I have done pretty much the opposite to you.
Moved out of the suburbs from a $#|+ area to what turns out to be virtual paradise. Other place was huge from a suburban POV, this one is 4 times bigger.
I liked what I had at the other place a lot, it was pretty ideal but the area just went downhill at a million mile an hour from an upmarket suburb to a place where the jobless welfare sponging whom didn't want to work or assimilate made their enclave. Place was in the family 75 years so was hard to let go although I have been surprised how little I have missed it.
New place is very luxurious and 3 times the size but Lots of work on upkeep. Maybe not the ideal house but the area is great. Once we have the place as we want, it I'm sure things will be different.
Only had a play self sufficient power set up at the old digs with panels, Now I have been testing a 1.6 Kw setup and a 5.7 and they are working great.
Ready to set it up properly on the roof now and happy with the layout and know what to expect. Today I have made over 16 KW at mid afternoon and hoping to crack 20 for the day. Still have some minor issues with the test setup tht will be cured when I go permanent so 20Kw on a clear day should be very easy.
I had the brother in law over last night to discuss the relaunch of my business. Haven't worked properly for about 5 years now first due to illness then family issues. We came to the area and bought the house with getting things going again in mind. I'll be doing a trade show in 2 weeks which should be an indicator of how well I have picked my mark. Everything says I will do well here, I just have personal fears and doubts but hypocritically, cannot come up with a sound reason why it should not work perfectly.
It's good to hear you did a business plan. So many people are ignorant to that and when you suggest one, they dismiss it as not being needed or only or big businesses or whatever. I say the smaller the enterprise the less room you have to make a mistake so the more important it is. Unfortunately people also allow themselves to be terribly fooled by wishful thinking and base everything on the best ( or fantasy) scenario not the worst case. When thec counted on utopia does not eventuate, they get in trouble, loose everything and then blame the Gubbermint, the economy or anything but their own ignorance.
I have a pretty simple Stop/ go formula with any new business I look at. If it does not look profitable based on the worst case scenario x2, then I walk away. Ironically most people tend to base things on the best possible scenario times 2 and then get into a lot of trouble and loose a lot of money if not everything.
I have not done a business plan for this, Done it before so long and the only variation is not something I can even guess let alone calculate.
the risk will be about 1000, maybe 1200 bucks so pretty much chicken feed and less than the returns on one job. If I can't pull one rabbit out this hat I'm REALLY in trouble beyond the business.
You have done well to conclude the best place for you is where you are. Saved yourself so much stress and effort moving and a heap of money as well. Cost me near $100K here just in fees, takes and professional services involved in the process.
That said, the way the prices in this area are going up I'll be in front with the property value this time next year.
Enjoy yourself where you are knowing you are already in the best place you can be. :0)