The suburban wealthy are a little more McMansion/nouveau riche.

Some of these people meet a certain definition of "rich", as in they never have to worry about money. Most suburbanites are not rich by that definition, there's a mix of negative net worth "keeping up with the joneses" types and the single digit millionaires who are a little less flashy and careful with their money.

A useful example - I knew a guy who lived in Naperville and owned an insurance company, drove a hot Jaguar and lived in a huge house. When the housing market crashed, he gutted it and sold off all the parts he could before the bank foreclosed on it.

As a SDM, something about being able to retire immediately changes you. That violently brings into focus a new most important aspect of wealth.

I’m still working (I enjoy it!). But, having a job is no longer stressful. Small stuff completely doesn’t matter and big stuff barely moves the needle.

I screw up at work? What are they gonna do, fire me? lol who cares.

Doing salary or raise negotiations? Max the band out. What are they gonna do, not hire me? lol who cares.

Rumors of layoffs? lol who cares.