I'd beg to differ, I think the idea of reaching pastoral life in suburbia comes down to one's personal perception, I live in suburbia and I for the most part from the outside in would have everything the average person would like for a comfortable life but I am actively looking to scale, happiness comes from retaking ones independence and reducing reliance on the services provided in the comfort of suburbia, supermarkets, grid power etc.

Maintenance is a concern yes, but self perpetuating finances = free time and to quote Socrates - It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.