What is everybody's opinion on retiring in San Antonio vs trying for Savannah, GA?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 15:06:40 -0500

I'm in between retiring closer to family on the south east coast or San Antonio, TX. We enjoyed our time in Texas at Hood, and hear nothing but great things about being assigned to Fort Sam and that retiring in Texas is just great. If any of you have been in the predicament between retiring closer to family vs somewhere that has more post military career opportunities, overall quality of life, good schools, affordable housing, etc; then please let me know what you think. Stressing out thinking about this.

Response by SFC Thomas Nichols made Jan 26 at 2020 3:20 PM

SFC Thomas Nichols — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 15:20:13 -0500

I retired in SA 10 years ago, because it's my hometown. Having said that, SA is growing by leaps and bounds. Toyota plant and suppliers expanding, new manufacturing coming to town, and lots of medical and tech growing here. Great support with 4 bases here, so access to PX, commissary, and BAMC. Lots of great amenities here as well (Sea World, Six Flags, Riverwalk, museums, missions, and on and on). There is a huge segment of the population in SA that is retired/former military and the city is very supportive of veterans. The Texas economy is booming as well. So, that's my pitch. Savannah is a beautiful town, but I'm in love with San Antonio.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Jan 26 at 2020 3:41 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 15:41:08 -0500

I don't fit any of your prequalifiers in your text but I live in Texas (Dallas) and have been to both cities and suburbs of both cities. You will live a lot better in San Antonio on a military pension then Savannah, GA. The climate is also better in San Antonio, more temperate in winter and far less humidity. Also, you should get a lot more home for your money if your buying new. Only drawback I see is distance from the Ocean or Gulf of Mexico. Texas also does not have a state income tax but you pay a lot in property taxes (not as much as the Midwest) and in sales tax (more than the Midwest).

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2020 4:01 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 16:01:38 -0500

I have been to both cities. I used to live in the Houston area, and found that San Antonio was a great place to visit.

https://www.businessinsider.com/best-cities-in-america-for-veterans-ranked#21-san-antonio-texas-5

Business Insider

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2020 4:10 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 16:10:46 -0500

I’m not sure if this will help you or not sergeant but if you go to Fort Gordon there will be opportunity’s to become a contractor if you want to continue working in the intelligence community. Half of the scif I work in is contractors

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Jan 26 at 2020 4:45 PM

SGT Robert Pryor — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 16:45:30 -0500

One final consideration is state veterans' benefits. That's why I chose Texas over family. As a 100% service disabled veteran I pay no (zero) property tax. Texas waives all property taxes on a 100% disabled veteran's primary home -- regardless of the value of the home. Live in a ten million dollar home (which I certainly do not) and still pay zero property tax.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Jan 26 at 2020 6:11 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 18:11:16 -0500

You might want to take a glimps to the following article:
https://www.moaa.org/content/publications-and-media/news-articles/2019-news-articles/what-is-the-best-state-for-military-retirees/

What Is the Best State for Military Retirees?

A financial-advice website recently made its choice. Let MOAA help you make yours.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 26 at 2020 6:46 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 18:46:43 -0500

Will you retire with a disability?

Response by SFC Nancy Hawk made Jan 26 at 2020 6:58 PM

SFC Nancy Hawk — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 18:58:34 -0500

Savannah has lots of perks. You can shop for any thing there Ft Stewart isnt far.
Coast line for boats and fishing.
Schools aren't bad.
Plenty of nice nearby neighborhoods
That's my vote.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Jan 26 at 2020 9:04 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 21:04:03 -0500

I’ll say some good things about the SanAntonio area. No income tax. Warm dry climate. Large retired military community. Large military medical facilities. Should have quite a few jobs as an Army or Air Force civilian employee. Ditto for government contractors. Hill country just north of SA is some of the most beautiful in the Southwest.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Jan 26 at 2020 9:38 PM

SPC James Neidig — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 21:38:05 -0500

Do not go to Savannah i moved to Pooler a suburb of Savannah for 15 months and moved back to Pa. the taxes were high they did not give a break for being a disabled vet . The water bills And electric bills were also high. The only thing I miss about there is the weather/ the fresh seafood and the great fishing

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2020 1:39 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 01:39:39 -0500

I was recently stationed in San Antonio. To be honest. It's a great town. Houses aren't too expensive. You have a huge outlet shopping mall in San Marcos which is 30mins away. You also have have Austin which is 45 to hour a way. Corpus Christi which is only 2.5 hours away. And Houston whcih is 3 hours away. Auto insurance isn't too bad and everything is close. You have plenty of great places to eat. Weather is awesome all year round. Winter is pretty much only in December. It snowed once in the 2.5 years I was there. There is plenty of civilian jobs ins the area, including GS jobs. I would recommended San Antonio over any city in the world right now based off of quality of life and the location.

Response by PO2 Charles Brey made Jan 27 at 2020 6:56 AM

PO2 Charles Brey — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 06:56:38 -0500

I chose San Antonio, and now the family is choosing to move closer to me, now that they see the advantages of lower taxes and the opportunities in this area.

Response by COL David Turk made Jan 28 at 2020 6:28 AM

COL David Turk — Tue, 28 Jan 2020 06:28:52 -0500

The only thing negative about San Antonio is that you can’t get Chick fil-A at the airport.

Response by CPT Roger Sun made Jan 29 at 2020 9:07 AM

CPT Roger Sun — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 09:07:14 -0500

Here's a start go to areavibes and compare the two. I think SA, imo, is a better choice due to population size...more people simply means more opportunities. We made the move to Cinco Ranch, TX from the PNW after I retired ten months ago, and we totally love it. If you're 50% or more in VA rating, you can apply for a Disabled Vet license plate. With DV plate, you're exempt from all government parking meters and drive for free on most tollways (thank you Texas lawmakers). And also, see below if you want a state job. Yes, I'm currently a state employee.

Sec. 657.0047. INTERVIEWS AT STATE AGENCIES. (a) For each announced open position at a state agency, the state agency shall interview:
(1) if the total number of individuals interviewed for the position is six or fewer, at least one individual qualified for a veteran's employment preference under Section 657.003; or
(2) if the total number of individuals interviewed for the position is more than six, a number of individuals qualified for a veteran's employment preference under Section 657.003 equal to at least 20 percent of the total number interviewed.
(b) A state agency that does not receive any applications from individuals who qualify for a veteran's employment preference under Section 657.003 is not required to comply with Subsection (a).

Response by SP5 Ann Parris made Apr 24 at 2020 3:53 PM

SP5 Ann Parris — Fri, 24 Apr 2020 15:53:20 -0400

Texas does not have state income tax, which Georgia does, and it is expensive. It's like having a pay raise. Property is reasonable in both places.