San Antonio has consistently ranked in the top 50 metros to live in by US News. It’s easy to understand why. Families, retirees, young professionals and students alike love living in this city for a variety of reasons. In San Antonio, residents get to explore an urban jungle with a slow-paced, rural vibe.
With 504 square miles of land and a population of 1,327,407 people, San Antonio is sure to impress anyone. There are all kinds of neighborhoods in San Antonio. From gated, master-planned communities to historic, tree-lined streets, you will find a neighborhood you love. Read on to learn more about moving to San Antonio.
In San Antonio, you will meet people from all over Texas, the United States and the world who love living in the city. Some will say they love the community and others will say the food is delicious, but they can all agree on one thing: San Antonio is a wonderful city with a tight-knit community, great schools and all kinds of things to see and do.
Before European settlers came to the area, San Antonio was occupied by Lipan Apaches, Tonkawa, Comanche and other Southern Plain Indians. Later in 1691, Spanish explorers came to the area and named it San Antonio after Saint Anthony of Padua. It wasn’t until 1718 that construction in San Antonio began by Spanish settlers.
In 1821, Mexico became independent from the Spanish. San Antonio was a city within the Mexican province of Texas. Americans began to immigrate into Texas, later inciting the Texas Revolution and the formation of the Republic of Texas. Finally, in 1845, Texas was annexed into the United States. Since then, it has grown into a large and lively city with a diverse culture.
There are many real estate opportunities in San Antonio. The median home price in the city is $234,400 with about 7,600 homes for sale. Prospective homebuyers can find available apartments, townhomes, mansions, single family homes, ranches, farms and plots of land all over San Antonio.
San Antonio does not rank well when it comes to safety. In fact, in 2018 it was ranked 215 out of 224 for safest cities in Texas. However, the rate of crime in the city has actually declined. It’s easy to say that all of San Antonio is unsafe, but the reality is that there are parts of the city that are unsafe and parts that are extremely safe.
For example, Olmos Park and Helotes are among the safest neighborhoods in San Antonio. Before moving to San Antonio, be sure to check out the safety of the neighborhood you are interested in. This will give you a better idea of how safe your future home could be.
Central San Antonio is known for its unique and upbeat culture. The area resides within, and just beyond, I-10, I-35 and I-37. There are about 14,500 people living in this area. It is one of the most exciting places to live in San Antonio because it is where many popular attractions are.
There is plenty to do in Central San Antonio. The San Antonio Riverwalk is one of the most popular spots. Here, you can walk along the water, dine at delicious restaurants and check out local shops and boutiques. There are also many historic areas and parks, such as Hemisfair, that residents can walk through. Residents also frequently head to the museums in the area. The San Antonio Museum of Art and the Spanish Governor's Palace. No matter what kind of excitement you are looking for, you can find it in Central San Antonio.
There are many unique neighborhoods in Central San Antonio. Check them out:
Central San Antonio is a mixed residential and commercial area. Most homes are townhouses, apartments, duplexes and other kinds of affordable housing. There are some single family homes, mostly in historic neighborhoods such as in Lavaca.
Homes in Central San Antonio have a median cost of about $400,000. In areas with more single family homes, such as King William, homes can reach a median of $450k. However, many other areas have a median cost of $300k-$400k.
The Inner Loop of San Antonio encompasses a wide area. This area is everything outside of Central San Antonio and inside of I-410. The San Antonio Inner Loop is a mixture of urban, suburban and rural space. Depending on where you live or visit, you may come across an entirely different lifestyle than what other parts of the Inner Loop may experience.
Because the Inner Loop is so large, there are many things to do. There are a huge number of parks, such as Pearsall Park and San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. Much of the Inner Loop is residential, however there are also many restaurants, entertainment venues, museums, historic areas and more. Some of the biggest attractions in the Inner Loop are the San Antonio Zoo, the Japanese Tea Garden and The DoSeum. Residents of the Inner Loop have all kinds of places to explore.
Take a look at some of the neighborhoods in the San Antonio Inner Loop:
Because Inner Loop takes up such a huge portion of San Antonio, you can expect to find all kinds of housing opportunities. From master-planned, gated communities to affordable apartment buildings, there is something for everyone here.
Homes in the Inner Loop typically cost between $200,000 and $400,000. Depending on the neighborhood, you may be able to find housing lower or higher than those numbers. The Inner Loop is a great place to settle down due to its suburban feel while being close to Central San Antonio.
North San Antonio is a widely suburban residential area. It is one of the fastest growing sections of San Antonio due to the high number of families looking to relocate. This area is perfect for those who want to live in a suburban area within close proximity to downtown San Antonio and exciting things to do.
North San Antonio is most well known for the Natural Bridge Caverns that are located in the upper northeast part of the area. Residents can also visit one of the many parks in the area. McAllister Park and Walker Ranch Park are especially popular. There are also some golf courses that residents can enjoy. A main attraction perfect for thrill seekers in North San Antonio is Six Flags Fiesta Texas. Here, you can ride roller coasters, enjoy delicious treats, watch live shows and more.
Here are only a few of the neighborhoods and communities in North San Antonio:
North San Antonio is a perfect place for families and those who enjoy master-planned communities. Most of the communities in North San Antonio are suburbs. You can find single family homes, townhouses and luxury apartments in this area.
The typical cost of homes in North San Antonio is between $250k and $450k. Prospective buyers can find more affordable housing in areas like El Chaparral Fertile Valley and other neighborhoods.
South San Antonio is a residential area with many commercial lots and buildings mixed throughout. It is perfect for those looking for affordable living in a quiet area. Many families move here for the great schools and easy commute to the downtown area.
This area has some incredible things to do. Head to Medina River Natural Area to walk along the river or bike through the woods. Check out Mitchell Lake and Victor Braunig Lake for some fishing, kayaking or boating. There are also many non-outdoorsy things to do in South San Antonio. Grab a bite at an incredible restaurant or go shopping at one of the many plazas that dot the area.
There are all kinds of neighborhoods in South San Antonio, take a look:
South San Antonio is an area with mixed residential and commercial space. The commercial spaces are mostly warehouses, construction and auto businesses. Prospective buyers can find single family homes, mobile homes, apartments, townhouses and other kinds of housing here.
Homes in South San Antonio have a median cost of between $200k and $350k. Some homes in the area sell for as low as $100,000. South San Antonio is a great place to live if you’re looking for family-oriented, affordable housing.
This area consists mostly of rural neighborhoods and green spaces. The further east you go, the more rural it becomes. There aren’t as many people living in East San Antonio because things are so spread out. It is a great area for those who want a lot of land, are farmers or want to have horses and other animals.
There are some restaurants and bars that residents of East San Antonio enjoy visiting. Many of these restaurants service incredible and authentic Mexican and Latin American food. Residents can also visit some of the parks and recreation centers in the area. Overall, most East San Antonio residents enjoy being on their land and taking in the outdoors.
Here are some of the communities that you can check out in East San Antonio:
This area is full of quiet, residential neighborhoods with homes on small lots. Most of the neighborhoods are small and only contain a few roads. Single family homes and townhouses are most commonly found in East San Antonio.
Homes in East San Antonio typically cost between $200k and $300k. However, more affordable and more expensive homes can be found in this area. Homebuyers will love the community aspect and quaintness of the area.
West San Antonio is a highly residential area that is mostly made up of small communities and neighborhoods. The residents get to enjoy a quick commute to Central San Antonio and the Inner Loop. West San Antonio is a great spot for families and young professionals alike.
One of the best parts about West San Antonio is all of the natural area that lies west. Residents are close to one of the most beautiful spots in the city: Government Canyon State Natural Area. Full of miles and miles of trails, residents could spend hours exploring this area. There are also some incredible restaurants in West San Antonio that serve all kinds of cuisines. West San Antonio is a great place for shopping as well, with many complexes and malls.
Here are some of the most populated neighborhoods in West San Antonio:
West San Antonio is full of residential neighborhoods, making it an excellent spot for up and coming real estate. Gated communities and affordable housing can all be found in this area. Single family homes, mobile homes, apartments and townhomes are most common in West San Antonio.
Homes in West San Antonio have a median cost of about $200,000. Some areas can have median housing as low as $90k and others as high as $300k. Prospective buyers will be able to find their dream home in this area.
Some choose to move to San Antonio from a different Texas city and some move from an entirely different state. San Antonio has hundreds of neighborhoods, each with their own special culture and community. Everyone can find their place in this area.
Take a look at these two lists of neighborhoods that may interest you:
These are considered the best suburbs because they are great for families, have excellent schools, contain many amenities and are considered very safe.
Here are the top ten suburbs in San Antonio, in no particular order:
Most of these suburbs are located in North San Antonio, which is where many master-planned communities can be found.
San Antonio is the perfect spot for people looking for exciting activities and nightlife. There are countless neighborhoods with all kinds of bars, restaurants and clubs that residents love visiting. Here are the top ten trendy neighborhoods in San Antonio:
Did you know that San Antonio is the seventh biggest city in the United States? Because of this, you can expect great employment opportunities, state-of-the-art education and excellent medical treatment centers. People relocate to San Antonio from all parts of the United States and the world.
Here are some considerations when it comes to moving to San Antonio:
Any city has its perks and its downsides and San Antonio is no different. Most people can overlook the negatives to focus on all of the incredible things the city has to offer. Some people can’t, and that’s okay too.
Take a look at some of the downsides about moving to San Antonio:
There are many things about San Antonio that residents love:
San Antonio, and Texas as a whole, has all kinds of incredible employment opportunities. You can find jobs in all kinds of fields and industries. Here are a few of the most common industries in San Antonio:
Here are twenty of the largest employers in San Antonio:
One of the biggest populations in San Antonio is students. From preschoolers to graduate students, education is important in the San Antonio area.
There are over 20 school districts in San Antonio. If you are enrolling your student in the area, here are the school districts they may be zoned for:
There are also many community colleges, universities, trade schools and other secondary education opportunities in the area. Here are some of the most well-attended:
College students are a large and vibrant part of the San Antonio community. Many of them rent apartments and homes or live with family members all across the city.
Tourism is one of the biggest industries in San Antonio. In 2017, 37 million people visited San Antonio. The tourism and hospitality industry contributed over $200 million to the city in the same year. Not to mention the hundreds of thousands of residents that work in tourism-related capacities.
Take a look at the most popular attractions in the San Antonio area:
Visitors and residents alike get to enjoy theme parks, museums, outdoor spaces, sightseeing, historic sights and more in San Antonio. Living in San Antonio allows you to enjoy the main attractions from time to time while exploring the spots that only locals know about.
No matter what kind of entertainment you are looking for, you can find it in San Antonio. Residents can do some line dancing at a honky tonk or listen to some smooth jazz with a cocktail in hand. Here are the “must-see” nightlife and entertainment venues in San Antonio:
From elegance and ambiance to gritty and spirited, every resident can find a venue that they love.
The opportunities in San Antonio are endless. Employment, things to do, real estate and education are all among the best parts of the city. The community is constantly growing and only expected to get better over the years. If you move to San Antonio, you will not be disappointed. Your dream home and lifestyle are waiting for you here.