I'm about four years shy of retirement myself and had been thinking about doing the small town thing too. But then I realized: a) I like that in the city I can walk to all the things; b) that would mean developing a taste for folk or country if I wanted to see live band and c) I'm getting too old not to be living next to the modern hospital with the fancy gadgets.

I will do this right in the next life!

Too funny. I'm seriously considering moving away myself and having exactly the same concerns! What to do, what to do???

Well, my wife suggested Mission or Abbotsford. I dunno, Abbotsford smells like ass, or is that Chilliwack. Also, it is crawling with methed up rednecks. BUT we could have a lil property with a stream and private nude sunbathing for not that much money, and still be an hour away from the city if the Canucks get good again before I am senile.

It is a puzzlement.

I grew up in one and couldn't wait to flee to the big city.
Occasionally, I return for a visit (aunts, uncles, cousins still there), and end up at the local tavern for a beer.
There I see every reason why I left. - The casual racism, sexism, homophobia, the 1950s-style" traditional values" that I still hate so much. The lower levels of education, and the dumb-ass view of the world that it produces. The support for Trump!!

Yes, I know there are some really good people living in small towns. I've met them, I'm related to some of them. But they're still surrounded by rednecked morons who inevitably ruin the small town experience for me.