Possible, but widely variable: * The bus system and rail is better than many people seem to be aware -- if you live/work near a good line you can commute as qu

Possible, but widely variable: * The bus system and rail is better than many people seem to be aware -- if you live/work near a good line you can commute as quickly as an auto commuter (and sometimes quicker). Once you have to make multiple transfers or otherwise bridge a gap, speed of transportation goes down fast. * Bicycling is possible, but the quality of bike accommodations varies widely and so does the consideration afforded cyclists. * Real estate costs here are lower than San Francisco and New York but still far from sane for the median wage... even modest homes are often much more expensive to rent (let alone buy) than you'd think.