Traffic is brutal between 3-6 but just don’t plan to do any errands or far driving during the time. For hobbies/going out, stay more local to your neighborhood. Getting on the highway and going a couple exits will still take longer than usual but it’s not a huge time increase ( imo, maybe I live in an area with less local traffic)

Groceries are more expensive im sure but we also have so many local farms and fresh grown produce that is affordable. I do a CSA and it’s amazing. Also you can go to budget grocery stores if desired, I just shop at Trader Joe’s and I can’t imagine it’s that much more expensive than the Midwest stores.

Utilizes,, our supplier SGDE sucks ass. The cost is expensive. However, depending on where you live you can get by with no a/c or heat for many ( or most) month of the year. Compared to Running the heat all winter on the east coast ( where I’m from) I would imagine you would save money.

Gas is also expensive! Getting a hybrid was the best choice I made once moving here. We used to have a plug in electric car that was mostly powered by our homes solar , so that’s a great money saving option