Do YOU like San Antonio? (Austin, Alamo: 2015, rentals, homes)

[zhugeliang1]

that San Antonio as a city has that same issue seems a bit of a stretch.

Not going to name the districts I was working in, but they were very large districts. So conclude what you want to think. The military culture there makes San Antonio very conservative and things don't change much at all there. And change was what I wanted. If you like things to be same all the time then San Antonio would work, I guess.

[eastontracks]

Originally Posted by shekel13

We are a young couple (My boyfriend is Venezuelan) looking to move to San Antonio. We've previously lived in Northern WI and Phoenix, AZ and looking for a change! Here is what we were wondering what you all thought of San Antonio on these topics as well as the general feel of the city:

1. We are looking for a low cost of living (We want to pay 600-625 at the most for an apartment, but cheaper the better!) Pet Friendly (We have a boxer).

2. Lots of culture (A slight variety would be nice, I've heard hispanic is predominant which I don't mind but a little variety would be nice in different neighborhoods)

3. Lots of local coffee shops with job opportunities, local farmers markets, natural food stores, etc...

4. Lots of beautiful scenery and parks with things to do.

5. How is the traffic?? And the public transportation system?

6. And last but not least, how do YOU like it in San Antonio??

I don't really feel like typing a lot but I will say, there are 3 cities I'm ok living in, and the place you're coming from is one of them. The other is Los Angeles. I moved to SA from Houston and enjoy it much much more for some of the reasons you're looking for in a city.

Depending on my situation, Phoenix, LA and San Antonio are places I could be at; And I'm happy to currently be in SA

[JuneOf48]

Originally Posted by zhugeliang1

Not going to name the districts I was working in, but they were very large districts. So conclude what you want to think. The military culture there makes San Antonio very conservative and things don't change much at all there. And change was what I wanted. If you like things to be same all the time then San Antonio would work, I guess.

I'd say about 25% of San Antonio skews conservative, with the rest being a combination of lapsed Catholic, establishment Democratic, and outright progressive.

[MustermannBB]

Originally Posted by zhugeliang1

Not going to name the districts I was working in, but they were very large districts. So conclude what you want to think. The military culture there makes San Antonio very conservative and things don't change much at all there. And change was what I wanted. If you like things to be same all the time then San Antonio would work, I guess.

Now you speak of conservatism as the thing that you disliked here and you concluded that the military and it's presence as the reason for it. Again I just don't see it (yet), especially as a whole.
Texas, from the little I have seen is a conservative state, so it should not be that surprising that it cites tend to be more conservative, too. From what I hear Austin is the exception in TX. Perhaps that is what was bothering you. But again to "blame" the military for it seems a big stretch.

[ashbeeigh]

Originally Posted by JuneOf48

Where in this city are you confronted by an overwhelming military culture?

But where else? I've never seen it myself, except for the noticeable minority of military or veteran students at UTSA, the great majority of whom are great, and most of whom, in my experience, are quite liberal. So where do you see it?

I worked for a volunteer centered non-profit in the city for two and a half years. We had a large contingent of miitary volunteers who would come in to volunteer. It was a program that required a one year committment to which many were unable to complete. No matter the rank, the majority that I worked with were very demanding and non-responsive when we needed their assistance or to hear from them about the work they were doing. In addition, there was little remorse associated with their inability to commit to the program. It appeared as though many were doing it for rank, not for the actually purpose of the program.

In addition, we had a military centered committee that's goal was to assist the miitary community in receiving services. We rarely had one or two people who up for meetings that were planned on a quarterly basis. We also outreached to organizations that served the military community and were rarely well received. It appeared to me that we were not well received because we were not military affliated and "couldn't be part of the cool kids club."

Where else? You mention UTSA. Within my work for my Masters degree I came across more than a few military students, from OLLU, Webster, Waylan and even my online program which was housed in California. Many of these students had such a steep and deep military history that working with them in a social service setting was almost impossible; from not seeing things from a well rounded perspective (why aren't they able to do this? i asked them to do it!) to even little things like continously putting things in military time. Am I nitpicking a bit? Maybe. But it bothered me.

Also, which I have mentioned before, speaking to people, at church, at the store, get togethers, friends, families, etc. I, on more than one occassion, have been asked why I didn't join the military because they would have paid for my education. I repeat over and over again that I have a history of seizures and that I would be unable to join the military. I get a smug look and a shrug every time I answer that way.

It just doesn't paint a pretty picture for me, based on my experience. And for me it's all personal. You obviously have a different experience than I do.

San Antonio will always be home for me, but for now I'm glad that I'm away from it.

[zhugeliang1]

I repeat over and over again that I have a history of seizures and that I would be unable to join the military. I get a smug look and a shrug every time I answer that way

I got that same experience too (I have a disability due to congenital rubella). And it seemed to me the military culture is either condescending or disrespectful to those with disabilities. San Antonio never felt like home for me for that reason.

Also I felt the military in San Antonio has had long standing problems with bullying and harassment (as the press has pointed out in recent years) and that has had an impact on how relationships work in San Antonio (bully and harass those under you because it will take forever for legal action to work) Then again, if you love the military, you love the regimented conservative way of life, wonderful, go to San Antonio, and if you have the strong character to endure bullying and harassment go to San Antonio, where happiness is, go there. As for me I left for Austin for happiness and made a good choice and good decision.

[TexasRedneck]

Sometimes, the best thing you can do is let the pile of excrement be - if you try to clean it up, you just get it on yourself.

I've been around the bases my entire career, and never saw anything but respect and consideration for others 99% of the time. The rare times it was otherwise, it was addressed quickly. Methinks someone wears their feelings on their sleeve, looking for a reason to be "hurt".

[crittergal]

For the original question...Yes I do like San Antonio. Have lived here 7 1/2 years. Visited for a few years before we made the decision to move from NY. I go back home for a month or two each year, but come back to San Antonio where my son and grandson, the light of my life are.

[blackf150]

Originally Posted by zhugeliang1

I got that same experience too (I have a disability due to congenital rubella). And it seemed to me the military culture is either condescending or disrespectful to those with disabilities. San Antonio never felt like home for me for that reason.

Also I felt the military in San Antonio has had long standing problems with bullying and harassment (as the press has pointed out in recent years) and that has had an impact on how relationships work in San Antonio (bully and harass those under you because it will take forever for legal action to work) Then again, if you love the military, you love the regimented conservative way of life, wonderful, go to San Antonio, and if you have the strong character to endure bullying and harassment go to San Antonio, where happiness is, go there. As for me I left for Austin for happiness and made a good choice and good decision.

Hi,

I'm total deafness and low vision (limited visual field) due to viral meningitis in 1988, but previously, my specialist thought that I have Usher Syndrome so they changed the diagnosis because test results in 14 years don't show any difference - not match up. I'm safe to drive anytime with no restriction, beside L/R mirror requirement for all deaf drivers.

I'm left-libertarian, non-religious and strong military culture because my father is retired Marine so I grew up in military base when I was young kid. My father isn't religious, unlike many of Marines but he take a strong military root. I have a lot of respect for military and care about veterans, as long as they share a respect around, not judging on someone or bullying anyone. There are plenty of LGBT people in military and they aren't limited to conservative only. I believe that conservative in military is due to many people grew up in rural area that are conservative.

There are a lot of disabled veterans and you could get involved with them and they do share a lot of struggle with disabilities. It is extremely HARD to find jobs for people with disabilities, including myself, even I have some college education, IT certification and years of IT experience but many IT companies prefer to hire anyone who aren't disabled. The vocational rehabilitation in Alabama is joke and they don't do anything - they all expect people with disabilities staying at home.

I'm sorry about you had bad experience with military and it is bad spot - I don't have issue with military, except for younger, naive troops.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by TXEX06

Small coffee culture? In Southtown I can hit up Halcyon, Merit Roasting, White Elephant, and Joseph E Coffee. I enjoy Sip downtown. Then heading up the Broadway Corridor from downtown you have Rosella, Brown, Local Coffee at the Pearl, Commonwealth, The Fairview, and another Local Coffee in Alamo Heights. Press Coffee by SAC is another great place. The Westside Coffee Room is another small roasting shop serving great coffee. Indy Coffee by UTSA is great too.

Oooh, where's Merit Roasting?

My kids love Joseph E Coffee for after school cereals