Apartments in San Antonio

With a population of over 1.4 million, San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the country and the second-most populous in Texas. Originally settled by Payaya Indians, the region became a part of the Spanish colonization effort in the early 18th century when Spanish Catholics built a complex of missions — including the Mision de San Antonio de Valero, better known as The Alamo — that to this day remains one of the city’s main historical attractions. Long an important trade hub on the Camino Real, the city was a key location in the war for Texan independence from Mexico. The rise of interstate rail in the 19th century further solidified the city’s importance as a center for commerce, specifically the transportation of cattle. The city emerged in the 20th century as one of the Southwest’s major cultural centers, a vibrant and modern city with world-class civic and educational institutions. The past 45 years in particular have seen explosive growth, with the city more than doubling its population since 1970.

San Antonio’s population reflects the region’s varied history. It is one of 24 majority-minority cities in the U.S., with over 60% of its population identifying as Hispanic, the vast majority of which are Mexican-American. San Antonio’s vibrant heritage is visible in its architecture and public art, tasteable in its award-winning food, and audible in both its music and the Spanish (mixed with a fair number of y’alls) echoing across the water of the Riverwalk.

Home to six Fortune 500 companies, 31 institutes of higher education, and one of the largest medical research and hospital complexes in the state, San Antonio is a natural magnet for students and young professionals. And despite the city’s dynamic personality and explosive growth, it’s still quite affordable for young people trying to begin their lives.

When to Search

San Antonio is a very large city, spreading for miles outside the downtown center. That means that properties are available year round, especially the farther out you go. But if you’re looking at places near any of the major universities and colleges in the area — University of Texas at San Antonio , Trinity, Incarnate Word — the housing market can get pretty competitive during certain times of the year. In general, the earlier you begin looking for a place, the better. Many students begin their search around November, browsing through listings and finalizing their roommate plans. By February, students are beginning to tour potential apartments and sign leases, and when May comes around, most students have already grabbed the best apartments near campus. The selection can get slim during the summer, but don’t worry — there are still places out there for you!

Staying in the Know

One of the reasons San Antonio’s population has grown so much in the last 40 years is that the city has moved its borders, annexing smaller towns and communities. Sometimes, though, those smaller towns retain their autonomy, and operate their own municipal governments within the city. Cities like Alamo Heights, Shavano Park, and Balcones Heights are essentially independent “islands” within the San Antonio city limits, though many people conceive of them as neighborhoods.

Life in San Antonio