Advertising basically works this way. Nudges demonstrably work at a population level without anyone feeling coerced. In aggregate, for the population as a whole, it likely makes a statistical difference, even though no one in particular feels like it makes a deciding factor. Like, say, with organ donation. Make opt in default, an enrollment goes up.
Unless some other factor associated with suburban living cancels the effect, it seems extremely unlikely that it does not make a difference, even if every individual feels like "the only thing that dictates it is my desire/initiative/ability".
Plus, most work related social functions are quite cringey.
Just give me my pay-check. I'll skip the booze and small talk with coworkers I should be friend with so I have less excuses to quit.
- They miss their kids
- They prefer friends and activities much closer to where they live
- Transit home gets far more complicated the later it gets, particularly when alcohol is involved
Big contrast to being able to catch an underground/subway within a few minutes with no planning, and fall back to a relatively affordable Uber if you get carried away and miss the last one
Socializing, there can be a substantial difference between interaction and meaningful interaction. Both can require time away from favored/necessary activities; both can have multiple consequences (desirable or not). A perceived need for constant contact may be unhealthy.
Tech is a crappy substitute for the real thing (as E. M. Forster famously noted), so has some destructive potential.