San Angelo

This place might be worth a visit if you’re going a hundred and fifty miles an hour. I’d suggest a lap around the loop, and head back out. Wave at the locals, avoid the slow traveling rustbuckets, and head to San Antonio or Dallas. I like this place enough, but I’d rather have it miniaturized in a snow globe sitting in my house located somewhere a bit more interesting. Enjoying San Angelo is about as interesting as enjoying watching “The Joy of Painting” at half speed.

I’ve been here 3 months now and have quite a few complaints. I’m an inplant from the Florida Panhandle so I know about hot weather, but something about the air in the afternoon is completely unbearable. Just walking outside drains all energy from a body. Even my dogs can’t handle it for very long; something that rarely happened in FL. Not only is the heat immensely annoying, but at any time a hail storm will roll in, causing dangerous conditions for both drivers and pedestrians.

One big annoyance is the trucks. So many people here drive HUGE trucks and I’ve found that not many of the drivers know how to actually maneuver them, much less park them correctly. On several occasions, I’ve come very close to being hit by some of these monstrosities. Also, don’t expect ANYONE to get over for you when you’re coming onto the loop. You might as well just pray there’s a spot because no one will make one for you.

The water is so horrible! We had just moved into our apartment and I was in the process of transferring my fish from their travelling container to their aquarium. I put 50% tap water in with their original water and they were dead within 5 minutes. All of them! Even my shark that survived hurricanes Ivan, Dennis, and Katrina, 3 moves, and numerous days without power (my old apartment would lose power if someone simply touched the pole). Avoid the water AT ALL COSTS!

There are indeed no sidewalks here, so if you’re hoping to go for a leisurely stroll with your dogs, think twice. About the only place to walk is down by the Concho River (where the entire town seems to hang out on the weekends), downtown (see previous comment), and out near the mall. It’d also be very nice to see more pet-friendly businesses.

I’ve found Texans are very friendly, sometimes to a fault (I am from FL, not TX. I’m not as friendly), but it can be refreshing at times. I don’t hate this town but I’m ready to get back to FL or somewhere larger/busier. If you have to stay more than a week, find one place you like and expect that to be your hangout. Otherwise, you’ll go crazy always trying to find something new to do. There’s just nothing here.

As others have said, don’t drink the water in this town—it’s putrid and smells of sulphur. Add that to the fact Lake Nastywater gives the place a bad smell and sticky feeling during the summer, and you’ve arrived at only part of the reason this town stinks.

Besides the people—which are standard Texan-friendly—I say maybe gas up and hit the pedal. If you have to stay for any extended period of time (like I did, for the Air Force), have plenty of alcohol available to dull the sensation.

San Angelo may be worth visiting, but only if you’re looking for a place to sleep on the road to somewhere better. I came here to go to college, and the school has much to be desired. Sure the people are quasi-friendly in the general Texan way, but scratch the suface and peer beneath…
The small community atmosphere is due to the “town” not having any clearly defined subdivisions, everything just kind of runs haphazardly into eachother. Streets are confusing and often lead you around in circles if you don’t know where you’re going. 5 way intersections are popular, making some stops unbearably long.
Living in the desert treats you to salty, poorly treated water. The weather is about as predictable as the sun coming up (hot, stale, humid). If it ever did rain on more than the off occasion the city would drown (no drains!!). Don’t expect to take a leisurely walk/bikeride anywhere except a park, because there are no sidewalks, and no bike paths to help cut down on traffic. I have seen random bus now and then but have no idea of it’s scheduling or destination so it’s worthless.
All in all, this is one of many places around the country I’ve lived, and I hope to be taking my family and relocating sooner rather than later.

I traveled with a friend and stayed with a couple she knew.

Had a good time but got prickly heat something fierce. It’s a pretty town/city and is as far west as I’ve ever been.