San Antonio, Texas is an hour and a half from the capital city of Austin, and though the tacos here are just as good, the cost of living's even better. NerdWallet says San Antonio's about 11 percent cheaper to live here than the capital, with a median listing price of $234,999, compared to Austin's $390,347 median. 

San Antonio's actually the second-most populous city in Texas and the seventh most populous in the country (U.S. census data estimates a population of 1,532,233), though at 461 square miles, it's far more spread out than New York City or Los Angeles.

And there's a lot to do here. San Antonio is perhaps best known for the Alamo, a former mission that played a pivotal role in the 1836 Texas Revolution, now a tourist attraction. 

The city has many greenspaces, like the 300-plus acre Brackenridge Park, which is home to the San Antonio zoo; the 320-acre Eisenhower Park, and the 30-mile pedestrian-only, San Antonio River Walk, or Paseo del Rio, located along the San Antonio river and home to the San Antonio Museum of Art. The city's also got a number of bike trails and a bike-share system called B-cycle, for folks who like to explore on two wheels.

Tex-Mex food is a big deal in San Antonio, thanks to the city's significant Mexican influence, and there's a lot of it—highlights include EL Milagrito Café, which has a great breakfast; Paloma Blanca in Alamo Heights, and Pappasito's Cantina on the Northwest side. Other eateries of note include East Side barbecue joint 2M Smokehouse and local gastropub Cured. Also worth a visit is the Ranger Creek Brewing and Distillery, the city's celebrated "brewstillery" that serves up handcrafted beer and whiskey.

Then, of course, there's the real estate. San Antonio's got a lot of variety, from sprawling ranch houses to compact Victorians, and prices vary considerably, so you can probably find something within your budget. Here's a taste of what's out there. 

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Keller Williams Realty

5803 Amber Rose, Far West Side

This six-bedroom, four-bath house has a big kitchen with granite countertops, a two-story great room with a fireplace and blue accent wall, and a master bath with a tub and separate glass door shower. Other highlights include a covered patio with tile flooring and a separate media/game room with a projector and screen. The house is located on the Far West Side of San Antonio, an area that's seen a lot of growth and new development over the last few years. It is available starting in February and priced at $425,000.

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Keller Williams via MLS

101 Glentower Dr., Castle Hills

Castle Hills is actually a suburb and its own city, though it's included within the borders of metropolitan San Antonio, and you get a little more bang for your buck here. This four-bedroom, nine-bathroom house makes up 5,061 square feet and sits on a half-acre lot; highlights include a spacious carpeted living room with a wet bar, a kitchen with off-white cabinets and a breakfast bar, and a tiled Florida room with vaulted ceilings and full-wall windows overlooking an in-ground pool. There's also outdoor space for dining, as well as a koi pond.​​​​ The house is priced at $549,500.

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King, REALTORS

119 Park Dr., Olmos Park

Olmos Park is one of San Antonio's most popular neighborhoods, thanks to its charming older houses, eclectic shops and eateries, and easy access to the San Antonio Zoo. This four-bedroom, seven-bath, stucco-covered house was built in 1929, and has hardwood floors, multiple fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, and a lot of built-in bookshelves. Other highlights include a walk-in closet in the master suite and an in-ground outdoor pool. The house is priced at $735,000.

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CORIE PROPERTIES

121 San Arturo St., Southtown

This three-bedroom, two-bath house was built in 1900, but after a 2018 remodel, it features modern touches like recessed lighting, bamboo and ceramic floors, and a hip kitchen outfitted with stainless steel appliances and a sleek breakfast bar. Other highlights include a backyard with a fire pit and floor-to-ceiling windows in the bedrooms. The house is located in Southtown, a downtown neighborhood rife with good eateries and a thriving nightlife scene. It is priced at $425,000.

2 Sheffield Park Dr., Alamo Heights

If you've got a little extra cash to burn, this four-bedroom, five-bath house, also shown top, is located in Alamo Heights, a San Antonio suburb known for its good public schools, great restaurants and shops, and proximity to downtown San Antonio. The house itself has a gorgeous living room with floor-to-ceiling windows, a massive kitchen with a center island, and a spacious master bedroom outfitted with a fireplace and built-in bookshelves. Other highlights include a master bath with a walk-in shower and separate jetted tub, in addition to a big half-covered patio with lots of room for outdoor dining and grilling. The house is priced at $1,299,000.