Alas, see my previous post. I'd move to NYC in a second if I could overcome the only obstacle in my way: Spousal approval. She was happy when we had four acres in the boonies, but I was developing an unhealthy fascination with sleeping pills and razor blades.
I feel the same way about rural life as you do about city life. I can't believe they're really happy living in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do and plenty of time to do it in. I stuck it out for a full 10 years before I had to tell her that I was leaving that particular corner of Hell with or without her, because it was really that hard on me. I can handle a lot of things, but mind crushing boredom is bad for the soul.
We've got what I figure is the perfect setup for us. The best of both worlds. We live in a nice suburb about 15 miles out of a fairly large metropolitan area. The city has all of the big city amenities - theaters, pro sports, orchestra, museums, great hospitals, fancy restaurants, universities, boating/sailing, etc.
Before that we lived (for 30 years) in an close-in, older suburb with tiny lots and high population density. Lot of activity but too close to too many people and their noise and antics.
But now we have our own little acre with peace and quiet and friendly, helpful, active neighbors who always seem to be working on some project but who have respect for each other. The shopping out here is great. Close to everything we need. If we want city, we can have it. If we want 'country' we can have it.
Our recently purchased property needs a lot of outdoor and indoor work, so there's no time to be bored. And I've always loved cutting grass. Now my wife wants to run the riding mower, too, but there are plenty of other things to do.
When we sit in the yard, we feel as if we are 100 miles from the nearest people. And we love watching all the critters that visit us. The dear are not our friends, though, since they want our garden.
Too bad we didn't have this setup when the kids were younger.
I've visited NYC many times and it found it fun and lively. But I felt somewhat trapped and was always glad to leave after a few days.