A few questions about San Antonio? (Alamo, Alamo Heights: new home, neighborhoods, living in)

[ChrisMP]

I hope some people here can help me.

I moved to San Antonio three months ago from Ocala, FL for a contract position in a small accounting office. I am living just north of Potraco, in a house owned by the owner as one of my perks for taking the job. He has asked me to take a full time positon, and I need some help figuring what I should do.

So far my opion of San Antonio is not very great and I want some help to see if I am just running into some wrong people or t hat my conceptions of the town might be wrong. The job is a good one and I would really like to see others options so maybe I can change my mind and stay.

I am 29, single with no children. I like areas that are full of culture and things to do, however, the nightlife here seems so drab outside driving downtown to the riverwalk. Is there places here that are close to the NW side that are cool, chill and full of people just looking to have a good time???

There seems to a "gangster" way of life here, with all the graffitti and pawn shops and crime. Just about every car on my steet has cars and trucks that are "tricked" out. Something I expect from teenages, but all I see is adults who are doing this.

I know the family life and children are huge in San Antonio, but with most cities, you can avoid "suburbia". I can't find that here. Are there any stores and resturants where you can avoid all the kids? Where like minded type people might enjoy dinner, shopping and culture?

One last thing. Traffic. Seems like traffic here is crazy. I lived in Brooklyn and Boston and driving there was crazy, but got easier everyday. Here seems nuts. Almost like people are driving as an extentions of there ego? Am I wrong?

Thanks for anyone that is willing to help me.

[firstclassflyer]

Originally Posted by ChrisMP

I hope some people here can help me.

I moved to San Antonio three months ago from Ocala, FL for a contract position in a small accounting office. I am living just north of Potraco, in a house owned by the owner as one of my perks for taking the job. He has asked me to take a full time positon, and I need some help figuring what I should do.

So far my opion of San Antonio is not very great and I want some help to see if I am just running into some wrong people or t hat my conceptions of the town might be wrong. The job is a good one and I would really like to see others options so maybe I can change my mind and stay.

I am 29, single with no children. I like areas that are full of culture and things to do, however, the nightlife here seems so drab outside driving downtown to the riverwalk. Is there places here that are close to the NW side that are cool, chill and full of people just looking to have a good time???

There seems to a "gangster" way of life here, with all the graffitti and pawn shops and crime. Just about every car on my steet has cars and trucks that are "tricked" out. Something I expect from teenages, but all I see is adults who are doing this.

I know the family life and children are huge in San Antonio, but with most cities, you can avoid "suburbia". I can't find that here. Are there any stores and resturants where you can avoid all the kids? Where like minded type people might enjoy dinner, shopping and culture?

One last thing. Traffic. Seems like traffic here is crazy. I lived in Brooklyn and Boston and driving there was crazy, but got easier everyday. Here seems nuts. Almost like people are driving as an extentions of there ego? Am I wrong?

Thanks for anyone that is willing to help me.

Yes, you are incorrect on so many levels.

[perticusrex]

Are you looking for someone to convince you to stay here? San Antonio is going to be whatever YOU want to make of it. Pick up a copy of The Current if you are looking for some new places to hang out. You have to put yourself out there, have a positive attitude, and not let little things like people driving around in "tricked out" cars get to you. Be willing to venture outside of Potranco/1604 area, there are plenty of upscale, trendy, places to dine, drink, and shop. Have you seen the La Cantera threads? Have you been to the Stone Oak area? Ever been to NIOSA? I think you are in a funk and the sooner you change your frame of mind the sooner you will see SA in a different light. Good luck!

[mrstxcop]

i agree that La Cantera and Stone Oak sound like the places for you --- you will not find many tricked out/souped up cars in those areas...

graffitti is more of a problem in certain areas of town --- you will not get away from it entirely on any side of town but it is much less on the north side, north central and north east sides of town...

as far as places without many kids...good luck...san antonio is a huge family town and that's something you will just have to get used too...

[SA08]

I think the area you are in may not be right for you. I've been here less than a year & don't get that "gangster" impression here at all. Maybe you just need to explore other areas a bit more before you decide one way or another for sure. Good luck to you!

[dvlpr]

Chris -

At the risk of sounding like a smart-ass, you can "avoid suburbia" BY NOT LIVING THERE.

If you're looking for culture/nightlife, you're not going to find it out there. But you will find generic suburban junk, horrific traffic, and residents who think that sort of stuff is great. And Stone Oak & LaCantera aren't going to be any different. The McHouses and chain restaurants just cost a little bit more in those neighborhoods.

Get closer to downtown and the neighborhoods that surround it. Search this forum; there's plenty of posts about it.

[Eleanor Rigby]

I know the family life and children are huge in San Antonio, but with most cities, you can avoid "suburbia". I can't find that here. Are there any stores and resturants where you can avoid all the kids? Where like minded type people might enjoy dinner, shopping and culture?

Well, you are living in deepest, darkest suburbia out 1604 and Potranco. That entire part of the world (I guess we'd call it the Far West Side?) is oriented towards someone who has children, wants to live in a new home in a planned community, and have lots of nationally known chains nearby to shop at. There is nothing wrong with wanting this, but if this isn't your lifestyle, it can be stultifying. You would be happier, I bet, if you did some looking around and found a neighborhood more to your liking. Perhaps the medical center, which is full of younger, single people. Or the Alamo Heights/Olmos Park/Monte Vista corridor, or, if you really want to be on the cutting edge, Southtown/Lavaca/King William if you need more culture.

I second the recommendation to look at the Current. It will plug you in to the cultural happenings better than the Express News will.

[rd2007]

you're definitely living in the wrong area. Too bad you didn't ask people on this site about your prospective location because I guarantee you would not be living where you're living..
you hit quite a few of the problems in this city dead on, though, especially the driving. I just drove by an accident on Military at the light that goes into Wilford Hall and the cars were positioned in such a way that I could not figure out how they got there. It's like these people go above and beyond the call of retardation when they turn that key.. there is also a huge graffiti problem and too many people considering it "art" or accepting it for stupid cultural reasons. then there's the DUI problem that nobody will do anything about because the majority of this city seems to be alcoholics..

[ashbeeigh]

I wouldn't give any other advice then what has already been given.

Stone Oak/La Cantera are where all the good "non" suburban kind of shopping is.

Non-suburban living is all going to be inside 410. Be careful though, you may come upon a few "gangster" though.

And woah, if you go downtown, stay away from the tourists. Just fair warning.

/end sarcasm

Go to Fiesta, try the Witte, go to a First Friday (if they're still going to be around), join some groups outside your comfort zone. The city is what you make it. I've lived here for a good twenty years (I'm twenty four) and am still learning about things.

[TexandCajun]

My truck is kinda souped up. I'm more gangsta than soccer mom. I live in the 'burbs.

Someone please help me!!