San Antonio is a friendly, vibrant city, but is large enough to feel overwhelming if you’re unfamiliar with the area. If you’re moving from smaller city or town, or perhaps a bigger city far away, you may wonder how to go about getting involved in the community. San Antonio offers many opportunities to get involved in the local community. From volunteering to garden clubs, there is something to suit everyone.
1. Take Advantage of Social Media
Social media is a valuable tool for getting to know your neighbors better, as well as to find out what’s going on nearby. Some of the options that might help you in your search include:
- Create an account on Nextdoor: This private social media site allows you to easily connect with people in your neighborhood.
- Find local groups on Facebook: Search Facebook to find city or neighborhood groups in your area.
- Stay in the Know: Sign-up for email or RSS updates from San Antonio event sites, such as visitsanantonio.com.
2. Immerse Yourself in Local Cultural Events
San Antonio hosts a variety of family-friendly cultural events throughout the year to keep you entertained. A culturally diverse city, San Antonio is particularly influenced by its large Mexican-American population. As you discover the melting pot of cultures that make this city so unique, considering looking into the following:
- San Antonio Public Library: The public library offers a wealth of events from musical performances to event-related lectures to activities that engage the whole family.
- Annual Events: Of the several events that take place throughout the year, Fiesta San Antonio might be the most popular. The weeks-long festivities include the crowning of Miss Fiesta San Antonio, opening ceremonies with an explosive fireworks display, a military parade conducted by uniformed men and women from nearby Lackland AFB, and myriad other events. Other popular events in San Antonio include The Maverick Music Festival, The Tejano Conjunto Festival, Easter at Six Flags, and Alamo Heights Night.
- Places of Worship: Many houses of worship offer educational and social activities that non-members are welcome to attend.
3. Seek Out Volunteer Opportunities
In a city the size of San Antonio, there are a lot of options for people who want to volunteer. Some of these opportunities you can take advantage of to help others include:
- Animal shelters: Several shelters enable volunteers to aid with fostering or transport of the city’s most neglected animal population.
- Donation centers: Many local food pantries, clothing donation centers, and baby & pregnancy support centers need help with accepting and organizing donated goods.
- Libraries and museums: San Antonio’s many libraries and museums need volunteer librarians and docents to keep running.
Even though San Antonio is one of Texas’ biggest cities, you’ll find it easy to get acquainted with people fairly quickly. People here exemplify the friendly Texas attitude that makes the state such a welcoming place to live.
Photos courtesy of: Visit San Antonio and Expedia