In south-central Texas lies a city that is widely known for the historic battle that took place there almost 200 years ago and the scenic River Walk that runs through downtown.
San Antonio is loved locally for sports, food, and an abundance of shopping opportunities.
As much interest as San Antonio draws in, there are several things a native of the area would complain to their friends about.
Annoyances such as the constant influx of tourists and traffic are a good place to start.
So, let’s get a broader look at the pros and cons of living in San Antonio, TX.
Contents
Pros of Living in San Antonio, TX
1. History
San Antonio is one of the most historic places in Texas.
What propelled the city to nationwide admiration was what happened at The Alamo, home of Spanish missionaries, in 1836.
It was at this time that Texas was trying to gain independence from Mexico and our neighbors to the south were not fans.
Quotes like, “Victory or death,” and, “Remember The Alamo,” are known by everyone who grew up in Texas because of what ensued at the mission.
2. Tourist Attractions
No matter what your group is into, there’s something to enjoy in San Antonio.
Looking for a thrill?
Try Six Flags.
Into history?
You can spend all day at The Alamo.
Need a peaceful activity?
Take a cruise down the San Antonio River.
Want a shopping escape?
There is a whole River Walk mall.
Stopping for lunch?
Eat on the riverbanks!
There is also a zoo, museums, botanical gardens, SeaWorld, and more.
3. Sports
There are plenty of games to catch in San Antonio.
The most popular team is the San Antonio Spurs, a five-time NBA champion professional basketball team.
Another basketball team is the WNBA team, the Stars.
The San Antonio Missions is a minor league baseball team.
Other minor league teams include the AHL San Antonio Rampage as well as San Antonio FC, the soccer team.
Essentially, there’s some sort of game going on all year.
4. Walkable
Urban developers made use of the historic sites to create a city that is quite walkable.
Not having to fear crossing the road is great.
With the large mix of things to do, there are people on foot all over the city.
That is not always great, more on that later, but it can be exceedingly helpful.
Parking is usually not too far away.
So, if you live downtown, many things you want to see are a quick jot away.
5. Diversity
It should not be surprising that there’s a better blend of people here than in many places across the US.
Being so far south means this part of the state is closer to Central America, which historically has meant more diversity.
Currently, the makeup of the city is 62% Hispanic-American, 24% European-American, 7% African American, 3% Asian American, and 4% other.
Many families have lived in the city for generations, so many local businesses share in this diversity.
6. Cost of Living
San Antonio is a little, big city.
From the outside, there are tall buildings and so many activities.
As an insider, you know not only how close everything really is but how tight the community feels.
Being so diverse makes this one of the more friendly places and the city being affordable only helps that stereotype.
Most people pay less than $1,000 a month to rent a home and mortgage rates are some of the most affordable in the country.
7. Proximity to Getaways
The best thing to do when the city gets overrun with tourists is to go be a tourist yourself.
There might not be a better place to live than San Antonio if you are a fan of weekend getaways.
South Padre Island is four hours away, Houston is three, Corpus Christi is two, and Austin is about an hour away.
Those are just the biggest cities close by.
DFW is about four hours north and Terlingua is six and a half hours west.
It is so easy to get to the coast or go to the mountains.
You will never be bored again.
8. Pet Availability
For some reason, there is an overabundance of stray animals.
That might be viewed as a con for many people, but what it really is is an opportunity to do some good.
Not enough citizens are getting their pets fixed.
As a local, you have the chance to help care for the population of fur-friends who do not have a voice.
That can involve either volunteering at a shelter or helping spread awareness about the problem.
If you are an animal lover, this is a great place to give back.
Cons of Living in San Antonio, TX
1. Tourists
Yes, technically, tourist attractions are a pro, but the hoards that those places bring can be annoying for locals.
The biggest draws are downtown.
You know, the busiest, most traffic-infused part of any city.
View it as convenient or a mess.
That is up to you.
It also does not help that you can walk from the River Walk to The Alamo.
So, you end up with tourists forgetting that not everyone is on vacation.
They are all over the roads both by foot and car, taking their sweet time.
2. Heat
Do you know what makes slow walkers crossing the road more insufferable?
Summer.
When it feels like a million degrees outside and a group of people are meandering by, that is fury-inducing.
Thank goodness for air conditions, but unfortunately, it cannot be with you at all times.
Going outside from May through October means never forgetting sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats.
Anything you can do to avoid excessive exposure to the sun must be done.
3. Traffic
A swelling tourist population mixed with unending heat makes traffic a firestorm.
Whether you are being held up because of the construction or the weekends and holidays to get to attractions, there are cars all over the place.
Unfortunately, biking has not really caught on.
That might have to do with it being too hot, but either way, it would help.
Also, having so many attractions in close proximity makes it hard to just go to work or get home because of long lines.
4. Public Transportation
There are no fast trains or underground railway systems in San Antonio.
That is a shame because of how nice it would be to not be standing in the blazing sun at a bus stop.
Yes, the only public transportation option is to take the bus.
Luckily, it exists for the people who use it every day.
Included is a street car as well as a plethora of bus lines.
So, an effort has been made but it can be very unreliable, which is something locals complain about.
5. Crime
As with any city, there are some undesirable spots around San Antonio.
Despite efforts to crack down on violent and property crimes in the area, the rate is pretty high.
Homicide rates have shot through the roof in the last several years.
If you are thinking about moving to the area, be sure to ask locals and do research.
Be extra cautious when going out at night and alone.
Many of the police are hanging around the most trafficked spots. It’s the outliers where the problems arise.
6. Construction
One of the components that makes traffic worse is construction.
Due to the growing population and the continuous flood of people from every direction visiting, there is always something going on with the roads.
From expanding to a litany of repairs, it seems like there will never be a time when there is not some construction delay.
Not sure what is worse, sitting in a traffic jam because of a man holding up a sign or being the man who is standing in the brutal heat holding the sign.
7. Job Opportunities
This isn’t uncommon in other tourist cities.
Many of the available jobs are on the lower pay spectrum.
Of course, those jobs are necessary and good to have.
However, there really is not as much opportunity to move up in a career here as there is in other cities like Austin and Houston.
That can make staying here for the long term tough, especially if you grew up here.
Finding opportunities in a diverse market is limited.
8. Population Boom
Due to the location of San Antonio, there are plenty of reasons to pick the city as the place in Texas that fits you best.
The problem with that is the growing population is weighing the city down.
Over the past few years, the population has grown by 10%.
At this rate, the city is on target to double its size.
Not enough planning has gone into place to keep that from making San Antonio a miserable place to live.
Pros and Cons of Living in San Antonio, TX – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in San Antonio, TX | Cons of Living in San Antonio, TX |
|---|---|
| 1. History | 1. Tourists |
| 2. Tourist Attractions | 2. Heat |
| 3. Sports | 3. Traffic |
| 4. Walkable | 4. Public Transportation |
| 5. Diversity | 5. Crime |
| 6. Cost of Living | 6. Construction |
| 7. Proximity to Getaways | 7. Job Opportunities |
| 8. Pet Availability | 8. Population Boom |
San Antonio Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: San Antonio Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of San Antonio?
Currently, there are 2.4 million residents that call the city home and there are a little less than that who live in the surrounding areas.
Overall, there are almost 5 million people who live in or around San Antonio.
Does San Antonio get a lot of big concerts?
Depending on your taste in music, this might be the perfect city.
The music venue scene leans heavily towards the country and Spanish-speaking artists.
Musicians and bands in those categories often find themselves coming through to one of the arenas.
However, if other styles are more your thing, it is likely you will have to go to Austin to catch an act.
What's the top employer in San Antonio?
Collectively, the three local military bases have 80,000 people working for them.
H-E-B has 20,000 employees and USAA has just over 18,000.
Which is better, San Antonio or Austin?
It really depends on what your priorities are.
San Antonio is light years more affordable, but Austin is the capital city with more job opportunities.
That is just skimming the top layer.
They are both very different but come with their own pros and cons.
Are there any celebrities living in San Antonio?
Being in the top 10 most populated cities in the country, there are bound to be some big names.
Here are a few: George Strait, Tommy Lee Jones, and Armie Hammer.
San Antonio, TX is loved for its history, tourist attractions, sports scene, walkability and diversity; however, annoyances such as traffic and the constant influx of tourists can be a downside.