San Antonio: The most affordable (and least stylish) city in America.

[infinity & beyond]

Originally Posted by Insomniac

Yet it isn't which is funny because you seem to never want to admit that, even though there is so so so much statistical information that proves so.

If there is so much "statistical" information which supports your claim that San Antonio is not an overwhelmingly working class, uneducated, and poor city - in relation to others its size, including Austin, Dallas, and Houston - I'm sure you'll have no problem providing that information.

[breathe&relax]

Even though this was written months back, I had to say what a well written post it was. I just sat there reading it going "yes, exactly".

I don't want to be around people just like me. I like differences and want to be accepted for just being me (tattoos and not religious...eeeek!). I don't want to live in "the best neighborhood" because with that usually comes elitist attitudes which I loathe (go figure, as I have been judged many times over due to my tattoos). Good neighborhood, good schools...yes, but this whole keeping up with the Jones's thing is such bull****! It' no wonder so many people are in debt up to their eyeballs trying to look like they are rich. Right now I live in a nice house in a crappy little town with abundant beauty but little else. You all would laugh if you heard some comments my friend has gotten about...gasp...having a tv in her living room, that "people just don't do that around here", much less have the nerve to actually leave it on (oh no) when a visitor comes by, unannounced no less. Again, we are in a remote, mountain town and these people just happen to live in the only nicer subdivision. I come from a wealthy city near Seattle and would never dream of making these comments to anyone. I was speechless, the audacity these people have to think they are better than her. On two seperate occasions these idiots actually got up and left because she had the tv on and there were kids running around playing. People, you can't buy tact.

Sorry, that was my rant because it is absurd. I hope to relocate to SA in the near future, job willing. My husband will start looking in the next few months after finishing some certification courses. If anyone knows anyone hiring a senior buyer or purchasing supervisor (manufacturing currently)...........save me!!!

Good luck to all and soak up some sun for me will ya!

quote=MPinSC;1723907]*Takes a deep breath* Okay, the moderators may ban me for this, but I have to say my piece at this point. *climbs on soapbox*

Yes, San Antonio is worldly. It is also very diverse, despite the naysaying by some who claim to so value "diversity". Here's the thing: the definition of diversity is not standing around enjoying a Pinot Grigio with a group consisting entirely of well-travelled PhD's, commenting on how nice it is to be entirely surrounded by people who are just like yourself, and appreciate diversity.

Diversity means difference. Diversity means living side-by-side with people who are poorer than yourself. Or smarter than yourself. Or (gasp!) stupider than yourself. Diversity and "worldliness" means that I might drive down a street and be accosted by screaming fundamentalists protesting the baby-killers. That has happened here. It also means that I now live in a city that is listed by Gay and Lesbian Almanac as one of the best places in the country for a gay couple to adopt and raise children. (SA is that city. How backward of them.)

I've only been here for 4 months. In that short time, what I'm seeing is a vibrant city with some great points, some bad points, and a VERY diverse population. I probably will end up spending most of my time with people who are left-leaning, curious, and more urban-oriented like myself. That's human nature, to seek out company that pleases you. Yes, that company exists here, in abundance, for almost anyone. Heck, in the short time I've been here, we've had dinner so far with a Polish immigrant nephrologist, a hispanic native South-sider and her Canadian husband, an Indian couple (PhD's), and a down-home suburbanite stay-at-home mom. In 4 months, we've met more worldly and travelled people than you can shake a stick at. What, are you waiting for people to send you a personal invitation with their worldly resume attached?

No, not everyone in SA is like me, or agrees with me as to what makes a good life. Hurrah! Good for SA! From what I've seen, this city very much has a "live and let live" attitude. There is LESS class and racial tension here than most CA cities I've seen, or Dallas for that matter. Sharply differing opinions are held, and if asked people will tell you all about theirs. Some of those opinions I despise. But that's "if asked". All these people, natives from here, from CA, from multiple other countries, from NY, from Podunk, USA still seem to manage to live together and get along, despite arguing happily or unhappily about their varied worldviews. Guess what? That's worldly. That's true diversity.

Constantly whining that this city is not filled with people entirely like yourself is about as insular and narrow-minded a view as I've ever heard, even when I lived in the dreaded Deep South. I could understand if you were in an area where there was NO ONE to relate to, as that would be tough on anyone. But that's not SA. Your complaint seems to be that EVERYONE here is not of your preferred mindset. That's flat-out provincialism, my friend, and annoyingly petulant provincialism at that.

Me, I'll continue to seek out the interesting and unique in this fascinating city. We sat last night in the outdoor dining area of a place on N.St Mary's, people-watching and enjoying the diversity walking/driving by.

There was the stuffy moneyed banker-type in his Beamer, with a born-again bumper sticker. Not our type, but we liked the fact that he was there, living in this diverse city, and were pleased to roll our eyes while we enjoyed our Greek beer. The goth kids cracked us up, they were trying sooo hard in their manufactured coolness. We tried to figure out what language one poorer couple was speaking as they bustled down the street with toddler in tow. It wasn't Spanish, or Italian. Portugese, maybe? I think the guy in the leather who appeared late in the evening was trying to find the leather bar that is reportedly a few blocks over. We decided his boots were completelyfabulous, but the vest was too-too 70's Village People. There was a festival at the church across the street, with face-painting for the kids, and happy family-types.

We drove to Boerne the other day, enjoying the beautiful hillcountry. Boerne is much too cutesy rural and gaggingly wholesome for my tastes, but the drive was gorgeous, and it's a nice example of some of the German architectural heritage here. I can appreciate that, even if it would not be my choice of where to live. Some love it there. Hurrah for them, and I mean that sincerely. We passed a country music place, and could hear the excitement. I hate country music. I smiled, because people seemed to be having a grand time. It doesn't have to appeal to me, for me to be happy that others are happy. I guess a truly cultured person would have sneered at the ignorant rednecks, and bemoaned their lack of appreciation for opera, but I didn't.

See, that's the thing. One has to be able to step back and appreciate some aspect of even that which is foreign to one's experience or taste or beliefs. Funny how people seem to be able to do that in a foreign country, and laugh off the stuff that is just too beyond the pale for them, but immediately want only to judge what is in their own backyard.

So, yes, SA is quite worldly. But only if your definition of "the world" includes some things outside of your own taste and preference. For me and my husband, it does.

*climbs off soapbox*

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[texdav]

That's usually the problem;some people are just use to one thing and have never lived in different places.They are called homebodies.Anything new makes them home sick for the usual.Often easy to visit but hard to live somewhere different.