San Antonio's favorable cost of living not enough

[Bradford72]

Having relocated here from California two years ago, I take exception with anyone who claims the cost of living is "not that much cheaper here". Here are some key observations over the last two years:

1) We are living in a home almost triple the size, for $200 less per month.
2) The home is newer and much more energy efficient, so we've seen an overall reduction in energy costs of about 50%
3) Gasoline is consistently less by at least $1.00 per gallon, or more. This is a savings of approximately $100.00 per month for two vehicles.
4) Groceries are cheaper. Our grocery bill on average is roughly 30% less per month.
5) Entertainment and dining out is markedly cheaper.
6) No state income tax. For my wife and me, our bracket paid a combined 9.30% plus $2,191.48, or roughly $10k per year in California.
7) With our most recent pay increases, my wife and I are both making almost exactly what we were making in California for similar positions, so the wage gap isn't all that significant when contrasted with the savings. Combined with the lack of state income tax, we're actually bringing home MORE per paycheck.
8) We are getting ready to buy a brand new home in the spring, and it's costing us about half of what a similar home in a similar neighborhood would have cost us in California.

So please, tell me again how it's "not that much cheaper here".

[Pancho-Villa]

It's highly dependent on where you came from , obviously.

[Mimoso48]

Originally Posted by Bradford72

Having relocated here from California two years ago, I take exception with anyone who claims the cost of living is "not that much cheaper here". Here are some key observations over the last two years:

1) We are living in a home almost triple the size, for $200 less per month.
2) The home is newer and much more energy efficient, so we've seen an overall reduction in energy costs of about 50%
3) Gasoline is consistently less by at least $1.00 per gallon, or more. This is a savings of approximately $100.00 per month for two vehicles.
4) Groceries are cheaper. Our grocery bill on average is roughly 30% less per month.
5) Entertainment and dining out is markedly cheaper.
6) No state income tax. For my wife and me, our bracket paid a combined 9.30% plus $2,191.48, or roughly $10k per year in California.
7) With our most recent pay increases, my wife and I are both making almost exactly what we were making in California for similar positions, so the wage gap isn't all that significant when contrasted with the savings. Combined with the lack of state income tax, we're actually bringing home MORE per paycheck.
8) We are getting ready to buy a brand new home in the spring, and it's costing us about half of what a similar home in a similar neighborhood would have cost us in California.

So please, tell me again how it's "not that much cheaper here".

But do you have the same ammenities as California?

[MustermannBB]

What amenities were you thinking about, that could be missing?

[safak]

uh...fake boobs and the pacific ocean

[rynetwo]

More people are moving from California than are leaving here to go there so we have to have some sorta draw...

[Bradford72]

Originally Posted by Mimoso48

But do you have the same ammenities as California?

San Antonio has everything one needs as far as amenities. Shopping, restaurants, leisure, entertainment...what's missing? My wife's favorite restaurant in California was Piatti. Lo and behold, there are two in SA. I enjoy golf. Plenty of that here. Wine tasting? An hour away, and many of the TX wineries are starting to produce some very good wines.

The three things I miss about California are the beaches, wine country, and Lake Tahoe. Considering we only visited these places once or twice a year when we lived there, it's easy for us to plan an annual vacation back so we can see it all in a one or two week time span. With all the money we are saving by living in SA, the cost of the vacation is already in the budget!

Seriously, I know people from outside California think it's some magical place, but it's not all Disneyland and Hollywood, folks. San Antonio is a great city with a lot to offer, and we are very happy to have adopted it as our hometown. Appreciate what you have here.

[Bradford72]

Originally Posted by rynetwo

More people are moving from California than are leaving here to go there so we have to have some sorta draw...

Indeed