Move to SA - Liberal/educated/affordable? (San Antonio, Austin: appointed, houses)

[txstate]

If Your A Liberal Sa Is Not For You, The Corridor Is Probably Your Cup Of Tea, Schertz, New Braunfels, San Marcos, Kyle Or Buda Are Nice Places To Live Instead Of The conservative Northside And Places On Interstate 10 In Sa

[banker]

Originally Posted by anbest2008

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and opinions.

In reference to bankers questions:
I have lived in five different states in my adult life and have found that I can learn to be happy and make friends anywhere, however there have been some areas I have have felt more at home - due to being around more like-minded individuals. Most of my friends do share my interests and social attitudes. In any neighborhood there will be all types of people and we can all share common goals for our families and ourselves. Moving to a new city and making friends is a challenge and I want to make it as easy as possible. We are moving from Pittsburgh and don't have choice where to live due to husband's military commitment. I'm sure we will learn to love San Antonio. Every place I've lived has wonderful things about it.

Thanks to Juneof48 for your supportive comments.

Being an Army brat myself I have found it very easy to make friends in military towns since the military tends to be a melting pot of very diverse cultures and backgrounds. San Antonio continues that flavor due to the well integrated ethnic backgrounds.

FYI - Most of the areas mentioned like King William, Monte Vista and other areas close to down town are much more expensive than the price range you are looking.

[scuba steve]

Don't worry about the liberal / conservative label. I didn't pick up any kind of a judgmental vibe during my visit to the city. But at the same time I don't have 'OMG LOOK This guy is from a blue state!' written on the back of my shirt. I think as long as you act civilized, other people will too.

[hello13685]

I think that Juneof48 is correct, but I would caution one not to read too much into San Antonian democratic voters as being very "liberal" in certain respects. Remember that many in San Antonio (a very poor city) are voting their Democratic financial interests while holding very conservative social views (for many, a result of the largely Catholic culture here). I would argue that the majority of Democratic voters in SA are not waving gay pride flags. Quite the contrary, unfortunately.

That said, I agree with others that conservative neighbors will not be unkind. I believe that it will be more likely that you will become annoyed with them because of their lack of education, generally speaking.

[JuneOf48]

It's hard for me to believe that the "corridor" is more liberal than the neighborhoods bordering downtown San Antonio.

Of course, schools will probably be an issue to the OP. I don't know much specifically about that, but I do assume that there might be some problems in the relatively affordable but mixed/liberal/quirky areas on the near north (Beacon Hill, Alta Vista, Tobin Hill, etc.).

Hell, my new house needs a good amount of work, but it cost well under $100,000, and it's a good-sized (1400sqf.) 2/1.5, with a 1/1 "mother-in-law suite" and a 2-car garage, exactly one block from the Monte Vista border (into Tobin Hill). Although the block is clearly "transitional," it still feels like part of MV, and the businesses I frequent are still there, right next door.

I get the feeling that those who talk about how conservative SA is don't spend much time hanging out with the artists, activists, students, and general rabble-rousers who fill up much of the area around downtown--south, east, and north (and west?). Clearly, youth is an issue, but just this Saturday I had a good chat with an older (60s?) Mexican man (and a long-time U.S. citizen) in a downtown coffee shop who didn't even identify as a socialist, let alone a liberal, but a COMMUNIST (!). He's got a handful of south side "cooperatives" that he's working on. Very, very friendly, and I'm sure he'd love to shoot the sh-t with anyone, republican or otherwise.

[manthechange]

Originally Posted by anbest2008

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and opinions.

In reference to bankers questions:
I have lived in five different states in my adult life and have found that I can learn to be happy and make friends anywhere, however there have been some areas I have have felt more at home - due to being around more like-minded individuals. Most of my friends do share my interests and social attitudes. In any neighborhood there will be all types of people and we can all share common goals for our families and ourselves. Moving to a new city and making friends is a challenge and I want to make it as easy as possible. We are moving from Pittsburgh and don't have choice where to live due to husband's military commitment. I'm sure we will learn to love San Antonio. Every place I've lived has wonderful things about it.

Thanks to Juneof48 for your supportive comments.

I am from Pittsburgh, and moved here about 7 years ago. San Antonio is MUCH more liberal than Pittsburgh, you'll like it.

However, be prepared to do without good delis, bagels (bread in general really) and the most awful summer you can imagine. I compare SA summers to Pittsburgh winters - you just stay inside all the time.

good luck.

[Topperone]

Originally Posted by hello13685

I think that Juneof48 is correct, but I would caution one not to read too much into San Antonian democratic voters as being very "liberal" in certain respects. Remember that many in San Antonio (a very poor city) are voting their Democratic financial interests while holding very conservative social views (for many, a result of the largely Catholic culture here). I would argue that the majority of Democratic voters in SA are not waving gay pride flags. Quite the contrary, unfortunately.

That said, I agree with others that conservative neighbors will not be unkind. I believe that it will be more likely that you will become annoyed with them because of their lack of education, generally speaking.

First, San Antonio is not a very poor city, so let's get that false statement corrected. Second, can you give me an example of conservative social views caused by Catholic culture? Third, why would a democratic voter wave a gay pride parade? Simply because they're a in the Democratic party? That makes no sense whatsoever. Fourthly, your last comment is a subtlety racist but that's not something surprising coming from you.

[Topperone]

Originally Posted by manthechange

I am from Pittsburgh, and moved here about 7 years ago. San Antonio is MUCH more liberal than Pittsburgh, you'll like it.

However, be prepared to do without good delis, bagels (bread in general really) and the most awful summer you can imagine. I compare SA summers to Pittsburgh winters - you just stay inside all the time.

good luck.

San Antonio is definitely more liberal than many think it is. However, summers are great because even though it can get really hot, I love to sweat, it's refreshing to get a good sweat doing something outside and then taking a shower, I love it. Also, you have to get your daily dose of D from the sun!

[banker]

Originally Posted by Topperone

First, San Antonio is not a very poor city, so let's get that false statement corrected. Second, can you give me an example of conservative social views caused by Catholic culture? Third, why would a democratic voter wave a gay pride parade? Simply because they're a in the Democratic party? That makes no sense whatsoever. Fourthly, your last comment is a subtlety racist but that's not something surprising coming from you.

Some parts are very poor - others are not - enough said.

An example of conservative social views caused by the Catholic church? How about pro life. Marriage = one woman and one man. Two big ones in our country right now that are strongly advocated by the Catholic church...but I fear that this thread is drifting dangerously into very deep and controversial waters.

I am not going to touch the gay pride issue. Would not be fruitful here.

And I see nothing racist about education and neighborhoods.

[Topperone]

Originally Posted by banker

Some parts are very poor - others are not - enough said.

That is not what he or she said. I've stated in another thread (today) the very poor areas of the city. But again, that is not what the poster Hello said.

An example of conservative social views caused by the Catholic church? How about pro life. Marriage = one woman and one man. Two big ones in our country right now that are strongly advocated by the Catholic church...but I fear that this thread is drifting dangerously into very deep and controversial waters.

George W is a Catholic? Arnold Schwarzenegger is Catholic?

And I see nothing racist about education and neighborhoods.

The subtle racism is he/she saying most conservatives are that way because of being Catholic (most Catholics in this city are Hispanic) he/she then implies that most Conservatives are not educated. It's a subtle non-direct racism.