See above 👆

I haven't lived in Charlotte or Nashville. Visiting a city for weeks doesn't give me enough experience to talk about living there.

Of the cities I mentioned above, I've enjoyed SF and SD the most, by a wide margin, for the reasons I stated.

Personally, since I have no kids and I'm under 50, the pros of living in SF with higher cost of living is worth it to me.

Another thing to consider. Buying and renting in SF are 2 different scenarios. I can rent an apartment in SF for 50% or what the mortgage would be. In Chicago, rent is 125% of what a mortgage would be.

I'm not prepared to purchase a condo/house in SF, burlt renting is worth it to me.