A few questions about San Antonio? (Austin, Howe: buying a house, neighborhood, buying)

[ChrisMP]

Chaka- again I am sorry. I need to explain more. I am white (Irish) and my friend is African American. She is very attractive and we are just friends now in our life. But, She said she heard a lot of bad comments from all types of people. I didn't hear anything, but she did. It made her unconfortable.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by ChrisMP

Chaka- again I am sorry. I need to explain more. I am white (Irish) and my friend is African American. She is very attractive and we are just friends now in our life. But, She said she heard a lot of bad comments from all types of people. I didn't hear anything, but she did. It made her unconfortable.

That's unfortunate, I'm sorry she had that experience. I can see where that would be very uncomfortable.

I don't think that's the norm, but I've no doubt people exist in our city who would make random racist comments. I'm not sure First Friday is a haven for such types though. Quite the opposite - the art crowd tends to be very diverse, eclectic, but of course any public gathering can bring other types. It's too bad her encounter was with a less than positive element.

[ShaneSA]

It's all been said already. Your not living in the area where the things you want are located. get the Current and try to look elswhere near and around downtown for the things you mention. You will find it in SA.

[perticusrex]

This is my "what the hell do we do without the kids this weekend" bible....

SA Current

[gwrober]

Chris - your original post said you came from Ocala three months ago. I was single (early twenties) when I got here in '95 due to the military, and had the same mixed feelings. BUT, after learning more about SA, going and trying new places, making new friends, I am very comfortable here. So much that I raise my daughters here with no worries. Three months doesn't seem like much time to really get a good 'feel' of SA. Have you made many friends here?

I agree with rd, the drinking problem is huge here, and the culture here unfortunately supports heavy drinking with every event. Custom cars are a big deal, it's a sense of pride and showmanship in some cases, but in most cases it's a sense of "let's run down to the auto store and by some stick-on fake vents for my fender". Downtown is the place to be.

Where is the office that you work for? Is there a better living area close to work?

Living around Potranco/1604 isn't too bad - you're in a safe area, close to highways. But yeah if I were young and single I'd move to another area more lively, but I'd stay here.

And you know, with all the new threads about San Antonio, I think we should schedule several new meet-n-greets and welcome our new friends!!!! Jules?? Paka???

[wCat]

Chris....reading your post, I'm hearing a mixed message. You love your job, and you got the house as a "perk", but that "perk" may be what's keeping you from enjoying the neighborhood. Obviously having your "home" chosen for you is a big problem....but it sounds as if you're not in a position to move. So it looks like you'll have to get out of that area a bit more in your free time until you find an area more suited for single life. The GNW has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years, and it is definitely very family oriented. If that's not where you are yet, then it makes sense that you feel like a fish out of water.

Re: the ganster element....can't address that specifically....there are pockets of it splattered through out the city. And the adult children...again....not necessarily an SA thing....maybe just your neighborhood or community...and not all of the GNW has it. Again....pockets here and there.

I agree with the comments suggesting the Current....but also the "weekender" in the Express News on Fridays. It's a pull out section so you can pop it in your car.

RE: First Friday....I'm not sure why the poster above is so defensive regarding the problems cropping up at First Friday. We have friends at Blue Star and friends that live in King William. It seems the later crowds get a bit more rowdy and the traffic is becoming a problem. These are very real and your friend was probably dead on. The previous poster has mentioned taking her little one with them when they attend and have retired earlier than most of the crowd. My guess (and I'm sure she will correct me) is that she is not there to witness firsthand the increasing problem by patrons that don't know when to stop partying. That being said.....there are talks taking place to address these issues....hopefully a curfew...and possibly limiting some of the vendors that are offering commercial trinkets and merchandise. Since she lives so close, she may be part of the planning group and hopefully she is helping her neighborhood. I hope she will post soon with information on some improvements. It's definitely not a lost cause.....it just needs the reigns pulled in a little before it gets a bad rep.

In addition to NIOSA, the whole week of Fiesta is coming up with a lot of festivities. The Oyster Bake at St. Mary's University is also a hit with the younger single crowd. There are three or more parades and lots to do for about 10 days. Here's the link to the entire Fiesta line up of events!

Fiesta San Antonio :: Fiesta 2009 Official Website

If you like jazz music...listen to KRTU 91.7 FM. They have a lot of events coming up and sponsor regular events every month that are tied to some of the local museums. They have a concert this weekend at the Sunken Gardens, the Sunday Jazz at the Witte this weekend and the Ramsey Lewis concert coming up on April 3rd. Here is their website for more info on those dates and places:

krtu 91.7 fm | jazz for san antonio

And lastly....check out Meetup.com and look for interest groups in the San Antonio area. There are a lot of great active groups to meet friends of all ages. Hopefully as you meet new friends, you'll depend on them for finding a social life that fits your personality.

San Antonio, TX Meetup Groups - Meetup.com

Good luck to you....and enjoy! Three months is so little time to truly know a city of this size!

[ChrisMP]

Thanks you all again for your honest and helpful replies.

[V3rtigo]

Chris, don't be so apologetic. your first post is spot on. seriously. that was my first impression when i moved too. you need to pick your area very carefully.

if i was single here, i'd move to austin. if you're really intent on staying here, take a couple of weekends and drive around the different parts of town. then pick one and enjoy. there are more tolerant areas, areas without escalade with big wheels, and areas without traffic.

check out the bars on St. Mary's, the stone oak scene like Swig North, clubs and bars downtown, pool halls like The Fox and Hound, bars like The Flying Saucer or The Lion and Rose, etc.and just see what you like the best.

[LindaGrace]

Yeah, Potranco/1604 is family-central. That whole Bandera corridor from 410 to 1604 gives me the willies. That's one of those areas that make me say, "Why would anyone live there!" (I KNOW - NOT EVERYONE THINKS LIKE ME! I'm just making the point that I see exactly where the OP is coming from.)

That being said, if I were in my 20s and single, working downtown, I'd totally be living downtown, or near downtown. My DREAM is to walk downstairs from my loft apartment and be on riverwalk level and walk to work.

[lemonfresh]

Kid, you live 20 miles from downtown and are complaining about suburbia?

Jesus. Now to mention your completely incorrect generalizations of the city.

You want good nightlife in SA, there's good nightlife in SA. Go find it.

You want a urban setting in SA, there's urban settings in SA. Go find it.