Joseph:
People make choices that fit more with the agenda of their goals. It is not rare that young couples marry and choose to live near parents. That is not about ruchniyus. Others simply prefer to remain where they have been, again not necessarily ruchniyus. The dichotomy of IT=ruchniyus and OOT=gashmiyus is simply untrue. There are realities that there are gashmiyus amenities that are hard to find IT, and religious ones that are not as plentiful OOT. But I draw attention to the huge distinction between “religiosity” and “spirituality”. It is not about return to the shtetl. It is that the spiritual heights were not determined by the outside factors you seem to worship. Torah was given in a midbor, not the streets of BP or Willi.
I happen to live IT, and I do enjoy the conveniences here. But the OOT life, of which I have tasted much, is different, not worse. And people should make their choices based on what they prioritize, not your pronouncement that IT = Yiddishkeit, and only baalei taavah who are addicted to their comforts gravitate and lower themselves to live OOT. And I am acquainted with many who live OOT and are truly impressive spiritual Yidden, and with the “frummest” in appearance and other aspects of chitzoniyus who are true low lifes and an embarrassment to Klal Yisroel. No OOT is not always better, but neither is IT.