Got the job in Illinois, but they want me in SA (Houston: real estate, crime)

[UKUKUK]

I applied for a job as a geographic information specialist, pays about 70k a year, in Illinois, but they asked me if I could work in San Antonio... So... Real estate looks cheap, looks to be very car centric, maybe room for some backyard veggie growing? What do you guys think of SA? How will it be different than living in KY, IL, and MI? How are the winters? The misses always wanted to live somewhere warm, and I really can't blame her right now. How are attitudes of the city? I'm sure the Mexican food (my favorite) is very good :P I speak a fair bit of Spanish so I don't feel the need to worry about that

Can a combined total yearly income of 110k get a family of 2 pretty far outside of the main city? (I'd like at least an acre of land)

Also, how's the commute from New Braunfels to SA? As a 1st gen German immigrant, it looks appealing.

I do have to say, I'm looking forward to your low taxes, lax gun laws, 70-80mph freeways, and according to wunderground.com, 80 degree weather in February!!!!

[sapphire]

Lexington is beautiful! I really enjoyed my visit there.......great little college town. The biggest difference I noticed was it's so clean. My boss remarked that it's not like "dusty old Texas" and yeah, she's right. It's not that SA is dirty, per se, but we do get a lot of dust.

Good luck with your decision!

[rd2007]

I think it's supposed to snow on Tuesday

but that is unusual. The gun laws are much better, but I'll take Michigan drivers any day, unless something has changed. I'm planning on going back to Michigan in June for a vacation, so I guess I'll see if they're still nice and fast like before.

As far as driving from NB to SA every day, depends on which part of SA. I'd probably rather have my teeth drilled every day than drive that section of 35, though.

[firstclassflyer]

Sent you a DM.

[rd2007]

ha ha, oops, just looked at my Vista sidebar and apparently it is right around 80 here right now. Working in a room with no windows doesn't help... that sucks! I was thinking it was going to be cloudy and rain and get colder tonight?

[UKUKUK]

Originally Posted by rd2007

I think it's supposed to snow on Tuesday

but that is unusual. The gun laws are much better, but I'll take Michigan drivers any day, unless something has changed. I'm planning on going back to Michigan in June for a vacation, so I guess I'll see if they're still nice and fast like before.

As far as driving from NB to SA every day, depends on which part of SA. I'd probably rather have my teeth drilled every day than drive that section of 35, though.

Michigan drivers are heaven sent. When I went to Detroit my first time I was going 95 and was passed by a marked police car that had to have at least 20mph on me easy, no sirens or lights going. I hope you enjoy it! In fact, Michigan drivers, from my experience, are among the best. I've never seen an accident in my time in Detroit or the suburbs, nor have I had trouble with crime, so to the guy who sent me information on how bad the crime is in SA, I doubt I'll have any trouble dealing with it. Also, the heat will be no big deal, I was MADE for it

[mjfrog]

If work is on the north side, also look into Boerne, Bulverde, Timberwood Forest and Garden Ridge. Most of residential San Antonio is a farm of box houses with 1/4 acre lots. If working on the south side, try St. Hedwig and Floresville.

[rd2007]

Originally Posted by UKUKUK

Michigan drivers are heaven sent. When I went to Detroit my first time I was going 95 and was passed by a marked police car that had to have at least 20mph on me easy, no sirens or lights going. I hope you enjoy it! In fact, Michigan drivers, from my experience, are among the best. I've never seen an accident in my time in Detroit or the suburbs, nor have I had trouble with crime, so to the guy who sent me information on how bad the crime is in SA, I doubt I'll have any trouble dealing with it. Also, the heat will be no big deal, I was MADE for it

ok, so things haven't changed at all. I've had nearly that same experience before. You'd think 90 would be fast, but not there..

as far as crime, there is some, but you can protect yourself, so it balances out. It would probably help to know exactly where you'll be living. This city basically takes up an entire county and it's not a small county either. It also extends into several of the other counties. Not the actual city, but the area we call San Antonio.

[westsideteacher]

I grew up in Houston and relocated here.

Between here and there, the winters are comparatively mild here. My grandparents are from central Illinois and come visit for about a month during January just to get away from the cold. Occasionally, it does freeze, but it's nothing like the winters up north.

A note about living in New Braunfels - the main road coming into San Antonio from New Braunfels, I-35, is PACKED every morning coming from that direction, and leaving town in that direction every workday. My advice is, if you're going to work in SA, live here and visit New Braunfels/Greune/Boerne on weekends.

Another note - coming to San Antonio might be a little bit of a culture shock, too. It's been fun for me, though.

Also - I live in Longs Creek. Wonderful neighborhood if you're looking to buy

[UKUKUK]

I'll definitely look into it, thanks for the replies so far everyone! How do you like teaching in SA? My girlfriend (soon to be wife) is a teacher and would be looking to relocate.