As the second-largest city in Texas, San Antonio offers a vibrant blend of Mexican and Texan culture. Home to the historic Alamo and located only 150 miles from the border of Mexico, San Antonio is filled with rich history and mirrors the Spanish architecture of the 18th century. According to the U.S. Census, San Antonio was among the top 5 fastest-growing cities in the country in 2018-2019, making it an attractive place to live for all ages.
Read on to learn why families and professionals alike are drawn to San Antonio living.
Job Opportunities
San Antonio offers a wide array of job opportunities and affordable living options, particularly for those who are active or retired military members. The Alamo City is home to the Joint Base which offers jobs throughout Fort Sam Houston, the Randolph Air Force Base, and the Lackland Air Force Base. San Antonio is also known as a hub for manufacturing, renewable energy, bioscience, healthcare, and education. San Antonio attracts a wide array of tourists each year, making it a great destination for those who work in tourism and leisure, as well.
Education
The majority of San Antonio’s population speaks both English and Spanish, making it an ideal location for young children to learn a second language at an early age. Several schools—both public and private—offer bilingual education programs in English and Spanish. San Antonio is also home to close to 30 colleges and universities, including the University of Texas at San Antonio and Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Parks and Greenspace
With mild winter weather, San Antonio offers a fantastic quality of life and exceptional parks and greenspaces. The San Antonio River Walk offers beautiful walkways along the San Antonio River, just beneath the streets of downtown San Antonio. San Pedro Springs Park—the second oldest park in the United States—is home to natural springs, a large swimming pool, and 46 acres of trees and walking paths. Brackenridge Park, which was originally built in 1899, is a sprawling, 343-acre park and home to a golf course, museum, zoo, botanical garden, theater, and more. Additionally, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park holds more than 300 species of animals and over 500 plant species, as well as hiking and biking trails.
Culture
San Antonio has a rich, vibrant culture that pays homage to its historical past while celebrating the future. Although celebrating looks a little different in 2020, San Antonio typically hosts several festivals and cultural events that honor its diverse heritage. Among its most famous celebrations include the Fiesta San Antonio, which is a week-long event featuring Mexican music, food, arts, and culture.
The fiesta—which will be held in April 2021—famously hosts a Battle of Flowers Parade that is led entirely by women. Diwali is also held in San Antonio each year and can be streamed virtually for free on November 7, 2020. Diwali features yoga classes, Indian cooking classes, Bollywood Zumba lessons, henna design, a dance party, and more. The Texas Folklife Festival is also a popular three-day event that features the diverse heritage of more than 40 different cultural groups.
Historical Attractions
The pride of San Antonio, The Alamo, is the most visited landmark in Texas. The grounds, gift shop, and Alamo Church are now open to the public with a free timed ticket. The grounds are home to the Battle of Alamo, which was a Mexican siege that took place in 1836 and killed several Texans who were protecting the site. The Battle of Alamo eventually led to Texas’ victory in the remainder of the Texas Revolution. Those who visit the site can tour a virtual Alamo battleground and explore what it looked like in 1836.
San Antonio is also home to the San Fernando Cathedral, one of the oldest Roman Catholic Cathedrals in the United States, as well as the Spanish Governor’s Palace, which is considered the most beautiful building in San Antonio. The Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center is also located in San Antonio, which is dedicated to preserving Latino, Chicano, and Native American arts and culture. The arts center offers dance, music, and theatrical events year-round.
Food
The Alamo City is known for serving several iconic, innovative Tex-Mex dishes that are a staple to San Antonio’s cuisine. Among those signature dishes include puffy tacos, flavorful Texan quail, crispy chicken on a stick—often found at festivals—chilaquiles verdes, pan dulce (sweet Hispanic pastries), and mangonada, which is mango sorbet, lime, and lime-flavored chili powder topped with fresh diced mango.
Sports
San Antonio is serious about sports, offering plenty for sports fans to participate in. The city is home to the San Antonio Spurs NBA team, the San Antonio Stars WNBA team, San Antonio Missions minor league baseball team, San Antonio Rampage American Hockey League (AHL), and the San Antonio FC United Soccer League (USL).
Notable Neighborhoods
With an affordable housing market and no state income tax, San Antonio offers the ideal location for those seeking a vibrant city life at a reasonable price point. There are several picturesque neighborhoods to choose from, including the following:
Alamo Heights
Located just north of San Antonio’s downtown area, Alamo Heights is home to San Antonio’s most expensive historic real estate.
Stone Oak
Stone Oak is a family-friendly neighborhood offering boutique shops, gated subdivisions, and several wooded areas.
Downtown San Antonio
Downtown San Antonio is at the heart of the action, offering bustling areas that are easily accessible without a car. Home to eclectic restaurants and vibrant culture, the downtown area tends to attract millennials and a younger crowd.
Terrell Hills
A suburban community located only five miles northeast of downtown San Antonio, Terrell Hills is considered one of the best neighborhoods in San Antonio.
Make San Antonio Your New Home
San Antonio offers the ideal blend of vibrant cultural heritage, historic landmarks, delicious cuisine, and sprawling greenspace. Draper & Kramer is pleased to offer two luxury condominiums in San Antonio, including Sonterra Blue and The View at Encino Commons. If you are interested in learning more about San Antonio and would like to schedule a virtual tour of these gorgeous condominiums, contact us today.
As the second-largest city in Texas, San Antonio offers a vibrant blend of Mexican and Texan culture. Home to the historic Alamo and located only 150 miles from the border of Mexico, San Antonio is filled with rich history and mirrors the Spanish architecture of the 18th century.
