A Latin proverb seems in order about our discussion: "De gustibus non est disputandum", or no need arguing over tastes.
Personally, I prefer either cities that provide a lot of cultural activities, or I prefer the country where I can enjoy the beauty of nature. For ME, places like Columbus are neither/nor. If Yoshie enjoys Columbus, then that's fine. I will admit though I have to strain to believe anybody would like it...but, of course, to each his/her own.
You are right...there is plenty of urban sprawl to the south of San Francisco, and San Jose is one of those mediocre cities that I hate....So when I extol San Francisco, I mean San Francisco proper.
Thomas
===== "The tradition of all the dead generations
weighs like a nightmare on the brain of the living"
-Karl Marx
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