[freyir]

Out of curiosity, what other cities have you lived in?

I've lived in few (San Diego, Boston, Phoenix, Los Angeles), visited many more in the US and abroad for work, I'd rank San Francisco near the bottom of the pack.

This might not be the case for you, but many people I've met who really love SF moved here in their 20s. Any city is going to be amazing at that age -- you're young and independent and thriving on the new experiences a city provides. Naturally, you're going to form an attachment.

Most people who move to SF later in their life seem less tolerant of its many problems.

[jaredklewis]

Getting kind of off topic, just curious (as someone who has visited all the cities on your list as well as SF and lived in another five cities): what is the soul of Phoenix? My impression (from an admittedly short trip) was that of a souless wasteland where people moved from ACed building to ACed building by ACed car. It was like the outdoors was a minefield or something.

Not saying my impression was right. Maybe there are limits on what can be gleaned from a trip, as suggested by the parent.