When you go to a buffet, you don't eat everything.  You pick the things you like the most and pass on the rest.  It's the same with real estate.  Choose a niche or geographic area and work it consistently.  You'll have plenty to eat.  

    Pick an area of town, or a price range.  Get a good broker, get some mentors, work hard... and you will succeed.

There is always business for those who are great at what they do, no matter where you are

The sea is V A S T - there's always room for more big or small fish, Devon mann - I say go for it!

There's more fish in a larger area. You have a scarcity mindset you have to work on.

Honestly I don't know how agents do it in large areas like Los Angeles, Denver, etc.  When we have people relocating to our area of Boise, they often don't know what section they want to live in and a good portion of our job on the first trip is to show them all the different areas.  We know the entire area well, but we are just over a half million in population for the areas we serve and that people moving to the Boise area are generally interested in (Ada County & eastern Canyon County mostly).  We work with a lot of relocation buyers, but I don't think I could do it in a larger metropolitan area.  I certainly think there is business to go around, but specializing in an area is probably the way to go. -Kasey

I would not even think of competition. Carver your own segment at any market. I work in Los Angeles, CA. Every second probably has here a RE license. 

Yet, I agree, the big city offers more opportunities comparing to a small town. 

Devon mann - it is all in your mind. If you think it is, it will be! There are mega agents in all the markets - and there are agents who hardly complete a transaction in a year in the same market!

There is plenty of business for everyone!

If you work hard and smart you can make a new business anywhere.

It depends on you... Big or small city, are you willing to learn your market?

when you move to a large city, you will need to focus on a specific area within that city and market to it.... in a small town, you could do the whole town as I do... 7560 single family homes.... that's the size of one subdivision in the area you're moving to....

A big pond provides more opportunities if you can identify an available niche.

I like the larger areas where you can specialize.

As Carol Williams wrote; excellent advice!

1. What is considered an "average" area?

2. Many would not consider San Antonio a big city as compared with NYC, LA, San Francisco, Boston, etc.

3. At the end of the day there always seems to be enough business for those who are committed to making it work regardless of where they are.

Big city, more opportunities...

I've done both, it puts up a fight everywhere I've lived.

In any market, 80% of the business is done by 20% of the people.  Bigger market, more homes, more players, more business to be had.  Smaller market, less homes, less players, less business to be had.  You can make a name for yourself in either, just harder to be the city expert in a big town.  I suggest focusing on a specific area.

Have worked in Denver my whole career, and you set the limits, not others.

Depends on your work ethics and your determination

I'm in the DFW area. We have many agents doing well.  I believe if you want to succeed you will.  Find the market that is a great fit for you and take it!

easier in larger city in my opinion

Devon,

Carol Williams expressed it perfectly.  A

Good luck.

There is always enough to eat when one is hungry enough. 

Those who prospect will finf their way!

The way I see it, there is enough business for everyone.  Find your niche, work that area/type of sale and you will do fine. - oh look that is what Carol Williams just said too. 

You're biggest competitor is in the mirror. 

Devon mann There is always enough business to go around. You just have to look for it.

I can't answer that since I've always been in the same area.

Jeff Dowler nailed this one!

Work the area in which you LIVE. If you live downtown, that  is your business target.

Then target the BH andCB business model and make yourself indispensable.

Is there still enought to eat?

Let me provide a quote from my least admired business leader"

The issue has more to do with you than the size of the pond.   

All the best to you with your move to Austin!

What you make of it will be up to you.  Study, plan, act, and prosper.

Small market share of a huge market is still a good living. Make sure to join a brokerage that provides fantastic training and support to help you take some territory.

 That depends on how good you are and how hard you work.

In Redrock a suburb of Vegas, I know there are over 2,000 realtor-brokers hang their licenses within a block or two. Offices have at least 500 agents in each.  There are probably no more than 4000 homes.