1. Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh has been on every “Best Places to Live” list, and tech and life sciences jobs keep luring new residents. But with the boom has come sticker shock, and many complain about the skyrocketing cost of living, according to Zachery Eanes, Alex Fitzpatrick, and Kavya Beheraj of Axios. The city’s roads are crowded, and transit options are limited, especially for commuters. It’s got Southern charm—but it’s also got growing pains.
Cultural and nightlife options can feel underwhelming compared to bigger metros. Many people also find it tricky to plug into the community unless they have a job or school connection. It’s great for families, but single professionals often feel like they’ve outgrown it quickly. A great place to live—but not always to thrive.
2. Boise, Idaho
Boise was once one of the best-kept secrets in the Mountain West. Then the Californians came—and with them, home prices surged by nearly 50% between 2020 and 2022, according to Andrew DePrieto of Forbes. New arrivals rave about the outdoor lifestyle but quickly gripe about how hard it is to buy a home now. Longtime residents are also pushing back, adding tension to the mix.
Complaints about sprawl and traffic are becoming more common as Boise rapidly expands. Many people expect a quaint, small-town pace, but they’re met with growing pains instead. Schools are overcrowded, and infrastructure is struggling to keep up. It’s beautiful, yes—but less peaceful than it used to be.
3. Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is bursting with opportunity, especially in entertainment, health care, and tech. But newcomers often find the “It City” has more chaos than charm these days. Traffic congestion is a nightmare, according to Carrie Sharp of News Channel 5, and the city’s housing costs have skyrocketed with its popularity. Even Broadway, with all its honky-tonk fun, can feel like Vegas on a bender.
What surprises many transplants is how difficult it is to find a sense of community. Nashville’s explosive growth has outpaced its infrastructure, with locals and newcomers alike frustrated by poorly planned developments. Summers are humid, tornado sirens are a real thing, and the charm of the South can be a bit elusive under stress. It’s still fun—but not always easy.
4. Denver, Colorado
Denver attracts those craving mountain views and a strong job market. But folks quickly realize the Mile High City also comes with a mile-high cost of living. Rent is steep, home prices remain out of reach for many, and the growing unhoused population is a major concern, according to Joe Rubino, Seth Klamann, and Aldo Svaldi of The Denver Post. Plus, traffic and air quality have gotten noticeably worse.
Some transplants come for the snowboarding, but get disillusioned when I-70 traffic to the slopes is at a standstill. Others are shocked by how dry and sunburn-prone Denver’s climate is. And don’t expect serene mountain town vibes—Denver is an urban sprawl that’s feeling growing pains everywhere. It’s not quite the utopia that outdoor-loving remote workers imagined.
5. Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix has long been a magnet for retirees and sun-seekers, but the influx of younger remote workers has changed the dynamic. People are shocked by the extreme heat—triple digits for months isn’t exactly “dry heat” comfort. Water scarcity is a growing concern, and the city’s sprawl means long drives for just about everything. Affordable housing? Not as affordable as it used to be.
Despite its booming economy, newcomers often complain about the lack of green space and the car-dependent lifestyle. Public transportation is limited, and walking isn’t always an option in 115-degree heat. Cultural amenities are growing, but the city can still feel sterile and suburban. The sunsets are gorgeous—but they don’t fix everything.
6. Tampa, Florida
Tampa is having a moment, with a booming job market, lower taxes, and beach access all wrapped in one. But people moving in are quickly discovering the downsides: hurricane anxiety, insurance nightmares, and absurdly high humidity. Housing prices have surged, and flood zones make homeownership tricky and expensive. The city’s infrastructure hasn’t caught up to its growth spurt, either.
Traffic is another sore spot, with I-275 and I-4 often congested beyond reason. While there’s no state income tax, property taxes and insurance premiums can be shocking. And while the beach is close, the drive and crowds can take the shine off your sun-soaked dreams. It’s a paradise—but a complicated one.
7. Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte has been drawing new residents with its finance industry, temperate weather, and relatively affordable housing—at least until recently. Those moving in quickly learn that affordability is evaporating fast. The housing market is highly competitive, and property taxes are rising to match. And while there’s a lot of new development, it often lacks personality.
Many transplants miss walkable neighborhoods and feel stuck in their cars in sprawling suburbs. Complaints also center on growing traffic congestion and a transit system that can’t quite handle the population boom. The weather brings both hurricanes and surprise snowstorms. Charlotte’s trying to catch up to its own popularity—and not everyone’s enjoying the wait.
8. Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is another Southern star that’s been growing like crazy. But moving there often means learning to live with some of the nation’s worst traffic. MARTA, the public transit system, doesn’t come close to covering the whole metro area, which sprawls across dozens of suburbs. Combine that with rising home prices and some rough air quality days, and newcomers start venting quickly.
Many transplants are also surprised by how segregated the city can feel, both economically and racially. While the food scene and cultural institutions are thriving, gentrification has displaced longtime residents in neighborhoods like Old Fourth Ward and West End. It’s a city of opportunity, but also one of serious inequity. And navigating it—literally and figuratively—isn’t easy.
9. Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City has become a hotspot for young professionals and families chasing outdoor access and a solid job market. But once they arrive, complaints start piling up—especially about air quality, which suffers badly in winter due to inversion. Home prices have soared, and housing supply hasn’t kept pace. Plus, the city’s nightlife and social scene are still catching up.
Some also feel like outsiders in a place with deep religious and cultural roots. While SLC is diversifying, it can feel culturally homogeneous and conservative to many new arrivals. That disconnect can make it harder to settle in. Beautiful views and mountain trails? Yes. But fitting in? Not always simple.
10. Portland, Oregon
Portland’s reputation for indie culture, nature access, and progressive values drew in thousands during the 2010s. But post-2020, the city has seen backlash from both residents and newcomers. Homelessness has become highly visible and politically charged, and public services have struggled to keep up. Crime concerns, whether overstated or not, are top of mind for many.
Newcomers expecting a quirky, bikeable utopia often face sticker shock—Portland isn’t cheap anymore. Rainy winters and long gray stretches can also hit people harder than they expect. And while its food scene is still strong, the city’s vibe has changed, leaving some people wondering if they missed the golden years. Portland’s still cool—but also complicated.
11. Austin, Texas
Everyone seems to be heading to Austin for tech jobs, tacos, and a thriving live music scene. But after the move, a common chorus begins: “It’s so expensive now!” The cost of living has skyrocketed thanks to an influx of high earners from Silicon Valley and elsewhere. And let’s not forget the relentless traffic and summer heat that feels like a punishment for leaving California.
What used to be a quirky, laid-back city now has some locals lamenting the “death of weird.” Housing prices more than doubled in less than a decade, and even staple neighborhoods like South Congress are becoming unaffordable. People love the vibe but get blindsided by how tough it is to settle in. Still, it’s hard to quit Austin entirely—until July rolls around.
12. Seattle, Washington
Seattle has tech jobs, natural beauty, and that moody coastal charm. But if you ask around, you’ll hear the same groans: it’s wildly expensive, especially for housing. Traffic is brutal, and the city’s layout (surrounded by water and hills) makes expansion tricky. Oh, and the rain? It’s real—and it wears people down.
Seattleites often struggle with what’s called the “Seattle Freeze,” a cultural aloofness that makes it hard to make friends. Homelessness is another growing concern, with encampments visible throughout the city. And while the food and music scenes are top-notch, many people find the high cost of living outweighs the perks. It’s gorgeous—but it comes at a price.
13. Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas has become one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., thanks to no state income tax, affordable homes (compared to LA), and year-round entertainment. But a lot of new arrivals hit a wall with the brutal summers—think 110+ degrees for weeks. Water concerns from the Colorado River crisis are also becoming harder to ignore. And let’s not forget: living here isn’t quite the same as vacationing here.
Many people also complain about limited career options outside of hospitality and tourism. The sprawl and limited public transportation add to a sense of disconnect. Locals can feel isolated despite the city’s 24/7 buzz. It’s fun for a weekend—but full-time life can be a gamble.
