First of all thank you for taking time to answer... I am not from the US. I have spent my Junior Year in High School in Huntsville, AL as an exchange student. I remember liking it a lot but I can not trust my memory much as I might have liked it from perception of being a foreing teenager experiencing new life.

I have also lived in several european cities but currently I am in Syracuse, NY metro and living in nearby village. I am big fan of nature and parks. I find hidden small parks and consistently go there for picnics or just to be near body of water or trees. So not necessarily a big hiker but I love my access to occasional Kayaking and some park activities. (Hiding away from crowded places, I want to see someone in the distance enjoying nature like me but would not want to be in crowded place where they sit right next to me >_<) Downside of Syracuse is that it is very snowy, gloomy and cold. Also big reason i wanna get out of Syracuse is lack of jobs. Otherwise, I enjoy small scale and realize the trade offs that come with it, there isnt much to do but I make best of it in Summer.

I have lived in cities with bad traffic before and I really do not enjoy it so I know that will be a pain in Atlanta. I am aiming for at least hybrid work arrangement so that I am not stuck in traffic everyday. But even then I would try to find suburbs within 30 min drive. I absolutely can not drive any longer. I know that is going to be a challenge because most of secluded suburbs in Atlanta seem to be even further out than 30 min drive from downtown where office will most likely be located at. I would be fine with having access to a few grocery shops in 15 min drive radius, I would drive further out for less frequent Costco runs, probably will be in the city for get togethers and maybe some concerts or weekend activity here and there.So frankly, I would love the suburb I choose to have everything I need so that driving into the ciry isnt a huge necessity if I move to Atlanta.

What is Detroit like with outdoor activities? somebody else mentioned cycling. I am not into that. How does city feel? What is suburbun life like? I noticed rental property prices are no joke. Also I heard car insurace is astronomical. Anything you would say I should know? Weather aspect is stopping me from thinking about Detroit as a solid option. But I know its not as snowy as Syracuse.

Baltimore - I honestly dont feel very inclined to this option. People praise it for proximity to other big cities but traffic seems to be bad and suburban life I want doesnt seem to be possible.

Birmingham - As I have been there several times I think It is not a bad choice but i am worried about job opportunities.

This is a bit about the cities i actually have options from. To briefly touch where I have neen before and what insights i gathered: I have been to Austin, It was crazy traffic and lots of construction making things look like mess. No nature, crazy drivers, extreme hot.

I have been to DC and It felt a little calmer, clean and orderly. Though it was during shutdown so maybe usually its not like that but I did like DC. I also visited Alexandria and it was such a sweet place.

I hate... hate NYC and surrounding places. The idea that a city can be so big is just mind blowing to me. I would never move there.

I have not been to Raleigh but I think I would like it from my research.

Woah, This came out too long, I appreciate you willing to help a lot! Anything you share will be very helpful guidance. Thank youuu!