1. Los Angeles, California
Ah, Los Angeles—the city of angels and endless traffic. People love to post beach sunsets and smoothies from Erewhon, but behind the filters, many are quietly drowning in rent. The glamor is real, but so is the struggle to find a decent apartment that doesn’t cost a small fortune, according to Jas Kang of Spectrum News. And let’s be honest: nobody actually likes driving an hour to go six miles.
Still, LA keeps its charm thanks to the weather, the entertainment industry, and the hope that “this audition might be the one.” It’s a city full of dreamers who often act like they’re thriving when they’re really just hanging on. There’s a culture of pretending things are better than they are—maybe it’s just good PR. But scratch beneath the surface, and you’ll find plenty of discontent dressed up in designer shades.
2. Austin, Texas
Austin brands itself as weird, and that’s exactly how a lot of people feel living there—oddly out of place. With a tech boom that’s skyrocketed housing prices, long-time locals often feel pushed out of their own neighborhoods. It’s hot—like, 100-degrees-for-months hot—and the infrastructure isn’t keeping up with the growth, according to Karoline Leonard of the Austin American-Statesman. Still, everyone talks about how much they love it.
Many newcomers from California or the East Coast are determined to make it work, at least online. They’ll post tacos, murals, and live music like it’s all magic, even while grumbling about traffic and power outages. The vibe can feel performative—like people are convincing themselves it’s paradise. But hey, at least there’s good brisket to distract from the existential crisis.
3. Denver, Colorado
Denver is beautiful, sure—but living there isn’t always a Rocky Mountain high. People gush about the outdoors, but many spend more time in I-70 traffic than actually hiking. Rent has soared as transplants flood in, and locals are getting priced out of what used to be chill neighborhoods, according to Catie Cheshire of Westword. Winters are no joke either, and that mile-high sunburn hits hard.
Despite this, everyone acts like they’re loving life in fleece jackets with their rescue dogs and craft beer. The outdoorsy image is real, but it’s also a mask for deeper frustrations. People often feel pressure to seem “Colorado cool” even when life is stressful and expensive. You’re either snowboarding or pretending you like it.
4. Seattle, Washington
Seattleites love to say they don’t mind the rain—it’s a lie. Months of gray skies can really weigh you down, even if you pretend to love sipping coffee in a cozy flannel. The cost of living is sky-high thanks to tech companies, and homelessness is a serious and visible issue, according to Melissa Santos of Axios. Yet there’s a polite insistence that it’s all worth it for the scenery and “quality of life.”
Many residents privately question if they’re happy but won’t say it out loud. There’s a stoic vibe here where admitting dissatisfaction feels taboo. Everyone’s supposed to be chill and grateful, even if they haven’t seen the sun in 30 days. So people post their mountain views and keep quiet about the seasonal depression.
5. Miami, Florida
Miami is flashy and fun—but living there is a very different story from visiting on spring break. The heat and humidity are relentless, the traffic is wild, and insurance premiums for homes are some of the highest in the nation. Climate change anxiety is real, with rising sea levels and increasingly severe storms. But hey, at least the nightlife’s great, right?
Locals and transplants alike often play up the “luxury lifestyle” even if it’s mostly illusion. Instagram might say yacht parties and mojitos, but behind the scenes it’s a grind. The city can feel superficial, and maintaining the Miami image is practically a full-time job. You smile for the camera and sweat through your shirt in silence.
6. Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville isn’t just country music and bachelorette parties—it’s also traffic congestion and skyrocketing rents. The city’s grown so fast that infrastructure hasn’t kept up, and locals are feeling the squeeze. Some complain it’s losing its Southern charm under the weight of all the new development. But if you’re not enthusiastic about it, you’re a party pooper.
Residents are expected to love the “big city/small town” vibe, even when it feels more like a construction site. People act like every weekend is a honky-tonk dream, but many just want a decent grocery store that’s not a 20-minute drive. There’s a lot of pretending going on to keep the city’s cheerful image alive. And no, not everyone actually likes hot chicken.
7. Portland, Oregon
Portland tries hard to stay weird—but sometimes it feels like it’s trying too hard. Beneath the quirky charm are deep concerns about affordability, homelessness, and political tension. The weather is relentlessly gloomy for most of the year, which doesn’t exactly help the mood. Still, people act like riding a unicycle in the rain is totally normal and fulfilling.
There’s a culture of ironic detachment, where complaining feels uncool. Residents often mask their frustrations with sarcasm and a vegan donut. Everyone’s supposed to be laid-back and progressive, even when burnout is widespread. It’s hard to know if people genuinely love it or just feel obligated to.
8. San Diego, California
San Diego is almost paradise, but not quite. Yes, the beaches and weather are fantastic, but you’ll pay dearly for them—housing costs are among the highest in the nation. Wages often don’t match the cost of living, and there’s a serious shortage of affordable rentals. Still, no one dares admit they’re unhappy with 72 and sunny.
People act like they’re living the dream because, well, they’re supposed to. Complaining feels like a betrayal of the SoCal ideal. Behind every surfboard and avocado toast is someone quietly calculating how to make rent. It’s hard to frown when the sun’s out, but plenty do—just indoors.
9. Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has a lot to love—but winter isn’t one of them. Months of bitter cold and gray skies have even the most loyal Chicagoans questioning their life choices. The crime and political dysfunction are very real issues, even if people try to downplay them. Yet there’s an intense pride in being tough enough to live there.
That pride can morph into denial, with folks insisting they love the “seasons” and the “grit.” It’s the kind of place where everyone has a favorite deep-dish spot but secretly dreams of moving to Arizona. Admitting you’re tired of the cold feels like sacrilege. So people fake a smile, bundle up, and keep defending the lakefront like it’s sacred ground.
10. New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans has soul, no doubt—but daily life here isn’t just beads and brass bands. The city struggles with crime, poverty, and a decaying infrastructure that includes regular boil-water advisories. Hurricane anxiety is always looming, and public services can be painfully slow. But say anything negative and you’re accused of disrespecting the culture.
Locals and transplants alike often romanticize the city to justify the hardships. The food, music, and festivals are incredible, but they don’t cancel out the everyday challenges. There’s an emotional connection that keeps people loyal, even when they’re exhausted. Loving New Orleans sometimes means pretending everything’s fine when it clearly isn’t.
11. Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is hot—really hot—and no amount of poolside lounging can make that okay for everyone. Summers regularly reach 115°F, and there’s no ocean breeze to make it bearable. The urban sprawl makes everything a drive, and public transit isn’t great. Yet people constantly talk about how “it’s a dry heat.”
Many pretend they love the climate, even as they sprint from their air-conditioned house to their air-conditioned car. It’s also a favorite destination for Californians seeking affordability—but the growth is straining resources. Behind the palm trees and golf courses is a city struggling to keep up with itself. But everyone still insists it’s better than LA.
12. Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City has stunning scenery and a clean downtown, but it’s not always easy to live there. The housing market has become surprisingly brutal, and the cultural dynamics can feel alienating to outsiders. There’s a strong religious influence that affects everything from alcohol laws to social life. Yet people keep posting mountain views and pretending it’s all smooth sailing.
Many residents feel a quiet disconnect between the image and their reality. Transplants may struggle to find community, while locals are dealing with change they didn’t ask for. It’s a place of contradictions, where people smile politely but don’t always speak their truth. You might love the skiing, but that doesn’t mean you’re having a great time year-round.
13. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the city that’s always “on the rise”—but for many, it’s a hustle to stay afloat. Traffic is infamously bad, and public transit is limited, making daily life a logistical headache. Gentrification is changing the character of many neighborhoods, and affordability is slipping away. But the city’s culture—music, food, history—is so celebrated, people feel pressure to focus on the good.
There’s a strong civic pride here that can sometimes feel like a muzzle. Complaining about Atlanta is almost taboo, especially among locals who’ve watched it evolve. People act like they love the grind, even when it’s exhausting. The city’s vibe is magnetic, but it takes a lot to keep up the illusion.
