Living in the State of Texas

One of the many advantages to living in an apartment in Austin, Texas is the freedom to explore.  You don’t have to spend your weekends mowing the lawn and tidying the yard.  And one of America’s most culturally diverse and interesting cities is just an hour’s drive south of Austin—San Antonio.  This city of 1.5 million people in the metro area is 140 miles north of the Mexican border and is more than 55 percent Hispanic. Market Square, built in the early 1800’s, is a center for a rich variety of Mexican imports and food and a window to this rich cultural diversity that is San Antonio. Chili con Carne was created and first served here at Market Square over a century ago but no visit to San Antonio is complete without sampling fresh tortillas with lime and salt, washed down with a cold Dos Equis, from one of the many Mexican bakeries.

The central feature of the city, the most exciting and unique aspect of San Antonio, is the Riverwalk.  This two and a half mile walkway winds along the river through the heart of the central business district beside an eclectic array of shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and luxury hotels.  Quaint arched bridges reminiscent of European postcards span the river, connecting each side at intervals.  The experience of an evening walk 20 feet below street level beside a river in the middle of a major city, watching motorized boats of tourists, reminiscent of Venetian gondolas, listening to the Mariachi bands, has inspired travel writers and drawn visitors from its inception.  It’s a wonderful concept that other cities have tried to adopt, although never as effectively as this original. 

When you come to San Antonio, everybody has on their must-visit list, the Alamo, which you can access from a set of steps leading from the River walk.  This famous site was where legendary Texas figures Jim Bowie, Bill Travis and Dave Crockett held off the Mexican army under General Santa Anna long enough for Sam Houston to prepare a force that would eventually win a final battle for the independence and sovereignty of Texas in 1836.  After declaring Texas an independent republic following this battle, Houston, who was succeeded by Lamar as president of the republic in 1838, established the state capitol in what is now known as the city of Houston, 120 miles to the east. 

Mission San Antonio de Valero--the Alamo—was established in 1817.  It was the first of seven missions established in the area by the Spanish during that time, primarily as military outposts to thwart further encroachments by the French from Louisiana.  These seven missions still stand in various states of disrepair, with 3 still functioning as parish churches.  One, Mission San Jose, founded in 1720, has been fully restored and has church services every Sunday featuring a Marriachi band that will transport you to a bygone time as you listen to the stirring trumpet solos inside a domed cathedral that is little changed from the days when cassocked friars and pantalooned conquistadors worshipped here nearly 300 years ago.

So yes, Free Rent 4U can help you locate an apartment in Austin. Austin is a wonderful city, full of life, restaurants, theaters and things to do, but when you want a change of pace, a different view of Texas, leave your apartment for a day and take the short drive to San Antonio.