Should I relocate my family from Arizona to San Antonio and which neighborhoods are the best? (Houston: coupons)

[tanyayost34]

Hello All,
I grew up in Arizona and had all but one of my kids here. We moved to Colorado for four years but I got in a motor accident and was unable to keep working, which is one of the reasons we moved back to Arizona. But we feel that Arizona doesn't offer a lot for our family in many ways. I have four children two girls and two boys, ages 18 months to 12 years old. I am looking for a good school district because two of my children are in elementary and one is in middle school. My husband works in restaurant management, but currently he drives an hour each way to get to work which doesn't leave much time for his family. Are people friendly in San Antonio? Is there stuff to do for all age ranges? What about the cost of living? Also I am a couponer and would like to know what it is like to coupon in the area and what kind of grocery stores are in the area? If I missed anything I should know about the area please let me know. Any info is helpful when making this decision.

[Pancho-Villa]

//www.city-data.com/forum/san-a...etro-info.html

Take a good look through there first. We get these same questions weekly...sometimes DAILY. So many people "maybe" relocating here. Some end up liking it...some don't...and some decide not to move here .

[Westerntraveler]

cost of living is below average.HEB is headquartered there and dominates the area

[pobre]

HEB dominates the area, but does have generally low prices. We also have (Super) WalMart, (Super) Target, Sprouts, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's. No double coupons at any store.

[210norm]

Originally Posted by tanyayost34

Are people friendly in San Antonio?

Yes. Very much so.

Is there stuff to do for all age ranges?

Yes. From toddlers to seniors. There's literally something for everyone here.

What about the cost of living?

Cost of living is incredibly low for a city/metro this size.

This should show you the COL differences between a few Arizona cities. As you'll see, the COL is lower in San Antonio in every aspect for every city shown.

http://s15.postimg.org/sdqp0jkh7/col.png

This is the source of the information.

Also I am a couponer and would like to know what it is like to coupon in the area and what kind of grocery stores are in the area?

Grocery prices are already low in San Antonio but with regards to grocery stores: San Antonio is the home base for HEB and HEB holds a large footprint in San Antonio, which is a reason why the grocery prices are so low. HEB is a very large, Texas-only grocery chain. We also have Walmart (including their Neighborhood Market stores) and Target, which provide their own grocery stores. Then there's the small niche stores like Sprouts, Greenfield Market, Trader Joe's, etc.

If I missed anything I should know about the area please let me know. Any info is helpful when making this decision.

It's not as hot in San Antonio as it is in Arizona, during the summer, but the humidity is higher. The humidity isn't as bad as Houston, the Gulf Coast or Florida but it's definitely something you'll have to get used to coming from the dry heat of Arizona.

[tanyayost34]

I plan on moving there this coming Autumn, which I am assuming is still considered summer. I have read several different threads on San Antonio and as for the friendliness of people that just depends on who you get. I have done a ton of research on stuff to do, but what I would really like to find out to is are there groups of any kind, like maybe a toddler play group, craft, reading, club, stuff like that.

Also the school situation, I have figured just by ratings that the best area for school is the NW area but maybe I am wrong. I would love to talk to someone with kids who knows that stuff. I am looking for neighborhoods with parks and kids and great schools. I know it sounds like a tv show, but we live in a really small town know and the kids are always complaining that there aren't parks and kids for them to play with.

I love the holidays and hope that someone knows what the area does for the holidays, meaning not just christmas but also St. Patricks day, 4th of july, and halloween.

Its good to know that the grocery is so cheap, so it won't make it hard on us. I love couponing so it might take some getting used to. Are there drug stores like walgreens, cvs, rite aide?

Are there good farmer markets there? What about mexican food? Our family really likes going to eat so some good restaurant recommendations would be great. I am hoping to visit the area in May or June. I really don't want to move without seeing the area. That is what we did in Colorado. It didn't turn out bad, it was actually great. We like moving to different places but this would be our last move.

Health wise I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and my son has asthma. I am hoping the humidity isn't going to effect him.

I think that is it for now. Thanks again.

[Pancho-Villa]

Think you should ask most of these questions after your visit in May or June...until then, research. Tex-Mex is common here...not the Mexican that you get there in AZ.

[tanyayost34]

Why after? I think these are good questions to know. One very important one is if it is good for our health! As for Tex-mex, I had some on a visit to texas when I was younger but that was in the northern part of texas and only for a vacation. I can make the real thing so if wanting that it won't be a problem. But we like to try all kinds of food.