San Antonio is getting bigger. But what does its future look like?
mbell/Getty Images
San Antonians are looking to the future, but not everyone’s convinced it’s looking bright.
In a post on the r/sanantonio subreddit, locals sounded off on what the future of San Antonio will look like after one user wrote that they “have a hard time seeing this city being able to recover from” job loss, data centers, high home prices, urban sprawl and more. In response, Alamo City residents had a lot to say, but opinions differed.
Article continues below this ad
Manufacturing and industry could transform San Antonio
The user who opened up the conversation said San Antonio may be “getting reaped to become a company town to some impending move of a large california based corporation.” However, one commenter said, “You actually want companies moving in. Those bring jobs, high salaries and increase your tax base,” and another wrote that San Antonio needs the money and capital that large companies can pour in.
To that end, some commenters mentioned an influx of manufacturing on the city’s Southside as a boon that could give residents “an opportunity to level up.” Toyota has called the area home for over 20 years, and even more retail and industry are headed to nearby Von Ormy. However, many locals under the thread were concerned about water availability if more data centers move in.
San Antonio is only getting bigger, and that means traffic
One commonly agreed-on topic was traffic. In the words of one commenter, the city is headed for “more of the same, just bigger and more crowded.” Another said San Antonio “as a whole is only growing. I see it increasing in price as more people are moving into San Antonio and that will make prices for housing increase. All the highways they are improving will help in the long run. So many things are being improved like the airport. So it will only get more attractive to outsiders from other states looking to relocate.”
Article continues below this ad
The numbers back up the idea that San Antonio is getting bigger, as the city recently moved up in the ranks. It finally became the sixth-largest U.S. city, beating Philadelphia for the title with a 1.46 percent annual increase, based on estimates. The question is: will housing and infrastructure keep up?
San Antonio needs a stronger community
However, economic strength isn’t the whole battle. The original poster said many residents of the booming Far Westside regret being so far from the city’s core when it comes to socializing. To that point, one commenter said, “A strong/connected community is always the backbone of innovation and growth,” and will put more money in locals’ pockets in lieu of large corporations.
Article continues below this ad
But do locals think that’s achievable?
“The sad truth is a lot of people in San Antonio don’t actually contribute to the city as much as they think they do,” one commenter wrote. “They shop and eat at big chains exclusively instead of supporting local businesses, they don’t show up to vote in local elections, and many live outside of city limits so they pay no taxes but are the first to complain.”
The solution? Commenters encouraged others to shop small, enjoy San Antonio’s nature and free events, and become more involved in the city.
There are optimists and pessimists in San Antonio
One commenter said San Antonio’s future will be much like its past: “mediocre but stable.” They continued, “The highs aren’t as high as other cities, and the downs aren’t as low due to our military and federal government presence, our lack of corporate presence, and our strength in manufacturing and trades.”
Article continues below this ad
Echoing that, others said the city’s future is “actually decent,” but not “world class.” However, others took a more pessimistic view of things, saying the 210 is “a big city with a small town mindset. San Antonio doesn’t really have any of the advantages of big cities OR small towns, but it has all of the disadvantages of both.”
Still, some have a little more faith. According to one commenter, “San Antonio has always been a natural hub of culture and trade do its geographic location. I believe that is still true.” And for another, “San Antonio’s future is bright! You’re just wearing weird glasses.”