Why dont more people live in smaller communities , appart from economic opportunity (WFH is making it possible if not prefferable too)

I live in New York City and have no desire to move to the suburbs or countryside. It's great here.

• I can walk to most of my needs. Several grocery stores, pharmacies, a big park, bars, restaurants. I don't need a car.
• there's a thriving music scene. I can go see live stuff of many genres every night if I want
• a deep dating pool. Lots of people. Lots of queer people too, if that's your jam.
• I like there being people around. The empty streets of the suburbs feel spooky and hostile to me.
• more people means it's easier to get group activities going. Join a soccer team. Brass band. Bird watching group. Knitting community. There's everything. Usually more than one, in case a particular group isn't your vibe.
• stuff is open later.

Some of the things people imagine about cities aren't really true

• it's not constant noise
• I typically can't hear my neighbors
• people don't typically interact with you on the street, but if you need help someone will usually step up
• it's not shoulder to shoulder constantly. People seem to imagine it's always times Square on NYE, but it's just not.

While you're not unseen like you might be in the countryside, no one really cares that they do see you.

Some people want "more space" but I don't really know what for. A one bedroom apartment is fine for me. What would I do with more rooms?

If I had kids, I wouldn't want to put them in the suburban hell cage like I had. Nothing to do. Can't get anywhere on your own. Don't like the few dozen kids in your school? Well that's your whole pool of friendship options. I was always so jealous of the kids I knew that lived in the city. They could just get on the train and go to the beach, or go skating, or go to a punk show, or whatever. I had to beg my parents to drive me anywhere interesting, and usually they didn't want to.