Vegan friendly cities!
Posted by teade on Nov 15, 2008 · Member since Apr 2008 · 625 posts
I'm very interested in moving somewhere a tad more populated with vegans once I graduate from college (which is in May)
I'd even love to get a job at a vegan/health place, while supplementing my 'future' art 'career'.
I've been looking around craigslist and places like that.. and it seems New York is a very good place for that (considering also that a friend of mine got a job at a place quickly)
But I also know Philadelphia has a some vegan places..
I'm only really familiar with Pennsylvania, but open to going anywhere (but prefer east coast at the moment)
Anyone have any opinions?
Orlando, FL has quite a number of vegan restaurants and restaurants who accommodate vegans.
Asheville nc ROCKS! I moved here because of the veg-friendliness and I have no regrets. Plus there is a huge community of art supporters. Nice weather too.
I'm thinking a lot about this. I might try to swing by there around Christmas to check it out. What is it like in terms of cost of living? I am going to have a masters in counseling next year, do you think I'd be able to find work?
Really? Cool! Let me know if you come. I never know how to answer the cost of living question. It has always puzzled me. I can say that we have (not by choice) gone from living on two teachers' salary in Florida to one teacher's salary here and we are making it. I have seen a lot of guidance counselor jobs in the schools come up recently....I will say that finding a job can be tough, but with a little creativity, you can make it. To me, being poor is worth it to live here.
I fourth (?) the suggestion of Oregon/Portland! Rent and the cost of living is comparatively cheap, and we have the best public transit in the nation!! (At least we did 3 years ago when I heard the factoid.) There are TONS of veg*n restaurants here! Plus we have a vegan strip mall that has everything from a grocery store to an acupuncture clinic to a tattoo parlor! Jobs, if you're not too picky, are supposed to be fairly easy to come by. Although with today's economy, you never really know..... Oh yeah, we also have one of the highest minimum wages in the country as well, not to mention NO SALES TAX!
are you talking about portland, specifically? well, shit.....i might just have to pack up the family and move out there! that really does sound perfect!
I fourth (?) the suggestion of Oregon/Portland! Rent and the cost of living is comparatively cheap, and we have the best public transit in the nation!! (At least we did 3 years ago when I heard the factoid.) There are TONS of veg*n restaurants here! Plus we have a vegan strip mall that has everything from a grocery store to an acupuncture clinic to a tattoo parlor! Jobs, if you're not too picky, are supposed to be fairly easy to come by. Although with today's economy, you never really know..... Oh yeah, we also have one of the highest minimum wages in the country as well, not to mention NO SALES TAX!
are you talking about portland, specifically? well, shit.....i might just have to pack up the family and move out there! that really does sound perfect!
Yes, Portland specifically has all these things in it. I also should add that 6 years ago we were voted the best city to raise a family!
Hey L2A - is there anything cool to check out in asheville besides just some good restaurants? im headed to atlanta tomorrow but we might take a few days on the way back to check other stuff out. i was thinking asheville might be a neat place to stop. lmk if it's worth it and if you'd be into getting lunch or something!
(i am apparently on the official vegweb tour of '08)
i loooooove Portland- a lot and have back of my head moving there plans eventually.
I've been all over the place, and Portland in my experiences has been the most veg friendly. I think you'd be safe in any big-ish city finding the right places to go. For sure it's easier some places than others, but you'd make it just fine these days in most places.
Hey L2A - is there anything cool to check out in asheville besides just some good restaurants? im headed to atlanta tomorrow but we might take a few days on the way back to check other stuff out. i was thinking asheville might be a neat place to stop. lmk if it's worth it and if you'd be into getting lunch or something!
(i am apparently on the official vegweb tour of '08)
yeah, there's great hiking, the Biltmore house, chimney rock park, mount mitchell, just walking around the city is great fun.
i'd love to get lunch! I will pm you.
cool!
about portland.. if you move there dont be surprised if you gain 20lbs.. just from visiting there for a few days i felt like i was eating nonstop!
Eugene, Oregon is also very vegan friendly. It is smaller than Portland, but has many vegan options. You can also get around very easily without a car.
Asheville is also vegan friendly. The public transit system, however, is lacking and there are virtually no bike paths or sidewalks.
~closeyoureyestosee - you should be able to find work here (in Asheville) with a masters in counseling, but I do not recommend moving here without a job lined up.
What's the weather like in Asheville right now? I live in Florida and I'm thinking of stopping there on the way up to Rhode Island for Christmas. I have NO winter clothes (I leave them in RI!), so what am I going to need? I'd like to spend some time out hiking and such...
If you are looking for unfriendly city come to Scranton PA area.
I call this carnivore country. If you are overweight and smoke you have found the perfect place.
Plus it is uncomfortable damp cold here.
There is a new vegan place here actually the only one in the area.
Have not had a chance to check it out yet. They opened right next to a University so they should make it.
What's the weather like in Asheville right now? I live in Florida and I'm thinking of stopping there on the way up to Rhode Island for Christmas. I have NO winter clothes (I leave them in RI!), so what am I going to need? I'd like to spend some time out hiking and such...
Sorry, wanted to bump this so someone would answer my question!
Today its in the 40s. if you have some pants, one or two warm sweatshirts or sweaters, and a jacket you should be fine. and gloves. and a hat.
the snow does not stick nor accumulate here but it does get cold! Usually not lower than in the 40s though. One the sun comes out it feels good.
please let know if you come through! we will be here for the holidays.
PS I moved here from Florida.
Today its in the 40s. if you have some pants, one or two warm sweatshirts or sweaters, and a jacket you should be fine. and gloves. and a hat.
the snow does not stick nor accumulate here but it does get cold! Usually not lower than in the 40s though. One the sun comes out it feels good.
please let know if you come through! we will be here for the holidays.
PS I moved here from Florida.
Awesome! Thank you so much! I'm still in the planning stages, but I'll definitely let you know! Where in Florida did you live?
I also just googled substance abuse clinics in the Asheville area and found a bunch of places west of Asheville. What is that area like? (I want to work in a substance abuse clinic, not reside in one... ;))
I also just googled substance abuse clinics in the Asheville area and found a bunch of places west of Asheville. What is that area like? (I want to work in a substance abuse clinic, not reside in one... ;))
West of Asheville or West Asheville?
West Asheville is kinda trendy and hip and pricey for what you get. Great place to raise a family (from what my friends who live over there tell me), lotsa "community." West of Asheville are towns like Canton and Waynesville, which are hit and miss (read: the further you get from Asheville-in any direction, the higher the concentration of rednecks). I live slightly north of town and love it. L2A lives in another direction, but slightly outside as well and we have the same feelings about our respective areas of town.
And I second the rather be poor here than make more $ in another place sentiment. I love this little bit of heaven in the mountains.
I also just googled substance abuse clinics in the Asheville area and found a bunch of places west of Asheville. What is that area like? (I want to work in a substance abuse clinic, not reside in one... ;))
West of Asheville or West Asheville?
West Asheville is kinda trendy and hip and pricey for what you get. Great place to raise a family (from what my friends who live over there tell me), lotsa "community." West of Asheville are towns like Canton and Waynesville, which are hit and miss (read: the further you get from Asheville-in any direction, the higher the concentration of rednecks). I live slightly north of town and love it. L2A lives in another direction, but slightly outside as well and we have the same feelings about our respective areas of town.
And I second the rather be poor here than make more $ in another place sentiment. I love this little bit of heaven in the mountains.
That's good to know. I'm not into rednecks. ;) I was looking at Canton, it seems like that's where a lot of clinics are. I've also heard good things about the Black Mountain area...wherever that is. I just talked to someone (in person ;)) tonight who is really encouraging me to go. Looks like it might actually happen! (She's even going to let me borrow winter clothes!)
Ok...so, I'm looking at Bed and Breakfasts, etc. Help me plan this trip! Where do I stay? What do I do? Where do I eat!? :-D Is it easiest to fly into Charlotte and rent a car? It looks like a 2 hour drive from there...true?
Ok...so, I'm looking at Bed and Breakfasts, etc. Help me plan this trip! Where do I stay? What do I do? Where do I eat!? :-D Is it easiest to fly into Charlotte and rent a car? It looks like a 2 hour drive from there...true?
Only got a few minutes, but I'll try post more on the what to do later.
Eat: Rosetta's Kitchen
Laughing Seed
Lucky Otter (huge vegan selection, but still has some meat items, all are obviously marked)
most restaurants have some vegan selections, many have lots and lots. Those three you can pretty much eat anything off the menu.
Best coffee: Dripolator (one in Black Mountain and in Asheville, different ownership, Asheville one has a helluva lunch, best tempeh ruben, evah, IMHO)
Check out the mountain express for what to do: http://mountainx.com/
There's always Biltmore Estate (great wine tasting excursion) plus it's all done up for Christmas right now. I'll be taking my brother there when they come for the holidays.
Grove Park Inn is beautiful, great Spa, Frank Lloyd Wright design, great accommodations, but not so cheap.
Do you like art? If so Grovewood Gallery, New Morning Gallery, Ariel, Blue Sky are all excellent
We are flanked by several national parks, so hiking is everywhere. You can pick up Blue Ridge Parkway from about 20 spots throughout town and stop anywhere to hike up there. Also the Brevard area is gorgeous for hiking. Anywhere from mm365-415 is close to Asheville. http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/nctrails.htm
Note: the area near Craggy Gardens is closed right now
Charlotte is probably the biggest airport that is nearby, 2 hrs is a good estimate, it's an easy drive; Greenville/Spartanburg is about 1+/- hours; Asheville has a little airport, but it's big enough to be serviceable; Atlanta airport is about 3-1/2 hours, which can be a drag, but often the cheapest flights go in and out of ATL.
I've heard very good things about Portland, OR
But I've been to Asheville and it's the most vegan friendly place I've ever been.
Ok...so, I'm looking at Bed and Breakfasts, etc. Help me plan this trip! Where do I stay? What do I do? Where do I eat!? :-D Is it easiest to fly into Charlotte and rent a car? It looks like a 2 hour drive from there...true?
I usually tell people to fly in to greenville. its an easy airport and an easy drive. alegiant air has the cheapest flights. flying into asheville can be pricey, but my SIL found cheap tickets about a month ago.
All those restaurants Nutdragon mentioned are good. Rosetta's is my favorite. There's also a new "raw-ish" place in Black Mountain open for lunch called "apple a day depot". Most places in asheville will have veg options but rosettas and laughing seed are strictly veg.
There are several B and Bs in Black MOuntain. When we used to visit we stayed in a cabin for pretty cheap. How long are you staying? If a few days a cabin might be worth it.
Black mountain is East of Av, about 20 minutes. Not really red necky. A great little small town. Canton, I think is more red necky...and more strip mallish rather than having a down town.
I'm about to PM you.
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