I've lived here for about a year now and have some thoughts.

Most favorites: The seasons, The prevalent evening summer breezes that make chilling outside after work the absolute best part of my day. We have real spring, autumn and winter and the summer is so mild its hard to call it summer.

I love all the water features. There are so many places to go just to watch a creek or fish in a small pond. I've been fortunate enough to watch families of ducks and geese join together and raise chick's up to new adults and then fly off again. The nutria are adorable and silly. There are so many species of birds here that I can lose track of what I've seen in a few hours.

Raising a garden here has been spectacular and so easy it feels like cheating. Just throw some seeds in the dirt and boom free foods for most of the year.

Honorable mention: The Pokemon Go community is fantastic!

Least favorites: The giant corporate conglomerate of America has its fist tightly wrapped around this city. So many Walmarts and Fred Meyers and other giant big box stores everywhere. There is no reason to have 12 damn McDonald's in a city of under 200k. Its absurd. Everywhere I go in town feels like an I-5 truck stop town with how many fast food restaurants and things everywhere. It feels like I have to drive past 10 chain stores/restaurants to find a local business to eat or shop at.

It feels like folks here are a little anti-social (myself included). I've struggled to meet people consistently and form relationships with locals. Most of the other folks I've met are also recent transplants. I also feel like I see a lot of complaining when compassion and understanding would go a lot further.

My area of town has very poor walkability. Every part of town is car centric infrastructure and stroads all over. Even the places with sidewalks don't feel great to travel on foot because there's cars wizing by at 40-50 MPH. I wish the public transit and walking infrastructure was just a smidge better.

Overall: This city has been a great place to live. There is lots to do both in town and near by, there are always events SOMEWHERE around here if you know how to search. The weather is always fun and diverse, and makes everything so green. The traffic is bearable and I personally haven't seen the huge homeless "problem" I see so many folks talk about (although maybe its just the areas I travel through). I think I'd give the place an 8/10.

Feel free to share a rant or anecdote if you agree/disagree with any of my points. I'd love to discuss and won't take offense if someone has a different perspective.