Buyer’s Articles

The San Antonio lifestyle is definitely one of the best aspects of living in this historic and diverse community. In fact, it could be said the San Antonio lifestyle is one of the main reasons people live and move here.  We are a large city with small town feel

Like much of the great state of Texas, life here in San Antonio is pretty much laid back. Folks are friendly, kind, and the pace moves a bit slower. Residents take great pride in the city of San Antonio, making it a wonderful place to live, work, and play.

San Antonio Transportation

Transportation in the city of San Antonio is quite similar to the rest of the Lone Star State’s bigger metropolitan areas. While most residents travel by private vehicle, there is a reliable public transportation system here which gets people where they’re going. Short-term visitors mostly rely on taxi services, streetcars, and bus lines.

San Antonio Real Estate

Unlike some of the larger urban and suburban areas of the state, San Antonio remains one of the most affordable. Home prices here are very competitive as the market stays quite active. Builders here offer new construction in varieties. So, whether you’re looking for a starter home or something larger, you’ll find it. And, the resale market also has plenty to offer those moving to the area. 

Another component of the overall San Antonio lifestyle is it offers so much:

1. A low cost-of-living. Another attractive reason people choose to call San Antonio home is due to the low cost of living. Utilities, food, health care, transportation, and housing all come at less of an expense, especially compared to larger markets in the state of Texas. All of this, not to mention the fact there’s no state income tax.
2. Very strong job growth. San Antonio is a very business-friendly community. Consequently, the job market stays strong, year after year, attracting and retaining employers.

San Antonio employment offers some of the best security in the Lone Star State and in the nation — at large. Here in San Antonio, jobs continue to crop up, due to the state’s business-friendly environment. Not to mention, more and more people are escaping high tax states in favor of Texas. (There’s also the big benefit of enjoying a milder winter climate, free of freezing temperatures and weather conditions.)

When looking at San Antonio employment trends, there’s little doubt there’s a strong job market here. Not just because this is a heavy military region, but there are also a number of other big employers, with more companies either setting up or making the move here.

San Antonio offers a vibrant job market, complete with plenty of diversity. Here in San Antonio, employers work in a variety of sectors, including but not limited to: technology, bioscience, renewable energy, professional services, real estate, and manufacturing. In other words, most major, well-paying industries are right here in San Antonio.

Currently, the San Antonio employment sector is performing quite well. In fact, the unemployment rate over the course of the past couple of years has either been near or under the national average. Right now, it stands at about 3.6 percent. (That’s a huge accomplishment, considering the nation number now sits at 4.0 percent, with 4.7 percent considered full employment by professional economists.)

Plus, San Antonio continues to grow at a steady pace, due to the fact it’s less expensive to live here than it is compared to larger markets in Texas, such as Dallas and Houston. Which means, companies opt to relocate or startup in San Antonio, since it provides a lower cost of living.

But, that’s not all. The state itself continues to offer incentives to companies to relocate or establish their businesses here. All in all, this brings more and more job opportunities to San Antonio.

Benefits of Living in San Antonio

There are several advantages to living in San Antonio. First and foremost, is an affordable cost of living and a thriving job market. Additionally, San Antonio is one of the most diverse towns in the entire state and it’s also one of the most historic.

Buying a home with a pool is an exciting proposition but it can be a regrettable choice if you aren’t aware of all its aspects. Being able to dive in when you like and relaxing by the pool while grilling food are certainly enticing but that’s just part of living in a home equipped with a swimming pool. You need to be in the know before you commit to a purchase a house with a pool. 

Everyone loves the thought of having their own home, complete with a swimming pool. Images of family splashing around and guests dipping their feet in or wading about with drinks in-hand are definitely enjoyable. However, to enjoy a pool, it must be actively maintained and even if you go the do it yourself route, this will cost money every month. Here’s some more of what you need to know about buying a home with a pool:

The impact on the house’s value. A National Association of Realtors study found that a swimming pool adds about 8 percent to a property’s value. But that was just in one market. In others, it can be higher — 10 percent or more. Of course, in other markets, a pool provides little to no value increase. It just depends on the geographic location and the neighborhood. For instance, in Florida, pools are commonplace and do add value. But in the northeast or midwest, this can be very different.

Cost of upkeep and long-term expenses. The cost of upkeep is more than just routine maintenance. Sure, you’ll have to keep the pH level balanced and skim foreign objects out but there’s also the consideration of more substantial expenses. For example, when the pump fails or worse yet when hydrostatic pressure compromises the walls. Resurfacing is also a necessity and a costly one.

It’s valued as a selling feature. A swimming pool adds more than just to a property’s real market value, it also adds to its marketing value. A pool is an amenity that often serves as a big time selling feature. This is especially true for new couples and couples with children able to swim. However, a pool can be a negative for older couples and for those with very young children.

Actual use. When you see a house with a pool, you’ll dream about how much you’ll use it. But reality will intrude. Be realistic about how often you’ll use it.

Current condition. Do yourself a favor and hire a home inspector that’s very experienced in assessing pools.

Free things to do in San Antonio aren’t in short supply. In fact, it’s easy to come up with more than a dozen in just a few moments. What’s great about San Antonio is that it’s a growing town. Employment opportunities are on the rise. It’s also an affordable place to live. What’s more, it’s a diverse place and it boasts a family-friendly environment. Altogether, San Antonio is a wonderful place to live and it’s also a terrific location to visit. So, let’s take a look at the top things to do in San Antonio for free.

Things to do in San Antonio for Free

Whether you’re just in the community for a weekend visit or are here for a week, you’ll probably want to get out and do some fun stuff. If you’re into outdoor activities, there’s no shortage of them here. With that, here are some of the top things to do in San Antonio for free:

1. San Antonio River Walk. This is a big local draw and it’s something visitors love, as well. It’s well known for its many restaurants serving all kinds of tasty fare, plenty of shopping opportunities, art, entertainment, and more. The San Antonio River Walk is also a wonderful place to visit during St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas, and New Years. What’s more, it’s free and is located at 849 E. Commerce Street.
2. The Alamo. Historic and known worldwide, the Alamo is the site of one of the most famous battles between Texas and Mexico from February to March in 1836. It came after Texas sought its independence from Mexico and about 200 defenders, including Davy Crockett, fought against 1,800 and 6,000 attackers for thirteen days. Today, it’s a big draw and it’s free, located at 300 Alamo Plaza.
3. Brackenridge Park. This is actually a bunch of experiences rolled up into one sprawling location. Here, visitors enjoy the experiences of the Japanese Tea Garden, the Botanical Garden, the San Antonio Zoo, and more. So, there’s much to see and do right here. Brackenridge Park is located at 3700 North St. Mary’s Street.
4. The Artpace. Located downtown at 445 N Main Avenue, this is a place for those who love modern culture. It’s a must-see for those who are into art, no question.
5. The San Antonio Missions. Another historic site, it’s a great place to explore at your own pace. There are also free tours, plus there are educational activities. By the way, it’s free and located at 6701 San Jose Drive.

There are a number of benefits of living in San Antonio, Texas. Located in the central southern part of the Lone Star State, the city of San Antonio is home to the world famous Alamo. It’s also the home of one of the most favorite local destinations, the River Walk. (River Walk is a collection of retail stores, restaurants, art galleries, and various vendors. It derives its name from the river, which it follows along for about a mile and a half. )

Benefits of Living in San Antonio

The advantages of living in San Antonio can’t be overstated. In fact, the town made it into the top twenty of Forbes’ magazine’s best places to live, taking the third spot, which is quite telling in and of itself. So, let’s take a look at the largest benefits of living in the wonderful city of San Antonio:

1. Very affordable housing. Here, the cost of housing is lower than it is in the bigger and nearly same sized cities in the state of Texas. It’s actually much lower than other big towns, not only in the Lone Star State, but other desirable cities in the southwest. Currently, the market is a quite active one, with many people relocating to San Antonio from other parts of Texas and from around the country.
2. Steady population growth. We just touched on the growing population and it’s worth repeating. With more people moving into the community, that means there’s more economic activity. Which in turn, creates opportunities for entrepreneurs. It also means more diverse property types for sale and rent.
3. An active, healthy job market. Texas is known as a business-friendly state and San Antonio is no exception to that fact. The job market in San Antonio is very strong. So, there are a number of opportunities available and waiting.
4. Plenty of local things to see and do. In San Antonio, there are several things to see and do. These include The Alamo, San Antonio River Walk, SeaWorld San Antonio, and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
5. Low cost of living and no state income tax. Additionally, the cost of living is very affordable and quite low. Monthly costs are low here, like utilities, transportation, food, and healthcare. Also, there is no state income tax in Texas, which means residents of San Antonio keep more of what they work so hard to earn.

As you can see, San Antonio is a great place to live, work, and play.

San Antonio transportation is a big deal, whether you’re visiting or live it in the area. Mostly, people here commute by private car. But, the city has a nice public transportation system, which includes buses and streetcars. Some folks travel by foot, particularly when exploring San Antonio for the first time. Or, grab a cab to get from one location to another. Let’s take a look at San Antonio transportation and what you need to know about it.

San Antonio Transportation

San Antonio transportation, like most metropolitan areas, offers both public and private choices. So, it really depends on what you’re in town to see and do. It also depends on just how far you’d like to travel.

For instance, if you want to explore River Walk, a simple ride into town by private or rental car will suffice nicely. You’ll walk most of the day, discovering restaurants, retailers, art, entertainment, and more. But, if you’re plans include SeaWorld San Antonio or Brackenridge Park, you’ll need to either take your own vehicle or rent a car.

However, if you just need to get around town for a day or two, you’ll find taxi service, bus lines, and streetcars are your best option.

Many visitors arrive here via the San Antonio International Airport. And, if you don’t have plans to go out of the city, you won’t even need a rental car. But, if do plan to visit The Alamo, a rental car or private car is the best way to get there. (This is also true if you’re going to Missions National Historic Park or out to the San Antonio Zoo and Aquarium.

Now, if you’re here to check out downtown San Antonio, you’re best served by a combination of walking, streetcar, bus, and taxi. This is due to the fact the city’s planners didn’t imagine a world of horseless carriages. Which means the downtown streets often confuse visitors and those who don’t frequent the area.

If you do arrive at San Antonio International Airport, you won’t have any trouble finding a cab to take you downtown. Once there though, that changes. Unlike some other cities, you won’t see cabs rolling around, looking for fares. A cab ride from the airport to downtown runs about $30. And, taxis are more costly than the bus.

Speaking of the bus, you can fetch an unlimited one-day pass for about $3 or pay per ride, for $1.30. If you prefer, you can climb aboard a streetcar for the same amount of money. For Help finding San Antonio Real Estate please contact us.