A small downtown apartment in a smaller city would be affordable, easier to clean and maintain, have elevator access so it doesn't require climbing stairs, will

A small downtown apartment in a smaller city would be affordable, easier to clean and maintain, have elevator access so it doesn't require climbing stairs, will have transit options and amenities in walking distance. It's what young people want to see more of, but NIMBYism (often by aging people) constantly blocks that kind of development.