I'm positive that people were meant to live in large groups. The best of humanity comes from centers big enough to support large ideas. Packing people into areas near a city allows increased cultural, work and transportation options. Pulling from a larger pool of people increases diversity and freedom. More importantly, a larger population can support greater infrastructure.
Yesterday, on Canada Day, we were downtown near Vancouver's new Convention Centre. It is really an amazing building. The immense ballroom sitting on the water and overlooking the North Shore Mountains is quite spectacular. Living in a rural area may have benefits but it takes an area the size of Metro Vancouver to utilize something of such an immense scope.
