"I guess we all make choices based on our personal priorities. My major one is being left alone, and being low key."
That's why I live, and work, in a major metro area... so when I retire, which won't be all that long now, I'll be able to immediately move to such an area. I already have a target destination picked out.
By putting up with living in a major metro area it's allowed me to put aside one hell of a nest egg such that when I do retire, I won't have to worry about money at all. Yes, it's annoying now, but living and working here is a means to an end.
I already live pretty simply, and generally stick to myself. I don't feel the need to keep up with the next door neighbors or what they have; my biggest non-necessary expense is my dog.