Hello,
Rural relocating can be tricky! Proximity to ammenities, employment, and connection to like minded people really are the bread and butter of life in my opinion!
Having relocated from coastal Massachusetts just a year ago to rural Virginia,, small town 30 min from Roanoke,, life is drastically different.
Honestly, my small town is kind of shitty but Roanoke supplies the amenities although it lacks a Whole Foods/Trader Joe's. Screaming!
To look on the bright side, your family is together and well, maybe do nothing in the meantime due to feelings of uncertainty and mid life crisis motives. Give it time, adjust, network, maybe carpool the kids somehow to cut down on drive time even if it means hiring someone..
My new life here is far better, than just a year ago. Keep that thought as motivation before scrapping your current in progress dream..
Forget about FIRE and charting progress on spreadsheets for a bit. This website focuses to much on the endgame at times and robotic like movement to achieve a measured successful outcome. We all have a limited amount of time on this planet.
I joke that I retired since having relocated from Massachusetts before age 40! But there is Truth to it.
Truth is I haven't worked in over a year except for daily construction on our homestead here in the hills. To me , I can always return to work but we only live once.
I'm just a residential carpenter by trade.
Good luck