place to live for those who have served our country.
Bring Your Cowboy Boots
The Texan tradition of ranching is prevalent in the San Antonio area, and its importance to the area is most noticeable during the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo which happens each February. If you’re going to make San Antonio your home, there’s no better way to acclimate yourself into the authentic cowboy culture than to attend the show yourself and get an up-close look at why this event has been going strong since 1949.
You Better Like BBQ
While all Texans can agree the best BBQ comes from the Lone Star State, there’s a constant feud around which area of Texas does it best. However, all true San Antonians know that it’s the South that has the best BBQ. What makes theirs different is twofold. First, Southern Texas BBQ sauces often feature molasses-based BBQ sauces, which add a sweetness without the acidity of the tomato-base that East Texas uses. Second, the Mexican influence on the craft takes it to an even higher level. Whether you want brisket, German-influenced sausage links, or Mexican barbacoa, there’s a place in San Antonio that will knock your socks off.
Sports are Life
No matter what city you live in, supporting your local major league sports team is a requirement that comes with the territory. While San Antonio only has one major league team—basketball’s San Antonio Spurs—that’s where all the city’s competitive energy is channeled, making basketball a pretty big deal around these parts.
Other sports still play a huge role in the city as well, such as college and high school football, which l is just as important here as NFL games are in other major cities. As a resident, you’re required to attend the Alamo Bowl at least once. For those who don’t know, the Alamo Bowl is a college football game that’s been a tradition since 1993, which matches the second choice teams from the Pac-12 Conference and Big 12 Conference.
Be Prepared to Sweat
It’s no secret that Texas is extraordinarily hot, but San Antonio is on another level. As the hottest city in Texas, you should be prepared to suffer through some grueling summers with temperatures easily hitting 90°, if not 100°. During the winter months, it’s quite enjoyable, with days in the 60’s and nights no lower than the 40’s. If warm weather and no snow shoveling sounds ideal, you’ll be right at home in San Antonio.