[vulpesx2]

I took a great paying remote job pre-pandemic when I was around 26 and initially planned on moving out of the city to lower COL areas (think 30-40 mins outside of a major hub). OP nailed the piece about living in true middle of nowhere adds more hurdles than value it creates, so that was always out of the question for me.

Three things stopping me from moving that haven't been mentioned yet were:

(1) I had to run out my lease (had signed a 1-year a few months before getting the job) (2) Friends and professional network (all in the city) (3) Fear of losing the remote job / not being able to get another one and having to move back into the city for a job

1 & 2 are fixable with time, but 3 always felt like too big of a risk. Granted, this was pre-pandemic so finding remote opportunities that paid well was harder. Not sure if I'd feel the same way if I had a similar choice in front of me today.