Discover the SATX Local Vibe: An Insider's Look Into the Life of Renting in San Antonio
Remember the Alamo? Who could forget, right? But what else does the historic San Antonio, Texas, have to offer besides this national park complex? Hi! I'm Rhonda, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert on San Antonio. I've attended school, lived, and worked in this extraordinary city. And, without a doubt, there is always something to do.
Over the years, I have heard the city referred to as "sleepy San Antonio," but if you look really hard, it is anything but. From museums to sports, cultural festivals, and Michelin-starred restaurants, city natives have discovered a treasure trove of places while exploring the spices and delights of old San Antoné.
Current Rental Pricing for Apartments in San Antonio
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,078 | $450 | $2,456 |
| 1 Bedroom Apartments | $1,204 | $480 | $4,375 |
| 2 Bedroom Apartments | $1,545 | $295 | $10,000+ |
| 3 Bedroom Apartments | $1,982 | $337 | $10,000+ |
| 4 Bedroom Apartments | $1,991 | $600 | $10,000+ |
| 5 Bedroom Apartments | $4,803 | $829 | $10,000+ |
Current Rental Pricing for Homes for Rent in San Antonio
| Bedroom | Average Rent | Cheapest Rent | Highest Rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio Apartments | $1,363 | $525 | $5,333 |
| 1 Bedroom Homes | $1,062 | $255 | $3,674 |
| 2 Bedroom Homes | $1,371 | $695 | $4,500 |
| 3 Bedroom Homes | $1,730 | $550 | $5,995 |
| 4 Bedroom Homes | $2,063 | $550 | $5,500 |
| 5 Bedroom Homes | $2,424 | $700 | $5,000 |
| 6 Bedroom Homes | $3,187 | $550 | $8,900 |
| 7 Bedroom Homes | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
Popular San Antonio Neighborhoods
Downtown San Antonio has been transformed over the past couple of decades. Once a place for offices and government buildings, now you can find an energetic upscale industrial vibe surrounded by greenery and accented by the San Antonio River.
Downtown is adjacent to the Pearl Brewery complex, a popular multi-use site that merges an impressive open-air food court, boutique shopping, and the La Petite Chef school. I love the weekly Farmer's Market, and local concerts and festivals are always on the agenda there.
Two of the city's more traditional neighborhoods, Alamo Heights and Castle Hills, exhibit a refined air and are known for brunches, museums, shopping, and day spas — lots and lots of day spas.
There are also numerous planned communities, such as family-centric Empire Agave to the north and George's Ranch on the city outskirts near Boerne, Texas, where pickleball courts reign supreme.
A History of San Antonio
History permeates San Antonio. Founded in 1718 as a Spanish Mission and Presidio, it’s one of the oldest cities in Texas. The Spanish established Mission San Antonio de Valero—better known today as The Alamo. Over time, a string of missions transformed the region into a thriving settlement, blending Spanish, Indigenous, and later Mexican influences.
San Antonio’s most famous moment came in 1836 during the Texas Revolution. A stalwart band of Texian (Mexican-Texan) defenders held the Alamo for 13 days against the Mexican army. Though defeated, their bravery inspired the rallying cry, “Remember the Alamo!”
San Antone quickly grew from a frontier trading post to a hub for cattle, military, and railroads. Its location made it a vital military center. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, German, Mexican, and other immigrant groups had enriched the city’s culture, cuisine, and traditions.
San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States, yet it still feels approachable and welcoming.
Getting Around San Antonio
In the days of Pancho Villa, the horse was the choice of transportation.
Today, San Antonio has multiple highway systems. There are two loops, inner and outer, that circumnavigate the city, providing easy access to major landmarks and entertainment destinations.
San Antonio is quadrisected (almost like a pie) by the national East-West corridor, IH-10, a Federal highway running directly through the city's downtown. IH-35 travels from the Mexico border on its way north to Duluth, Minnesota.
There are also major corridors like Blanco Avenue and San Pedro Avenue that run the length and breadth of the city.
The SUV is still a major fixture on San Antonio's roads, but the River City is changing with the times. San Antonio Via, the public bus system, criss-crosses the city. Downtown, e-bikes are readily available for tourists and locals.
Hiking and Green Spaces
Trails
Probably not your first thought about the city, but there are over 255 miles of trails throughout the San Antonio Metroplex. They range from challenging hikes to paved walkways. My two absolute favorites complement urban and suburban San Antonio. The Riverwalk Trail is an urban walk that combines peace, watery beauty, and a tour of Mission Park, with coffee and lunch a few steps away.
I also like to do the Salado stretch of the Greenway Trail near Walker Ranch Park. It is tranquil, and the trailhead is easy to find. Officially, the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System covers roughly 100 miles of easy to moderate hiking.
The Riverwalk
It goes without saying that the San Antonio Riverwalk is a world-renowned tourist attraction. But locals like it too. It's a great place for special occasions or Sunday brunch with friends. I love the Riverwalk in the fall and look forward to attending the annual Holiday Lighting ceremony each year at Thanksgiving. This is, hands down, one of my favorite events.
Art and Inspiration
San Antonio is a city steeped in art and culture. Unsurprisingly, it has not one, but three-ish districts. From traditional to urban, each has its own style and flavor.
D.R.E.A.M. Art District
If you have a day in San Antonio, check out its amazing collection of murals and street art just east of downtown. There are e-bike tours, or you can grab a map and set out on your own. While the number keeps changing, there are anywhere between 48 and 80 public installations.
The San Antonio Street Art Initiative (SASAI) has established the D.R.E.A.M. Art District. The district is located on the city's East Side, near IH 35 and Chestnut Street. It is a corridor supporting over 100 public art commissions.
Downtown Art District
Downtown is more of a traditional art center. There are galleries and public art installations. It includes the Riverwalk and the historic La Villita district. Of the countless collections, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the San Antonio Museum, with over 30,000 art pieces. I have actually gotten lost in this amazing complex.
Southtown Art District
The city's Southtown neighborhood houses a thriving creative community.
The two main draws are the Blue Star Arts Complex and Ruby City. The Blue start is an impressive 160,000 square feet. It combines artists' lofts, galleries, and shops. We love the microbrewery of the same name. Ruby City is an international contemporary museum.
Westside Cultural Art District
This unique area is home to the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, dedicated to Chicano, Latino, and Native American art. Technically, more than one San Antonio neighborhood, the WCAD, includes: Guadalupe Westside, Las Palmas, Prospect Hill, and the Rinconcito de Esperanza Historic District.
Museums
With over 47 museums in the city, there is a style and focus for everyone, from the children's DoSeum to the Museum of Western Art. Hands down, a few of my favorite museums in San Antonio are the Witte Museum Complex, the McNay Museum in Alamo Heights, and the UTSA Institute of Texan Cultures. In college, I served as an intern at the ITC and learned the art of puppetry. My assignment was to help bring Texas wildlife to life. (Have you ever tried to be a rattlesnake?)
After a morning of gallery-hopping, locals choose one of the many amazing area cafés, perfect for a late lunch.
Festivals
Fiesta San Antonio (1891) and the Día de los Muertos Festival are at the top of the list. My first memory of Fiesta was with my aunt. Her daughters were involved in the parades. They are both multi-day celebrations of Latin heritage and customs, costumes, and amazing food. As a local, I also love the smaller festivals such as Oktoberfest and the San Antonio Water Lantern Festival in late September at Miller's Pond Park.
Tourist Adjacent
Yes, San Antonio has lots of touristy spots like Six Flags and Sea World that are fun for locals, too, in the off-season. But there are also what I like to call 'Tourist Adjacent' places, like Canyon Lake. Fed by the Guadalupe River, the lake is northwest of the city. And whether you are on team tubing or team jet skiing, Canyon Lake is a well-known 'secret' local spot to beat the heat. There are watercraft rentals for those who don't have a boat.
San Antonio And Sports (Sports, And More Sports)
Friday night lights are alive and well in San Antonio. And it is not uncommon for locals to attend their high school or college alma mater games long after graduation.
There are also four major and minor sports franchises. A strong local fan base supports the San Antonio Spurs and the San Antonio Brahmas. The River City is also home to a Double-A affiliate of the Padres, the San Antonio Missions, and the San Antonio FC.
A Taste of San Antonio
The tastes and magic of the city are inherently intertwined with the three countries that had a hand in shaping the Lone Star State.
There were Spain, France, and Mexico. Central and southern Texas, including San Antonio, also has a strong German heritage. This cultural mix has had an enduring influence on the city's architecture, music, and distinctive cuisine.
The unofficial food of San Antonio (in my humble opinion) is often categorized as Tex-Mex, a blend of Native American, Spanish, and Tejano traditions. Mi Tierra Café y Panadería, often on the list for tourists, is the iconic Tex-Mex restaurant for everyone in San Antonio. We spent many a Sunday brunch in this historic El Mercado eatery and always brought enough pan dulce (Mexican sweet bread) home for seconds and thirds and.... Well, you get the picture!
An old-time diner in the city is a favorite neighborhood haunt. For most, the original Burger Boy on St Mary's Street made the best old-fashioned hamburgers. If asked, most locals will send you to Chris Madrid's on Blanco Road, one of the city's north-south corridors. This iconic burger place is close to the quintessential Tex-Mex local restaurant, the Blanco Cafe.
After 300+ years, San Antonio has garnered numerous mentions in the Michelin-star Guide. One of my new go-tos is the starred restaurant, Mixtli, which leads the 12-restaurant pack for quality food.
Critters and Cicadas
The heat of San Antonio draws all manner of critters. Deer, foxes, lizards, and armadillos call the city home. So do rattlesnakes and fire ants.
South Texas is well known for its bird sanctuaries, and San Antonio is a popular migration stopover for many avian species. Combined with the numerous parks and green spaces, San Antonio is a fantastic city for bird-watching. In fact, my mum had multiple bird feeders in the backyard for hummingbirds.
There is one critter, however, that you will run into whether you are at the lake or touring Downtown, the cicada. Unlike the polite chirping of crickets, the drone of the cicadas can be deafening, day or night.
San Antonio has been a part of my life since I could walk. It is a beautiful and vibrant city that welcomes all. And it is still growing — most recently, the Alamo has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It may take a little bit of research to find your perfect spot or 'to do,' but it's worth the time, because this 'little' Texas town is anything but sleepy.
