“Most cities are similar in that they have some recreation, nightlife, social life and family events, but not every area has the same job opportunities,” says Brian Coester, appraisal expert. “What makes a city a great place to live depends on whether people can afford to live there comfortably.”
Other criteria to carefully consider when picking a new area of residence include:
climate and weather patterns
quality of and location from local public or private schools
population density
crime rate
ease of transportation and job commute time
property and sales taxes
availability of social, cultural and athletic programs and facilities
state of the resale housing market.
— Erik J. Martin