[viraptor]

I think you're talking about extremes here, but that's not necessary.

> but a lot of people in rural areas/small towns aren't upper middle class programmers who live off the grid with "sustainable homesteads".

Just moving out of a big city with a similar job gives you a lot of extra cash for saving / planning. It gives you extra time, because you don't need to commute and the one shop is just down the street. You get calmer, more relaxing life.

You don't need to live completely off the grid or fully sustainable. But the extra savings gives you ability to invest in some solar energy/heating. And a tiny garden requires next to no effort and can give you a lot of food once you get a hang of it.

And actually yes, there are a few remotely working tech people in my village of ~2k.