City lights?!(urban living) (San Antonio, Austin: apartment, condo, neighborhoods)

[ruxy]

I moved here 4 months ago from...(let's call it) a very different state. I would like to buy a house/condo/apartment and feel that I live in a city, not in the suburbs. I want to be in the middle of everything, be able to walk to a coffee shop, walk in a park near, etc. Can you please suggest places to look? But please don't send me to Austin

[Steel Man]

Check this e-magazine. Click on past issues for a little more.


Moving ON UP! Urban living brings out the best in San Antonio

[dvlpr]

Have you searched the forum? This has been discussed a lot in other threads...

Check the following neighborhoods:

King William
Lavaca
Southtown
Tobin Hill
Monte Vista
Mahncke Park
Alamo Heights

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by dvlpr

Have you searched the forum? This has been discussed a lot in other threads...

Check the following neighborhoods:

King William
Lavaca
Southtown
Tobin Hill
Monte Vista
Mahncke Park
Alamo Heights

Capital idea!

http://www.city-data.com/forum/searc...rchid=18256845

[OzzyRules]

Isn't there a new highrise at the corner of Broadway/Hildebrand? It's where Earl Abel's used to be. I'm sure they are expensive, though.

[WorldTexan]

I have what could be an obvious question, but why does no one ever mention the Medical Center/Mockingbird Hill when the talk of urban San Antonio comes up?

In my opinion outside of downtown and the immediate environs it's the next best alternative for people who want walkable, diverse neighborhoods. And it's cheaper than the historic districts. I recently purchased here, and the area is packed with young professionals and students.

I'm not sure if you can publish blog links, but I just did a piece on the area in mine - JRTexas.

I'm interested in feedback and opposing or concurring views.

[WorldTexan]

Oh, and to the OP, sent you a direct message.

[ruxy]

Originally Posted by WorldTexan

I have what could be an obvious question, but why does no one ever mention the Medical Center/Mockingbird Hill when the talk of urban San Antonio comes up?

In my opinion outside of downtown and the immediate environs it's the next best alternative for people who want walkable, diverse neighborhoods. And it's cheaper than the historic districts. I recently purchased here, and the area is packed with young professionals and students.

I'm not sure if you can publish blog links, but I just did a piece on the area in mine - JRTexas.

I'm interested in feedback and opposing or concurring views.

I live in the Medical Center now (Medical Dr) and I don't feel that I am living in a city at all. I can't walk anywhere, I have to drive everywhere, there is no park, coffee shops, etc. I don't see people walking either...But maybe I am too picky. One thing is for sure: San Antonio is not a city for young, single professionals, but for families (not that it's something bad about that, but it's not my case).

[WorldTexan]

I live on Medical too, right off Fredericksburg. I guess that proves it's all about perspective. I see people walking all the time, and definitely more so than other parts of town. I have friends who live on Medical and live without a car. There's 2 Starbucks within walking distance, and Petra which is an awesome little cafe/hookah bar. I walk to dinner with friends, do some grocery shopping at Mustafa and running through the hills off Horizon Hill and Donroe is great exercise.

Granted it's not 100% urban living, but that's hard to come by in SA. I do prefer the area over others closer to downtown which are really purely residential in nature. I think there's a good mix out here.

And as to your comment about SA not being a typical "young urban professional" town, it's true. I think it may have been hashed out here before. I moved back here about 1.5 years ago, right after college and had the same issue. But there are surprisingly a lot of young, college educated people in SA. It's just a little harder to find them than other cities. San Antonio can be a fun town once you understand it.

As the old saying goes - Don't hate for what I'm not, but love me for what I am. SA is a lot cooler once you do that.

[tgannaway89]

San Antonio (and most of Texas) is suburban and caters to that lifestyle. It has been that way for the past several decades and shows no sign of changing. You will NOT find the urban lifestyle you may find in many cities in New England.