Why does San Antonio seem like an afterthought compared to the other 3 Texas metros? (Houston: low income, employment)

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Like Austin, Houston, and DFW, San Antonio is a growing city with a powerful economy. It's the financial capital of Texas as well as the military capital. Plenty of large companies and industry there. Not to mention, it's the most catering to tourists with the richest history. But why does it seem so unmentioned on a national/international level?

[elnina]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

Like Austin, Houston, and DFW, San Antonio is a growing city with a powerful economy. It's the financial capital of Texas as well as the military capital. Plenty of large companies and industry there. Not to mention, it's the most catering to tourists with the richest history. But why does it seem so unmentioned on a national/international level?

I don't think San Antonio is a financial capital of Texas, nor has "plenty of large companies and industry" compared to the other above mentioned cities.

It's mostly mentioned on a national/international (?) level as a fun, tourist place to visit and has military bases.

San Antonio's economy focuses primarily on military, health care, government-civil service, financial services, oil and gas, tourism and lately has become a significant location for American-based call centers.

Today, Dallas serves as the business and financial services center for the state and has evolved into a major high-tech hub.

And most dynamic economy in Texas is located in Midland.

[turf3]

Dallas' growth was based on its position as a rail hub, followed by the Cotton Exchange and the oil industry.

Houston's growth was based on its position as the premier Gulf coast port.

SA doesn't really have either of these in its history. Its future position, I predict, will be based on its position right on the main highway from Northern Mexico.

[As Above So Below...]

Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag

Like Austin, Houston, and DFW, San Antonio is a growing city with a powerful economy. It's the financial capital of Texas as well as the military capital. Plenty of large companies and industry there. Not to mention, it's the most catering to tourists with the richest history. But why does it seem so unmentioned on a national/international level?

The financial capital of Texas is Dallas with no real close 2nd.

[supfromthesite]

All of those cities have more white collar jobs than San Antonio, and, perhaps consequentially, more money $$$.

The result is, San Antonio is an afterthought compared to them.

[LocalPlanner]

San Antonio's wage profile has traditionally been well below that of the other large Texas metros. To be blunt, it was pretty well known for poverty. Not that there were necessarily more poor people there quantity-wise than Dallas or Houston, but they were a larger share of the population. Its perception of affluent neighborhoods was even more confined than in Dallas - a narrow section of the north side of the city, now maybe mitigated somewhat by the spread of middle class and affluent suburban areas along 1604 from the west side over to the north side. It has taken a long long time for SA to shake the image of being a low income Hispanic city with some cool tourist attractions and a lot of military but not much white-collar employment outside USAA and Frost.

It has definitely changed though. Now, SA seems to have a significant innovation economy going on, with a particular strength in cybersecurity. Maybe that's an outgrowth of the military presence. As a Houstonian, I'm a little envious...

[LocalPlanner]

Also, I hope SA is getting increasing recognition for having what I think is the most charming and historically atmospheric of Texas' big-city legacy downtowns.

[ashbeeigh]

The military over shadows it’s private economic growth. Rarely do you hear of companies or people without any military history moving there. Military culture is an acquired taste that overwhelms San Antonio in some areas. (Central areas near SAMC and the west, or northwest, side near Lackland). If they land Space force it will only enhance that culture. It’s fine that way and if it’s your jam that’s great. But not everyone is into that which, I think, is part of why it gets left out of a lot of conversations.

[supfromthesite]

As a native here I don't notice the military aspect at all other than seeing people in uniforms sometimes

[ParaguaneroSwag]

Originally Posted by supfromthesite

As a native here I don't notice the military aspect at all other than seeing people in uniforms sometimes

Same. But i think we are younger than most people here so that could be why