when you live in the country, the routines and rituals of travel mean more. your place is more fixed and destinations are fewer. you can't just pop out and wander around Brunswick St until you feel right about some cafe or shop and decide to linger and spend money. you have to know yourself and know the places and just go there.
the actual cost of travel is really no different to the cost in the city. you just know it more. there are not the diversions and amusements of town to take you away from yourself. decisions are decisions, not happy accidents.