Hey everybody! I'm from Maryland originally, and I've been living in Southern California for the past 4-ish years (love it!), but I just got a job opportunity in San Antonio, TX. The company looks fantastic, and I'd really enjoy the work I would be doing, but I'm wondering if, as a liberal, non-Christian, environment-loving vegan, I would be completely miserable in that area. I've been to Austin, and I love that city to death, but I'm not sure about San Antonio. Any experiences? I know there's at least one veggie restaurant in the city, 'cuz I ate there, but I'm more concerned about the culture as a whole. I'm also interested in biking as a main form of transportation, and am worried about being run over by one of the pickup trucks or SUVs as I bike down one of San Antonio's non-existent bike lanes. I'd love for somebody to tell me that my first impression of the city was just shallow and misinformed, because this job is an amazing opportunity.

I went to UTSA all last year, so I can say a bit about SA.

How old are you first off? Who you mingle with may definitely depend on your age, as well as what part of the neighborhood you live in. If you live closer to UTSA you may run into a couple Conservatives, and a couple more Christians, but they're usually timid and those that aren't are stupid and easy to shut down.

Now if you live near the Trinity area, you're going to have fun. Nearly everyone there is liberal, antitheist, and vegetarian. They have tons of fascinating speakers visit their campus all the time, and most are open to the public.

Unfortunately I can't say much about the 30+ crowd, being 18, and I apologize for that.

As for being a vegetarian, it is slim pickings. It's not entirely impossible, definitely easier than Houston, but not as easy as Austin. I would suggest greek food at Papouli's, Green which you must already know about, The Cove, Pei Wei, and a few others.

And finally, I think it will be a no on the bike. Most of SA is based around I-10 so it's definitely not safe to bike, this does depend on where you live though.

Thanks for the reply! I just took the job (didn't have too many choices). I'm 21, just about to graduate from college. So, I'd probably be hanging out with the younger crowds, not that I have anything against hanging out with older people if they have similar interests.

I'll look up Trinity. Don't know where that is. Really interested in getting a place near my job, but having a life is also important to me.

Haha every time I ask someone about San Antonio, I hear "much better than Houston, not as good as Austin." :) Just funny. I do plan on spending time in Austin, and I discovered the awesomeness that is Pei Wei last summer when I stayed there for a bit.

Hmmm ... maybe I can at least live near a market so I can run errands on a bike.

Thanks again for the tips!

No problem, welcome to SA XD

The groceries here are actually pretty good imo. We have a nice Central Market and Whole Foods, lots of organic fruits and vegetables. Sadly I'll have to say I don't think it's too possible to bike to these, since the first is off a busy feeder road and the second is in the middle of a shopping center surrounded by highway.

I don't know where you'll be working, but if you plan on staying a bit I'd take a look at Alamo Heights? I think that's it. It's a bit more pricey, but offers up a smaller, suburban-like atmosphere where bikeability may be more of a possibility.

Good luck!

I moved! I have located the nearest Wholefoods, Chipotle, Pei Wei, and HEB, so I'll survive here. No, no biking though. WTF San Antonio!? This is the worst city I have EVER seen as far as roads go. I never thought I'd say this, but it's seriously less stressful to drive in downtown LA. I've seen 2 areas total labeled "bike lane" - one was a sidewalk (which are amazingly rare too) and one doubled as a carpool lane! And even when I'm in my car I'm constantly in fear of just being plowed over by these huge trucks and SUVs. Okay, I grew up in hickville where lots of people had SUVs and trucks, but these things are all supersized. Like one out of every 2 cars in the parking lots have a little stair to get into them.
Other than my nearly paralyzing fear of driving in this area, I do like it here. The people (when they're not in their trucks) are very nice and friendly, and I actually kind of like the weather.
Now to look up the other restaurants suggested above...

I moved! I have located the nearest Wholefoods, Chipotle, Pei Wei, and HEB, so I'll survive here. No, no biking though. WTF San Antonio!? This is the worst city I have EVER seen as far as roads go. I never thought I'd say this, but it's seriously less stressful to drive in downtown LA. I've seen 2 areas total labeled "bike lane" - one was a sidewalk (which are amazingly rare too) and one doubled as a carpool lane! And even when I'm in my car I'm constantly in fear of just being plowed over by these huge trucks and SUVs. Okay, I grew up in hickville where lots of people had SUVs and trucks, but these things are all supersized. Like one out of every 2 cars in the parking lots have a little stair to get into them.
Other than my nearly paralyzing fear of driving in this area, I do like it here. The people (when they're not in their trucks) are very nice and friendly, and I actually kind of like the weather.
Now to look up the other restaurants suggested above...

Welcome to Texas!

I have always loved San Antonio, but have yet to go back since being vegan. I do have a business trip there later this year, and I plan to eat large quantities of guacamole for every meal. Don't cry for me, Veggieboards, cuz I am sooooooo looking forward to gorging myself of avacado-y goodness!

By the way, if you discover any fantastic food finds between now and October, let me know!

Good luck in your new city!

I hope you're enjoying San Antonio so far! I've been a regular inhabitant here since '98 when I started at UTSA, before that I lived out in the Hill Country to the Northwest so I know this area pretty well. ;) Sorry about the road situation, we're just not made for bikes. You'd have to have nerves of steel to do that, although I have occassionally glimpsed courageous souls out there on their bicycles. We do have a cycling group if you like that, they're called the San Antonio Wheelmen. I've riden with them before and they're a lovely group of people. I can't say that the roads bother me too much since I'm out there in my pick-up living it up. I love driving through town. LOL

Surprisingly enough, we actually have a fair number of sushi places, at least here on the NW side, so there's always something for the veggies and vegans. And of course there's the requisite Mexican. I swear I could live off of guacamole and salsa and die happy. Anyway, I hope you're enjoying SA from a native conservative Christian vegan who is neither timid nor easy to shut down. LOL ;) (that comment actually made me laugh)

I moved! I have located the nearest Wholefoods, Chipotle, Pei Wei, and HEB, so I'll survive here. No, no biking though. WTF San Antonio!? This is the worst city I have EVER seen as far as roads go. I never thought I'd say this, but it's seriously less stressful to drive in downtown LA. I've seen 2 areas total labeled "bike lane" - one was a sidewalk (which are amazingly rare too) and one doubled as a carpool lane! And even when I'm in my car I'm constantly in fear of just being plowed over by these huge trucks and SUVs. Okay, I grew up in hickville where lots of people had SUVs and trucks, but these things are all supersized. Like one out of every 2 cars in the parking lots have a little stair to get into them.
Other than my nearly paralyzing fear of driving in this area, I do like it here. The people (when they're not in their trucks) are very nice and friendly, and I actually kind of like the weather.
Now to look up the other restaurants suggested above...

Its a little hard being vegan here in San Antonio, but if you're in the right area there are ways to do it.

Two things I stopped when moving back to San Antonio...riding a bike daily and being a vegan. I'm a lacto-ovo who even rarely touches anything diary, but my god its almost impossible to eat out if you're out of the downtown/trinity/quarry area. I've lived here for years and its very hard to find restaurants that even offer a vegetarian option, let alone a vegan option.

I'm sure I'll see you around town. I'm 25 and I'm very active around town. You might of even ran into me since and had no clue about it!

I'm not having a huge problem right now being vegan. I love to cook and don't eat out much anyways. I go out for lunch with people occasionally, but it's been Thai, Mediterranean, and healthy sandwich-type food, and I never had the slightest problem finding a vegan option.
Funny, I had a coworker say that he used to be vegetarian and bike to work every day ... until he moved to SA. I'm getting used to people looking at me like I've lost my mind when they hear that I WALKED 10 minutes up the road. It's quite a culture shock, especially since I just graduated from college, and used my car maybe once a month while I was there.

Nywyn, any tips for Mexican food without pork in everything? I've been told most of the places around here put lard in the beans AND rice AND tortillas (and heck, probably the guacamole). "Authentic" Mexican food in SA is different than "authentic" Mexican food in LA. :P

Minkee, you should totally wear a nametag so I know if I run into you! :P Just kidding, although that would be awesome.

Nywyn, any tips for Mexican food without pork in everything? I've been told most of the places around here put lard in the beans AND rice AND tortillas (and heck, probably the guacamole). "Authentic" Mexican food in SA is different than "authentic" Mexican food in LA. :P



If you're anywhere near the Medical Center you can always go to Mamacita's. They have it written on the menu that there are no animal products in their beans or tortillas, although many places use animal broths in their rice so you'd need to ask about that. Other than that, you'd have to ask. I'd be wary of Thai, though, since most places add fish sauce to everything. :(