I think arguments can be made on both sides whether the Medinah is the beginning of the geulah or not. It’s impossible to say with conviction either way. But I don’t think obsessing over or living in EY has anything to do with whether the geulah has started or not. EY is our homeland, we have an opportunity to return, haschalas hageulah or not.
Personally, I think one of the most compelling arguments that the geulah has started is kibutz galuyos which is the return of the Jewish People to Israel. For generations, no one knew whether it will happen through natural or miraculous means, but now it seems to be happening naturally. Klal Yisroel is literally returning to Eretz Yisroel. If that’s not Kibutz Galuyos, I don’t know what is (unless you know for sure it has to happen through miracles, but I don’t think any one of us is a navi that can say conclusively that kibutz galuyos can not happen through natural means).