Easier to do in some places than others.

Public transport is nonexistent in several places here in Texas for example - you have to have a car (or know someone who does) to get to your job in the first place. But commuting puts wear and tear on the car, especially if you can't find work particularly close to where you live.

I read a book once on extreme early retirement that advised to pick your place of work and house so that they were within walking distance of each other and also walking distance to a grocery store. The quality of the work and even your income weren't as critical as this. The idea being the goal was to finish work as soon as possible in your life when investment income could take over. Live in a one room rental, have one plate, a pot and a fork. Be a Spartan. That was the gist of it. Retire in five to ten years. Was compelling on some levels but orders of magnitude more difficult when you consider trying to bring a spouse and family into this.

That's rich people advice. Poor people know that wages can vary so much from place to place.

I would find that kind of Spartan life to be pretty bleak and depressing. Sure, some people would like it, but I expect most people would not.

Or since this is tech we’re talking about, just work from home then live where you want, no need to be stuck in a tiny apartment in a big city.

Those have "no car problems" that are objectively worse than "old car problems", since the (often disastrous) consequence of the later is throwing some of the former at you.

Yes, there are some places where public transportation both exists, doesn't take most of your day, and is cheaper than cars. Those places must be great, but as a 3rd worlder I barely know them (it's not a huge problem for me, personally, it's just enraging).