San Antonio

Will Rogers called San Antonio "one of the four most unique cities in America".  The other three were Boston, New Orleans and San Francisco.  Encompassing 368 square miles, San Antonio (known as San Antone to the locals) is the seat of Bexar county and approximately 140 miles northwest of the Gulf of Mexico.  Steeped in Texas tradition, with a strong, diverse economy and plenty of sunshine, Money magazine ranked San Antonio as one of the "best big places to live".   

San Antonio boasts many of Texas' top attractions. You absolutely cannot visit this fine city without experiencing the Riverwalk.  The pecan shaded river oasis meanders two and a half miles through downtown and is a delight to the senses with fine dining, the best Mexican food in Texas, shops, hotels and sightseeing and dinner cruises.  According to Priceline.com the Riverwalk rated as one ofthe top 2006 New Years Eve destination in the country.  Another must see is The Alamo, built over 250 years ago and site to the famous battle of 1836 where Davy Crockett and William Travis were among the many that died in combat.  Other exciting places to experience are Sea World, Fiesta Texas, the San Antonio Stock and Rodeo Show and El Mercado-the largest  Mexican market outside of Mexico and the San Antonio Zoo.

Population:  1,144,646

Metro area: 1.66 million

Location:
San Antonio is on the edge of the infamous Texas Hill Country, some 140 miles northwest of the Gulf of Mexico, 82 miles south of Austin, about 25 miles south of  New Braunfels and 246 miles from Galveston.

Climate:
With brief, mild winters, January's average low is only 40, Texans have ample opportunities to play outdoors.  Average July is 95 with the sun shining more than 300 days per year.  Generally speaking, shorts and short sleeved shirts are comfortable fare for an afternoon of golf or Fiesta Texas or tubing down the Guadalupe River.

Cost of Living:  
Real estate, health care, transportation below national average

Average House Cost: $168,000

Sales Tax: 7.75%

State and Local Income Tax: NONE

Property Tax:
Rate is approx. $2.50 per $100 assessed value. 

Religion:
1,246 places listed in SAWorship's directory.

Education:
San Antonio is home to eleven colleges. Texas State University is in the nearby town of San Marcos.

Employment: 
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov), San Antonio's unemployment rate for Oct.06 was 4.4%.  Employment opportunities abound in the health care industry, tourist, military, and two Fortune 500 companies, SBC and USSA.

Working Mother Magazine ranked USSA as one of the best companies for working mothers. PC:World and Money magazine ranked San Antonio as one of the most suitable place for telecommuting.  The job rate growth is four times the national average.

Airports:
San Antonio International Airport is eight miles north of downtown and has more than 35 direct flights.  Stinson and Taste of the Orient are two smaller airports.

Health Care:  
35 hospitals with over 5,400 beds.   The University Health System is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America's Best Hospitals.  San Antonio is also home to the renowned Texas Diabetes Institute.

Real Estate:
According to research economist Charles Gilliland with the Real Estate Center at Texas A&M, the San Antonio region of Bexar, Atascosa, Comal, Guadalupe, Karnes and Wilson counties enjoyed 32 percent appreciation in 2005 to become Texas' hottest rural land market. 

And the demand is still going strong in 2008 partly because this region has excellent value in relation to quality and price and lifestyle.