Relocation

If you’re moving to San Antonio, most people would assure you that it’s a fine place to live, and its uniqueness only adds spice to the experience. These million-­plus people are descendants of Canary Islanders, Scots, Germans, and tough-­as-­an-­old-­boot Texians who came to the frontier to make a new life in the American West. A great many of them are Hispanic, ranging from the “Green Card” ranch worker to the third-­generation CEO, or Slavic and Asian refugees who fled political strife. Some are international scholars and medical students here for top-­flight training or an opportunity for research. A surprising number of sons and daughters return to San Antonio after college or another sojourn, rejoining multiple generations who decided for themselves to stay in their earlier years. Many are members of the military and military retirees who have come back “home.” San Antonio’s mild winters also lure a lot of “snowbirds.”

People continue coming to San Antonio because of the educational opportunities, an appetite for authentic tortilla soup, a love of bluebonnets in the spring, and the migrating monarch butterflies in October. They enjoy the easy fellowship of strangers here, the happy abandon of countless festivities, and the grandeur of centuries past integrated into the present.

Overview

San Antonio isn’t for everyone, of course. Some people just don’t acclimate to the more relaxed lifestyle. Others pine for a city with more sophistication, greater wealth, and a more liberal mind-­set. (San Antonio is undeniably conservative, less moneyed than, say, Chicago or Boston, and generally casual in attitude.)

Additionally, the weather in this colorful community is just plain hot in the summer. Some people don’t want to deal with the high mercury readings. Residents don’t like it much, either, but the public buildings, our homes, buses, cars, and taxis are air-­conditioned, often for months on end. In truth, it’s occasionally hot as late as November. In December it’s not uncommon to see people wearing shorts and washing their cars near Christmastime (many people find this one of the city’s more attractive features). Nor is it uncommon to see residents battle sleet on the freeway in December. San Antonio weather is simply fickle.

Beyond the weather, people—whether they love the city or not—will tell you that San Antonio does have affordable housing and utilities (even in the summer), superior medical care, multiple educational opportunities, and an impressive array of leisure opportunities. Additionally, geography finds San Antonio within a few hours of surf, sand, and sport fishing on the coast to the southeast and about the same distance from the lure of an international border at Laredo to the southwest.

If you’re considering retirement here, you’ll find the city more accommodating than most, possibly because the large number of military retirees have already paved the way for abundant services and housing options (three of the largest independent-­living facilities are military-­related). Quality medical care is a given, whether the source is military or civilian.

One final attribute appeals to both retirees and new residents for another reason: Family and friends will enjoy visiting you here. Between the Alamo, SeaWorld, day trips to Mexico or the Hill Country, Fiesta Week, and Christmas lights on the River Walk, how can they resist?

Then it will be your turn to extol the virtues and idiosyncrasies of this fascinating city.