Y’all. I need to tell you something. And you’re not going to like it. Outside of San Antonio…outside of Texas…people are talking about our fair city. And what they’re saying isn’t always nice. Let that sink in. People. Trash-talking SA. I KNOW. It’s like they said my baby’s ugly. Not that I have a baby, mind you (Ahem! 42 years old here, folks! They had a good run but the ovaries are punching their very last time cards as we speak.). But, you get my drift.
Over the last two weeks I’ve heard, via email and the San Antonio Mom Blogs’ Facebook page, from two mamas who are moving to town and have grave concerns about living here. They are, quite frankly, scared outta their minds by the things (the incorrect, not-at-all-representative, downright WRONG things) people who don’t live here (and Google!) are telling them.
To wit,
From G:
“My husband and I are moving to San Antonio in a few months, which is 13 hours and two states away from all family and everything we know. I’ve never even been to San Antonio but everyone back home has painted the town as a drug-cartel-infested, extremely dangerous city and they think I should be stoned for taking my girls there to raise.”
And from HC:
“My big questions are schools and…snakes. Yes, I Googled and something came up about rattlesnakes and scorpions and maybe I Googled too much but it freaked me out. [Can you give me] any info on whether the snake info I got is hype or a daily issue? I started wondering if you could even let your kids play outside on the lawn.”
First off, Google needs to keep his mouth SHUT. He’s like the camp counselor who sits around a bonfire telling ghost stories to impressionable young campers just to get his jollies. Yes, there are snakes here in Texas. Scorpions too. But encounters with them, in my experience, are pretty rare (and usually related to living near woods and/or construction sites that displace the creatures from their homes). My kids play outside ALL of the time and the only creepy thing we’ve seen this year is a tarantula. Wait. Maybe I need to keep my mouth (keyboard?) shut too.
Anyway, the good news is that these ladies also Googled phrases like “San Antonio,” and “moms,” and “blogs.” And they found us: San Antonio mom bloggers. Our blogs, whether we realize it or not, are the 21st Century version of the Welcome Wagon. And what we write is more important than we know. Our posts about our families, our city, our hopes, and our dreams, are putting these moms, and others like them, at ease. Our vibrant community of mom bloggers continually improves San Antonio’s image with every smart, sincere, heartfelt, and helpful post we publish.
G even had this to say:
“Since I found [San Antonio Mom Blogs] and found new blogs to stalk, I am encouraged that everyone seems so ‘normal’ and so not into the whole drug cartel business. Seriously, you have calmed my irrational fears and actually stirred a little excitement in my soul.”
I’m glad we’re getting through to HC. Even if it is funny that she thinks we’re normal. Or, maybe it’s funny she thinks I’m normal. I mean, YOU are normal. Totally. Completely. Normal. *wink*
Keep up the good work of shedding light, for any ill-informed members of the rest of our country, on the fabulous, family-friendly, cultured, healthy, delicious, and historic city in which we live. In fact, why don’t you share your posts this week below on the San Antonio Mom Blogs’ Weekly Link Up and leave a comment for G and HC to welcome them to town and to reassure them that they’re moving to the best city in the country!
[inlinkz_linkup id=312418]
Concern about schools is a recurring issue, isn’t it?
One of my goals for SA Charter Moms is to make it more . . . opinionated . . . so that it’s more helpful for parents who are moving here from out of town and want to know where to live, where to sign up, etc. Or for new parents in San Antonio who want to buy the house to raise their family in, but are not sure where.
It’s such a complicated choice, though.
Inga, your site is an amazing resource both for parents in San Antonio and those thinking of moving here. You’re right, it’s a complicated choice. But, with your helpful insight into education in San Antonio, it’s a little easier.
The snake thing is pretty funny! You might tell them that we haven’t see them out around where we tie our horses up in a long time!! 🙂
Pamela, you’re cracking me up! I wonder if people still think that all Texans ride horses to work. LOL.
That’s a lovely post! Mom bloggers are awesome!
Denise, it’s fantastic how our writing can really influence and educate others. Mom bloggers rule!
Drug cartels? Maybe I’ve been too sheltered but I’ve lived here most of my life and have never heard that one! Usually, I get the “So, does everybody wear cowboy hats and ride horses down there?” comment. Ha! I love this city and we definitely need to help get it a good name. I’ll do my part!
Nancy, I’ve lived in San Antonio most of my life too and have NEVER had any experience with drugs or drug cartels. It’s so crazy how people form their opinions about a place they often have never even visited.
Ladies,
Everything I ever known is 21 hours away from where I was born and raised. When I first moved my family to San Antonio I had visions of San Antonio circ 1909. Living here now…I can say I dnt want to leave. This city is very family friendly and culture filled. Of course their are things I will always miss and the weather throws me off…but I will never speak ill of San Antonio again 🙂
Adriana, I’m so glad you’re a thorough San Antonio convert. 🙂 Yes, the heat can be brutal but I guess we’ve all learned to adapt. And the warmer winters are heavenly.
We love this city! I have been impressed, from the very beginning, with how genuinely friendly everyone is!
Sarah, that is the number one reason to love San Antonio: the people here are kind, welcoming, and caring. I don’t think you can say that about every city in the U.S.
It’s amazing what other cities/states think about San Antonio (or Texas in general).
I am so glad you are setting them straight!
Yes, Sara! We are all setting them straight. Our down-to-earth posts and our posts about the wonders of San Antonio are really changing perceptions.
Love this post! You are so funny, and I never even considered looking at bloggers in a city when possibly relocating.
Ha ha ha, Kristin! Just speaking (writing!) honestly. 😉 If we ever moved, reading blogs in our new area would be at the top of my list of things to do, along with following people on Twitter in that area too. Social media warms us up to new cities and people. I love it!
We moved here from Chicago in July and I really didn’t know what to expect – I had only visited once for our house hunting trip. Well, I must say I have already fallen in love with San Antonio! So much of it has been how welcoming the people have been – our neighbors, women that have reached out to me through my blog, store employees, etc. We have only scratched the surface of things to see, but so far I have loved the Whitte Museum, Shops at La Cantera, the Parman Library nearby us. The best part – while the warm months are coming to an end in Chicago, we have many more to enjoy in San Antonio!!
Haeley, you’re so right: San Antonians are a warm, welcoming bunch. We are so happy to be here that we can’t wait to greet newbies with enthusiasm. 😉 Welcome to San Antonio and enjoy your first lovely, warm winter!
Wow, what a bummer that people totally have the wrong impression! I’ve never heard the thing about drug cartels and when it comes to snakes and scorpions, I’ve lived here my entire life and have only seen a handful! And they were only at my parent’s house when it was new construction! lol I’ve always felt really safe here and am happy to raise our daughter in SA 🙂 Welcome to town, mamas and I hope you love and enjoy SA as much as the rest of us!
Jessica, those comments really shocked me too. I’ve lived here for most of my life and have never been concerned about snakes, scorpions or drugs. But, I’m glad we’re all banding together to tell the world how great San Antonio is. Thanks for commenting. I’m so glad I found your blog. I’m adding it to the list on my sidebar now!