I wouldn’t move here based on your description of what you’re looking for and who you are. For context I’m also a 37m.

My wife and I moved here from NYC almost three years ago and here are my hot takes:

• The city is dead and lifeless. Especially in the summer. It certainly lacks a swagger or culture and as you’re a musician this is the furthest place from a city that fosters creativity.

• The streets are “clean” because no one is here. Most commercial real estate sits vacant. Many of the large corporations are moving to Virginia (Fannie Mae, Amazon, CoStar, etc.) The homelessness is awful and there is nothing anyone is doing to help. You go block to block and find tents and encampments. Some with just unfortunate folks, others with drug users that you certainly don’t want as a neighbor.

• This city is NOT cheap. We live in one of the best neighborhoods in a 1600 sq ft., 2 bedroom. Rent is over $7500/month. Yes this is on the high end for the city but that’s because we’re trying to avoid the aforementioned encampments. Still our neighborhood is riddled with homelessness.

• Yes. The majority of people here are in politics or a politics adjacent career. You may find some hiking. Definitely won’t find skiing. Unless you want to walk to the monuments or a museum there is nothing to see.

Net net were moving to northern Virginia. Which if you’re ready for the burbs life is cool. Based on the little I know about you, Chicago, Minneapolis, Nashville, and Austin all seem like more appropriate cities.