Dear Philosopher: Should I live paycheck-to-paycheck in a city, or comfortably in a more remote area?

Question: “Would you rather live paycheck to paycheck in a big lively city or comfortably paid in a remote and isolated village? I have the opportunity of working as a physiotherapist in a village wich (sic) is one hour away drive from the first city and the prospect is painful since I’m a 23y.o. male, kinda wanting to live his life. On the other hand, living in the city would mean generally undesirable jobs with minimum wages (sic). There’s no possibility of in-between so please don’t suggest that.”*

Answer: Your dilemma captures a classic philosophical conflict between material comfort and personal fulfillment, touching on themes that many philosophers have explored across different times and traditions. You’re weighing the value of external goods, such as wealth and comfort, against internal goods like happiness, contentment, and the richness of life’s experiences. Here are three frameworks you could consider to help you think through your decision: Utilitarianism, Existentialism, and Stoicism.

Utilitarianism

From a utilitarian perspective, the focus would be on the outcome. Utilitarians like Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill seek to maximize happiness and minimize suffering, both for yourself and others…