I'm moving and I have to pick between Mobile, AL and San Antonio, TX any information you think its useful?

Question

I really appreciate your help..

Answer 1

David,

I wasn't trying to be nosy, but wanted to see if I could get an idea of your likes before I made a recommendation. I have lived in both Mobile and San Antonio. I am a San Antonio native and lived here through high school, then went to the UNIV of ALA for college. I lived in Alabama for a few years before moving back to Texas.

Mobile is an old and historic city with a proud past, and has some interesting restaurants and places to see. The Bellengrath Gardens are beautiful, and Mardi Gras is nice. I remember looking at apartments and houses there and having lots of trouble finding any that the front doors had not warped from the humidity. The older wooden homes almost all had peeling paint from the salt air. And while Mobile Bay gives access to the water, it is still quite a drive to a decent beach either at Gulf Shores or down by Dauphin Island.
The population of Mobile is 192, 830 in 2006 representing a 3.1% decrease since the 2000 census. The demographics show the city is 49% white, 46% black and 1.5% hispanic. The temperature norms are average ranges in January 33 low - 54 high, in July 69 low - 91 high.

San Antonio is a rapidly growing major city. It is also old and historic, and has a multicultural flavor which keeps the city vibrant. There are world class restaurants and shopping and several entertainment venues and attractions. San Antonio draws over 20 million visitors to the city per year making it one of the top ten tourisim destinations in the US. It is often called "Military City USA" having previously had 5 military based before base realignment forced the closure of 2. San Antonio currently is home to Sea World, Six Flags - Fiesta Texas, and nearby Schlitterbahn (the nation's #1 waterpark).
That which is called the San Antonio Metropolitan Area is the 7th largest city in the US and is 7, 340.5 sq. miles, and includes all or part of 8 counties. 16 cities and several small towns and residential communities. The metropolitan statistical area has a population of approximately 2 million people and increased 2.8% from 2005 to 2006. The North Central area of San Antonio is the most rapidly developing area growing between 50-60% since 2000 based on census estimates (includes parts of Comal County). Current projections indicate San Antonio will increase in population by approximately 1 million people in the next 20 years. The demographics show the population to be a mix of 58% hispanic, 26% white, 11% black and 5% other. The average temperature ranges in San Antonio in January low 39 - high 62 and July low 74 high 94. San ANtonio is about 2 hours from the Texas gulf coast, and sits on the edge of the Hill country. The hill country has wineries, several lakes, rivers, and forested areas, and Austin is about 70 miles north.
San Antonio takes particular pride in the NBA Championship dynasty of the Spurs basketball franchise.

As I noted that most of your Q&As were in spanish, you would be very at home in San Antonio. As I said, I have lived in both, but chose to return to San Antonio. Please note that the housing cost in San Antonio is cheaper. While one previous person mentioned that the property taxes in San Antonio were high, what was not mentioned is that unlike Alabama there is no state income tax in Texas. The incomes in Texas are also much higher. So you are paying higher taxes on cheaper property and paying no taxes on more income.

Also, as my ex-wife lives in Mobile, San Antonio is much more attractive to me!

Answer 2

San Antonio is interior of course but, historic and beautiful and surprisingly modern. A lot of tech jobs there. You will have the advantage of some of the hill country being nearby which adds to the intrigue of the southwest. It's not just flat desert! If you can take a visit and you will probably make a decision easily afterwards. Read the online newspapers too! Check out the housing costs-you have heard that everything in Texas is bigger! That includes the size of home that you can get for a similar amount of money! HUGE closets.
Mobile is a Navy town and a port town. Has lovely beaches, southern charm, southern foods! a bit of an accent will automatically creep into your language too. It is a poorer area so your income might well advance faster in San Antonio. On the other hand you will probably be a unique entity (smarter than the average bears in town, perhaps) So it might swing the other way. Watch out for one thing. If you go to Alabama-will there be other jobs to look into if you fall out with the one that you are contemplating now? What kind of competition will there be? Read the online newspapers to get a feel for this. Follow the best opportunities in jobs-Protects your future-see? Best of luck!

Answer 3

I can't speak much for Mobile but I lived in San Antonio for 4 years and know it well. It's a great city. The cost of living is reasonable and there's lots to do. One drawback is the very high property taxes in TX -- the house I sold last year for $106,000 is costing the current owner nearly $4,500 in annual property taxes. (My place in MO with a market value of around $160k is less than $900 per year.)

Mobile is a coastal semi-tourist town and is likely beset with issues typical to such places, i.e. high rents and real estate prices and Gulf storms. It was hammered pretty hard by Katrina though not as bad as New Orleans and the Gulfport/Biloxi area.

If you like the coast but want to be away from the brunt of the violence of Gulf Coast storms, SA is a good bet. You're only about 2 hours from the TX Gulf Coast. I highly recommend Corpus Christi, South Padre Island, and Port Aransas/Aransas Pass. All are a great day out from SA and the water is like bathwater in the summertime. There are many places where you can camp out on the beaches or among the dunes.

SA sits along the interface between the coastal plains and the TX Hill Country. There are caverns to explore north of SA and Fredricksburg in the Hill Country is a mixture of down-home Texas Friendly and a strong German influence carried over from the early German settlers including the best brats this side of Munich! Head over to Lukenback on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, about 30 minutes East of F-Burg and you may well meet Willy Nelson and other country music greats. I have! And don't miss the Gruene Dance Hall in Gruene, near San Marcos. You NEVER know who will show up to jam with the pretty good local bands. I've seen Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, and countless other greats there, all for FREE! (Even if you're not into counrty music it IS a fun time. I'm not but always had a ball there.)

Answer 4

San Antonio is beautiful. You can live downtown and if you have children you can send them to private schools. Actually the little ones will have a good time at Lamar Elementary which is very close to the zoo if you live in that area. Alamo Heights is nice. My kids went to Lamar when I lived in Mahnke Park and they loved it. I was concerned of the middle school and moved to the NEISD. But I quite honestly think if it is children you are concerned about, out of town a bit is wiser. If children are not in the equation, I would definitely get a loft over the river. It's beautiful, there are no problems with gangs. I have spent many evenings downtown without any problems, not once ever. I have lived in San Antonio since I was 20. That's 27 years now. Between teaching and being a part of this great city in both school and my media relations positions, I have come to know this entire city and if I had the money, I would move over the riverwalk in a heartbeat.

Answer 5

I lived in Texas for a year,(2004-2005)and I loved the people there.It was very hot in Corpus Christi,and not as pretty as my home in England,but as you spend most of time indoors in the airconditioning in Texas,it little matters.The Gulf Coast Beaches,however are superb and the bird migration remarkable.There is much to see and do.I recommend you visit websites such as Travel Texas and Realtor.com.

Answer 6

IVE BEEN TO TEXAS AND IVE BEEN TO MOBILE.
I'D TAKE MOBILE ANYDAY...