moving to SA ... what should I know about crime? (Houston: house, to buy)

[maowkss]

Some of these threads have freaked me out a bit. Any advice of cultural dos and donts that are specific to SA? Advice for a newbie? Should I get a gun? Is driving really that dangerous? What should I know?

[TXRose]

Crime in SA is not bad, IMO. I've never felt unsafe in the 20 years I've lived here. And I've had to be in some of the "scarier" areas of town for work.

If you're referring to the recent post about San Antonio sterotypes, don't worry. No one is going to shoot you because you honk your car horn, don't use a blinker, or go a little bit slower than what they might like.

While I found that post humorous, I also found that about 90% of the things in that post are completely untrue.

[maowkss]

thanks texas rose! i think since i'm in that place where i'm anticipating moving, but not yet doing it, i'm going that crazy questioning stage where i want to evaluate and try to anticipate every possible eventuality. not possible.

but i do have another random cultural question: is it the etiquette in SA or the burbs to pull over and stop to let a funeral pass? it is in TN, but i did that in another state once and people looked at me like 'why the hell are you stopped in the middle of the street'?

[TXRose]

I'd say it's more common that not. I always pull over and stop, and while there are always people that also stop, there are also those that keep going.

[tgannaway89]

San Antonio ranked #7 in America's safest cities with a population of 500,000 plus.

http://www.morganquitno.com/cit07pop.htm#500,000+

[tgannaway89]

Other Texas cities on that list (500,000+):

El Paso #3 safest.
Austin #5 safest.
Fort Worth #9 safest.
Houston #10 most dangerous.
Dallas #6 most dangerous.

Interesting stuff.

[Steel Man]

Property crime is the biggest crime in San Antonio. A large amount of that is against cars, so do not keep valuables in sight. If someone is going to break into your home, it seems that daytime is preferred as most people are not home. Though, there have been a few home invasions on the news during the last few months. That is not a high number for 1.2 million people, but for peace of mind you might want to have a gun in the house as many Texans do.

As for driving, drive defensively and don't trust anyone. That is the best advice I have for driving here. I have driven in many states and even overseas on the other side of the road, and basically, people either drive too fast, don't pay attention while driving, or just plain drive aggressively. Also, there are more accidents during rain as some people do not adjust their driving accordingly.

BTW, some Texans will pull over and drive along the paved shoulder of the road to let a person pass on two-way roads. Just wave a thank you when you pass them.

[Paka]

Originally Posted by maowkss

Some of these threads have freaked me out a bit. Any advice of cultural dos and donts that are specific to SA? Advice for a newbie? Should I get a gun? Is driving really that dangerous? What should I know?

No you DON'T want to buy a gun (we are just joshing with all this you get shot for doing this and that stuff) and NO, you will find that the driving is ANNOYING vs dangerous here. Like any big city, rush hour and constant construction trying to keep up with the city's growth are annoying.

What should you know??? That we are FRIENDLY, that folks here HELP each other, that no one knows a stranger and that is WHY so many folks are moving here...there is a reason for that. We are diverse, fun loving, respectful folks who merge to make one of the most exciting, fun, relaxing and just down right wonderful places you could want to visit or move to!!!

And YES, we also so respect to those that have passed and their family and friends by pulling over and allowing them the right of way!!!!!

In fact, when we were driving to Ft Sam Houston cemetary to bury my brother who was a police officer shot and killed in the line of duty in 1999, folks got out, put their hands over their hearts, put their hats over their hearts and even school kids were lined up with flags at the little school to the back of Ft Sam Section II. We were so impressed with the fact that traffic going in the opposite direction on a major freeway stopped to show their respect. THAT is the kind of place you are considering moving to!!!! The 7th largest city in the nation with a small town heart.

We are good people and you will LOVE living here!!!!
WELCOME YA'LL!!!!!!!!!

[Hawaii_Corri]

Wooooo Hoooooo !! I love this forum

[TVI]

Originally Posted by maowkss

Some of these threads have freaked me out a bit. Any advice of cultural dos and donts that are specific to SA? Advice for a newbie? Should I get a gun? Is driving really that dangerous? What should I know?

You don't need a gun. I've lived here since 1975, and I've never owned a gun.

The only requirement for moving here is that you have to promise to root for the Spurs.