San Antonio seems like a great fit! I do have a few questions though.. (Medina: 2015, buying)

[pobre]

Originally Posted by HeadedSouthwards

Recent grad in Civil Engineering from Boston University..however I have familial financial support as a cushion until I find something. It's easier to find a job when you're in the area already.

I'm 22, so I don't plan on buying anytime soon, renting for now.

Originally Posted by Rustybolt

To the OP...welcome from a BU alum. Got my MBA there (albeit in 1987). Undergrad in civil engineering from UT Austin. You will do fine here not speaking Spanish. It is nice to pick up sometime, but this isn't Miami. Great place for civil engineers too. Market has its ups and downs, but where doesn't. Definitely on the upside now.

Go Terriers!

As you suggested, the culture of the area is more "American/Tex-Mex". Yes, you will hear Spanish spoken here, just like you often hear it in Boston from Puerto Ricans and Dominicans. Engineering would not strike me as an area where speaking Spanish would be an asset.

As others mentioned, though, the heat is incredible. Even after 25 years, it's something I have not adjusted to.

[Buffyfan]

I am an anglo female, born and raised in SA. I do not speak Spanish and I am perfectly fine lol. My husband's family is Mexican American and speak Spanish 50% of the time at family gatherings.

I wouldn't worry about it at all.

[huckster]

As mentioned earlier by poster Ryentwo a pipeline will divert water north, from Austin to bring water to San Antone.
Desalination of underground water here could only supply 10% to 15% of San Antonio's daily usage.
An inadequate solution.
Government Canyon Park is a re-charge zone for the aquifer and will remain that, nothing is to be built there. Saws sold that property to the state under this agreement. The aquifer in Uvalde was to be tapped at one time for us, but no. It is a part of the same aquifer where we get our water anyway- but is - if I remember correctly, pumped from a lower elevation than here underneath San Antonio.
Twin Oaks Reservoir , south of town, is gone. No more can be drawn from that, the surrounding
farm wells were beginning to go dry.
Someday, eventually , water from the Gulf will have to be desalinated for the growing population of San Antonio.
Water Bills--- you ask ? Hang on to your hat !!!
No, we are not identical to Mexico, Yank. You will be fine here. Bienvenido a San Antonio. Not to worry.
Watch for the Fire Ants however, and the jumping cactus.

[wreckitralph]

Originally Posted by huckster

As mentioned earlier by poster Ryentwo a pipeline will divert water north, from Austin to bring water to San Antone.
Desalination of underground water here could only supply 10% to 15% of San Antonio's daily usage.
An inadequate solution.
Government Canyon Park is a re-charge zone for the aquifer and will remain that, nothing is to be built there. Saws sold that property to the state under this agreement. The aquifer in Uvalde was to be tapped at one time for us, but no. It is a part of the same aquifer where we get our water anyway- but is - if I remember correctly, pumped from a lower elevation than here underneath San Antonio.
Twin Oaks Reservoir , south of town, is gone. No more can be drawn from that, the surrounding
farm wells were beginning to go dry.
Someday, eventually , water from the Gulf will have to be desalinated for the growing population of San Antonio.
Water Bills--- you ask ? Hang on to your hat !!!
No, we are not identical to Mexico, Yank. You will be fine here. Bienvenido a San Antonio. Not to worry.
Watch for the Fire Ants however, and the jumping cactus.

Wrong.


Water will be diverted from Burleson County, which is just west of College Station.

[Pancho-Villa]

Who cares where it comes from? As long as it comes.

[huckster]

Wow! Major area shift. OK. I will acquiesce. Knew it was somewhere north. I can tell you exactly if I ask.
Is that the Trinity aquifer?

Originally Posted by wreckitralph

Wrong.


Water will be diverted from Burleson County, which is just west of College Station.

[huckster]

More water is a very good thing. It is from "up north".

Originally Posted by Pancho-Villa

Who cares where it comes from? As long as it comes.

[Lee W.]

One thing to keep in mind is that S.A. is also a very military-connected city. Lots of active duty, military retired, veterans and of course, civilians with jobs with the bases. So there's people from all over the country (and for that matter, some parts of the world) living here. And as you know, lots of Hispanic people, most of whom also speak English quite well and the percentage of Hispanics here is projected to increase in the future. It's a good mix of people, with widely varying political viewpoints. Water availability will always be an issue, with water rationing going on most of the time. In spite of that, the area also has a history of dangerous flash flooding, being within an area known as "Flash Flood Alley" due to certain aspects of its geographical terrain and poor drainage in certain parts, so caution is advised during flooding. The people of S.A. are for the most part, very friendly to outsiders.

[TXEX06]

Ugh! Don't make this thread about water.

OP you will be fine. I'm Swedish (born there and parents are from there), grew up in Michigan and Pennsylvania, and very much enjoy living in San Antonio.

The similar thread you posted in the Austin forum stated you wanted to live somewhere rural and 30-40 minutes to the city. Alamo Heights is far from rural and is just north of downtown. Austin folks were recommending Boerne for you and that is a nice town that isn't so little anymore.

[ShadoAngel]

Originally Posted by HeadedSouthwards

San Antonio seems to have the right amount of growth where it is still very healthy economically, whilst not losing the small town, Southern/Southwestern feel that is so characteristic of Texas (correct me if I'm wrong!)

I would characterize the city as being southwestern. There's definitely some Southern and Western/Texan culture, but there's so much Spanish history and a high percentage of Hispanics that it has always reminded much more of other Southwestern cities that I have been too rather than Southern cities. For comparison I grew up in Northeast Texas which is more similar to what you think of when you think of Southern culture. I think San Antonio has a unique history and charm and hasn't lost that at all with the recent growth.

Firstly, will being a monolingual English speaking white person be a hindrance to me, both socially and professionally? Do non-Latino people face any kind of discrimination/predjudice?

Secondly, it is my understanding that although most of the city's residents are Hispanic, they are mostly native born Americans going back several generations, is this right? If so, is the culture of the area more "American/Tex-Mex" as in English is widely spoken and if someone was dropped off there with no idea where they were they would be able to discern they were in the United States?

No. This is America, not Mexico. The multi-generational Hispanics around here aren't much different than multi-generational Italians or Irish in the Northeast. And while San Antonio is majority Hispanic, it's also majority white as a good chunk of those Hispanics are white Hispanics, so it may not 'feel' like a majority Hispanic area to you.

I ask the second question because although I do appreciate Latino culture, I have been to Mexico several times (Mazatlan, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Oaxaca) and if the feeling of the city is mostly identical to being actually in Mexico, I do not know if I would feel comfortable.

It's not at all like being in Mexico. Much like being in Boston is not at all like being in Ireland or being in San Francisco is not at all like being in Asia. Those areas definitely reflect the culture and history of the immigrants living there, but it's definitely 'America'. The vast majority of the city is typical suburban sprawl - the main difference being that San Antonio's city limits grew with the city rather than becoming boxed and surrounded by other suburban cities, so the suburbs are actually in the city rather than outside of it for the most part - The northeast side of town is an exception. In that regard it's very similar to sprawl around the country.

Let us know if you have any other questions.