Is San Antonio seen as inferior to Austin, Dallas and Houston? (Waco: buy, price)

[Treasurevalley92]

Originally Posted by Ivory Lee Spurlock

The entire 40 years I've lived in Texas, I don't think I met anybody who doesn't like San Antonio. People visit, they have a good time, they like the city, and they return. Not everybody wants to live there, but I never hear anybody downgrading it, like the many people who downgrade Houston, Dallas and Austin. There's so much to do, it's almost like a vacation wonderland.

San Antonio looks and is much older than the other 3 Texas million plus metros. Even the downtown area the streets are alot narrower, in the olde style way. I've always found it very confusing to drive in downtown SA, as somehow I seem to lose my sense of direction there.

Yeah, the one thing that hard line Austin, Dallas and Houston residents seem to agree on is that they like San Antonio.

I also think it's without a doubt the best "Vacation City" in Texas.

[Frustratedintelligence]

Maybe its reputation has improved greatly in recent years; because growing up in Texas I certainly don't remember most people having a high opinion of San Antonio. Dirty, ghetto, "Little Mexico" were common statements as I recall.

[jlt1984]

I would much prefer to live in SA rather than Houston, but the lack of high-paying jobs or much general opportunity outside of the military is the primary deterrent and probably the bigger reason that SA is a little less admirable as the other 3 metros.

[Cinco Ranch]

First of all OP did you know that San Antonio is the second largest city in Texas behind Houston? To answer your question, nobody in Texas thinks of San Antonio as an “inferior city”. SA is much older and has more historic significance than the other big 3 Texas cities. Lots of people from Houston go on trips to San Antonio to have fun. BTW Houston doesn’t even have a six flags amusement park but San Antonio does.

[gabetx]

Originally Posted by Cinco Ranch

First of all OP did you know that San Antonio is the second largest city in Texas behind Houston? To answer your question, nobody in Texas thinks of San Antonio as an “inferior city”. SA is much older and has more historic significance than the other big 3 Texas cities. Lots of people from Houston go on trips to San Antonio to have fun. BTW Houston doesn’t even have a six flags amusement park but San Antonio does.

City proper doesn't matter. SA has the third largest metro area but feels like the fourth. However, SA is a decent city, albeit a bit run down in many areas.

I wouldn't say SA is inferior to Houston, Dallas, and Austin. It just doesn't feel as cosmopolitan or urban. Houston, Dallas, and Austin all have large white collar business sectors. SA, not so much. I think that is what makes SA feel less glitzy, glamoury, urban, or even less desirable. SA is a large military, blue collar, and tourist driven city, which is much different from the other three largest metro areas in TX.

[MacInTx]

Originally Posted by Cinco Ranch

BTW Houston doesn’t even have a six flags amusement park but San Antonio does.

Now THAT'S something to brag about!

[Frustratedintelligence]

Originally Posted by gabetx

City proper doesn't matter. SA has the third largest metro area but feels like the fourth.

As a whole, San Antonio feels like the third largest in Texas to me. It's more dense, has more freeways and more light pollution than Austin which is more centralized with a taller skyline but feels smaller the further you get from downtown.

[BillyH]

Originally Posted by Frustratedintelligence

As a whole, San Antonio feels like the third largest in Texas to me. It's more dense, has more freeways and more light pollution than Austin which is more centralized with a taller skyline but feels smaller the further you get from downtown.

from the stats I could find urban density

Houston 2978
San Antonio 2945
DFW 2879
Austin 2605

[NoClueWho]

Originally Posted by Kthnry

Found Mexican radio! Still unsure about Mexican TV, though.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpNPlgAeitg

Is it just me, or does that guy look like a TALL, young Al Pacino? LOL

[KerrTown]

Originally Posted by jlt1984

I would much prefer to live in SA rather than Houston, but the lack of high-paying jobs or much general opportunity outside of the military is the primary deterrent and probably the bigger reason that SA is a little less admirable as the other 3 metros.

The I-35 Megaopolis thread highlighted why SA, Austin, Waco/Temple, and DFW may not be desirable for long.

Originally Posted by gabetx

I wouldn't say SA is inferior to Houston, Dallas, and Austin. It just doesn't feel as cosmopolitan or urban. Houston, Dallas, and Austin all have large white collar business sectors.

I wouldn't say Austin is cosmopolitan or has a large white collar business sector. Tech is the big non-government industry but the city is considered a backwater in the industry.

Originally Posted by MacInTx

Now THAT'S something to brag about!

Who wants to pay money to be imprisoned in a theme park all day, sweat in the summer heat, and all commodities are priced outrageously compared to the free world outside the fences?

The MFAH is the only renowned fine art museum in Texas and it's air conditioned and free on Thursdays (Thank you Shell!). There other museums around the Museum District (like one notable museum, which also has a similar free day on a different day of the week!). If you need a few moments of fresh air in the humid summer or gorgeous winter, there is a large park nearby, and several smaller parks reachable on public transit.