Reviews & Comments
San Antonio, TX
re: Real talk. -
5/29/2018Amen Sister! Thank you for making an intelligent, well-spoken and fair assessment of the city. My best decision was the day I left in July of last year. And for Dad P. below, I totally took your advice and couldn't be happier. I only wish that others could do the same and see how normal life is North of there. Deuces!
San Antonio, TX
Not for driven professionals, allergy sufferers or -
10/27/2016Thank GOD that I’m not the only one with these same thoughts! I thought I might be going a little crazy here. Glad to see that my insanity is justified!
Let me preface this by noting that I am a college-educated, Hispanic male who has been here for a year, moving from another major market in Texas.
This is a great place to VISIT, but it’s death to LIVE here. I was hoping to be here to start a “new beginning” and be closer to family.
As I’ve seen in another response, this place is NOT for driven professionals. There is zero urgency here to get things done in a timely manner. Efficiency is bizarre to the culture here that touts the “manana” attitude. If you’re looking to thrive and get recognized for your hard work, please ask your employer to keep you North of here!
There are so many ads that declare that “There is so much culture here…” NOT the case! There is so much Mexican culture here. If you’re into that, that’s great. I grew up with it all of my life. If that’s your thing, you will love it here. But for those of us who desire a little more diversity, we are out of luck.
For a town this size, there is nothing to do here! Just last weekend I had my wife Google “Cool things to do in San Antonio.” The first time through the River Walk is fun, but then what? Yes, there’s the Alamo… an important part of Texas and American history….but then what? There is no other culture here! I find it hilarious that half of San Antonio Magazine’s ads are things/places OUT OF TOWN in the New Braumfels or Austin areas! I had a blast accidentally stumbling across an Indian (non Native American) Culture Festival but only got to catch about the last 30 minutes or so. Have to wait another year for that to happen. I would love to see an Irish, English or European festival as well. There is a relatively small movie chain here that does a really good job. Santikos. It has been my saving grace from the rest of this city. The Palladium has more comforts and presence than any theater that I have been to!
If you are thinking about moving here, say farewell to decorum. There is really only one area of town that I actually halfway enjoy. The La Cantera area. Yes, the “boots” (North Star) mall is closest to the airport, but I assure you that La Cantera will give you the greatest of San Antonio’s upper-end wares.
The other 80% of the town is just “dirty”. That’s the only way to explain it. When my friends have traveled here, that’s the most polite way that they have described the “non-touristy” parts of the city. And for the guys, La Cantera/UTSA area of the city (NW) has the only semblance of hot/fit girls in the city. Elsewhere they just simply do not exist. Most (not all) of the natives are disgustingly obese (men and women). If you’re into a “thicker” more exotic looking girl….this is your paradise.
I do blame, in part, the “culture” of the city. If you like to stuff your face and drink stupid amounts of alcohol…again, you have arrived. Restaurant portions are in sizes that could feed a family of five! There is always a party/vacation atmosphere. There are three “festivals” in town that pretty much everyone takes off for and converges to Downtown to be a part of. No lie…there’s even a Friday that SCHOOLS TAKE OFF FOR to enter into the spectacle! Just cements my point on the “lack of drive” in this city stated above.
Also, people watching is on point! Again, as a Hispanic male watching my hermanos attempt to emulate to be educated and “put together” when I come around is funny and frightening at the same time. I’m all for making yourself better, but please don’t try to emulate a culture that you have never experienced or been a part of. LIVE it first and then assimilate.
If you have lived in any major metropolitan area ANYWHERE in the country, I warn you this city will be a downgrade! I have not worked hard all of my life since I was sixteen to come here and downgrade everything. I come from places that have Big 12 and SEC institutions for education and sports and this city doesn’t even place in comparison.
The climate here is unbearable. It is a miserable hotbox here 9-10 months out of the year! Disgustingly warm humidity. I needed no more than a track jacket for the other months. NOT a good trade for this guy who LOVES the cold! Rain is scarce…until it does, and then there are floods. Here is what BEWILDERS me the most! The locals have known about the flood areas for over a hundred years! And when it DOESN’T rain…. they’re NOT FIXING the most flooded areas! I’m talking Interstates and major roads to get around town are shut down! But they pour MILLIONS if not billions into renovating the Riverwalk or conference centers! Take care of your people SA! It’s not rocket science!
Speaking of roads, OH-MY-GOSH, the drivers here! I have no words. I have never had more people pull out in front of me! Even in rural areas! I have lived in Dallas, Austin and Houston and have never experienced the level of stupidity in drivers that I have here. Congestion is tolerable… it’s part of growth, but you can’t fix stupid. Never have I seen a more dismal lack of self-preservation than I have here. Maybe they’re hoping that the law in Texas of you hitting them in the back of the car means you’re always at fault will get them a check. Pad your policy if you decide to live here.
Pack your Zyrtec! Allergies are GNARLY here! I literally got off the plane, picked up my luggage, and as soon as the front door to the parking garage opened I was sneezing and coughing for days! I should have taken note of all of the allergy centers and doctors while driving around town. If you are an allergy specialist or doctor this city is a GOLD MINE!
At the time of this writing, this place is now infested with deadly mosquito-borne diseases. Zika and now West Nile are at the forefront. Today, there are 17 cases of Zika and 2 cases of West Nile (dshs.texas.gov). It will only get worse because it NEVER gets to freezing here and these incurable and FATAL diseases are NO JOKE!
I have never disliked a place more in all of the US. I too am counting the days until I am able to leave. I am saving every last dime to break the strangulating chains of San Antonio. My best advice, go ANYWHERE North of here!