[klardotsh]

Absolutely this. I was a huge fan of living in cities ages 18-24ish (Chicago, Vancouver, Seattle) and couldn't picture myself elsewhere - but the pandemic, my own mental health, and just generally a desire in life to be at peace while the world around me gets crazier, drove me out to the woods and (soon, for a change of pace) the sea. I have a few close friends I see when I need in-person interaction, I volunteer with an important education-adjacent org when I need to feel connected to a deeper cause and community, and otherwise, I am so tired of constantly having to hear other humans, be subjected to unending car pollution (air quality and the less-discussed one: tire and engine noise pollution), pay exorbitant and extortionate rent, and many of the other concerns that come from living in dense places.

There's no right answer for everyone. Some folks will only thrive in one environment or the other, and that's fine. But as for me? You'll catch me continuing to peruse listings for acreage in far-flung places where I can be left alone.