I lived in the Seoul metro area in my 20s, but moved to a small rural city in my 30s after landing a job at a public institution. There are definitely pros and cons. I guess you could say I've fully adjusted to the small-town life now?

Pros of small-town living: First off, housing is super cheap. Unless it's a brand-new apartment, buying a place isn't that much of a struggle. Rent is cheap too, so no housing stress. Overall cost of living feels lower—it varies, but generally, eating out is definitely cheaper. Traffic and parking are so easy that I can drive anywhere without a headache. It's great for saving money... though that's a double-edged sword because there's nowhere to actually spend it. When new facilities open up, you can use them without dealing with crazy crowds. Considering the basics like food, clothing, and shelter, the quality of life feels better than in the metro area.

Cons: It feels like I'm missing out on the 'benefits of civilization.' Cultural life is non-existent. There's a huge gap between what I see on TV or YouTube versus my daily reality. It's boring—always seeing the same people, same faces... zero change. There are no 'gourmet' spots; I find myself jealous of those fancy big-city franchise restaurants. On the flip side, while it's good for saving, it's not great for investing (real estate prices in small towns barely budge). Also, where did all the hotties go? It's hard to even find people to look at.