I'd love if more people on HN could read your post. As someone who's spent more than half of his life overseas in an ultra high density city, I wouldn't trade my quiet American suburb by a glamorous city with perfect public transportation anywhere in the world. It was great when I was single and cared about meeting girls and partying, but no more.
With respect, despite writing “anywhere in the world”, I doubt you have experienced the places in the world that might change your opinion.
I can think of multiple European towns which offer a great quality of life together with (thanks to safe cycling and great public transport) the ability to live largely or entirely car-free, if that’s your choice.
Europe is nice. But I would never want to live in European cities unless I was a gazillionaire and could afford a large, modern property with a garage for a good car (which wouldn't be used as often but still used sometimes).
With that much money, anyone could be fine anywhere. The European lifestyle wouldn't be bad during retirement, but still not ideal because I would want the peace of a smaller town anyway.
I’m not referring to large cities; I’m thinking of places in the (say) 100-200k size range. Small enough to cycle around for all of your regular needs, and just large enough to have plenty of life, culture, and community. And in such places you can certainly live very well, far below a gazillionaire’s income :)
I'll stick to my 5K town at the encased in the feet of a mountain range, nestled in between two rivers, and within driving distance of the largest employers in the world.
It's quiet. No matter how you spin a 100-200K sized city, it will never be this quiet.
It sounds nice but too much work for relatively little gain. One of those situations where you trade the devil you know by the devil you don't. I find the US lifestyle great in its own unique away. But Europe could be nice too... Sounds like something I'd do if I could teleport my stuff, stay a few years for the experience, then teleport back.
When I was 20 I couldn’t imagine living anywhere other than in the heart of a city. I loved the energy and all the things to do.
When I had kids, the suburbs suddenly made a lot of sense. Better schools, tons of neighborhood sports, lots of kids around, very dog friendly, etc…
Now that I’m an empty nester, I’d love to move further out of the city. Get more space around me, have a smaller home but a bigger workshop, sauna, and garden.
I can imagine that when I hit my 70’s or 80’s, I might want to be back in the city again closer to other people, healthcare, and other services that will be a bigger part of my life.
There really isn’t one ideal setup for me in all parts of my life.
To each their own, right?