San Antonio, Texas -- Safety Question/Saving Cash

[Ranger111]

In the never-ending quest to save cash for next Spring's Disney Dash, I am looking saving $$ in an upcoming trip to San Antonio, Texas.

It's a business trip, but I want to stay a few extra days -- which would be on my own "dime."

So, the conference is at the DoubleTree on Cesar Chavez Blvd., adjacent to the San Antonio Police Dept, Municipal Courts and Boys Town Texas, just off Frio Street and Interstate 35.

If I stay a third of a mile away, at the Courtyard Marketsquare (Cesar Chavez Blvd and Santa Rosa), I can walk back and forth to the conference (walking under I-35) and save a fair chunk of change, which I can use in March at Disney.

Only question, I have never been to San Antonio before, I will likely be walking in the dark (early evening, before 7 p.m.). How safe is this neighborhood for "tourist walking."

 

[ziravan]

Not going to tell you what you should do but,

Pros:

1. It's in the convention area downtown, you probably won't be the only one walking back and forth at the same time. Stay in crowd.

2. Should be higher police presence because convention area.

Cons:

1. San Antonio has quite a bit of gang activity.

2. Downtown area moves back and forth between what I would call gang area and touristy area. It wouldn't take much to end up in the wrong place after dark...

It's a 50-50 call if you ask me.

If you do it, and find there isn't safety in a crowd, you can always grab a cab for prob $5.00 including tip. There are bunches of them around the corner at rivercenter, although they might not appreciate such a small fare to get out of line for a rivercenter fare. Oh well, thems the breaks...

 

[Ranger111]

Thanks for the detailed answer. Very much appreciated. Looks like I will give the "cheapy" hotel (Fairfield Inn, adjacent to the Residence Inn and the Courtyard Inn just off Cesar Chavez) a try.

It saves $60 per night -- NOT including additional savings that come from the free WiFi, free parking and free breakfast, which probably adds another $50-$60 per night.