The Complete Moving Guide to San Antonio
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Moving tips by the best movers in San Antonio
San Antonio is a city in south-central Texas with a population of over 1.5 million people. It is the seventh most populous city in the United States and the second most populous city in Texas after Houston. San Antonio is also the fastest growing city in the United States. The city’s economy is based on tourism, telecommunications, defense contracting, and medical research and development. The city is home to the second largest military installation in the United States, Fort Sam Houston, and the South Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world. For those wanting to move to San Antonio, this moving guide will help you plan and prepare for your relocation, moving needs and even packing supplies with the help of movers in San Antonio.
San Antonio is a popular tourist destination due to its rich history and culture. It is also near major cities such as Austin, Houston, and Dallas. The city’s attractions include the River Walk, a network of walkways along the banks of the San Antonio River popular for dining and nightlife; Hemisfair Park, site of the 1968 World’s Fair; and Six Flags Fiesta Texas, a theme park for kids and adults.
Cost of Living
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) also reported that as of October 2021, the consumer price index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) for the South region rose 0.7% for all items. Food items increased 1.1%, while energy rose 5.1%. All other items escalated 0.7% in the same month.
Housing still takes the largest portion of annual expenditures among South residents with 34.1% ($19,029) followed by transportation at 17.5% ($9,745), and food at 11.6% ($6,477). Healthcare and personal insurance follow at 9.1% ($5,098) and 11.8% ($6,591), respectively. All other items constitute 15.9% at $8,857.
Local Economy
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the gross domestic product (GDP) for San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA reached $129 billion in 2019. San Antonio continues to exhibit strong economic indicators despite the impact of the pandemic, as reflected in the San Antonio-New Braunfels Business-Cycle Index recorded by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. The index rose to 3.2 in October 2021, its highest since February 2020.
The Dallas Fed also observed the city’s unemployment rate remains unchanged at 4.7% in October 2021 vs. Texas’ jobless rate of 5.04% in October 2021.
Consumer spending in San Antonio, on the other hand, dipped in November 2021 but is still strong, thanks to stronger credit and debit card spending in Bexar County.
With a significant reduction in hospital cases with COVID-19 to only 122 in San Antonio in November 2021, analysts expect business activity to further rebound in the coming months.
The largest employers in San Antonio are Tyson Foods, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Clear Channel Communications, Valero Energy, Continental Automotive, Standard Aero, Sysco, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, GE Oil and Gas, H-E-B, Hunter Industries, IBEX Global, Rackspace, Southwest Research Institute, USAA and Cullen/Frost Bankers.
Housing Market
The Texas Real Estate Research Center of Texas A&M University reported 40,202 home sales in San Antonio in 2020 with an average price of $290,907 for 8,060 total listings.
Home sales started to rebound in June 2020 during the pandemic, with 3,949 sales, which was sustained until December 2020 with 3,274 sales. There were 3,449 sales in October 2021, with an average price of $357,026 for 6,117 listings.
Job Market
Analysts project the employment rate of the San Antonio metro area to remain at 1.19 million in October 2021. According to the BLS, the unemployment rate is expected to ease to 4.3% in the same month, down from 4.5% the previous quarter.
In September, BLS reported that total non-farm employment is highest in the trade, transportation, and utilities industry at 188,100 employees, with a 3.1% jump for last year. The mining and logging industry saw the highest year-over-year increase at 17.2%.
The average hourly wage for all occupations in the area is at $23.81, which is lower than the national average of $27.07. Human resource managers average $61.43 per hour, while accountants and auditors take $35.76 per hour, followed by registered nurses who receive $36.11.
Tax Rates
San Antonio has a 8.25% combined sales tax rate that includes 6.25% Texas state sales tax, 1.25% San Antonio tax and 0.75% Special tax. There is no applicable county tax.
According to The City of San Antonio local government, the M&O tax rate is 34.677 cents per $100 of taxable value. The 2022 debt service tax rate is 21.150 cents per $100 of taxable value.
Weather
San Antonio is known for its hot, muggy summers and mild, short winters. During June to September, temperatures can go as high as 95 degrees Fahrenheit, with lows of 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. At the start of the cool season in December, temperatures dip to 65 degrees Fahrenheit and even further to 46 degrees Fahrenheit.
On rare occasions, San Antonio experiences cool fonts that bring temperatures into the 40s for a day or two at a time. At an elevation of roughly 662 feet above sea level, it rarely snows in San Antonio; however, when snow does fall, there is usually very little accumulation due to warm daytime temperatures caused by sunlight reflecting off of the white ground below.
Tip: To get the most out of your moving experience, movers in San Antonio recommend scheduling ahead of time to secure your spot during peak season.
Traffic and Transportation
There are several ways to get around town, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Driving your car is the most convenient option, but finding parking can be expensive and time-consuming. The city’s bus system is affordable and efficient, but the wait times can be long during rush hour.
San Antonio also has several bike lanes, making it an excellent option for getting around town quickly. You can avail of its public bike-share program, Swell Cycle, at B-stations.
San Antonio offers travelers a number of convenient air travel options in terms of air travel. San Antonio International Airport (SAT) offers nonstop service to popular destinations. This includes Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Los Angeles, and select cities in Mexico. In addition, several major airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Southwest Airlines and United Airlines operate in the area.
Schools and Universities
San Antonio is home to a large number of schools and universities. These institutions offer students a variety of degree and certificate programs and excellent educational opportunities.
One of the most well-known schools in San Antonio is the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). UTSA offers over 150 undergraduate and graduate programs, making it one of the largest universities in the state. The university also has an extensive research program, and its students have access to world-class facilities.
There are 19 Independent School Districts (ISD), making the San Antonio ISD the 13th largest of 1,057 ISDs.
Peace and Order
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, San Antonio had lowered its total crime rate by 15% in 2020 compared to the previous year. Much of the reduction comes from burglary, larceny, and auto theft cases. The city’s low population density contributes to its low overall crime score.
Utility Providers
Energy is mainly provided by municipal electric utility firm CPS Energy, serving 840,750 electricity customers. On the other hand, Solar Electric Texas and Alba Energy of San Antonio offer solar power to residents and businesses.
San Antonio water service is currently regulated, so the San Antonio Water System, a public utility owned by the City of San Antonio, manages the water supply for 1.9 million people in Bexar County and parts of Medina and Atascosa counties.
The city’s top telecom companies include AT&T, Verizon, and Grande Communications.
The primary natural gas providers are Atmos Energy, CenterPoint, and Texas Gas Service (TGS).
Pros and Cons of Living in San Antonio according to the best San Antonio moving company
Pros
- No income tax collected by the state
- Diverse, tight-knit and friendly population
- Rare winter season
- Plenty of tourist attractions
- Great neighborhoods
Cons
- Housing shortage because of military presence in Joint Base San Antonio
- Sweltering summers
- Heavy traffic
Tip: Movers in the San Antonio area are aware of heavy traffic. Make sure to discuss the estimated time of arrival of the moving truck to your new house.
Frequently Asked Questions answered by San Antonio movers
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What are the best neighborhoods to relocate to in San Antonio?
The Downtown area boasts of Southtown, City Center and William Historic District. You can also find excellent neighborhoods in Tobin Hill, Alta Vista and Beacon Hill.
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What’s the best way to get around the city?
Driving your car is still recommended despite the heavy traffic. However, public transportation via the bus system is considered excellent.
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What’s the weather like in San Antonio?
Summers can be brutal as hot temperatures can reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit. But on the bright side, winters are only mild so you can still do a lot of outdoor activities. The quaint cottage districts in Alamo Heights are a great destination too during this time.
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Why do many people relocate to San Antonio?
Every year, thousands of people relocate to San Antonio. Some people move for educational purposes, while others move to find employment. Some families decide to relocate here because they prefer the warmer weather and slower pace of life.
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How can I make my move to San Antonio as easy as possible?
If you’re planning to move to San Antonio, it’s essential to work with a moving and storage company that will help you pack, transport and unload your belongings to your new home. The best professional movers will work carefully with you to ensure that nothing is forgotten, damaged or destroyed during the transport of your goods. You should always check reviews and ratings for any local movers in San Antonio, TX before choosing them for your move. If possible, select a moving company that has plenty of positive feedback from previous customers.
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How can we make a long distance move if there are a lot of things we should take with us?
When making apartment moves in San Antonio, TX or anywhere else, families usually have a storage problem. It can be useful to hire a full-service storage company when packing. Although this may cost you a bit, the benefits of moving stress-free are typically well worth the cost. You can find a San Antonio moving company that offers the storage unit as well.
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How can we assess the best San Antonio team for our moving needs?
Moving companies offer a free estimate for the estimated services. There are many friendly movers in San Antonio that do not have hidden fees when giving you a free quote.
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