You bring up an interesting argument: is it healthier to live Urbanely vs Rurally? I see many advantages & disadvantages for both.

Having grown up in a city, and tried both, I plan to live somewhere in the middle:

On the outskirts of a small city (For me, about 30000-80,000 seems to be the sweet spot, preferably with a university, and with large enough parks for a 2 hour hike, and/or a river) while also being within 45 minutes from a large city.

I work remotely, and I am interested in living closer to nature and keeping a few livestock.

At a 45 minute distance, a 2-day-hybrid work week wouldn't be too bad, especially since that city offers things I can't get in my town (specialty groceries and IT meetup events).