10 Reasons San Angelo, TX is a Great Place to Raise a Family

San Angelo isn’t a big city, but it’s not a small town either. People are drawn here due to the low cost of living, emphasis on culture, and small-town feeling.

But is it a good place to raise a family? If you enjoy conservative, cowboy culture, you may just love it here.

San Angelo is a great place to raise your family for a variety of reasons. The cost of living is nearly 20% lower than the state of Texas as a whole. Violent crime rates are lower than the national average, the schools are great, and there’s plenty to do and see as a family.

Read on to find out why San Angelo, TX is a great place to raise your family.

Welcome to San Angelo, TX

Situated in West Texas, San Angelo is an oasis in an otherwise hot and humid state. There are lakes aplenty, as well as the Concho River.

Goodfellow Air Force Base draws new residents all the time, but it’s the cozy atmosphere, low cost of living, and emphasis on the outdoors that keeps families here for the long haul.

Here are 10 reasons why San Angelo, TX is perfect for families!

1. Arts and Culture

San Angelo has a surprising wealth of art and culture for a smaller town in West Texas. There’s plenty to see and do at the many cultural and artistic venues in town.

First, there’s the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts, a large and impressive museum with tons to offer to families. Large collections and new exhibits are coming in constantly, as well as events to keep everyone happy!

If performing arts are your thing, check out shows at the San Angelo Performing Arts Center, which incorporates both the Murphey Performance Hall and the Brooks & Bates Theatres within San Angelo.

World-renown shows and tours come through all the time!

For a more organic artistic experience, you can always visit the Old Chicken Farm Art Center, which has provided a place for artists to perform, grow, and find a community for the past 40 years. Whatever art or culture you’re looking for, you’re sure to find it in San Angelo.

2. Violent Crime Rates Below National Average

While some have criticized the San Angelo area for being dangerous, the numbers tell a different story.

When it comes to violent crime, San Angelo has a smaller robbery and murder rate than the national average.

It also has a lower violent crime rate per 1,000 residents than the rest of Texas.

San Angelo has approximately 3.54 violent crimes per 1,000 residents, whereas all of Texas boasts approximately 4.19 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. That’s an important distinction when it comes to your family.

3. Affordable Cost of Living

San Angelo has lower housing rates than most places in the US, which can be a good thing!

BestPlaces, a tracking website that uses an indexing system to calculate the cost of living differences, notes that San Angelo, Texas is 18.4% cheaper than most places in the US.

This is just an average rating, of course! Still, housing seems to be 40% lower than the national average within San Angelo.

Most other expenses seem to be about the same, with utilities being slightly more expensive than the national average.

For some, that decrease in home costs can make all the difference!

4. The Great Outdoors

San Angelo is surrounded by lakes and rivers, and it takes advantage! When you want fishing and boating fun, it’s just a short drive to the nearest lake.

Hunting opportunities are a bit further afield, but it’s still not far to access some great game trails.

Camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities are welcome here! San Angelo State Park has campgrounds, hiking trails, and more over about 7,000 acres.

It’s just minutes from the city. You can even visit the longhorn bulls and bison of the Official Texas State Longhorn Herd while you’re here.

But that’s not all. Within city limits, you can experience the great outdoors at one of the 30 parks maintained by the city.

These parks offer trails, river access, golf courses, and gardens. San Angelo is also home to the International Waterlily Collection, which is the largest and most comprehensive preserve for waterlilies and water gardens.

5. Family Activities

San Angelo, Texas is home to a variety of family events as well. True to its Texas roots, you’ll find the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo here.

It’s great for the kids! It’s also one of the longest-running rodeos in the world, and it’s been performing here since 1932.

Aside from the rodeo, there’s plenty more to do. Fort Concho is a National Historic Landmark – a surviving cowboy military post that has been turned into a museum.

Fort Concho was established in 1867 and deactivated in 1889, leaving behind 24 original structures, most of which have been restored. It’s a great place to learn about frontier culture!

Check out some animals at the San Angelo Nature Center, where you and the family can ‘adopt’ and sponsor an animal of your choice. The Planetarium at Angelo State University will wow the whole family with views of space.

6. Small Town Feel

San Angelo, Tx has just about 100,000 residents as of 2019, but it sure doesn’t feel that way! San Angelo manages to merge big-city comforts with that small-town feel.

Part of that is the Texan charm – the residents are friendly and welcoming.

But it also has a thriving community, lots of activities, and an emphasis on history and culture.

The atmosphere here is not unlike a town a quarter of its size. Nearby, Lubbock boasts over 250,000 residents, while San Antonio has about 1.5 million. In the area, it’s one of the smallest – and it still feels comfortable and homey.

You won’t have to sacrifice luxuries for that cozy small-town feeling, either. Everything you could ever want is here!

7. Entrepreneur Mecca

Looking to start a business? San Angelo is one of the best places to do it, according to Forbes Magazine.

In 2017 and 2019, San Angelo was ranked as one of the best places to start a business. It’s still on this list in 2021!

If you think that your business may have small-town appeal, start here! The residents of San Angelo are looking for a great, comfortable atmosphere, local interests, and top-notch service.

Providing those things in San Angelo will almost guarantee success.

Many other places in the US are competitive, and success is not assured. In San Angelo, entrepreneurs are welcome and supported.

Though there aren’t many career-focused jobs here, small start-ups and down-home businesses will have a leg up on the locals.

Plus, San Angelo has fast internet services! If you’re starting an online business, there’s no better place to be.

8. San Angelo has Great Schools

San Angelo’s San Angelo Independent School District has 58 district schools, including 44 elementary schools, 28 middle schools, and 37 high schools.

These schools perform around the national average, though some are ranked higher (and some lower). Checking out the school district zones and school ratings can help you choose the perfect location to settle down.

Most public schools are ranked as ‘average’. Private schools thrive in San Angelo, so don’t take them off the table just yet.

One of the great things about the area is the continued education opportunities. San Angelo is also home to three universities: Angelo State University ranked as one of the best colleges in the US since 2010.

There’s also Howard College San Angelo, a Junior College, and Park University, which caters to the military.

The schools themselves aren’t exceptional, but they aren’t terrible. The opportunities presented by the universities in town may give you the incentive to take another look.

9. Food and Dining

San Angelo’s dining scene is unique! Since many people flock to San Angelo to start businesses, there are a variety of unique and flavorful restaurants looking to stand out. This means that the residents are spoiled for choice!

According to Yelp reviews, the top ten restaurants in San Angelo are family-owned, non-chain establishments.

Included are New American cuisine, cafes, breweries, and steakhouses. Want something a little different?

Choose one of the many barbecues or Italian restaurants.

And we can’t talk about San Angelo, Tx without mentioning the amazing Mexican food. Restaurants like Armenta’s Cafe and Cielo are a must if you are a foodie.

Asian fusion takes the center stage here as well, with plenty of high-rated restaurants with Asian-inspired cuisine.

Fine dining options are a little slim, but restaurants like The Silo House are well-rated and offer an impressive menu.

10. Texan Charm

There are dozens of small towns with great crime rates, low cost of living, and plenty of culture. What sets San Angelo apart?

Texas is widely known for being a friendly, welcoming place to live. Most Texans are always willing to have a chat on the porch or invite you over for lunch.

They enjoy their comforts and tend to make others very comfortable.

This Texan charm is really what makes San Angelo a coveted destination. You won’t get the same kind of welcome anywhere else.

Plus, the blend of cowboy culture and conservative values appeals to a lot of people. If that sounds like your cup of tea, San Angelo is the place to be.

Things to Do Before Moving to San Angelo, TX

Ready to move to San Angelo? Before you go, make sure that you take care of these three things. Making inquiries now can make your transition to life in San Angelo that much easier!

Get Pre-Approved for a Home Loan

You’ll need a place to live if you are serious about moving to San Angelo. One of the best steps you can take once you’ve made the decision is to investigate home loans.

There are probably a lot of loose ends that you must tie up in your current home. Even before this, you can make some basic inquiries about getting a home loan in San Angelo.

Thanks to lower property costs and a lower cost of living, you might even have a lower house payment on a larger home!

But the first step towards taking advantage of all San Angelo has to offer is this. You can call around, ask some basic questions, and even get pre-approved for a home loan before moving.

Once you’ve done this, finding your new home becomes that much easier!

Check with Utility and Service Companies

One of the biggest things to investigate before you move is utilities and services. Who do you need to speak to for your electric service?

Who provides internet and cable? What do you need to register your child for school?

Thankfully, San Angelo’s city website has a page just for this purpose. The New Resident page showcases your options for phone, internet, and cable, as well as who to contact about getting your utilities turned on.

Here, you’ll find phone numbers for the school district, public transportation options, as well as voter and vehicle registration. Everything that you need to get started is right on this page!

Before you commit to moving, you should call these companies for information. Find out the cost of service, deposits, and fees you may have to pay.

Choose a provider for services that give you options. Once you have all the information, you can make more informed decisions about where to settle down.

Become Part of the Community

Before you move into the city, you can still reach out to the community. Meeting people and making friends can make your transition that much easier!

If you go to church, make sure to find a church you like and start talking to its members. You can try online forums for people who live in San Angelo, as well as Facebook groups and more!

Contact the Chamber of Commerce for information about clubs and groups within the community.

Start getting to know your neighbors and getting into the culture of San Angelo. It’ll be nice to come into a community that already knows and likes you!

Conclusion

San Angelo is a great place to raise your family. Between the lower cost of living, the focus on recreation, and the small-town charm, it can be a wonderful place to move.

There’s plenty to do in the area, and it’s a safe place for your family. What’s not to love about this West Texas oasis?

References

“About San Angelo.” San Angelo Chamber of Commerce. https://www.sanangelo.org/san-angelo/. Accessed 18 August 2021.

“Parks.” City of San Angelo, TX Website. https://www.cosatx.us/departments-services/parks. Accessed 18 August 2021.

“New Resident Page.” City of San Angelo, TX Website. https://www.cosatx.us/residents/new-resident-info. Accessed 18 August 2021.

“San Angelo, TX.” Great Schools. https://www.greatschools.org/texas/san-angelo/. Accessed 18 August 2021.

“Quickfacts: San Angelo city, Texas.” United States Census Bureau, https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/sanangelocitytexas. Accessed 19 August 2021.

“The Best 10 Restaurants in San Angelo, TX.” Yelp, https://www.yelp.com/search?cflt=restaurants&find_loc=San+Angelo%2C+TX. Accessed 19 August 2021.

“2021 Cost of Living Calculator: San Angelo, TX vs United States.” https://www.bestplaces.net/cost-of-living/san-angelo-tx/san-angelo-tx/50000. Accessed 19 August 2021.

“San Angelo, TX Crime Rates.” Neighborhood Scout. https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/tx/san-angelo/crime. Accessed 19 August 2021.

“IWGS Certified Waterlily Collection.” International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society. https://iwgs.org/iwgs-certified-collection/international-waterlily-collection/. Accessed 19 August 2021.