San Antonio vs. Austin (live in, bars, educational)

[TXGamecock]

Originally Posted by majormadmax

Honestly, you sound like you should start off in Austin then move to San Antonio!

I say that because the amenities you described now (bolded above) make Austin your best bet, but the ones underlined would make San Antonio the better choice.

Those not highlighted are a wash. In other words, both cities have their fare share of them, or lack them equally.

Generally speaking, Austin is a younger, more liberal, "hipper" college town with a better bar scene (6th Street); but San Antonio is more mature, conservative and as you said "family oriented."

When I was younger (late 20s/early 30s) and single we used to trek to Austin from San Angelo, but later on in life when I was older (late 30s/early 40s) and married San Antonio appealed to me much more.

These days when we go up to Austin to visit, I still like the place (there are plenty of hills, water and trees) but after driving around there for a while I am glad to get back to San Antonio!

Good luck with your decision!

Cheers! M2

I'm 28, married, and agree with everything majormadmax said.

Both cities have appeal for different reasons, and only you can make the determination about what is most important.

[OnlyonthursSA]

San antonio rules!

[grf430]

I'm 26 and married to a 30 year old woman. We both prefer Austin by miles. We enjoy nightlife... it's not just a single man's game.

Bottom line... do you prefer drinking beer, eating Tex-Mex, and living is a less educated, slower paced, cheaper city? Then SA is your choice.

Do you want better nightlife, more recreation, more educated, live music, university atmosphere, and yes, more expensive...? Austin is your choice.

[OnlyonthursSA]

Originally Posted by grf430

Bottom line... do you prefer drinking beer, eating Tex-Mex, and living is a less educated, slower paced, cheaper city? Then SA is your choice.

I find highly offensive. THis. I am more better educate from san antonio, Dishwasher.

[grf430]

Originally Posted by OnlyonthursSA

I find highly offensive. THis. I am more better educate from san antonio, Dishwasher.

Well, judging by your grammar, I can tell you certainly are educated.

And yes, thanks for reminding me, I need to run the dishwasher.

[OnlyonthursSA]

[Backliteyes]

Austin first, then when you're "settled down" San Antonio if you want the more family-oriented atmosphere. That's what I would do if I were you.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by grf430

I'm 26 and married to a 30 year old woman. We both prefer Austin by miles. We enjoy nightlife... it's not just a single man's game.

Bottom line... do you prefer drinking beer, eating Tex-Mex, and living is a less educated, slower paced, cheaper city? Then SA is your choice.

Do you want better nightlife, more recreation, more educated, live music, university atmosphere, and yes, more expensive...? Austin is your choice.

While in general SA tends to seem more a "blue collar" type city, I would like to see some stats. If I based on it those by whom I'm surrounded, there's an education level to rival any Ivy League town. I'd say about 80-90% of our associates these days are at the very least college educated, and a good 50% are beyond that (MD, PhD, JD, assorted masters degrees). So, it just depends...

I found the nightlife in Austin to be more college-oriented, for the most part. Great live music venues, but outside of that, 6th St is basically college, which honestly by my late 20s was kind of lame (and I was still single then).

[Backliteyes]

Originally Posted by Chaka

While in general SA tends to seem more a "blue collar" type city, I would like to see some stats.

Here's some stats from from 2006 that compare San Antonio to "peer metros" (Souce: 2006 American Community Survey, Census Bureau. I found it at the Dallas Fed website here: Affordability and Education: Keys to San Antonio's Long-Term Growth - Vista, Spring 2009 - FRB Dallas)

MSA...........................................Adul ts age 25 and over
...........................................with a college degree (percent)
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara.................43.4
Austin–Round Rock....................................38.8
San Diego–Carlsbad–San Marcos..................33.4
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Marietta..................33.3
Sacramento–Arden–Arcade–Roseville........... .29.6
Indianapolis–Carmel............................. ......29.5
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington........................29.4
Orlando–Kissimmee............................... .....27.9
Phoenix–Mesa–Scottsdale....................... ....27.1
Virginia Beach–Norfolk–Newport News............26.9
San Antonio............................................24.0
Texas............................................. .........24.7
United States............................................ 27.0


This page on sanantonio.gov even has a map that shows you the educational attainment percentages of different areas of the city: Planning & Development Services Department

Originally Posted by Chaka

If I based on it those by whom I'm surrounded, there's an education level to rival any Ivy League town. I'd say about 80-90% of our associates these days are at the very least college educated, and a good 50% are beyond that (MD, PhD, JD, assorted masters degrees). So, it just depends...

Who you surround yourself with is anecdotal evidence and isn't necessarily related at all to the educational attainment of the city overall.

[Quattro72]

Originally Posted by grf430

well, judging by your grammar, i can tell you certainly are educated.

And yes, thanks for reminding me, i need to run the dishwasher.

lol