Those
looking for places to live in San Marcos have a variety of options from
neighborhoods to apartments to acreage homesites. In April 2011, the average
price of all homes for sale was $159,900 and the average price of rent for
apartments was approximately $700 per month. The cost of living in San Marcos
is lower than the national average, and several new neighborhoods have also
recently been established, with plans for more development each year.
Families
seeking rural lifestyles can chose between the rolling San Marcos prairie east
of I-35 or the rocky Texas hill country to the west. Ideal country living is
found only minutes from the modern conveniences of the city, and recent road
development helps residents get where they need to be in a timely manner. The
Wonder World extension connects the city with those living along Ranch Road 12
and further west, and the new McCarty Road extension makes it easier to commute
from homes along County Road 123 to I-35. Both are recent developments built
with the goal of getting residents wherever they need to be in a time-efficient
manner.
A community
survey conducted in 2011 reported 91% of residents felt safe in their
neighborhoods, in addition to high levels of satisfaction regarding residential
utility services, code enforcement and public works such as street maintenance.
Citizens also responded to the survey with high levels of satisfaction regarding
fire and emergency medical services. The Central Texas Medical Center hospital
provides a number of specialty services in a caring and efficient environment.
Several specialty clinics also exist outside of the hospital to meet the needs
of all residents.
The San Marcos City Council is comprised of a mayor
and six council members, each elected by registered voters. Council meetings
are open to the public and citizens are encouraged to voice their concerns.
Additionally, several boards and commissions are maintained to provide input on
city decisions. San Marcos is in Texas District 25, represented by Congressman
Lloyd Doggett. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn represent Texas on
a national level, and Rick Perry serves as state governor.