I actually live in Bialystok but I'm from Augustow [about 90km from Bialystok] It's a turist region in summer, lots of lakes, forests, places to camp itąs called ,,green loung of Poland,,.
I actually live in Bialystok, what can I say... It's not so bad then few years ago. A lot of new places to go out, shops...
It's still not a west europe but it's going in this direction ;) IMO another place to live. Oh and it's close to lithuanian [holidays on the sea is cheaper then in poland] and close to Augustow etc with lakes and p[laces to get relax in summer ;)