Choice between living in a populated area or rural area: which would you choose?

if you had a choice, and could afford either one, would you choose to live in a populated area (town,city) where stores and restaurants are open late and everything is within walking or public transportation distance, and there are more museums and things to do, or would you rather live in a rural area, where there’s not much going on, but not many people, and it’s more quiet and subdued, maybe closer to nature, but less action. assume your commute to work would not be an issue.