It all comes down to how you want to spend your life energy. Exurban living has too high an overhead in money and time to suit me. I'm a fan of easy living. Over the years, I've liked it most when I had very short commutes and low housing expenses. The best situation I was ever in was when I lived in a rented apartment right across the street from my workplace. Free time galore, money piling up in the bank, a pool & hot tub I never had to clean, and quite a few stores & restaurants within easy walking distance.