If you’re thinking about moving to San Antonio, Texas — or maybe you’ve already moved — you’re in good company. San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the country, and over the past three years, more than 100 people have moved to this Texas jewel every day
But moving to any new city — especially a big city like San Antonio — can be stressful, and will naturally raise a long list of questions.
Fortunately, there’s good news: We’ve got you covered. Read on to learn everything you’ll need to know about moving to San Antonio, from how to set up new utilities to the job market to the nightlife, we have the answers to your questions
Why Are So Many People Moving to San Antonio, Texas?
There’s no question that Texas’s population has been booming over the past decade. More than 500,000 people moved to the Lone Star State every year between 2014 and 2021. Houston, Austin, and Dallas are all attracting plenty of new Texans, but the number of San Antonians is growing as well. Let’s look at the three top reasons why
1) Jobs
It’s hard to move to a new city, and especially a new state, without a new job, or at least the confidence that you’ll be able to find a new job after your move. The fact, then, that San Antonio’s unemployment rate in November 2021 was just 4.1% is a big reason why so many people are moving to Bexar County and the Alamo city
It’s not hard to understand where all these jobs are coming from, either. San Antonio is home to the headquarters of a number of Fortune 500 companies, including USAA, iHeartMedia, and Valero Energy. The grocery store chain H-E-B is also headquartered in San Antonio
Additionally, many San Antonio residents are employed by the military. San Antonio is home to a number of military bases — Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base, which collectively share the Joint Base San Antonio — which has earned San Antonio the title of “Military City, USA.”
2) Cost of Living
The cost of living in San Antonio is cheaper than most other big cities elsewhere in the country. In fact, the overall cost of living in San Antonio is 14% lower than the national average
Breaking that down further, housing in San Antonio costs 24% lower than the national average, while groceries will run you 17% lower on average. And, as we’ll get to later, thanks in part to the deregulated nature of Texas‘ electricity companies, San Antonio’s utility bills are 12% lower than the national average
3) Low Taxes
Finally, one of the biggest draws for new Texans and new San Antonians alike is the fact that there is no state income tax in Texas. Texas is one of a handful of states that has no state income tax, and many residents enjoy that extra money in their bank accounts — money that they’d be paying for taxes if they lived in, say, New York or California
San Antonio joins Dallas, Houston, and Austin as some of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and the list of reasons why could extend far beyond the three mentioned above
Relatively low home prices, abundant health care, and as we’re about to learn, an overabundance of things to do all make Texas — and more specifically San Antonio — a great place to move
How Do I Set Up Utilities in San Antonio, Texas?
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Setting up new utility service can be a hassle, especially if you’re juggling movers and meetings with a realtor or landlord. Don’t worry, though — we’ll walk you through the different steps you’ll need to take to set up your utilities in San Antonio.
We’ll break down the important utilities below, but bookmark this website, which has a great list of links to the websites of all of the different San Antonio utilities you may need
How Do I Set Up My Electric and Gas Utilities After Moving to San Antonio, Texas?
While most of Texas operates in a deregulated energy market, the city of San Antonio is different. For San Antonio residents, this means fewer choices of electricity providers, but the process of setting up your electricity utility account for the first time will be a bit more straightforward
First, a quick bit of history: In 1942 the city of San Antonio purchased the city’s electric utility, called City Public Service (now CPS Energy). Since then, CPS energy has grown to be “the nation’s largest municipally owned energy utility providing both natural gas and electric service,” according to the utility provider
When the state of Texas moved to deregulate its energy markets in 2002, a handful of cities exempted themselves — San Antonio being the largest of these.
This historical quirk means that if you’re moving to San Antonio, you’ll be getting your power and likely your natural gas from CPS Energy. To set up a new account with it, simply visit this website. Easy!
How Do I Choose a Power Supplier in San Antonio?
If you’re moving to San Antonio, you won’t have an option for who you get your power from, unlike most other parts of Texas. CPS Energy is who you will be working with, and you can reach them by phone at 210-353-2222, or by email at feedback@cpsenergy.com
CPS Energy also has four customer service centers in the San Antonio area, open from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Go here to find the closest service center to you
How Do I Set Up My Water Utility in San Antonio?
Setting up a new water utility account is similarly straightforward. To set up a new account with the San Antonio Water System, visit this website and enter the address of your new residence.
You’ll need the following information to set up your new account: your property address, a copy of your lease if you’re renting, a purchase agreement if you own the home, a valid driver’s license or ID card, your phone number, your mailing address, and your date of birth
Once you get all that information entered, the water will be flowing in no time
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Can I Set Up My Gas and Electricity Before Moving to San Antonio, Texas?
Yes, you can set these utilities up prior to moving in, and you should! Recommendations for how soon to set these utilities up can vary, but it’s a good idea to start contacting your various utility providers about two weeks before your big move
If you’re renting, it’s a good idea to talk to your new landlord about this process. Similarly, if you’re buying a home, talk to your realtor
And think of it this way: The sooner you get your new utilities squared away, the sooner you can concentrate on your actual move and all the fun things San Antonio has to offer
What Happens If I Don’t Set Up My Utilities?
Unfortunately, if you don’t take the time to set up your utilities as part of the moving process, you’ll most likely be moving into a dark house or apartment. The good news is that it doesn’t take long to set up your new utilities accounts, and by reading this article you already have a head start on that process
What Are The Best Things to Do in San Antonio, Texas?
One of the biggest benefits of moving to the second-largest city in Texas is the fact that you’ll have plenty to choose from when looking for things to do. That can be overwhelming, though, so we’ll help you out by highlighting some of the must-see places
The Alamo
The Alamo mission, located in San Antonio, Texas, is a cornerstone of Texas history and one of America’s most important historical locations. The Alamo was the site of an 1836 battle during the Texas Revolution, and the brutality of that battle helped to galvanize Texans in their war to free themselves from Mexican rule and establish the Republic of Texas
The Alamo’s location in downtown San Antonio is the reason why the big city is often referred to as the Alamo City. You can visit the Alamo today (although you’ll need a reservation if you’d like to visit inside the church) and learn all about the importance of the historic landmark to both Texas and the United States
The River Walk
San Antonio’s River Walk is half pedestrian thoroughfare, half city park that stretches along the San Antonio River. It’s a great way to spend the day (or an evening). San Antonio hosts a number of events along the River Walk, and a large number of shops, restaurants, and museums are located along the route, giving you plenty of chances to explore San Antonio while you enjoy your stroll
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Downtown San Antonio
If you’re looking for the highest density of things to do per city block, downtown San Antonio should be your first destination. The River Walk wends its way through downtown San Antonio, and the Alamo mission is located downtown, as well
While you’re in downtown San Antonio, stop by the San Fernando Cathedral. The San Fernando Cathedral dates all the way back to 1731, making it the oldest standing church building in the state of Texas
Make sure to take the time to go out to eat at one of the many world-class Spanish or Mexican restaurants. San Antonio is renowned for its tacos and tamales, either of which pairs nicely with a margarita
The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo
The San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo has been a staple of San Antonio since 1949. Located in the AT&T Center, where the NBA’s San Antonio Spurs play their home games, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo is a great opportunity to enjoy Texas Hill Country heritage
Theme Parks
The city of San Antonio boasts some impressive theme parks that are fun for the whole family. SeaWorldSan Antonio is an impressive aquatic theme park located in the western San Antonio area. SeaWorld offers visitors the opportunity to experience aquatic animals and fish up close, and it has a number of roller coasters as well
If SeaWorld’s roller coasters have left you wanting more, check out Six Flags Fiesta Texas. The theme park has a wide variety of rides that cater to both thrill-seekers and families alike
The San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are the Alamo City’s NBA team, and they have had a lot of success in recent years, having won five NBA championships. You can catch one of their home games at the AT&T Center in the eastern San Antonio area
The San Antonio Zoo
Located in Midtown San Antonio.
