moving to San Antonio, any help with location and schools is appreciated

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Specializes in CMA.

Hello everyone,

I am a single mom of 2 kids (10&12) and I decided to move to san antonio, Ive never been to TX before, so if you have any input on living and schools that be great, I've heard the northwest/medical center area is ideal and I am looking for LVN or RN programs that are legit, as well as what and where to stay away from. I have been looking at Career Point for school but I am nervous since the reviews that I read are very mixed.

I am also on a limited budget as I am single so the areas might be limited to me as far as living expenses go. i am a certified medical assistant in CA and also a certified phlebotomist so if you know of jobs or places that tend to hire and pay decent that be great as well..

Thank you for all and any feedback and suggestions I really appreciate it all!

(I am moving July 2013)

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Oh my goodness. I am concerned that you are moving prior to actually having a job. The market for MAs is very uncertain. I am also very concerned that you would choose to move to an area that you are completely unfamiliar with. This seems to be a recipe for disaster - or at the very least, extreme stress.

The NW area in San Antonio is more affluent than other areas - with more expensive houses & apartments. There are many areas in the city that have lower cost options. Here is a site with a lot of information for you. RealEstate.com - San Antonio, TX Market Overview

As far as nursing programs go, keep in mind that you will not be eligible for in-state tuition until you have established residency (12 months). There are several Community Colleges - linked together through the Alamo College system - these provide the lowest cost LVN & ADN programs. Alamo Colleges : St. Philip's College Just like other areas, entrance to nursing programs is very competitive. I believe that SAC has an evening program designed for people who must continue to work.

Best of luck - please be cautious.

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Specializes in NICU.

There are several nursing school in San Antonio. SAC as HouTx stated before me is one of the most affordable nursing schools around. While it is a great school keep in mind that not getting your BSN will limit your job opportunities when you graduate. ADN's are having a very difficult time finding jobs.

As far as where to live, I really like to be Central. I live in the Alamo Heights area (the area, not in Alamo Heights). Alamo Heights is pricey but the area around it is very nice and much more affordable :) There are great schools here and is very easy to get to the major highways, downtown, medical center pretty quick. I don't usually have to deal with the traffic that living on the outer areas of town have to deal with.

Good luck with your search. Do try and secure a job before you move. Save on some stress.

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Good for you!!!!! I'm also from California San Diego, I moved to San Antonio not knowing anyone or anything. I am also a CMA. I live in the hill country by New Braunfels. I know you don't know where that area is but you'll soon know. The medical center is great but very very crowded. I know I come from Cali & it's crowded there but I have gotten used to where I live I guess. It is a Lil more pricey where I live but if you are making it in Cali now you can make it here believe me. I know many people that move to Texas & end up in the ghetto here because they think they won't make it. Remember it's a lot cheaper here. People will say yeah but California pays more well it matters where you go. I moved here applied for a job on a military base & got paid $5 more then I did in Cali. The base was close to my house too. Plus the schools are great here. I rented a 3 bedroom house here for $800. My cali apartment in the ghetto was $1500. It is hill country & I know what your thinking that everywhere you look there will be horses it's not like that its just that I live outside the city. I'm about 20 miles from downtown & that's great for me.

Now schools. I transferred from southwestern college to a community college here ACCD. I was doing my pre req's for the BSN program, but they offer the adn at ACCD SAC. You can look into that. Well I wanted to transfer to UTHSCSA but its so crowded over there & far for me plus I have 3 kids I wanted to be free with time without traffic & all. So I transferred to WBU Wayland Baptist University San Antonio. It's close to home no traffic up this way no matter where your coming from, smaller classes, and better chance of getting in. Too many applicants at UTHSCSA.

Do here are some cities for you to look at:

Universal city

Schertz

Cibolo

New Braunfels

Converse (look into last)

Schools:

Associates RN:

Baptist health professions

SAC

BSN:

WBU

UTHSCSA

UIW

Good luck!!!

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