Why I love weird San Antonio listings on Facebook Marketplace

State of play: A friend told me recently that she'd be rid of her Facebook account by now if not for Marketplace. She's not alone.

• A recent Letter of Recommendation in the New York Times posits that Facebook Marketplace is "the one place on social media that still feels human," and I couldn't agree more.

The big picture: Young people in the U.S. are largely leaving Facebook behind. In 2024, just 32% of teenagers said they use Facebook, down from 71% a decade earlier, per a Pew Research Center survey.

• Facebook Marketplace could be the secret weapon to draw them back, as Business Insider has reported.

Zoom in: When I moved to San Antonio, I built my home with pieces from locals via Marketplace.

• It's where I purchased my kitchen table and chairs, my nightstand and even the desk where I'm sitting to write this.

Zoom out: I love shopping at San Antonio's local vintage shops. But Marketplace scratches a different itch. It's less curated and more mundane in a downright delightful way.

For example: You can be practical and get a like-new TV, some colorful baby food jars or a washer and dryer set.

• Then there's the random listings that make you want the full story behind them — like this vintage yellow toilet seat decorated with pennies available in New Braunfels, or this Lizzie McGuire badge holder.
• Some listings actually seem like a great catch — an antique rug for $125 or a mid-century couch for $250.

The bottom line: Facebook Marketplace gives us a small window into the homes, tastes and ambitions of our neighbors across San Antonio.

• They might really need to get rid of that random item, and you might really need it.