Sell me on your city-get me as a neighbor (Houston: rental car, rental)

[Hispanic Vet]

I have lived in San Antonio, Houston, Tyler, visited and stayed with friends in Austin, Waco, and Corpus Christi. I have driven big rig trucks through major traffic in Austin, Houston, Dalla/Ft. Worth, and have driven the I-35 corridor. I was born and raised in the South Side of San Antonio where poor and working Hispanics live. I was around when Alamo Heights had a power base of bigoted whites calling themselves "The Good Government League" with Mayor McCallister and later Lila Cockrell. They were in power due to city wide representation instead of city districting and also by illegal redistricting or, racial gerrymandering. The city government had to be "sued" by Hispanics, to stop its racial bias and form into legal city districts and formal city council and mayoralship. This led to empowerment of hispanics to register and vote and later a minority political action committee called "COPS" Citizens Organized for Public Service. This led to better public service (pot hole street maintenance, better trash pick ups, curbs, side walks, street lights, stop signs, better drainage, better police protection), in the minority concentrated neighborhoods. I truly am a Hispanic Vet.
I beg to differ with some of TX_AGGIE13 comments.
1) San Antonio does not have the worst drivers. Houston and Dallas do. I know, I have been a truck driver there in the worst traffic conditions, drivers do show their true colors around truckers. Some are downright discourteous, getting in front of you and quickly stopping for no good reason instead of slowing down. TX_AGGIE13 has horse blinders on this one. And, if there are worse drivers now in San Antonio it is that they are transplanted from Houston or Dallas. These people do not like their own cities so, they come over here and act like they do over there. Discourteous. No signaling when turning.
2)There is no such town or big city without crime. In San Antonio, there are pockets of crime everywhere, commited by people you would not suspect. For example; A Doctor's son (white), broke into people's homes just for kicks. Of course I know because he was caught and I read it in the News Paper. There are many more like this. I was raised in the South Side of San Antonio. Many South Side Hispanics are Professinals like; Judges, Lawyers, S.A. Police, Doctors. Many now live in the North sides of San Antonio on purpose to represent how decent Hispanics really are. Have you wondered why San Antonio has grown and is usually spoken with praise, and wonderment about the hospitality of San Antonians? It is because of HISPANICS HERE. We are the ones that have inspired such welcome gestures and attitude. Not crime ! TX_AGGIE13 has his horse blinders on this one too. He cannot see the trees for the forest!
I am a 4th generation Mexican American or Hispanic (meaning of the spanish speaking races). I do not speak LATIN therefore, I AM NOT
L A T I N O. On my mother's side, I have family in South Texas that has been here before Texas was Texas ! I actually have family that can factually say; My family did not come to Texas. Texas came to my family ! I do not think that TX_AGGIE13 can literally say this. Remember or, know this too;
Mexican cowboys known as "Vaqueros" or, "Cattlemen" taught the white guys that came from Europe, how to be Cowboys. This trade then spread to other parts of the western United States. Where do you think the words; Rodeo, Ramada, Lariat came from? the american saddle was a mexican invention with the saddle horn for securing a rope to capture cows on the run. Chaps were a mexican invention too. Mexican Vaqueros were so known by their skill with horses and cattle herding, that Hawaii when they started cattle ranches over there, transported these men and only Mexican Vaqueros over there. TX_AGGIE13 probably has his horse blinders on this one too. You have to realize that horses were left by Conquistadores in Cental America, they flourished and migrated to Mexico and on to the United States. That's right. The American Horse was originally an illegal alien. The Horse Whisperer? Ha ! Mexican Vaqueros were known for this. A modern example of this is Cesar Millan the world renown dog behavior specialist.
San Antonio has a powerful Hispanic base for a GOOD REASON. We are good natured. We are courteous. If we are not, it is because we have become cynical of people who do not return our courtesy. We believe that respect is earned. We work for it. We work for that trust and dignity that we know we deserve but, we have to show people that we work hard and deserve that honor of respect. We are a welcoming people. We have Fiestas or parties for any good reason. Hey, life is short. Get over it. We will stop by and help you when you have a flat tire or, auto breakdown. We will give you some of our food when you visit even though we are poor. We are poor in reality but rich in spirit. A little known fact, Gen. George S. Patton of WWII, prefered (the right kind of racial bias) Mexican Americans to drive his tanks because we were too proud to run from a fight. I have an uncle (a proud Mexican) who was an Army Infantry man in WWI. Of course, my father was an Army Medic in the Korean War. He later graduated from St. Mary's University. One Uncle first served in the Korean War then, was a Drill Instructor at Fort Polk, LA Tsgt. Casarez for 20 years. He later was elected Sheriff at Leesville, LA for a couple of years. Another Uncle was a Green Beret in Vietnam, before he was in Army Infantry in the Korean War, Msg, Romero. I was a US Air Force Vietnam Era Vet (I volunteered, during the draft days) Honorably Discharged, later, I was in the US Army Reserves 12 years, Honorably Discharged. And, this is just my family. Other Mexican-American Families have their own heroes. Why? Because, we appreciate being US Citizens and, we do not want to be known as free loaders or, taking advantage of the American System and not paying our dues. We do not want our families to be humiliated. We want our families to believe they have a dignified right to be here, as American Citizens. Check out how many Hispanics are in the Military right now. Or, ask a white guy that was in the Military what he thought about Hispanics marching and fighting along side them. Another little known fact; the official language of Texas is Spanish. This has never been changed from the State books. Why? It is a show of respect for our contributions. I will probably catch hell for this however, the nay sayers have not done their research. They don't know Jack, just like TX_AGGIE13 shows his naivette. We will welcome you as we have welcomed many visitors from our past history even though some major restaurants here had signs on their front doors from the 1930's to the late 1960's proudly stating;
" No Dogs Or Mexicans Allowed Inside." Yes, we have been chastised, humiliated, belittled, disenfranchised, discriminated of good jobs. However, we have flourished and prospered due to our good nature, our dignity, and especially our integrity (meaning honesty, and sincerity). Ask any South Texas Rancher and they will say; I trust my life and my business to a good Mexican. That is what San Antonio is all about. In ending, I will state what my relatives warmly gestured with a broad smile and open arms when visitors have come; Bien Venido. And, when these visitors were to leave, our grace was just as warm in our statement; Vaya Con Dios.

[Mark Senior]

Well, you seen Tyler mentioned as Destin said. DFW might be the best fit. If you would consider a city of 100,000 county 200,000 but servies 350,000 or more for medical and shopping Tyler might fit. Tyler just finished 14 story condo. Major shopping here. Tyler has many pines oaks and luch with vegetation pretty "green". Austin is really nice with hills. Back to Tyler, has the East Texas Symphony Orchestra which I compare favorably with the Houston Symphony which I enjoyed the 20 years I lived there. Tyler has the University of Texas Cowen Performing Arts Center -seats 1,800 all good seats. No college performances has a full package season series with other specials - many major performances stop here as they move through DFW area. Tyler area will still looks like winter in February - we have 4 seasons with mild winter. Really nice in late March early April with Azalea Trails, Dogwoods tulips many other flowers in bloom - Tyler is home to the largest municipal (city) rose garden in the country. 20-25% roses in the country grown here. Tyler has the lowest city tax rate of any city in Texas with 30,000 or more population. Only 1 hour - hour 1/2 to Dallas for all the stuff it has to offer. Oh, Tyler is the medical center of East Texas with a level one trauma center found only in much larger cities. Anyway, if you consider a smaller city, Tyler would certainly one to consider. Many really nice residential areas in and out of town. Good luck on you visit to Texas

[Muhnay]

Ok, EL Paso TX, we have Spanish People, and Mexican Food, Great Weather, and Mexicans, and Mexican food. We have CHICOS TACOS! We have lots of sunshine and mild winters.. pretty much the same year round here.. Brown.. but hey who needs seasons. Did I mention we have lots of Mexican food? We have low incomes and Lower Priced homes than most of the country.. We are home to the two Border Patrol agents who shot a Mexican Drug Smuggler in the back and then tried to cover it up. They are free now thanks to President BUSH.. hut Hey El Paso is Paradise on Earth.. come visit, because once you dom you'll be curs... err BLESSED to never leave. Yes EL PASO TEXAS.. YOU HAVE NO IDEA!

[davebflat]

Wow

[Alatex]

The Austin-San Antonio corridor is my pick for Texas.
The areas in between have some nice amenities and job opportunities of their own without the big-city traffic, crime, and housing cost, and you're close enough to enjoy the best of both Austin and San Antonio plus the Hill Country whenever you want.

[ladihawkae]

I live in Grand Prairie, on the Arlington border. I have everything within a few miles of me. Most people work around here or commute to either Dallas or Fort Worth. Grand Prairie is considered a mid city because of its proximity to the cities. I visit San Antonio when I get a chance. I absolutely love it there but it is really too hot..dry...as would be the case with Midland and Odessa. It really depends on what you like. Texas has pretty much everything and if you want something different, you're not far from it. (in terms of hours). We are actually looking at Granbury, which is a bit over an hour from here. I haven't seen it physically but will go there next weekend but from what i've read of it and looking at it from online, it is a nice small, country atmosphere with a real main street which is lacking in a lot of suburbs

[SweethomeSanAntonio]

Originally Posted by TX_AGGIE13

I've lived in Austin, Houston, San Antonio, Tyler, and College Station. I love College Station, but it's a college town. Austin is beautiful, has a great nightlife, and some pretty good local dining, but the down side is bad traffic, and higher cost of living. I currently live in San Antonio and like it the most. It has the hill country that Austin has, but less traffic, and lower cost of living. Austin is more af an urban feel, but is smaller than San Antonio. People are friendly in all of the Texas cities in my opinion. San Antonio has the worst drivers, but I'll take that over the hour and a half commutes. There is great shopping, and dining in San Antonio as well. Many say the crime is worse, and it is not as nice in areas, but if you locate anywhere north of town or in the Alamo Heights, or Olmos Park areas you can't beat it here. I think the medical amenities in San Antonio are great, and they are building many more in outlying areas at the moment. Austin has a nice group of hospitals as well. As far as Dallas - Fort Worth, my mother lives in Grapevine and likes it, but it's not for me. Too much urban sprawl, and go go go atmosphere. Well, I take that back, seems like Fort Worth is more of a laid back area, and the two cities although one in many ways love to keep their individual personas. Houston, although I don't think your looking into has the better medical resources by far, probably the best in the Nation. All 4 metros have major international airports, and top Universities.

I still don't see how Austin is more urban than San Antonio. San Antonio urbanized area is almost twice the size, the metro a lil more comprable but still close to 500,000 behind San Antonio's. Examples please how Austin is more urban! I wanna try and see your view point. Thanks!

[ocean2026]

Odessa? lol its one of the most isolated places in the US. The Univ Texas Permian Basin is there- good school but looks like a prison. Its barren and ugly. I did like the wide streets when I lived there- but not much else.

El Paso is a much bigger version of Odessa with lots more to do, and more diverse people and economy.

Corpus and Rockport are among my favorites. Rockport is a pretty -friendly safe ocean town with lots of birds,fish and wildlife. Corpus with 288,000 is only 25 miles away and aside from some ugly refineries, is warm, friendly and along with Buffalo,NY one of the two most drivable cities in the US.

[piyf]

Paris or Laredo.

[catman]

davebflat: As you can see, everyone has an opinion. Get that Texas Travel Guide! It all depends on what you like and are looking for. I'm a professional musician in Ft Worth and play all over the DFW Metroplex.