I've spent time in SF, Portland, various cities in Texas, and a year in Florida. (Never the northeast or Colorado, which are omissions - but I hate snow and cold.)
Spent a year in Japan, and a few months in China. Expat life might have been fun if I was still in my 20's...
Despite all of that, Atlanta has always felt right. It's incredibly diverse - way more than many cities - and full of culture. The music scene is on point, and I used to go to shows at least once a week before the pandemic.
I'm frequently on the Beltline (and used to use it to commute to work pre-Covid). The Hooch, ample outdoors, hiking, lakes.
I also own an amazing condo here. 25'' ceilings, penthouse skyline view with 20'' windows, historic all-brick walls. It's amazing. It'd easily cost millions in another city, yet my mortgage payment is less than $2k/mo here.
I'll probably be able to retire at 40. Or start a company with minimal risk.
Georgia has a ton to do, and the cost of living is still incredibly cheap. I can't imagine leaving, just buying a second home.
job search, places to live, lowest crime areas, good food, etc