LOL We all have different versions of the city and the country because your description is almost entirely on par with what many consider what LARGE CITIES have to offer. I was born in on of the largest metro areas in the USA, so I know where of I speak. Mass homelessness, VERY corrupt politicians, roaches, mice, PRUDES GALORE, bad smells, nosey neighbors, lots of crimes (I remember my car breaking down a mile from my home and being terrified that I would be mugged or even killed on the way home) rude people, heavily rundown areas of the large city, locals trying to impose on you, a culture of the elite on one side of the tracks and a culture of poverty on the other side. I cannot speak for every large city though, but that is what many people think of large cities. Some people though couldn't fathom not having their operas, symphonies, 5-star restaurants, and all the other cool stuff very large cities provide, but big or small, they all have their pros and cons, so thank God that most of have the choice to live in either one. I would rather be poor my entire life and live in a smaller area than make a 6-figure income and live back in the city I was born in...which I will not mention because I do not want to offend anyone from that city. Personally, I like a small area that is within an hour or two from a larger area. It's all good though!

I'm old AF and did the reverse a few years back. I retired and got tired of the traffic and skyrocketing cost of living and decided to move. I figured if I live somewhere cheaper I can play music 24/7 and be happy. So I ended up getting rid of a house full of stuff so I could move into a studio apartment that basically gear everywhere and never been so happy. Later decided the studio apartment was too small and moved to a one bedroom and the bedroom is my music room.
Where I'm at isn't that small, but it is after living my whole life in big cities so I do miss the big city now and then.

Now in my younger days I was doing the computer thing and at one point decided to move across country to Boston. I only took what I could fit into my car. If you have a reason to do it, giving up stuff to move where you feel your opportunities are isn't that hard to do. Being old now and looking back a lesson I didn't learn until later is to always live below your means. It helps you appreciate what you do have and you have some cushion for when times get rough. By living simpler you have more time and money to do what you love and that is very valuable.

Exactly, so many of the problems we can list are exactly the same in both places even if they manifest slightly different.

I grew up in Florida in a trailer park with cow fields on 3 sides, a river on the other, 3 power plant stacks on the skyline, riding in the back of my dads barely running pickup. Then I lived in Boston and Cambridge for 15 years and went to a fancy college. Now I've split the difference in Chattanooga, TN. No hate on any of the living styles I've had, there's plenty of good in all of them.

Yeah, no hate on either side also, but it is incredible that both sides see things so differently. Chattanooga? True story- When I left the Army in 1992 I drove my little Dodge Colt hatchback from Ft. Stewart, GA all the way to Idaho where my parents had just bought a home (moving from that very large metro area we previously lived at). I got off to a late start in the day and decided to stop in Chattanooga for the night. I had hardly any money so I stopped at the dirt-cheapest motel I could find....evidently in a bad part of town. Outside my hotel room I heard multiple gun shots (seriously) and heard people screaming and yelling at each other all night. Finally at around 3am I decided that I had enough, snuck back to my car, looking over my shoulder the entire way, and drove over 30 hours straight to Idaho. Good times! This was back in 1992, so hopefully it's better now?

Definitely!

Koolness. I look forward to the pics and the new studio?

Chicago-LA-Atlanta-LA-Nashville-LA-London-Berlin

I've done it so much I've gone from racks of outboard and lots of instruments to ITB, 3 guitars and a bass, only one guitar of which is irreplaceable so that and the p bass always fly with me. It's been very freeing to be unattached to things, live clutter-free and travel light. Nomad work-life gift of the internet age. Good luck on your adventure

edit: oops forgot the novation peak-otherwise ITB...

Thanks! I think I'm keeping most of my gear after all. Our house just sold for nearly double what we paid for it 4 years ago, so I'm off to Morgantown to make an offer on a home next week and should hopefully be building a new studio in May and plan to fill it with even more gear. Excited!

Congrats, Sean! Looking forward to following your new adventures and new set-up!

That was me who left everything last year and moved to the east side of the country. Do you remember that terrible fire? I did not want to come back there and decided to stay in the New England region. I feel calm here. All the material things do not play any role.

depends what it is, I don't regret selling my crappy squire that never played well, it held a lot of sentimental value but it was rubbish, thesedays I want quality over quantity.