Researching potential new hometowns is easier than ever, thanks to the Internet. Before the Web, one pretty much had to imagine what life was like in far-away cities and towns. The best resource for early research was a subscription to the daily paper, which might give a feel for the community, but was usually heavy on words and low on pictures.

The Internet has changed all that. Most of even the smallest communities have an online paper, as well as a web presence for their chamber of commerce. Likewise, the mayor's office is likely to have a web page containing links to city offices, newspapers, radio and television stations, parks and recreation offices, and more. Local Realtor websites, too, often have an abundance of information, featuring thumbnail descriptions of neighborhoods, pictures, and handy guides to local schools and public transportation.

San Marcos Online

San Marcos, Texas has multiple sources of internet research. Funded by the University of Texas at Austin, the Handbook of Texas Online is an enormous resource for Texas history, geography and culture, with considerable web space devoted to the community and interests of San Marcos. The Chamber of Commerce (sanmarcostexas.com) is another solid local resource, as is the site published by the San Marcos Visitors Bureau (toursanmarcos.com) and the website operated by the City of San Marcos (ci.san-marcos.tx.us). The latter, though it may make for dry reading, contains valuable information for potential residents about schools, transportation, and local government and infrastructure.

Other great internet resources are "unauthorized" community guides, usually published by residents for residents. These guides often include local polls about the best places to eat, go to a movie, the coolest neighborhood, etc. San Marcos, Texas, being a thriving college town, is no exception and has a great "unauthorized" website named for its zip code--78666.com. Unlike many community websites, it's not overly gossipy, but instead focuses on community events, politics, and nightlife.