5 Awesome Mid-Sized Vegan-Friendly Cities to Move to in 2021
Are you burned out on that hectic, fast-paced big city life but don’t want to say goodbye to your amenities and scrumptious, plant-based food options?
Or maybe you’re a vegan living in a small town, who wants a larger playground with delicious culinary options, but don’t want to live in a megatropolis.
Whatever your situation, there are many excellent mid-sized cities to choose from if you’re a vegan looking for a change. Whether they boast a dense per capita quantity of vegan restaurants, amazing cultural and outdoor activities, or unbeatable weather(how about all three!?), here are 5 awesome mid-sized vegan-friendly cities that deserve your consideration.
- Bend, Oregon
With a metro population of 175,000, Bend is the smallest city on the list. That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to do, see, and eat! Located in central Oregon, Bend is situated along the Deschutes River just east of the beautiful Cascade Mountains. With stunning views, outdoor activities galore, a unique and tasty vegan food culture, and a vibrant atmosphere, this mountain city really does have it all.
Vegan Fare
With several vegan-only cafes/restaurants and over 40 vegan-friendly establishments, your tummy won’t miss out living in Bend. Looking for delish raw vegan food? Salud Raw Food has got you covered. Want hearty faux-BBQ washed down with a dairy-free shake? Check out the legendary Lively Up Yourself food truck. How about a chickpea salad sandwich? Stop by Root Down Kitchen.
The options are plentiful so whatever your taste buds desire, you won’t have to go far to find it. Also, the vegan-friendly trifecta of Natural Grocers, Trader Joe’s, and Whole Foods all reside within the city limits, so filling up your cupboards should never be an issue.
Stuff to Do
Voted “America’s Best Multisport Town” by Outside Magazine, Bend is an absolute dream for the outdoor enthusiast. With over 80 parks, 63 miles of urban trails, and 300 miles of single track for mountain bikers, there’s something for everyone. Maybe you want an adrenaline-inducing whitewater rafting trip on Saturday and a chill day paddleboarding on Sunday? If you’re a rock climber, how about trying your hand(s) at one of the many climbing routes at Smith Rock State Park. Like to ski/snowboard? Mount Bachelor’s ski season lasts for 8 months a year and is easily accessible within a short, beautiful drive up the Cascade Lakes Scenic Byway.
For shopping, there’s a variety of options, from the stores at Old Mill Mall to exploring the unique boutiques and shops in Bend’s charming downtown area.
And breweries, don’t forget those(as if)! After a long day of shopping or outdoor play, you’ll have over 30 craft breweries to choose from. Assuming you’re still standing, you can venture over to one of Bend’s nightclubs, bars or live music venues. Pandemic permitting, of course.
Bottom line, if you’re bored living in Bend, you’re doing life wrong. Jus sayin’.
Weather
Bend sees the sun over 300 days per year, making it the sunniest place in Oregon. They have moderate temps during the day with cool nights, even in the summer. You’re going to experience all 4 seasons living in Bend, but it never gets too extreme.
Generally, you’ll get high 30’s during the day in the winter, and low to mid 80’s during the day in the summer. Because it’s in the high desert, humidity is low.
Job and Living Sitch
With the average home cost coming in at almost $400,000, you’ll definitely be sacrificing a higher mortgage payment for natural beauty, a ridiculous variety of outdoor activities, and a high quality of life. The good news for renters though, is that the costs for 1–4 bedrooms come in at slightly under the US averages.
As far as the job market, recent job growth in the area is above the US average and the future job growth is a whopping 20% higher than the US average. There are positions available in health care, technology, automotive, teaching, and banking to name a few. The future is definitely bright in Bend!
2. Gilbert, AZ
Gilbert has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the US over the last two decades so the secret has been out for a while.
As part of the Phoenix metro area, Gilbert is located in the southeast corner of The Valley of the Sun. It doesn’t have a huge city vibe nor does it feel too suburban. In fact, it feels just about right. But if it’s the city you want, Phoenix is right up the road. If you’re heeding the call of the mountains, they’re right up the road too. Vegans will find more options here than anywhere on this list if they’re willing to hop over to neighboring cities. Gilbert really does have the best of all worlds.
Vegan Fare
There are no less than 10 vegan restaurants within a 10-mile radius of Gilbert’s city center and over 250 vegan-friendly places within that same area. With Gilbert mainstays like Seed Shack and Green Lotus to the newly opened Guac Star in Tempe, you can eat your choice of delicious ethnic vegan food whenever the mood strikes you.
According to WalletHub, 3 other cities(2 bordering Gilbert) in the East Valley are in the top 35 for ‘Best Cities for Vegans and Vegetarians’ and Phoenix comes in at #36. You’ll also find a variety of vegan-friendly markets like Sprouts and Natural Grocers right in town.
Stuff To Do
Desert adventures await! The Superstition Wilderness or ‘The Supes” as locals say, are just 15 miles to the east and offer some of the best hikes in the southwest. Try Peralta Trail or the more technically challenging Siphon Draw.
If it’s mountain biking you want, hop on the Hawes Trail System. And that’s just to start. The East Valley and surrounding areas are a mountain biker’s dream!
For a beautiful stroll, meander around the Riparian Preserve at Water Ranch, a sprawling 110-acre park that features 7 ponds and 4.5 miles of trails. The preserve combines water resource development with wildlife habitat to form a truly unique experience for birders, hikers, and families looking to enjoy nature in the middle of the city.
Gilbert also has two other large parks to check out in Discovery and Freestone with a variety of activities from basketball courts and baseball fields to disc golf courses and skateboard parks. Golfers will love the greens at Trilogy Golf Club at Power Ranch, one of the many courses in the city and surrounding valley.
For shopping, there are over 130 stores to choose from in the San Tan Valley Mall. The Gilbert Farmers Market is also very popular and the Gilbert Town Square is always hoppin’.
Weather
There’s a saying in the Valley of the Sun: “You don’t have to shovel sunshine.” That kinda sums it up for anyone familiar with many of our states punishing winters. With almost 300 sunny days a year, the gloomy weather blues isn’t going to be much of a problem in Gilbert.
Keep in mind, there are over 160 days where the temperature reaches over 90 degrees so if you don’t like the heat, maybe this kitchen isn’t for you. Summers can be scorching with average temperatures in July over 100 degrees, but from October-May, it’s an absolute paradise.
Job and Living Sitch
With an excellent recent job growth that doubles the national average, Gilbert is a land of opportunity. With large employers in healthcare(Banner and Dignity), tech(Go Daddy), and education(Gilbert Unified School District), and incomes that are commensurate with the slightly higher cost of living, a good job and a nice home are well within reach.
If you’re a renter, expect to pay about $1100 for a 1 bedroom, or $1350 for 2. Home prices($332,000) are already above the national average and the values continue to climb so if you’re looking to buy, now would be a good time to jump in the market.
3. Madison, WI
Madison is a beautiful college city of a quarter-million people whose downtown sits on an isthmus between two of the area’s 5 lakes. Located in south-central Wisconsin, this capital city is brimming with sports culture, excellent plant-based food options, and a friendly midwest vibe. Madison is a very clean, well-planned progressive city, with low crime, and fantastic public transit.
Vegan Fare
Madison only has one vegan-only sit-down restaurant(Surya- 2 locations) but what it lacks in that aspect it more than makes up for in the sheer amount of restaurants with vegan items on the menu.
With vegetarian restaurants like The Green Owl Cafe(almost every dish can be made vegan) and vegan slices ready for take out at UW student hangout, Ian’s Pizza(2 locations), you’ll have several tasty options almost any place you go.
That also translates to the sugary stuff, with The Chocolate Shoppe(soy ice cream!!) and Surya(treehugger waffles, yum!) offering inventive, mouthwatering dishes for your sweet tooth. Madison has several vegan-friendly grocers to stock up at as well, with The Willy Street Co-op East and West, Whole Foods, and Festival Foods all being great options.
Stuff to Do
Consistently rating in the top 10 US cities for bikers, Madison has an extensive bike path system sprawling throughout the city. Also known for its beautiful parks, Tenney, Vilas, and James Madison are all family-friendly and situated along one of the area’s 5 Lakes. The lakes, Waubesa, Kegonsa, Mendota, Monona, and Wingra have great beaches for swimming during the summer. You’ll see tons of boats out and water sports are huge in the area, with water-skiing, kayaking, paddle boarding, kite-surfing, and wind-surfing among other activities.
During the winter, you’ll see ice-fishing shanties littering Lake Monona and accompanying Brittingham Bay, while ice-skating is very popular among the smaller ponds and lakes in the area.
Other winter activities include cross country and downhill skiing, with several trails available, and 3 major ski resorts located within an hour’s drive of the city.
The UW Arboretum is a great place to visit thousands of plant and animal species, with 17 miles of trails to hike as well as a visitor’s center. Other nature preserves include Cherokee Marsh and Capital Springs Recreation Area.
Madison has several malls for shoppers, the biggest being East Towne and West Towne. Legendary State Street is where it’s at for unique specialty shops with places like Ragstock and Little Luxuries offering vintage clothing and gifts.
Wisconsin is known for its beer-drinking, so you can’t talk about Madison without mentioning the bars. Downtown staples like State Street Brats, Blue Velvet Lounge, and Mondays are great places to soak up the suds. Microbreweries and distilleries are also becoming popular and can be found scattered throughout all corners of the city. Several of the bars double as small music venues as well. Places like The High Noon Saloon and The Crystal Corner Bar often have fantastic live music and a great atmosphere.
Weather
Madison can be pretty dreary and arctic in the winter months, with the average temp in January being in the teens. And you’ll have to navigate the snow from December through March. Summers are mostly mild, with the average temp in the high 70's/low 80’s.
That said, living here you get to experience the full range of the seasons. Fall colors, spring blossoms, winter wonders, and serene summers.
Job and Living Sitch
The diversity of the economy is reflected in some of Madison’s largest employers. UW Madison, Epic, American Family, and WPS Health are all at the top and are contrasting sectors offering a wide range of available positions.
If you’re looking to start a small business, Madison Score is an organization dedicated to supporting small business upstarts through mentorship and education.
Madison has many hip and vibrant neighborhoods such as Schenk-Atwood, Dudgeon-Monroe, and Tenney Lapham all on one of the lakes and all featuring culture and amenities unique to the city. Home prices and rental costs come in slightly above the US average, but the overall cost of living is about even.
For folks who love the four seasons, the midwest atmosphere, and progressive politics, Madison might just be your landing page.
4. Asheville, NC
Nestled in Western North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is an up-and-coming mountain city with a bustling art scene, a vibrant downtown, and beautiful architecture. Moderate year-round temperatures, outdoor adventures, and breathtaking scenery are some of the perks that residents enjoy.
Vegans will find Asheville very welcoming with several vegan-only establishments to choose from. If you love the mountains mixed in with a funky eclectic vibe, Asheville might be the place for you.
Vegan Fare
Asheville has several multi-cultural options for the plant-based eater. Plant serves a dynamic menu with everything from ravioli to tempeh con queso to bok choy ramen. Element is a juice bar and cafe serving up delicious smoothies, sandwiches, and desserts. Sunflower Diner has everything from Mongolian seitan tacos to berry jam pancakes. Yum!
Vegan culture is alive and well in Asheville too, with VeganFest popping up downtown in Pack Square Park every June. Grocery options include Whole Foods and the West Village Market.
Stuff to Do
For a city clocking in at just under 100,000 people, downtown Asheville sure is hopping! The city center is very walkable with many independent shops, boutiques, and vegan-friendly diners. Learn about Asheville’s colorful history with a 1.7 mile, 30 station “scavenger hunt” on The Urban Trail. Or enjoy some of the many street performances by artists and musicians. Or peruse the Grove Arcade, a unique, historic shopping center filled with indie crafts and art galleries.
For more art, check out The River District, a 2-mile square radius of over 22 buildings housing the work of painters, photographers, sculptors, and more. There are even free trolley rides at certain times of the year.
For outdoor enthusiasts, it all starts with the Blue Ridge Parkway. Known as “America’s favorite drive”, this choose-your-own-adventure has a variety of stops from Craggy Gardens to Graveyard Fields. In fact, you should probably just plan on getting out every few minutes to explore and soak in the breathtaking views. There are also tons of gorgeous hikes and mountain biking trails as well.
Similar to Bend, OR, Ashville is an outdoorsy paradise. People come from all over the world for rock climbing at places like Chimney Rock State Park and whitewater rafting on the Nantahala River. With such a wide array of activities and culture, Asheville crosses off every box on the list!
Weather
Asheville’s climate is more moderate and less humid than other places in the Carolinas, due to its location near the foothills of The Great Smoky Mountains. The warmest month, July, is typically low 80’s during the day with it cooling off significantly at night. January, the coldest month, has an average daily temperature in the high 30’s and just below freezing at night.
You’ll see some snow in the winter months but it’s minuscule compared to the Northeast and Midwest. Asheville boasts a higher than average count of sunny days per year as well, coming in at 212.
Job and Living Sitch
Asheville is known for being very friendly and supportive to its independently-owned small businesses, so if that’s something you’re interested in establishing, this might be a great spot.
Although there isn’t a ton of industry here, the diversity of the economy is strong due to tourism and the arts. Mission Health, UNC Asheville, Ingles Markets, and Eaton Corporation are some of the larger employers in the area.
Home prices have been steadily climbing here in recent years. The average home price comes in at $286,000 with the national average being $231,000, which isn’t surprising given Asheville’s quality of life and desirability.
Renters, however, will pay significantly under the national average for 1, 2, and 3 bedroom apartments.
Norfolk, VA
Located on the Chesapeake Bay, Norfolk is home to the largest Naval Base in the world. Norfolk is centrally located, with Virginia Beach 20 miles to the east, Newport News and Hampton right across the bay, and Chesapeake just 7 miles south.
The city has seen quite a boom over the last decade with new businesses, housing, and cultural activities that led Travel and Leisure magazine to proclaim it “America’s Favorite City.” High praise indeed.
Vegan Fare
With Norfolk being the home headquarters of PETA, the animal-rights organization, there’s quite a variety for your plant-based palate in the area.
Ethnic food, juice bars, and good ol’ comfort food all take their place at the table. Try pizza or burritos washed down with a vegan shake at Jikoni Cafe or a chicken and waffle sandwich at Beyond Vegan Cell Food. You can dip over to Virginia Beach for dessert and try one of Vegan Sweet Tooth’s pies, cupcakes, or donuts.
There’s also a multitude of restaurants with a variety of vegan options on their menus. Places like Fruitive and Desmond’s Island Soul Grill have a full vegan menu along with their standard fare.
Organic Food Depot, Heritage Natural Market(Virginia Beach), Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s are some of the area grocery stores to stock up at.
Stuff to Do
With seven miles of shoreline along the Chesapeake Bay, long walks on the beach are an actual reality here. There’s also an excellent biking infrastructure for any road bikers. The Cannonball Trail is a popular self-guided tour that walks you through 400 years of Norfolk and American history.
Visit one of Norfolk’s world-class museums such as the Nauticus, featuring the USS Wisconsin battleship. Or how about a nice harbor cruise with American Rover? There’s always something going on at The Waterside District, a newly revamped live music, food, and festival venue right on the waterfront.
For the art lovers, take a walk through the Neon District, and enjoy the various murals on display from world-renowned and local artists.
While you’re at it, see how many of the city’s iconic Mermaid sculptures you can spot. There’s no official count, but since local sculptor Kevin Gallup mass-produced 130 of them(which were then painted by local artists) in the early 2000s, they’ve doubled in amount and seem to keep popping up at different places around the city.
There’s plenty to get into at night in the downtown area. Also, check out the Ghent neighborhood, a hipster haven with small live music venues and breweries.
Shoppers will have tons of options with places like the one-million square foot MacArthur Center or Norfolk Premium Outlets.
Weather
Norfolk has a pretty moderate year-round climate. Even in the dead of winter it still averages above 40 degrees. Summers can be humid but averages in the low 80’s make it tolerable.
Norfolk only sees about 5 inches of snowfall per year but the rainfall(47 inches/year) is significantly above the US average of 38 inches. Norfolk gets a good amount of sunshine too, seeing an average of 215 days per year. Basically, you’re not going to bake or freeze living here.
Job and Living Sitch
The cost of living in Norfolk is lower than the US average but the lower salaries tend to even that out. Home prices are also quite a bit under the US average at $185,000. Apartment rental pricing is right in line with the rest of the country.
Some of the best employers in the area according to Zippa.com, are WR Systems, Sentara Health Care, and Titan America. Since Norfolk is part of a larger metropolitan area, if you’re willing to work in a nearby city, the employment options are quite expansive.
These days, everyone is trying to carve out their best life. For more and more people, that means living in a mid-sized city. And with a 600% increase in folks identifying as vegan over the last several years, it’s no wonder there is a growing interest in finding that special place that has it all.
Regardless of what kind of weather you prefer, job or activities you want to pursue, or what area of this dynamic country you want to live in, there is most definitely a place in the sun for everyone. Unless you like rain. There are places with plenty of that too.
Have you carved out your own place in the sun and want to share it with the rest of us? Let us know in the comments below(hey, that rhymed!).