Surprising alternative cities Bay Area residents can move to, for all types

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People in the Bay Area are more likely to be moving away than residents anywhere else in the country – at least the most recent data says so. The high cost of living and ridiculous real estate market are the biggest factors, along with other quality-of-life reasons (the reasons are simpler for the declining quail population).

But how do you define quality of life? Here at SFGATE, we were thinking of the best alternative U.S. cities where San Franciscans and other Bay Area residents could move to, but that’s a tricky undertaking. The answer will vary depending on what a person values most. A green, pastoral oasis may represent sheer boredom for someone craving a hot live-music scene.

READ ALSO: Is the grass really greener? People who left the Bay Area for the Pacific Northwest tell us why

So considering that, we looked for cities frustrated Bay Area residents can move to, based on what’s most important to them, along with the reasons why. Scroll through the above gallery for all of them. We excluded the three most common cities leading the San Francisco exodus – Seattle, Portland and Austin – since there may be some suitable places you hadn’t thought of – even in red states!

These choices aren’t perfect, and some have cost-of-living issues of their own. But consider them a starting point if you’re thinking of taking the leap.

And if you’re on the fence and looking for reasons to stay, this video above may help you reconsider.