Crime and cost of living in your area.
I live in Charleston, SC. Real estate is expensive, but everything else is normal. Unlike where you live, I lived in DuPont, I ran from that area as quick as I could. Lived in Washington three times, I don’t recognize that shithole anymore. I am referencing on the left side of the mountains. You can’t go 25 feet without seeing a help wanted sign here, including the post office.
I know you wanted to keep politics out of it, but if you are thinking safety, among other things, you must think about it.