San Antonio Ranks #3 in List of Friendliest Cities
Conde Nast Traveler released it’s top ten list for the friendliest cities (along with the unfriendliest) and San Antonio scored the #3 spot. Having lived in quite a few cities myself, I moved to San Antonio in 2006 and definitely back the idea that it’s one of the friendliest cities I’ve ever lived in. Strangers often stop to say hello and after having a car that liked to break down a lot, I learned that people are more than willing to give you a jump, call the tow truck, or even push your car out of the street. I always tell my friends from back in Philadelphia about the time I went to buy a grill (because in Texas, its mandatory to own one). I was standing outside of a HEB, looking at the various grills they had parked on the curb during the summer months and one had caught my eye. Like any good grillmaster, I had the hood up and was giving it a thorough once over to be sure it was the grill I wanted to buy.
Behind me, I hear a shout of “hey” over a large truck engine. I turn to see what who’s yelling and a guy in a big pickup truck has his passenger side window down and is looking right at me. “That grill is awesome,” he says, “I just bought one recently myself.” At this point, my Philadelphia upbringing prepares me for the next line, which where I’m from is usually “I have one in the back of my truck if you’re interested…I’ll sell it cheap.” This type of parking lot sale usually involves someone who knows a guy…or some items that “fell off a truck” – you may think NYC when you think of shady business like this, but trust me, it’s alive and well in Philadelphia.
I nodded to the guy and said “thanks” to which he replied, “they’re actually on sale at Lowe’s this week if you’re going to buy one.” This guy, a complete stranger, pulled up to give me unsolicited advice not only on the grill, but on where to find it cheaper. It doesn’t get much friendlier than that folks. And it’s not just one story…we all have them. People I know who lived on the East Coast are especially impressed with the friendliness of San Antonio, perhaps because we’re so used to New York’s attitude, Philly’s aggressive nature, and Massachusetts’ driving issues (go on…look up their nickname). People in San Antonio like to help out their neighbors and at the very least say a friendly hello. I’ve lived here now for eight years and I’m truly happy to call it my home. So if you’re looking for a new place to live, go ahead and check out San Antonio, one of the countries friendliest cities and a great place to live.
image courtesy of Katie Haugland
