The Where I Live series aims to showcase our diverse city and region by spotlighting its many vibrant neighborhoods. Each week a local resident invites us over and lets us in on what makes their neighborhood special. Have we been to your neighborhood yet? Get in touch to share your story. If your story is selected and published, you will receive a $250 stipend.
When I think about the question, “Where do I live?” I don’t just think about an address. I think about the community, culture and experiences that shape my everyday life. Right now, that place is the Medical Center — a neighborhood that is more than just a cluster of hospitals and research facilities. For me, it represents the merging of my personal goals, my identity and the environment that inspires me to pursue a future in the healthcare industry.
I grew up in a suburb of Houston called League City, where my weekends were filled with running errands and spending time with my friends and family. Being at home feels familiar and stable, but when I transferred from the University of Texas at San Antonio to St. Mary’s University, I knew I wanted something more than just convenience — I wanted immersion.
By moving to the Medical Center, I planted myself in the heart of South Texas’s healthcare hub. Spanning nearly 900 acres, the Medical Center is the largest and most prominent medical district in the region. Being surrounded by hospitals, research centers and clinics is more than just a setting, it is a daily reminder of the field I have chosen and the lives I hope to impact.
My connection to healthcare started years ago when I earned my CNA license in high school. Working as a CNA at Mystic Park was my first real introduction to what it means to care for others. Those shifts — long, tiring yet deeply rewarding — were the first steps into a career I now feel called to pursue. Moving to the Medical Center has only deepened that sense of purpose. I am also honored to be one of the very first nursing students at St. Mary’s University’s new BSN program. To me, living here feels like more than a move across town; it feels like the start of a new era, both for me and my university.
But where I live is not just about my career. It’s also about the people, culture and experiences that surround me. Leaving behind the suburbs for city life has opened a world of opportunities to immerse myself in San Antonio’s traditions and events.
Every February, the San Antonio Rodeo fills the air with the smell of funnel cakes and the sound of live country music. Just outside the city, Helotes hosts its famous Corn Festival, where families and friends gather to enjoy food, parades and dancing.
At the fairgrounds, concerts bring in both rising and established stars, and Floore’s Country Store has quickly become one of my favorite venues. It’s there I’ve seen artists such as Braxton Keith, Koe Wetzel, Flatland Cavalry, the Josh Abbott Band, Wyatt Flores, and the Chad Cooke Band — musicians who carry the spirit of Texas country music. For me, these concerts are more than entertainment; they are a reminder that San Antonio blends tradition and modern culture in a way that feels uniquely its own.
I find joy in walking through the Tejas Rodeo Company in Bulverde, visiting the San Antonio Botanical Garden when it lights up for Christmas, or spending an afternoon at the Humane Society to see the dogs waiting for new homes. Every fall, Wurstfest in New Braunfels adds another celebration to the mix, blending Texas pride with German tradition. These experiences have helped me feel grounded, reminding me that my home is not only where I study and work but also where I explore.
A big part of my journey in San Antonio has been shaped by companionship too. I adopted my dog LoLo in Boerne last year, and ever since, she’s been my constant through my transition into adulthood. Moving to a new environment can be overwhelming, but LoLo has made it feel like home. Whether it’s walking around the neighborhood or joining me on a fishing trip at the lake, she’s been my source of consistency, loyalty and comfort.
One of the most surprising things about living in San Antonio has been how welcoming people are. I moved here from Houston, but I never felt out of place. Neighbors, classmates and even strangers are always open, curious and interested. That friendliness makes it easy to feel like I truly belong here, even though I’m still fairly new to the city.
So, when I say, “I live in the Medical Center,” it’s more than just geography. It’s a space that brings together my professional goals, my personal growth, and the culture I get to embrace every day. It’s where I’m becoming not just a nurse but also an adult learning how to balance responsibility with recreation. Living here has allowed me to immerse myself in San Antonio’s medical community, while also experiencing its festivals, music, food and traditions.
Where I live is a reflection of who I am becoming. The Medical Center is where my ambitions in healthcare align with my love for Texas culture and community. It’s a place where the energy of the city meets the compassion of the medical field. It feels exactly like where I’m meant to be right now.
