newbee: It all depends on one’s personal perspective of what they’d rather seek as their goal: a higher level of spiritual comfort (rabbonim, rebbes , tzadikim, yeshivos, butei medrashim, minyanim, shiurim, tzedaka orgs, chesed orgs, etc.) or a higher level of physical comfort (bigger house, greener space, etc.)
And considering the tens of thousands upon tens of thousands of former OOTers who now – by choice – live in the NY area, we know what their answer is.