Is big city life that fulfilling? For me all the high end cuisine and art galleries started to blur into each other. It was like constant stimulation, very sugary, and I got burnt out. So I quit my job, moved into my truck and will just ski/climb/hike for a year.

I moved from cities to a mountain village where 40 people live at the high point of the year. Best thing I ever did. I still like some cities but the different pace made realize we are just winding ourselves up needlessly. It is indeed an addiction which you do not need to achieve what you want (exceptions aside ofcourse).

But..isn't that what you just said you wanted?

Are you sure it isn't just boring, vs. depressing? Maybe if you find a hobby or side project, it'll counter the boredom.

You might be thinking about it the wrong way. It might be a slower pace of work, but certainly not a slower pace of life as that will always be what you make it. I think the problem here is what you've defined as life.

A slower pace of life allows a person to focus more, in my opinion. I've lived in SV but I live in Tahoe now and get way more done programming from the mountains.

Slower pace from where exactly? SFBA?

I couldn't disagree more, if that's indeed what you're saying.

NYC, yes. SF - absolutely not.