Why would someone prefer something that you wouldn't? There as many answers to that question as there are people. I for one love big cities, and prefer to live in one even though I'm a remote worker.

You do you, I'll do me, and if we're lucky in life then we'll each find someone whose preferences are similar to our own to share a life with.

Because I get bored. It lacks the cultural diversity and and offerings the big cities have, which is the reason I live in one in the first place, not because of the job. Also most of my friends are here.

I love the countryside for weekend or longer trips when I'm not working and just want to relax all day or go for hikes.

Both have their exciting aspects. Both my boss and I got tired of living in Chicago highrises, even though it has a lot to offer, and my boss is living it up on an island with 10 acres of land and shoreline and wouldn't have it any other way. Me on the other hand, I moved to somewhere that's still closer to a city (so I can still enjoy all the things a city resident can) while having the luxury of a huge house with a private office, big back yard, and a garage full of toys for me to tinker with.

Completely agree. There are many different lifestyles, none inherently better than the other. I just disagree with the sentiment that the only reason to live in a big city is because of work. At least for the kind of positions people on HN tend to hold. It's not like working fully remotely was impossible pre-pandemic.

I definitely see the appeal of owning a huge house and I might well consider it in the future, especially if I have children. But for now, I wouldn't know what to do with it. I own few things of the maximal quality I can afford. Even my city apartment is viewed as somewhat spartanic by some. So I prefer renting an entire place in different parts of the country with my girlfriend or friends for a couple of days at the time meanwhile living in my favorite part of the city where most everything I want to do or need is within 20 minutes walking distance.

I've lived in NYC, SF, Boston, and now the country side.

Each have their pros and cons, just like anything in life.

For one, in NYC I liked being able to walk everywhere and not owning a car.

Because I want to be able to do things without sitting in a car for half an hour first.

My stress levels plummeted after moving from a distant suburb to a city apartment. I haven't driven a car in months. All the walking has done wonders for my health, physical and mental.

The only stressed people are the ones coming from the suburbs to the city and back again every day and almost all of that stress is in the driving / transport part.

I agree that many people end up wanting that, but certainly some see the lure of a big city and would (at first, at least) love to interact with people on a daily basis.

why would someone assume that is the superior mode of operation for every human neuro-type?

What’s the dating scene like out in the countryside?

You have a car, so you set a larger search radius and get the same number of rejections.

Rural areas tend to be more conservative and less diverse. I don't want to drive 15+ minutes just to get to the grocery store. I like having specialty shops around. I value access to museums, cultural events, and art festivals. I don't want to be an hour from the nearest hospital.

Seriously, you couldn't pay me to live in the countryside.