San Macros, often considered as Austin’s next frontier is the hub for everything as it is one of the prime location between Austin and San Antonio. San Marcos enjoys the nickname “San Marvelous” due to its natural beauty, with two rivers and four creeks flowing through the city. Labelled as one of the coolest and the best place to live in and raise your kids, it offers everything from history, scenic areas, parks, rivers, job opportunities, low cost of living, education to adventure and recreation for each and every age group of person. It is also the fastest-growing city in the United States. Several sources has listed San Marcos as one of the most exciting places to live. San Macros offers everything you can find in Austin in a less crowded setting.

So, if you are looking for an affordable alternative to Austin, San Macros should be at the top of your list.

History of San Macros

The Texas Legislature officially designated San Marcos in 1848, and after that, the population soared. A dam was built on the upper reaches of the river that powered several mills, and marked the beginning of rapid industry growth in the area.

It is founded on the banks of the San Marcos River, and the area is considered to be among the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the Northern Hemisphere.

Over the following decades, San Marcos expanded into the cotton and cattle trades, and become a center for commerce and transportation. San Marcos is today home to countless delicious restaurants, picturesque parks, vibrant nightlife, live music, and of course, plenty of Texas barbecue. The town is consistently recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, and in 2013, it landed on Business Insider’s list of the most exciting small cities in America.

Living in San Macros, Texas

San Marcos is a small Hill Country college town with a music scene and special brand of weirdness of its own. Living in San Marcos offers residents an urban suburban mix feels and most residents rent their homes. San Macros has no shortage of amazing local amenities and interesting things to do. With high ranks for amenities, cost of living, weather and education, San Macros is the right area to fit for your lifestyle.

It is one of the most relatively affordable places to live. With housing price less than 40% as compared to Austin, it is also adding employment opportunities at a rapid rate. San Marcos, Texas’s cost of living is 7% lower than the national average.

The median household income is $ 37,252 and the average median home value is $ 189,333 with the house affordability index of 93.

Employment in San Macros

San Macros is having a low unemployment rate and is considered as one of the fastest growing cities in San Diego County. San Macros is also considered as the heart of emerging innovation corridor because of its affordability and quality of life.

Its rich pool of intellectual capital making makes it an ideal host to incubators and new start-ups. The city also offers an extensive network of parks, outdoor recreational activities attracting a lot of investors to the city making it a hub for potential employment opportunities.

The big-name companies like Amazon, Philips, CFAN, and Central Texas Medical Center have operations in San Marcos. Other top San Marcos employers include San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District, Premium Outlets, Tanger Outlets, and Thermon, Inc.

Climate and Weather

In San Macros, the climate is warm and temperate. The summers are short, warm, arid and clear with an average temperature ranging between 70˚F – 85˚F.August remains the hottest month for San Macros with an average temperature of 95˚F.

The most pleasant months for San Macros are April, October and March. San Macros gets 35 inches of rain, average per year which is less than US average rain.

Hate long snowy winters? San Macros rarely gets a snowfall during the season. January has the coldest night-time temperatures for San Marcos with an average of 39.1°which is warmer than most of the places in Texas.

It’s Remarkably Safe

If you’re like most Americans, safety is a huge factor when moving somewhere new. Fortunately, if San Macros is on your radar, you’ll be pleased to learn that when it comes to security and peace of mind, you can’t do much better than the Texas City. The chances of falling victim to violent crime in San Marcos is 1 in 284 in comparison to the state of Texas, which is 1 in 228.  Incidences of violent crime and property crime are very low.

Population

The current population of San Marcos is 98,237, based on projections of the latest US Census estimates. The US Census estimates the 2018 population at 96,847. The last official US Census in 2010 recorded the population at 83,781.The median age in the city is 34.2 , while for males it is 33 and women 35.2  The average earning of a person living in San Macros is $41,272 with the males having an average earning of $49,399 and females $31,979.

Most of the residents speak English as their main language i.e. around 62.97% while the other remaining 37.03% speak other languages. The non- English language spoken by the largest group of people is Spanish by around 27.58% of the population.

Traffic and Transportation

San Macros is located between Austin and San Antonio. The state and county roads serve vehicle traffic around the city of San Macros. It takes an average of 20 minutes to commute. The City Transportation system has contracts with CARTS (Capital Area Rural Transportation system) which runs SM TX THE BUS. THE BUS is free for Texas State University students and staff (with Texas State I.D.), and half-price for seniors, persons with disabilities (ADA application necessary) and elementary through high school students (with student I.D.).

Moreover, since the population of the country is not so high, you will not suffer any inconvenience with respect to long traffic queues and jams in the city.

Schooling & Education

San Macros is the proud home to many educational institutions offering education from Pre- K level to diplomas, degree and PhD! For primary and secondary education, San Macros is administered by San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District. It serves a growing population in San Marcos, Hays County, Caldwell and Guadalupe Counties.

The city is also having numerous numbers of private schools and institutions. The famous Texas State University is also located on the pristine waters of the San Marcos River. Some of the famous educational schools and institutions are:-

  • Texas Preparatory School
  • Howard Norman Elementary School
  • Hernandez Elementary School
  • San Macros High School
  • Live Oak Academy

 

Recreation and Fun Activities

Get a plenty of sightseeing opportunities from strolling the picturesque campus of Texas State University on the San Marcos River, to an excursion at Rio Vista Park for swimming, biking, hiking and picnicking. Enjoy shopping for great deals at two outlet malls in San Marcos: Premium Outlets and Tanger Factory Outlet. You would surely love to shop here if you are a bargain hunter!

Also not forget to enjoy the freshwater world of the San Macros Spring lake with the Meadows Center Glass Bottom Boat Tours. San Marcos is a natural beauty with an extensive urban trail system. Native wildlife and migratory birds abound in the more than 1,000 acres of green space within the city limits.

The Sunshine is all the year round and there is a crystal-clear river- San Marcos River which makes this city one of the top destinations for the ultimate summer pastime with the floating downriver in a tube and holding a cold beer.

San Marcos is also having a Texas Music Theater that serves as a a great venue for live music attracting many local bands and out-of-town artists.

Experience the wonder with unusual theme park at World Wonder Park highlighting an earthquake formed cave. Wonder world is open year around.

Things that one can do only in San Marcos

  • Take a glass bottom boat tour.
  • You can go paddle boarding at night.
  • Visit the Lyndon Baines Johnson Museum
  • You can see World War 2 Aircraft here!
  • Watch a game of Unicycle Football.
  • Tour an earthquake-formed cave.

 

There really is something special about San Marcos and we’re pretty confident that you’ll love living here. We hope this guide gives you a little insider’s insight into what San Marcos has to offer. If you decide to take the plunge and move to San Marcos, we at AB moving would love to help you!

AB Moving is a top rated professional Texas mover offering a wide array of moving services to residents and businesses throughout North Texas and beyond. We understand what you are facing and we can help, with choices you can make, and a cost you can count on.

Planning a move in near future? Give us a call or contact us to get a free moving quote today.