[vacri]

I think most people who want to live off-planet have a very romanticised notion of what that entails. Mars isn't going to be terraformed within our lifetimes, even if it was possible. Living on Mars = living permanently in a tunnel. And if you don't get along with the small community you'll be living with, you'll be screwed. And if you don't like living a fairly regimented lifestyle, you'll be screwed as well; there'll be no equivalent of "let's see what cafes are down this alleyway!".

I think far more people actually want a 'holiday' off-planet, than actually live off-planet.

[Robotbeat]

As far as the latter point, that's fine & perhaps expected. That's why we need to make transport cheap enough so people can come and go.

I know what it's like to live life in a tunnel. That's the Twin Cities in Minnesota during the winter. Minnesota is where the modern indoor shopping mall was invented. The entire downtown of Minneapolis is still walkable in the middle of the winter because all the buildings are connected by temperature controlled skyways and tunnels. No reason you can't see what cafes are in the next building or indoor level.

[RugnirViking]

> let's see what cafes are down this alleyway > And if you don't get along with the small community you'll be living with

You just described rural life in some places pretty much

> living permanently in a tunnel

Adding that one makes it more like living on a submarine or large boat.

Which while unpleasant prospect for many people, there are those who enjoy and/or even prefer it to normal life