Yes I have left the big city in pursuit of a simpler life and it's amazing. But, I think we're talking about two extremes here. I have lived in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and tiny rural Minnesota communities.

By far, the mid-sized city is the best of both worlds.

When I lived in LA, I absolutely felt like I was living in a dystopian parody of a progressive city. When I lived in small towns, I absolutely was annoyed that everyone knew my relatives and thought we were friends or something because of that. Zero anonymity.

But Minneapolis has historically been good, though it's changed a lot since George Floyd. Now we live in a smallish suburb and get all the amenities without the claustrophobic small town bullshit.

OP, just try moving to a distant suburb, and embrace the wisdom of middle age.