San Antonio

About San Antonio

San Antonio is one of the largest cities in Texas, and is home to the historic Alamo and world-famous Riverwalk. The city got its start as a Spanish mission settlement in the early 1700s, and earned its statehood in 1845 after a long battle for independence from Mexico. Once the railroad arrived in San Antonio, the Texas city started on the upward growth path that it continues on today.

The San Antonio area is well-loved for its farmers' markets, flea markets and outlet malls. You'll find beautiful scenery in the Texas Hill Country, and you're never far from quaint, small-town gems like New Braunfels, San Marcos, Fredericksburg and Boerne.

Living in San Antonio

If you're planning on moving to this Texas city, you'll find that San Antonio is home to a diverse population, and offers a range of affordable housing. A mix of suburban and semi-urban communities provides a wide variety of home prices and access to excellent schools and amenities.

With a number of dining and entertainment options, there's never a dull moment to be had. Professional basketball fans will know this city as the home of the San Antonio Spurs, with over 20 division titles and several championships to their name. If you'd like to get to know the history of San Antonio, you can explore the Alamo or the San José Mission Church, two iconic spots in Texas. Or, take a stroll down the beautiful Riverwalk, a collection of pathways bordering the San Antonio River. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery while dropping in at the many restaurants, shops and galleries that line the walk.

The city's major employers include H-E-B, USAA, Valero Energy and Rackspace. Retail workers will find plenty of job openings in the area, as will administrative professionals and tradespeople.

San Antonio Neighborhoods

Here are a few of the neighborhoods to check out while you're in San Antonio:

Alamo Heights

The neighborhood of Alamo Heights is just a few miles north of downtown, with a mix of young families, married couples and single professionals. It started out as a dusty Western town, but didn't really find its place as a residential city until the invention of the automobile made it easier to get to this corner of Texas.

Olmos Park

Olmos Park is a San Antonio neighborhood with a rich history, founded by a real estate and oil tycoon in the roaring 1920s. The present-day residents are proud of Olmos Park's heritage and work to preserve its sense of history, most recently adding gaslight-style lamps to the neighborhood's main streets for an extra touch of charm.

Mahncke Park

This San Antonio urban neighborhood has a mix of pre-war bungalows and ranch-style homes, and is home to a diverse blend of residents. From Mahncke Park, you can walk to many of the city's landmarks, including the San Antonio Zoo, Fort Sam Houston and the beautiful San Antonio Botanical Gardens.

Helotes

The neighborhood of Helotes was named after the Spanish word for corn on the cob, a connection to its early beginnings as a farming community. Today it's a family-friendly small town, hosting regular events like movie nights at the local park and classic car shows.

San Antonio Schools

Most public schools in San Antonio fall under the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD). The SAISD was founded in 1899, and since then, it's grown into one of the largest school districts in Texas. The district includes schools that range from early childhood education through high school. You can also explore many top-rated private and charter school options for your child's education, with many of these schools focusing on faith-based, Montessori and other forms of education.

Moving to San Antonio

When moving to San Antonio, you can make the transition much easier with a few of these helpful resources:

• Utilities: CPS Energy is San Antonio's main power provider, and provides you with many tools for reducing your energy cost. The San Antonio Water System manages the residential and commercial water supply.
• Garbage and Recycling: The City of San Antonio provides curbside pick-up of both garbage and recycling once a week. You also have the option to receive a designated organic materials bin for a small fee, and can request pick-up of bulk items and yard waste.
• Transportation and Parking: San Antonio is largely a car-based city, though you can take advantage of public transit options through the VIA Metropolitan Transit. The city also has a bike-sharing program, and you can borrow bikes from several different locations around town.

San Antonio Housing

The San Antonio housing market is extremely affordable and relatively stable, with homes selling fairly quickly. However, this hasn't dramatically decreased real estate inventory, so you're still able to find and purchase your new home without too much worry about bidding wars. No matter what your budget, preferred location, or desired home style, you'll find plenty of housing options in each of San Antonio's neighborhoods.