Big city! Given those 2 extremes. Not that I genuinely know. Every choice of residence has been out of extreme necessity. Never made a “voluntary” choice to move with proper time.
I want walkability, access to services, and robust infrastructure.
2nd choice is middle of nowhere where I can do all that stuff myself and homestead.
Having lived in both, I prefer the big city. Aside from numerous reasons already mentioned in this thread, I notice that big city people are more open-minded and more diverse. Being slightly different for whatever reason is more of an issue in a small community.
There was a city I lived in that had a small town feel on Vancouver Island. It was nice being able to go do things like eat at restaurants, hike, go buy hobby stuff, but also the freedom of driving a few minutes to the woods to be alone. The neighborhood I lived in and the surrounding area was quiet and close to nature. So, I’d say I’d like to live in a small town, since I grew up in one, but be close enough to a city where I can do stuff.
I might go for a city if not for the environmental challenges, people not feeling like people, and the violence. Cities seem built on quantity, villages are built on quality.
I live pretty darn rural nowadays. Used to live in a biggish city. Didn’t dislike it, it has its upsides like people have pointed out. And I could afford it, even a largeish house if I would’ve wanted. But the prospect of being effectively turned into a modern day slave by virtue of having to have a well paying job to afford mortgage and over all higher cost of living associated with big city life it just didn’t feel appealing. So we bought an old farm in the boonies instead for less than we sold the apartment for. Pretty much no neighbors. 20.000 SQ meters of land, some goats and hens. It’s pretty tranquil and peaceful. Still work a stressful IT job that pays well but being able to just stroll through a 100 year old forest by walking out the door does wonders for stress management I feel. Sure the commute sucks when I do need to be at the office but it’s a small price to pay and it has meant that I actually take the time to read quite a few books per year during said commute.
Not in a small town, but on the outskirts at the end of a long drive. I've lived in two houses like that and it was wonderful both times. I'm a boring person and enjoy doing yard work and I finally had enough to keep me busy and fit.
Being able to actually get places and do things and have people to do those things with, I don’t even know how a small town could ever compare. Grew up in one, currently living in another one, both crap.
Big city for sure, I don’t want to need a car and I do want to be able to get groceries 23.40 at a Saturday night. It’s nice to have a group of 500k+ people actively trying to supply for all of the needs and wants I might have.
Big city, I am an urban animal, I enjoy having a wide cultural/activity offer, having a grocery store down my stairs, and be able to do tons of stuff by walking/cycling.
Live in the US, and I live in a village, like there’s not even enough people here to be a town. There are cities within reasonable driving distances (5 mins - 1 hour depending on what you want to do/see.)
But, for the most part I like staying here in my area. Not too much noice and plenty of woods to see and go through. But still good food around, and fairly decent places to go and see.