I don’t think what you’re saying and what GP is saying are incompatible. Many people choose to work exclusively remotely so they can live where they want; those who want top wages, or who are in a non-remote-compatible field tend to prefer the big city with the jobs available in such.

I’d also like the point out:

> Everyone in my area (hour outside a major city) is basically the same

If you live only an hour outside a major city, you’re still living in the metropolitan region of a big city.