Culture shock coming from Northern Virginia/DC? (Houston, San Antonio: transplants, car insurance)

[gottamovesomewhere]

I grew up in SA but haven't lived there since 1997. My husband and I have lived in the DC area for the last 10 years (he grew up here), but now that we have a child we are seriously contemplating a move to SA. To be sure, SA lacks certain qualities we love about DC - cosmopolitan vibe; ethnically and geographically diverse, highly educated population; tons of things to do with kids, etc. That said, SA has wonderful things to offer - much slower pace of life (DC = workaholic lifestyle); much lower cost of living; less competitive lifestyle; and generally just a nice place to raise a family.

Tell me, other mid-atlantic and northern transplants: how bad was the culture shock? I'm familiar with the city after growing up there, of course, but I've completely assimilated to East Coast living. Also, I'm worried about the culture shock for my husband. We're kind of bi-racial (husband appears white, but has a "funny name" and is from a foreign culture/country with a negative stereotype); and we are not religious and will not attend or join a church. FWIW, we have really good jobs in both cities and we will be pretty well-off in SA.

[Mom2Feebs]

I moved here from Houston and I went through culture shock. Does that tell you anything? LOL!!

Good luck! I love it here, but there are definitely...things I've had to work through. And I'm just an ordinary white chick.

[VCUDentist]

I am also relocating from the DC area (live in NOVA but go to school in Richmond) at the end of May. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by gottamovesomewhere

We're kind of bi-racial (husband appears white, but has a "funny name" and is from a foreign culture/country with a negative stereotype)

Sounds like me and my wife.
Nobody can tell where the hell I'm from since I look like a normal mixed black/white man and a normal North-African man and a normal Dominican-Puertorican man (you get my point)

[Buffyfan]

My husband is from NOVA, and he loves it here.

[Newk]

Moved here from Northern Virginia in September 2008. Get ready for higher car insurance rates.

[The Dissenter]

I lived in NoVA from 04 to 2010 and am considering moving there after I graduate in late 2011. I'm curious about this too. It would definitely be different from living in Kentucky.

[ashbeeigh]

I think a lot of the shock will be for you, as a native san antonian returning after so many years. I was gone for about a year between 98 and 99 and even then there were changes. Be ready for some major urban sprawl and tons more traffic almost anywhere and everywhere you go. I can't speak for anything else, but just be ready for that in particular. Some places where it used to take 5 minutes to get somewhere now takes almost 30/45.

[skeet09]

10 -15 years ago, 1604 wasn't too populated the way it is now. Development has definitely moved outside of 1604. Lots of new homes being built in almost all sections of the city with big jumps in the Alamo Ranch area (1604 and Culebra) and Stone Oak (1604 and 281), Helotes and many others I may be missing.
Northside ISD has grown so much and has built so many schools to house all the students moving into the areas served by the district.
Toyota Manufacturing is here on the Southside, Texas A&M San Antonio is starting up and we now have Northeast Lakeview on the Northeast area of SA for community college students. UTSA now has a football component to the school, the season should/is starting up.

[gottamovesomewhere]

Thanks to all who have replied. Can you be more specific about the things that you found difficult to adjust to?

And I agree that I'll be in for a surprise or three myself. I grew up on the north side of town, just inside 1604 and we were considered the "end" of town. Ha!