Moving to San Antonio is a great idea for active adults who want warm weather, outdoor activities, lots of entertainment and culture, and a real estate market. San Antonio is getting a lot of attention from retirees for its affordable cost of living, desirable 55+ neighborhoods, and diverse culinary scene.
This is a region that has seen population growth steadily increase over the last 10 years. Moving to San Antonio, Texas means surrounding yourself with friendly people and a lot of opportunities. Let’s take a look at what it’s like to live in the third-largest metropolitan area in The Lone Star State.
Retiring in San Antonio: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Cost of Living – When we compare housing costs, grocery prices, and utility payments, it’s easy to see that living here is a good way to do more with less money. The cost of living is 8-12% lower than the national average. Also, there’s no state income tax in Texas, which only adds to the favorable cost of living in San Antonio.
- Diverse Cultural Influences – The cultural influences visitors and residents can experience in San Antonio include those from Mexican, German, Spanish, Anglo, and African communities. This provides a rewarding melting pot of great food, live music, and an expanding art scene. The Alamo is here as well as many missions and other historical points of interest. There’s also an Arts District and lots of live entertainment.
- Geography – Living in San Antonio means it’s an easy day trip to other big cities in Texas. Austin is less than two hours away, and Houston is a three-hour drive. Dallas is a little further, but it still makes for a nice weekend trip. The Gulf of Mexico is within striking distance, and for longer trips, San Antonio has an international airport with a long list of nonstop destinations.
Cons
- Traffic and Crowds – As is common with all growing cities, San Antonio is still working out its capacity to accommodate all the visitors and new residents. There’s bound to be some traffic. The good news is that after moving to San Antonio, it won’t take long for you to learn the rhythms and patterns to avoid the most congested times on the roads and around the city.
- The Heat is Hot – Everyone loves the sunshine and warm weather of a south Texas city like San Antonio. Snow is rare (but not impossible). The trade-off for this great climate is that the heat can feel pretty unbearable in the height of summer. The average temperature from June through August will likely be in the 90s, but triple-digit heat is also possible. In fact, the average number of 100-degree days has tripled since 1994. In 2023, San Antonio had 75 days with temperatures that hit 100 degrees.
- Fire Ants and Allergies – If you’re susceptible to allergies, know that San Antonio has a lot of mountain cedar. It’s is a gorgeous tree, but it’s known to release a lot of pollen. If that doesn’t scare you off, the fire ants might. These are tiny red ants that can deliver a painful bite. People moving to San Antonio from places without these little buggers are often shocked the population of these ants crawling around.
San Antonio Climate
San Antonio does have seasons, but the winters are mild and rarely freezing cold. Average temperatures in January will hover around 50 degrees during the day, and in August the average will be 90 degrees at least. That’s typically the hottest month of the year. Nighttime temperatures are around 40 degrees in the winter, and still hover in the mid-70s during the summer.
As we mentioned, there’s rarely snow but that doesn’t mean there’s never snow. Every few years the flakes do fall, but it’s rarely more than 0.1 inch. Freezing temperatures are also possible in December and January. Rain is most common between April and October. With the warmer climate in San Antonio, summers are longer, which leaves more time for golf, hikes, strolls along the River Walk, and outdoor dining.
San Antonio Taxes
Moving to San Antonio allows retirees to save money on taxes. There’s a favorable tax structure in place locally and throughout the state. The local sales tax rate has also increased recently to support several voter-approved initiatives. The state and local sales tax is 8.25% combined.
Property Taxes in San Antonio
City of San Antonio Property Taxes are billed and collected by the Bexar County Tax Assessor Collector’s Office. The average effective tax rate for Bexar County, which includes San Antonio, is 2.35%.
San Antonio Retirement Income Taxes
Good news, there’s no state income tax in Texas or at the local level in San Antonio. Residents still have to pay their federal taxes, but the state does not touch any income, including retirement income. There’s also no tax on inheritance or estates at the state level.
San Antonio Tax Exemptions for Seniors
There’s a property tax exemption for homeowners over the age of 65. Anyone with a residence homestead can request a 20% exemption of the market valuation of their home. The over-65 exemption is for property owners who claim their residence as their homestead, and this exemption is a maximum of $85,000 of taxable valuation.
San Antonio Health Care
For four years in a row, Methodist Hospital Northeast has been awarded Best Hospital in San Antonio. It’s known for providing a Health Bus, to help patients who cannot drive get to and from their medical appointments and screenings. It specializes in cardiac care, organ transplants, and emergency health care. The hospital runs many community events, classes, and workshops to help residents of San Antonio stay healthy. Methodist Hospital is just one of the 27 acute-care hospitals that can be found in San Antonio.
Where to Live in San Antonio
Whether it’s living in a trendy and historic neighborhood downtown or a quieter residential neighborhood in the northern part of the city with plenty of greenspaces, there are a lot of options for active adults who want to live in San Antonio. The Pearl District is popular for its restaurants and nightlife, and Terrell Hills is a common choice for families. There are also several 55+ communities surrounding San Antonio, which provide a bit of extra space and privacy while still maintaining easy access to the city.
55+ Communities in San Antonio
Hill Country Retreat – San Antonio, TX
High $300ks – Mid $600ks
Hill Country Retreat is a gated 55+ community of single-family homes. There’s an onsite activity director to help with planning events, classes, and activities, and many of those things will happen at the clubhouse called “The Resort.” Amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, a walking track, a library, and more than five miles of walking and biking paths. Designed by both Del Webb and Village Builders, homes in this community are modern and spacious.
Campanas at Cibolo Canyons – San Antonio, TX
Low $500ks – Mid $700ks
A gated lifestyle community with single-family homes featuring stone facades, Campanas at Cibolo Canyons provides residents with a clubhouse, a fitness center, and a pool as well as many other indoor and outdoor amenities. More than a dozen floor plans are available from three different builders, offering buyers a range of choices. This community is also close to some of the area’s best golf courses, including TPC Golf Resort.
Willis Ranch – San Antonio, TX
Mid $400ks – Mid $600ks
There’s also Willis Ranch, a more intimate active lifestyle community in San Antonio with only 284 single-family homes. There are fetching views and many neighborhood trails, but Downtown San Antonio is less than half an hour away. An active HOA ensures a low-maintenance lifestyle, and homes have 1,542 to 2,575 square feet with features such as media rooms and fireplaces.
Amorosa at Cibolo Canyons – San Antonio, TX
Low $600ks to Mid $600ks
Located in a master-planned community, Amorosa at Cibolo Canyons has a large amenity center, a soccer field, and over 200 acres of natural preserves in the Texas Hill Country. It’s still close to Downtown San Antonio and just off the TPC Parkway. Buyers will appreciate the special events like holiday parties, fitness classes, and casino nights. Homes come in single-family models with open floor plans and outdoor space.
The Orchards at Valley Ranch – San Antonio, TX
High $300ks – Low $400ks
The Orchards at Valley Ranch is a gated 55+ community with a clubhouse and fitness center as well as a pool. More adventurous residents may wish to enjoy the water slides at the poolside water park. Homes in this cozy community offer 1,675 to 2,245 square feet and options such as fireplaces and courtyards. This community is close to many popular recreation areas.
55+ Communities Outside of San Antonio
Scenic Hills – Schertz, TX
Mid $200ks – High $300ks
A gated, 55+ community in Schertz, Scenic Hills has 204 single-family homes, all of which have open floor plans on single stories. Models offer 1,294 to 2,270 square feet, two to four bedrooms, one to three bathrooms, and an attached two-car garage. Amenities include a clubhouse called The Lodge with gathering space, a fitness center, a pool, and shuffleboard courts.
The Grove at Vintage Oaks – New Braunfels, TX
Mid $500ks – High $700ks
Inside the Vintage Oaks master-planned community is The Grove at Vintage Oaks, a collection of single-family homes for active adults who enjoy a Tuscan-inspired environment. Residents have access to tennis courts, a pool, and a large flower garden. Also, the homes have many customizable floor plans. Although nestled in the countryside, this community is still close to the airport and San Antonio.
Regency at Esperanza – Boerne, TX
High $400ks
Regency at Esperanza is a gated 55+ community within a master-planned community. There are amenities specific to the active adults who live here and additional amenities for the entire Esperanza community. These include clubhouses and fitness centers as well as pools, a lazy river, and plenty of gathering spaces indoors and outdoors. Homes are single-family models within three separate and unique collections.
Veramendi – New Braunfels, TX
High $300ks – High $800ks
Veramendi is a pet-friendly, active lifestyle community that’s practically a little city. There’s a town square, retail shops, and even a hotel. Residents love the amenities, which include a clubhouse, sports courts, and a lot of parks and picnic areas. The single-family homes come in dozens of floor plans from multiple builders. Buyers will enjoy the generous square footage, large owner suites, and dedicated outdoor space.
The Village of Encinal at Esperanza – Boerne, TX
High $400ks – High $600ks
Another community within the Esperanza master-planned community, The Village of Encinal at Esperanza is small (only 25 homes) and full of Spanish-inspired architecture. There’s a clubhouse, pools, and event space. Single-family homes have 1,937 to 2,368 square feet, back patios, and modern updates. Boerne is only 30 miles from San Antonio and just off Interstate 10.
Explore Homes for Sale in San Antonio
When it comes to moving to San Antonio, there are a lot of options. We can help! Contact 55places.com today to learn more about homes for sale in San Antonio.
