Some hcol areas have rural areas nearby, that end up being like a low cost of living. I live in south jersey, close to Philly. I am 20 minutes from bars and th

Some hcol areas have rural areas nearby, that end up being like a low cost of living. I live in south jersey, close to Philly. I am 20 minutes from bars and theaters and city life, but the cost of living is considerably lower. (ok, jersey taxes sucks) Delaware is similar. There are many rural settings near Wilmington, and not too too far from Philly either. Where I am is more like suburbia, but my daughter goes horseback riding 10 minutes from our house on a legit farm land. We have dreamed of buying a farm near there, and it feels like cheating to live in a farm so close to city living. Our house is more secluded than most, and I love the feeling of being isolated and not having to worry about my noise bothering the neighbors, and vice versa. And it is clean. Dang. Most city's are filthy. I have to wash my shoes every time I go to NYC. Our small town has a local board game store, and local breweries, and smaller stores. I have gotten to know the people there, and made friends, and I am truly part of the community. It takes actual effort to get out when you remote, and some of the people I know here are totally recluse. If you are an introvert, I would really consider the toll in human connection as a real possibility. Smaller communities have problems too. And lots of "no one is doing anything about it" happens as well.