What are the pros and cons of living in San Antonio?

Question

I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma right now. And I'm looking for a dramatic change in living. I've already heard that there is never a dull moment living there. But I've heard some things about San Antonio and I want to know if they're true or not.
1. You have to speak Spanish to live there.
2. Finding a job there without knowing Spanish is difficult
3. Meeting people is difficult.

Are any of these rumors true? And are there any key facts I need to know before I move?

Answer 1

Hi, I work as a travel nurse, meaning that I move to a new city every 3 months, but I am originally from Chicago and I am currently in San Antonio. I have found San Antonio to have lots of stuff to do. The hospital I work in seems really nice, and the people have been wonderful! I can talk to anyone and as them where to go for dinner, and I get multiple, great suggestions. When in doubt, I have been going down to Riverwalk, it is so nice! and a great place to pas a Sunday afternoon. I can honestly say that it is super weird to hear Spanish around you in the store, but most of my patients can talk to me in English, and at least understand what I am trying to talk to them about. The only fact that I would tell you about is to live close to wear you are planning on working. I have noticed that traffic can get really really bad (and I'm from Chicago), but you don't really have to deal with it if you live close to wear you are planning on working. Also another plus from those of us from land locked states, is that you can be at the beach in a matter of hours, so it is a real possibility to spend the weekend at the beach! Always a favourite point for me. Good luck with your move!

Answer 2

Let's see...I don't speak Spanish, I am a professional, and I have a lot of friends of all ethnicities, so that sure blows your questions out of the water, eh?

San Antonio is on average the 8th sunniest place in the USA according to the Travel Channel. We average about 85% sunshine per year and have an average temp of 75%. Now those are averages and this year was not the norm, but with averages like that you know that people must be pretty down happy because of all the sun smiling down on them.

Downside of living in San Antonio...so many people are moving here that it's really hard to get around during rush hour, especially downtown, so learn the short cuts and think on Manana(ooops, a little Spanish does rub off; that's tomorrow) time, because that's how we live here.

Answer 3

Let's see I will answer you questions first:
1) You can get by without it, however you will hear it ALOT. If you are OK with that, then you will be fine!
2)Not really, but some places do offer bonuses if you are bilingual and YES they will test you to make sure!
3) Depends on your personality.

And now my honest opinion: I lived there via the military for 5 years and I personally believe it is one of the best kept secrets in the USA:
1) Cost of living is reasonable--some folks survived only fast food jobs.
2) There is always something going on at the River-walk.
3) The weather is not too extreme, but yest it does get over a 100 degrees in the summer but use common sense and drink lots of water and you will be fine.
4) People are always willing to help you. For example, if you are waiting at a bus-stop and even look confused or lost, someone will ask if you need help and MOST of the time, they don't ask for money.
5) Huge military bases and colleges---which brings people from all over the US and the world.
6) Public transportation is good. Used it for 5 years and was NEVER late for work!
7) A HUGE Catholic influence. I am not Catholic, but attended some services close to holidays.
8) Fiesta in April is very family friendly. Yeah people will be drinking beer, but no nudity or fights.
9) Bill Millers BBQ
10) The Riverwalk. Yeah I know I mentioned it before but it deserves mentioning again!


Is it perfect? Of course not,but what place is?

Answer 4

The pros of moving to San Antonio are a stable economy, low cost of living, economiocal housing, plentiful entertainment opportunities. The cons, rapidly growing city, with some traffic issues due to the need to constantly update the roads. CIty crime is comensurate with a city of this size.

You do not have to speak spanish. Spanish as a second language is a benefit when applying for some positions but is not required. However, some employers may need someone who speaks spanish and it may be a determining factor in the job selection. While the city demographics show there is 56% hispanic not all of those people speak spanish. English works just fine here. Meeting people can be difficult in any major city, but there are ways to meet people, you just have to make the effort.

San Antonio is a beautiful, and friendly city, if you move here, you will not regret it.

EDIT: Please ignore Sweet Lou, people are generally not overly dramatic. Sweet Lou has a tendency to be a little dramatic however, as you can tell by reading his questions and answers. SATX is a very friendly city. It is pretty easy to make friends here, you just have to be a reasonable and normal person. (please see sweet lou's question about "flirty chicks")

Answer 5

Well I was stationed at Ft Sill so there will be some things different. But NO you don't have to speak spanish, you can find a job without speaking spanish and our great city is full of friendly people.

We are a culturally diverse city, but we respect each others heritage whether it be German, Mexican, French, Spanish etc.....

You will love our culture, music, food and most of all you will love San Antonio!

Edit to add: I disagree with confused. There is plenty to do in San Antonio especially if you have an open mind!

Answer 6

i was born and raised in san antonio and i can tell you no you dont need to know spanish to live here. but there is a large population of hispanic people, no biggie. you can find a job without knowing spanish also, its just an adding plus when applying. there are a lot of things to do and also the city is expanding a lot at the moment. every time i go back and visit there seems to be more construction going on. but i dont see how meeting people would be difficult, there seems to be something for everyone there. They have a thing called first friday which is downtown on south alamo street. its really big for local artists, they have a lot of galleries along the street, music, food, drinks, and its free admission. and the main attraction is blue star galleries which has there own pub. it was my favorite thing to do there. they also have the alamo drafthouse where you can order drinks and food and watch movies. they just built an outdoor mall there not to long ago which is really nice, its called the shops at La Cantera. they have a lot of great restaurant's there, if your vegetarian they have a new restaurant call Green which is amazing, if your into healthy food and tea, there is Madhatters tea house....there are so many good places to eat i dont think i could write them all. they have the typical things there which attracts tourists, such as the alamo and the river walk. i think the river walk is best at night.Also they have the outlet mall in San Marcos and then a lot of people go to Austin, about an hour away, to go shopping there and to see bands play, and they have a lot of cool restaurants there too. It's a lot busier and where most of the college crowd it, but if you are into music and drinking of 6th street then you will enjoy it. if it wasn't for the military i would be in san antonio already, because whenever i got bored of san antonio i would just go up to austin.

Answer 7

Being born and raised in the North East I can tell you that I have had no language training prior to coming to San Antonio, I have lived here for many years and have only one time in 45 years spoken with a person who didn't speak English. I do not have a four year degree, but I earned almost $70,000 over the last few years of my employment before I retired. We have a very low cost of living here. I don't think that you are going to have any problem meeting others. For the most part the folks that live here have tendency to be very personable and just out right friendly. I will tell you don't come to town here and think that you are going to get a job as a surgeon and you only have a 10th grade education. Here is a short list of jobs available that pay excellent;
Post Office
Federal Express
UPS
Toyota
DOD
Boader Patrol
Military bases
SAPD
Firemen
this list could go on and on, but you can see that there are a number of good paying jobs

Answer 8

you dont have to speak spanish to live there but the majority of san antonio does speak spanish and there is a huge hispanic culture there. you will be able to find a job w/out knowing spanish, for some businesses it is a plus or must, but there are plenty of other jobs as well that do not require you to speak spanish. dont move to san antonio, especially if you are young and want to have fun. san antonio is limited as far as extracurricular activities. it is hard to meet people, all san antonio really has is a bar scene and the downtown area, which is very touristy and at times the locals that hang out there arent always the kind you want to befriend. traffic is horrible, highways are under construction and wont be completed for a very long while. there are no really great restaurants, lots of chain restaurants that are in every city and some good little local places, but the fine dining that is enjoyable at times doesnt exist. its very hot and humid and gets about 2 weeks of winter (if you can even call it that). you are better off moving to dallas, or seattle or somewhere better with more to do than just your basic stuff that every city has. now if you are married, have kids, and want to settle somewhere, then san antonio may be the right choice for you. the cost of living is low, but dont expect a high paying job unless you specialize in something. if you want to move to texas i suggest austin. better clubs, friendlier people, a much better environment for socializing, outdoor activities, and making friends. good luck!!

Answer 9

unquestionably flow to Austin! I lived in San Antonio from 2004-2005, and that i've got now been in Austin on account that 2005. we've acceptable organic parks to swim in (Krause Springs, Barton Springs,) Mount Bonnell, stunning stay song possibilities, a brilliant nightlife on 6th, and that's a place young little ones have a tendency to love. i'm 25, too. San Antonio grow to be relaxing, yet there only weren't as many possibilities to have get out, take exhilaration in myself, and be satisfied like in Austin. we are hippies in Austin...San Antonio? you're the two wealthy or poor, and there are not as many hip young little ones.

Answer 10

As a native San Antonian who doesn't speak Spanish, I don't have any problems. Most of the city knows English, it's the United States, after all. I am also gainfully employed as an English speaking citizen. As for meeting people, this is one of the friendliest cities in the world!!! And, we love to party!