I'm looking at moving to San Antonio....

[nchristie]

Specifically, the northwest part of the city (just outside the 410 loop).

Is this a good place to live and ride?  How is traffic?  Any other advice?

THANKS in advance.  Anyone want to know anything about Milwaukee or northern Virginia, just ask me.

Neil

[Orson]

Is this a good place to live and ride?  How is traffic?  Any other advice?

I never lived there so, I don't know much about the northwest part. I do know there is a military base on the northwest side so there, probably a lot of military families there.

As for riding, the Hill Country would be right on your doorstep as it starts on the northwest side of San Antone. The Hill Country has the best riding in Texas

[basco]

Is this a good place to live and ride?  How is traffic?  Any other advice?

HOT. Make your air conditioner is in good shape, bugs are way bigger - especially spiders, don't leave your clothes on the floor and shake your shoes to make sure nothing crawled in them.  

Like Orson said, Hill Country, Coopers in Llano, wine country near Fredericksburg  .

[bluedogok]

We have a Texas based site that is gaining some San Antonio members and has quite a few of us from the Austin area as well. Two Wheeled Texans

That area of SA is growing rapidly out past Loop 1604, around 410 the traffic will not be good just like any other large city. That area does put you closer to some nice riding areas. I have a co-worker who lives inside 410 and his drive to Southwest Austin isn't too bad since he is pretty much going against the flow of traffic into SA. The area around the military bases of NW-SA has pretty much been overtaken by typical development. The favored area at this time to live is closer to 1604 than 410 (if you like suburbia), that is where there is a large amount of growth. I think most anywhere in the area isn't "bad" so you would probably be alright.

There is no Triumph dealer in San Antonio, but one of the best is here in Austin, Lone Star BMW/Triumph. AF1 Racing is an Aprilia dealer in New Braunfels (between Austin and SA) that is known for being one of the best shops around that work on most makes. Many people from Austin take their bikes down there for service.

Yes, it gets hot here, I don't like it (a little more humidity than what I grew up with in Oklahoma) my "winter" is the summer. Thankfully there is nothing that resembles the winter that Basco gets up north If you have the gear you can pretty much ride all "winter" but about 5 days or so due to "winter weather" conditions. It will be back to 60 degrees a day or so after that.

[Ketch]

I have lived here nearly 15 years now. All of it in the same location on the North side of town. Outside loop 410, inside 1604..Depending on which way you go, traffic can be a real challenge morning and evenings..lots of bumper to bumper..Again it depends on which direction you are going at what time.

San Antonio has been a great place to live and raise the family..good schools (North side ISD and Northeast ISD are best)  The North and Northwest are experiencing the most growth
along with the most growing pains..traffic, crowded schools (lots of new being built). Housing prices are still very good but prices and valuations are climbing pretty rapidly..just got my new tax valuation today-another 10k increase  

Lots to do, from high end theme parks (Six Flags, Sea World) to a diversity of cultural and artsy fartsy..In fact Spring Fiesta just began today for it's 10 day run..(gives people an excuse  to get obnoxiously drunk in public).

Riding opportunities are great..as mentioned the Hill Country is our backyard, Big Bend, West Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas..lots of riding.  
Yes..It gets FOOKIN HOT...did I say it gets HOT..I MEAN FOOKIN HOT in the summer. I usually try and take my summer trip to the Mountains to get away from the FOOKIN HEAT.

Winters are awesome...ride, little bit of cold..ride ride, oh a little cold/frost..ride ride ride.  


Yes, there is Crime, yes there is gang activity, There are nearly 2 million people around here...Shit happens.

Downtown is awesome and extremely SAFE..Riverwalk is great, very little in the way of tourist traps. Of Course we have the SPURS..Go SPURS!  

Not a bad place to live and work...you could do worse, and of course you can always find better.

 

[TEXXAS]

Hi ,

I just moved here from Florida. I love it. You'll never look back. It is a well balanced place. There is work, Affordable Housing and good education for the kids and best of all, Great riding in the Hill Country!!!!! If you need more information or help send me aalvarado@satx.rr.com or PM me through this Forum. I'll be glad to help.

PS. I live in the NW side of town at 1604 and Potranco outside the loop.

[Atitalongtime]

I don't live in SA anymore... job transfer to DFW, but there was a strong group called the Bandara Breakfast Club that made a run west every Sunday morning to scar the turns with peg feelers.

I'd bet the current traffic conditions moved the real riding past Bandara, but short of a mountain state you'll have a great group of road options.

[SAFJ-rider]

bump
living in the burbs northeast off of IH35.  Traffic  - depends on where your from - I don't think it is bad - same ole spots build up but you go through it kinda quick and then it opens up again.  
Crime? it is the 7th largest city...so can't expect it to be crime free.
Out west towards Bandera is great ridin, but once you leave the city on 281 it gets good.
The best part of being in SA is you can ride year round!!
Of course don't forget the 07 NBA world champs - Spurs!!!!!!!  

[Motophoria]

Hi Neil,
I lived in Milwaukee for a while myself, riding season is short...but good beer there!  (they don't make Schlitz any more do they??? ;-)
You'll have to get used to drinking Corona down here...

Just to add a bit more info...
Alamo BMW told me they are adding Triumph to their line soon...they're also moving to I-10 at Leon Springs just north of town.
If you can live/work outiside loop 1604 you'll be better off as far as traffic goes...
Helotes is the starting point every weekend for rides into the Hill Country...
Let us know when you get here and we'll show you around...
+1 for Two Wheeled Texans website...good people!

[Tar Snake]

Not, SA specific but my company will be opening  a new facility in Montgomery County, north of Houston in the next few years.

I've lived and ridden a lot in Texas, so yes I know about hot!, but what I want to know is if I head over towards Austin can I find some OK riding? Or do I have to head further west to the Hill Country.

Thanks!

[Motophoria]

Not, SA specific but my company will be opening  a new facility in Montgomery County, north of Houston in the next few years.

I've lived and ridden a lot in Texas, so yes I know about hot!, but what I want to know is if I head over towards Austin can I find some OK riding? Or do I have to head further west to the Hill Country.

Thanks!

Lots of good roads on the west side of Austin...I 35 is pretty much the dividing line for the start of the Hill Country...
Post your inquiry at http://www.twtex.com/ and the folks from up there can give you a better idea...

[bluedogok]

The owner of Two Wheeled Texans live in Montgomery County (Huntsville) an has led rides all over the area. The Piney Woods and Sam Houston National Forest around there has some real nice roads, not as technical as some in the Hill Country but some real nice ones, the Houston crew on there knows them well. It is a few hours to get west of Austin/San Antonio but there are some nice ones in between.

[nchristie]

I started this post - THANKS a lot to all who replied.

I had an interview last week - went well, and I've another with them on Monday (just confirmed this morning) - I really like the company, and so far they like me.  

Last weekend, my wife and I drove around the area - thought Boerne was a place to live, but liked Helotes better.  I was surprised how rugged north and west of San Antonio are (not "West Virginia or Colorado rugges, but respectable - WAY better than eastern Wisconsin).

I'll check out the Two-Wheeled-Texans site now.

Thanks again....keep the suggestions coming.....

Neil

[carlt828]

Just to add a bit more info...
Alamo BMW told me they are adding Triumph to their line soon...they're also moving to I-10 at Leon Springs just north of town.

Have you heard of any good reports from customers of them? I'm not trying to bash them but nobody I've talked to that has actually had their bikes worked on there were pleased, some really got shoddy work that took forever. They probably do better with cars but here's one recent report: http://bbs.tsba.org/showthread.php?t=39057 .

The Hill Country does rock though. Head out towards Leakey and run any road that starts with 33 (like 337, 336, 335). That ride from Leakey to Camp Wood and around is called the 100 mile loop, the three sisters, or the twisted sisters. It is really a nice route. Just be careful the first time out, there are some sharp turns and it seems like a few bike wrecks every weekend. It's not dangerous, mostly riders riding over their head and panicking, target fixating, falling down and going boom.

If you're looking for a local bike club (actually statewide), check out the http://bbs.tsba.org . I'm the president of the San Antonio Chapter for 2007. We also ride in the Hill Country frequently as well as have other events. We ride slower than the Breakfast Club (they are safe but they really do go fast) but faster than others. Our mean age is the mid ~ upper 30's. There are lots of other groups to ride with as well, even the younger squidly crowds.