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Old 06-06-2010, 08:39 AM
 
Location: Huntersville/Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC
26,700 posts, read 41,748,461 times
Reputation: 41381

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I'm thinking about long-term homes for me. I just moved to the Ft. Knox area of Kentucky and like it so far. My best situation would be to finish my degree and find a decent job and just move up I-65 to Louisville. Second best, would be to move back to my native Hampton Roads, VA. But with the economy in it's current state those situations may not happen and it seems that Texas has a pretty decent economy right now.

About me:

- I seem to bond very well with military towns because I'm an Air Force brat. (advantage San Antonio.)
- I'm a black guy who leans converative.
- I call myself a Christian but I'm not a fan of bible thumpers. (Had a bad boss who was one.)
- I spent most of my life in Hampton Roads, VA followed by 6 horrid years in NoVA.
- Did I mention that living in Northern VA made me hate traffic?
- I will likely have my BS in Management (Can I get a quality non-customer job down there?)
- I'd like to have decent housing for under $600 a month (studio or 1 bed in a decent area).
- Is there a car tax in TX? VA and KY both have them and I'm not a fan of it.

Can I fit in TX? If so, which of the three cities in my title would be best for me?
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Old 06-06-2010, 03:33 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
10,138 posts, read 16,053,483 times
Reputation: 4047
Sounds like San Antonio is your best bet, out of your criteria this is what goes to San Antonio over the other two;

- I seem to bond very well with military towns because I'm an Air Force brat. (advantage San Antonio.)
- I'm a black guy who leans converative.
- Did I mention that living in Northern VA made me hate traffic?
- I will likely have my BS in Management (Can I get a quality non-customer job down there?)
- I'd like to have decent housing for under $600 a month (studio or 1 bed in a decent area).

I drive in Texas all the time, I have NEVER heard of car tax before, so I assume we don't have one.

What's setting San Antonio apart from the other two is that it's a stronger moderate-conservative city. Austin is liberal and Houston is moderate leaning towards liberal.
San Antonio is not known for notorious traffic like Houston and Austin. So you'll be fine there.
You like military setting, San Antonio has a strong presence for that, the other two don't. Multiple air force bases in SA.
The housing cost is a lot less for the same size in San Antonio compared to Austin (most expensive city in Texas) and a bit less than Houston.
I think about the job situation make sure you apply before moving, have a job secured, just because economy in Texas seems to be doing better than everywhere else doesn't mean you'll get a job easily without any competition. So apply first, secure a job, then make the move. But yes, SA has a strong job market and is growing.
And no one there will bother you about religion, I have spent a good amount of time in nearly all the big Texas cities and I'm Hindu, and no one's ever bothered me about religion before. You'll be fine.

So based off your criteria if I had to list the cities from best to least for your tastes it would go like this:
1. San Antonio
2. Houston
3. Austin

I really recommend San Antonio, it's got more of what you're looking for particularly than the other two cities, but both are good alternatives. I would suggest applying for jobs in all three, just in case. But yes, San Antonio has the most going for you.

And as for your last question: YES!!! I'm an South Asian guy and I fit in well here in Texas, you can definitely do it too!!

Last edited by DANNYY; 06-06-2010 at 04:41 PM..
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Old 06-06-2010, 04:35 PM
 
25,157 posts, read 53,952,004 times
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Houston if you can tolerate humidity and tropical storms. Houston is near the beach. And the city is massive.

San Antonio if you can tolerate Tex-Mex culture. You have to like Hispanics too.

Your call. Both cities are diverse. Houston has a multicultural vibe.

Last edited by artsyguy; 06-06-2010 at 04:45 PM..
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Old 06-06-2010, 04:45 PM
 
25,157 posts, read 53,952,004 times
Reputation: 7058
Also have you looked into El Paso? It's socially conservative, slower, and smaller but you have beautiful mountains and a desert.


YouTube - El Paso Tribute

Cedar Hill in Dallas area is good for Blacks. A lot of blacks live in the area. It's hilly and has everything you need within 10 mile radius.:


YouTube - Cedar Hill, Texas Snow
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Old 06-06-2010, 04:54 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
10,138 posts, read 16,053,483 times
Reputation: 4047
Quote:
Originally Posted by artsyguy View Post
Also have you looked into El Paso? It's socially conservative, slower, and smaller but you have beautiful mountains and a desert.


YouTube - El Paso Tribute

Cedar Hill in Dallas area is good for Blacks. A lot of blacks live in the area. It's hilly and has everything you need within 10 mile radius.:


YouTube - Cedar Hill, Texas Snow
El Paso is more isolated though, and it's airport isn't as busy as the cities in the Texaplex (Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, & San Antonio)

Plus the OP is from Southeast/East Coast area, El Paso will be a huge change in lifestyle as it mirrors the Desert Southwest.
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Old 06-06-2010, 05:09 PM
 
Location: Austin,Tx
1,694 posts, read 3,623,472 times
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I would go with San Antonio especially if want to be around the Air Force and military there's two AFB's in SA Lackland AFB and Randolph you also have Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis.

Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce

Military City USA - San Antonio

Lackland Air Force Base - Home

Randolph Air Force Base - Home

http://www.aaccsa.com/
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Old 06-06-2010, 05:29 PM
 
Location: Huntersville/Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC
26,700 posts, read 41,748,461 times
Reputation: 41381
Quote:
Originally Posted by artsyguy View Post
Houston if you can tolerate humidity and tropical storms. Houston is near the beach. And the city is massive.

San Antonio if you can tolerate Tex-Mex culture. You have to like Hispanics too.

Your call. Both cities are diverse. Houston has a multicultural vibe.
Humidity and tropical storms? Nothing living near Virginia Beach hasn't prepared me for.

After 6 years in Northern VA, I can probably swallow any culture.
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Old 06-06-2010, 05:40 PM
 
Location: Austin, TX/Chicago, IL/Houston, TX/Washington, DC
10,138 posts, read 16,053,483 times
Reputation: 4047
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alanboy395 View Post
Humidity and tropical storms? Nothing living near Virginia Beach hasn't prepared me for.

After 6 years in Northern VA, I can probably swallow any culture.
San Antonio seems to be a great match for you. The Northwest side near the I-10 and 1604 Loop intersection is a beautiful place to live near.
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Old 06-06-2010, 05:56 PM
 
Location: Huntersville/Charlotte, NC and Washington, DC
26,700 posts, read 41,748,461 times
Reputation: 41381
Another big plus for San Antonio is having USAA down there. That is a company I would like to work for and they seem to have more openings than their Norfolk (another city I'm considering) location.
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Old 06-06-2010, 10:55 PM
 
Location: Austin,Tx
1,694 posts, read 3,623,472 times
Reputation: 709
You also have all the awsome attractions in SA Like The Riverwalk,Market Square,Six Flags ect... plus Austin is only an hour drive from SA. I have relatives in SA so I know the city pretty well

The Official Web site for The San Antonio River Walk!

http://toweroftheamericas.com/

Historic Market Square

Sunset Station San Antonio near the Convention Center, Alamo and River Walk Hotels

http://www.grahamcentralstationsanantonio.com/

Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort

Pearl Brewery
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