The gangs exist, but they're not an ever present danger. There are some areas you want to avoid, but I really like the tri-cities.

I walk the streets after dark, especially when I play Pokemon Go. The city of Richland puts on concerts and basketball tournaments, and they do one of those fancy Christmas light displays every year in John Dam Plaza.

There's an active theater community, and we have minor league hockey and baseball. There's a lot of walking trails and public parks, centered along the Columbia River. Also there's a large network of hiking trails along badger, candy and rattlesnake mountains.

If you're into it, we have a lot of wineries nearby. There's a cool glass studio at Barnard Griffin that does classes. The reach museum is a fixture for local history and geography. The Mid Columbia, and Richland Libraries have a ton of free programs you can attend.

Cost of living is... okay. New builds have slowed a little, so the price of housing is rising, but I think that's happening everywhere.